His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
At the
Inauguration of the National Conference
Monday, 17th March, 2014
PROTOCOLS
1. I
am delighted to welcome you all to the inauguration of this historic
National Conference which promises to be another significant landmark in
our efforts to strengthen national unity and consolidate democratic
governance in our beloved country.
2. I
also believe that this National Conference is coming at a very
appropriate time. Having just celebrated the first centenary of our
country, the most compelling task before us, as we move ahead and
contemplate what our nation will be at the end of its second century, is
to lay a much stronger foundation for faster development.
3. This
we can achieve by building a more inclusive national consensus on the
structure and guiding principles of state that will guarantee our
emergence as a more united, progressive and prosperous nation.
4. In
our history as a political entity, we have experienced highs and lows
but have always forged ahead. To my mind, the fact that we have
weathered all storms and continued with the mission of evolving a
truly national identity signifies that we are going in the right
direction.
5. The
strongest nations in the world today also went through their own
formative stages; some for decades and others for centuries. We must
learn from them that nationhood will not happen overnight, especially
given the circumstances of our birth as a nation.
6. History
also teaches that nation-building is a journey of dedication,
commitment, diligence, perseverance and patriotic vision. To be
successful, nation-builders must continually strive to evolve better and
more inclusive societies in which every citizen is a proud and
committed stakeholder.
7. It
was with this objective in mind that we set up the Presidential
Advisory Committee (PAC) on the National Conference in October last year
and charged its members with the responsibility of designing the
framework and modalities for a productive National Conference.
8. The
Committee which submitted its Report in December, 2013, was able to
reach out to all Nigerians and various interest groups, socio-political
groupings, regional and religious elements, professionals, civil
society, the organised private sector, labour, youth, women and others
to ascertain their views on the initiative.
9. The
Presidential Advisory Committee established that there was indeed, a
national consensus for this Conference to be convened immediately, to
meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people.
10. The
National Conference is therefore being convened to engage in intense
introspection about the political and socio-economic challenges
confronting our nation and to chart the best and most acceptable way for
the resolution of such challenges in the collective interest of all the
constituent parts of our fatherland.
11. This
coming together under one roof to confer and build a fresh national
consensus for the amicable resolution of issues that still cause
friction amongst our people must be seen as an essential part of the
process of building a more united, stronger and progressive nation.
12. We
cannot continue to fold our arms and assume that things will straighten
themselves out in due course, instead of taking practical steps to
overcome impediments on our path to true nationhood, rapid development
and national prosperity.
13. For
many years we have discussed and argued over various issues concerning
our national existence and well-being. Much of this national discourse
has been conducted through the mass media, both print and electronic.
More recently, the advent of the age of ICT and social media has greatly
enlarged the space for the discussion of our country’s future.
14. Many
more young and articulate Nigerians who previously had little access
to the traditional mass media have now joined the conversation,
motivated by patriotic concern for good governance, peace, stability,
justice, equity, fairness and the harmonious co-existence of the diverse
groups that make up our great nation.
15. Dear
Compatriots, my administration is convening this National Conference
today because we believe that we must assume responsibility for ensuring
that the long-running national debate on the best way forward for our
country is not in vain.
16. It
is our expectation that participants in this conference will
patriotically articulate and synthesize our peoples’ thoughts, views and
recommendations for a stronger, more united, peaceful and politically
stable Nigeria, forge the broadest possible national consensus in
support of those recommendations, and strive to ensure that they are
given the legal and constitutional backing to shape the present and the
future of our beloved fatherland.
17. In
inaugurating this national conference today, we are not unmindful of
the argument of those who say that we do not need such a conference
since we already have an elected Parliament and an elected Government in
place.
18. As
cogent as that argument may sound, I have chosen to act on the sincere
conviction that in the truly democratic nation we are striving to build,
we must never ignore the loudly expressed views of the majority of
ordinary Nigerians.
19. I
have heard that majority say, that we need to rebuild trust by
involving them in the process of developing a guiding document of our
national political relationships which is more acceptable to all
sections of the country. I have heard our people say that we need to
openly and frankly discuss our problems and seek acceptable solutions
instead of allowing them to fester and remain sources of perennial
conflict.
20. I
have also heard them say that, as the elected representatives of our
people, we must never arrogate to ourselves all knowledge and wisdom
regarding the development of our country.
21. And
I am in full agreement with our people. The power we hold is, without
question, in trust for the people. Sovereignty belongs to the people.
Their voices must be heard and factored into every decision we take on
their behalf.
22. This
National Conference is a very important avenue for the voices of our
people to be heard. Our people have yearnings and desires that need to
be discussed. Their representatives at this conference are neither
usurping the role of the National Assembly nor the Executive. They are
complementing us in our march towards a greater and stronger union.
23. Over
the years, well-meaning Nigerians have drawn attention to inadequacies
in our current constitution. Some have described it as a
military-inspired document which does not take into full consideration
the genuine desires and wishes of the people.
24. The phrase in the preamble that says “we, the people,” has
been variously criticised as being misleading because, according to the
critics, the constitution was not written by the people. There are
also those who believe that the constitution is not our problem but the
political will to faithfully implement it for the peace and progress of
Nigeria.
25. While
opinions on the matter can be as diverse as rain showers, I believe
that irrespective of our personal views on the issue, no one can deny
the fact that every constitution is a living document that needs to be
revised and improved upon from time to time. The United States, which is
the model democracy in the eyes of many, has amended its constitution
27 times since it was first adopted in 1787.
26. Some
of our compatriots also believe that because we have held several
conferences in the past, we do not need to hold another one. I do not
share that view at all.
27. A
deeper look will reveal that the challenges we faced before each of the
preceding national conferences were different. The challenges of 1956
are certainly not the challenges of 2014, and definitely not the
challenges that the nation will face in years to come. It makes sense,
therefore, that as the challenges before us evolve, we must be constant
and proactive in our search for fresh solutions. We cannot continue to
proffer yesterday’s solutions for today’s problems.
28. This conference is open for us to table our thoughts and positions
on issues, and make recommendations that will advance our togetherness.
The issues range from form of government, structures of government,
devolution of powers, revenue sharing, resource control, state and local
government creation, boundary adjustment, state police and fiscal
federalism, to local government elections, indigeneship, gender equality
and children’s rights, amongst others.
29. We
must not approach these issues with suspicion and antagonism. Rather,
we should be open-minded and work to achieve what is best for Nigeria.
Even though you come to the Conference as nominees and representatives
of different interest groups, I urge you all to make a more united,
stronger, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria your preoccupation and
reference point at this national gathering. Whatever the pressures on
you may be, I call upon you to put the best interest of Nigeria before
all other sectional or group interests.
30. Indeed,
I am quite worried when I hear people say that some participants in
this National Conversation are coming here to defend and promote ethnic
or clannish agenda. It is very regrettable that there are persons who
believe that we cannot undertake any collective task in our country
without the hindrance of ethnic rivalry even after 100 years of
nationhood.
31. This
conference gives us an opportunity to prove such persons wrong and I
believe it will. As we start a new century of nationhood, we have an
obligation to reshape and redirect our country for the benefit of our
children. There should be no room for divisive cleavages and ethnic
jingoism. There should be no room for selfish considerations that defeat
the purpose of national progress. There should be room only for the
national interest.
32. In
the 60s, our country was ranked along with some developing countries
including India, Malaysia and South Korea. Today, those countries have
moved far ahead of us in several areas. My expectation is that the
outcome of this Conference will be a positive turning point for our
country’s development. We must seize this opportunity to cement the
cleavages and fault lines that tend to separate us. We must re-launch
our country.
33. I
know the task before you is onerous; but there must be only one winner,
and there can only be one winner if we do everything right, and that
winner must be Nigeria. I urge you therefore to focus strictly on the
Nigerian Agenda.
34. I
expect that, as persons of integrity and honour, you will do nothing in
this Conference that will undermine our efforts and desire to build a
truly great nation. I also expect that your discussions will be
informed only by the noblest of instincts and persuasions.
35. Our
sole motivation for convening this conference is the patriotic desire
for a better and greater nation. We are determined that things must be
done in a way and manner that will positively advance that objective.
36. While
we recognise that groups and communities are the building blocks of our
nation, we must also emphasise that we need one another to build the
solid and prosperous country of our dreams.
37. We
cannot join hands together to build with a collective vision if we
continue to harbour negative biases and prejudices against ourselves.
38. Yesterday’s
prejudices should die with yesterday. Today is a new day. This is the
dawn of a new era. This is an opportunity to think anew. We must
jettison the poisonous mind-sets of the past, which were built on
unhealthy competition among our diverse groups and peoples.
39. We
need a new mind and a new spirit of oneness and national unity. The
time has come to stop seeing Nigeria as a country of many groups and
regions. We have been divinely brought together under one roof. We must
begin to see ourselves as one community. We are joined together by
similar hopes and dreams as well as similar problems and challenges.
What affects one part of the community affects the other.
40. An
average Nigerian sees every part of the country as home. Let us seize
the opportunity of this Conference to do more to further turn our
diversity and plurality into unique national resources for strength and
greatness.
41. I
have always affirmed that our ability to stay together despite our
acknowledged differences, when other countries are finding it difficult
to meet that challenge, is a powerful statement by Nigeria to the world
on the virtues of tolerance and unity.
42. It
is a strong and compelling statement in a world much afflicted by
strife and violence. We must sustain it. We must not allow the
antagonists of unity and togetherness to prevail. We must work
ceaselessly to remain one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity, as
our National Anthem says.
43. Honourable
Chairman and distinguished delegates, I urge you not to be under any
illusions as you begin your assignment. The task that lies ahead of you
is formidable. Over the coming weeks, you will be confronted with
complex and emotive issues; strong views will be expressed by opposing
sides and some disagreements will, in all likelihood, be intense.
44. I
sincerely believe, however, that we can overcome all obstacles to true
national unity if we dig deep into the recesses of our national
character and look up to God Almighty for wisdom, guidance and the
generosity of spirit we need to ensure the success of this conference.
45. Once
again, I wish to express my appreciation to the Nigerian people who
have, without hesitation, accepted dialogue as a means of resolving all
differences and tensions that may exist in the country, and therefore,
given their unequivocal support for this National Conference.
46. Let
me at this point thank the National Assembly for introducing the
provision for a referendum in the proposed amendment of the
Constitution. This should be relevant for this Conference if at the end
of the deliberations, the need for a referendum arises. I therefore urge
the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly to speed up the
Constitutional amendment process especially with regard to the subject
of referendum.
47. I
thank the Chairman, Senator Femi Okurounmu and members of the
Presidential Advisory Committee for the arduous work they undertook to
prepare for the Conference. I also thank the Chairman of this National
Conference, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, the principal officers and all
the distinguished patriots and representatives of our people who have
taken time off their busy personal schedules to serve the cause of
national unity and progress at this conference.
48. I
am confident that we are embarking on a landmark journey that will make
us stronger as a nation if we undertake it with all sense of purpose
and sincerity. Let us do that which is selfless, purposeful and
patriotic so that history will remember us for having served our nation
well.
49. In
conclusion, I urge all officials and participants in the national
conference to work extra hard to ensure that their deliberations are
completed on schedule, well ahead of the schedule of events for the next
general elections already announced by the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC).
50. Let
me again repeat what I have been saying that Goodluck Jonathan has no
personal agenda in convening this national conference.
51. Ladies
and Gentlemen, I now have the honour and privilege of declaring the
National Conference open, for the good of our Nation and to the glory of
God Almighty who has brought us together.
52. I thank you all.
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