Day 6: My National Conference Exploits.....

Well! Well!! Well!!! Yesterday (26th March 2014) was very unproductive, I must confess.

One speaker, an Emir, a Head, and a Leader goofed beyond my imagination. Perhaps, I expected much. He stood up and said to the house that he doesn't care if Nigeria disintegrates. He is very close to Cameroon he can migrate. If you ask me, this is the height of insensibility - Ok I should be respectful to elders they say. I therefore have my reservations, but that statement by a supposedly elder statesman was uncalled for. I never expected anyone to utter such.

Anyway, after that speech.

The chairman asked the house if they'll be need for receiving memorandum from the general public. One delegate said it's going to be waste of time - I wondered what could be more time wasting than him uttering that.

A youth emphasised the need on getting a memorandum from the general public. "Your children are looking up to you to make a difference, and they'll need to send in their ideas". She also explained the importance of engaging the social media youth - the space-age of modern civilisation.

Another delegate spoke on the need to be cautious on the kind of memorandum the secretariat receives so as not to receive from Cameroon - obviously a sub on the earlier speaker, the Emir.

Majority of the house agreed on the need to receive memorandum from the general public and it was agreed upon, a duration of 2 weeks.

After all said and done, the Deputy Chairman called out names of some delegates who are to meet with the chairman behind the scene (in a particular order, similar to how leaders are hand-picked in the country) to deliberate on the 2/3 and 3/4 issue.

The sitting was adjourned around 11 am to 4pm.

After eating lunch, at about 2.30pm we - the Youths decided to meet and deliberate on some critical issues. In the middle of our discussion, Elder statesman - Josephine Anenih, elder statesman as she call herself or rather say as it is, came to where we were seated and said. "So you these people that complain we have expired what are you people discussing?" we told her we are discussing on issues that are in the interest of our mothers in the conference" she laughed and walked away.

We all were seated at the conference hall at 4pm - well not all but most of us, to hear the outcome of the meeting, the Chairman said a lot of progress has been made but they still needed to buy-in more time to reach a conclusion and iron out some points of departures.

The Chairman, apparently was not happy with the conduct of the house - as usual, shuddered " if you watch the repeat broadcast of yourself yesterday, you will be very ashamed, you embarrassed yourselves" [sic]. And he continued "We would not want a repeat of what happened yesterday".

The conference was adjourned till Monday.

I remain speechless.

It's very saddening to see that the house is divided along ethnic & religious primordial lines and even funnier that these set of people would be deliberating on the need for this division to be harmonized.
Or rather, how can a divided house talk about unity?

Indeed, we have come to a point where we really need to define our identity - Are you a Northern Muslim? A Northern Christian? A southern Muslim? Or a Southern Christian? Or a Nigerian Muslim or Nigerian Christian?

While we are still where we are..I will be pleased if this conference will channel its energy to redefine the Nigerians indigene based on ethnic, religion and regional line. We can not shy away from that. It's only hypocritical to be shying away from what actually is the bottom line of our problem as a Nation.

Until then, the solution to our woes remains an optical illusion.

See you on Monday.

On Twitter: @Yadomah

Day 5 : My National Conference Exploits..

Alright today (Mar 25th 2014), I arrived at the venue on time, no traffic on the way as it were the previous day - seem the agitation of some of the delegates has been considered and effected - I wish some issues bothering this nation are given this maximum assiduity.

That will be a story for another day though.

At the conference, deliberations on the procedures of the conference continued.

Well, what greeted us was a delegates' anger on page six(6) of Leadership Newspaper where it featured some old men and women of social ranks sleeping while discussions were ongoing. The man was really angry that delegates should be entitled to their privacy and the media should be very cautious. Another countered by saying "if they are old and unable to stay up for the duration of the conference, they should either walk out or give up the ship".

So many procedures were discarded, amended and some, left the way they were.

Like Order 9 (7) of the rules which reads “The Conference may grant approval to the representative of any media to attend the sitting of the Conference provided that if the media publishes a report of the proceedings which the Conference considers unfair, offensive and not a true reflection of what transpired, such permission may be revoked.”

It was reached to a conclusion that the media should in no way be gagged, they should be allowed to cover the events as it unfolds hence the clause "provided that if the media publishes a report of the proceedings which the Conference considers unfair, offensive and not a true reflection of what transpired, such permission may be revoked" was supported to be removed by majority of the delegates.

One of the Youths spoke on the need for the older generation to give way to the younger generation as the matter to be discussed here - at the National Conference is for the young and not the elderly. This provoked some of the elders which led to one saying "the youths have to be cautious of their choice of words and stick to the Nigerian culture of respect for elders". [Sic]

This went on and on, some picked up the microphone and talked to be captured on air, making points that are pointless and trying to pull relevance out of irrelevance.

Committees were set up, each delegate is to choose which committee he/she wants to belong.

Well, after concluding the amendment of the procedures, the Chairman demanded a delegate move the motion of adoption and closure of the amendment of procedures and move on to work plan. This didn't go well with those interested in the issue of 3/4 and 2/3 deciding a proposed decision, reminding the chairman that he actually passed yesterday to revisit it, so we can't adopt the amendment of the procedures without that section cleared.

There was serious screams and shouts. Well, I was scared that someone might collapse of High blood pressure by the way and manner, old and responsible men were shouting on top of their voices left me in awe and brings me closer to the rift I used to watch on the floor of NASS.

Some section were in support of three quarter, forming the majority as it is initially on the procedure, while some are of the opinion that it should be cut down to 2/3.

The debate became intense, shouts and screams in the hall. The Chairman had to re-adjourn the deliberation of this particular matter and states that it won't be relevant for now until in the next three weeks- when committees start bringing in their reports, and decided that we should move ahead to deliberating on the conference work plan.

There was tension in the room so the Chairman decided to adjourn the session till the following day for everyone to go and cool their nerves and tempers down.

We closed for the day at about 5:35pm, some 25 minutes to closing time.

If you ask me, that was 25 precious minutes wasted.

Day 4: My National Conference Exploits

Alright yesterday (24th March 2014) started a little scary.

I woke up unconsciously concious, haven dreamt that there was something burning inside my cupboard, when I woke up - really there was something burning, not in my cupboard though but the electric extension wire in my room has actually began melting. Well that really dampened my mood for almost the whole day.

I left home at about 9am started the long journey to the venue of the national conference. 20 minutes to the time of the commencement of the conference which is scheduled to start at 10 am, I met a really mad traffic just close to the entrance of the venue. It took me 40 minutes to reach the gate of the venue- well service to nation has its cost.

On reaching the venue of the conference, there were parking spaces for elder statesmen and the other big men, as for we the other delegates, our parking space is some Kilometres away from the venue - what will poor man do?. After trekking miles from the parking lot to the venue, I was almost out of breath, then a long queue greeted me - "from vehicle queue to human queue" I wondered. I slowly and slowly made my way into the venue, some 40 minutes late all thanks to human and vehicle traffic.

On entering the hall, I was relieved that the proceedings were not fully started.

Then the matter of the day.

We spent the whole day delebrating on amending the procedures of the National conference 2014 shared to us.

Matters such as the traffic and congestion on the way to the venue of the national conference were deliberated on.

A particular place of interest that rose uproar was the issue of the use of three quarter majority of the house to decide on proposed decisions. Some were of the opinion that it should be two third because three fourth is unattainable. The chairman had to drop the matter to a later time for deliberation because a consensus was unable to be reached.

Another issue that provoked some of the members - delegates, was the recognition of some of the delegates by the chairman of the conference by their names, while the unknowns - poor we, are not dully recognised.

And another thing is that me and my fellow youths have to shout on top of their voices to be heard or seen.

The issue of break time which is 2pm-4pm was deliberated on extensively. "Some of the elders were of the view that the break time should be reduced by at least one hour for some may run back home, or sleep off after a meal and skip the afternoon session. A youth countered by saying "if they can't keep up, they should go back home and allow the young energetic blood to carry on.

At 2pm we went for lunch break, we were offered variety of meal to dine.

So many recommendations and solutions were reached on the issue of the procedures of the conference.

At 6:05 the session was adjourned till the following day.

I wrote this yesterday but I slept off in the middle of it so I adjourned publishing it till today.

Delebrating on General issues concerning Nigeria and Nigerians hasn't stared yet, still on issues concerning conference and delegates.

There's always another way..

As a delegate to the National Conference - the youngest of them all, i am humbled to be part of the process of making my country better, I am willing to make modest sacrifices so that my generation and generation yet unborn can live in better country.

The Federal Government has rationalized that delegates should be paid sitting allowances, in all honesty I am modestly comfortable and able to cater for my immediate needs. Some of my colleagues have indicated their intention not to receive the money which in itself is a pointer to the fact that we still have men and women with high redeeming qualities among us. However, I am not unmindful of the appalling poverty and great need that exists where I come from and the people I represent. We have a situation where widows and orphans have been abandoned by society, these are individuals made vulnerable by the insurgency. They have no idea how to pay the school fees of their children and wards, and how to eat at least once a day. We have a scenario where things we take for granted mean the world to others -physically challenged people who will never be able to afford wheel chairs and thousands of people who can't afford medical care because they are poor and have been injured by terrorists. I want them to consider my sitting allowance as a gift to them and humanity.

 
I do not do this for praise nor to look good in the eyes of the society, I am doing this because it is the right thing to do. I have received my first payment which is the sum of 1,460,000 naira yesterday evening (21st March 2014) from the National Conference. I hereby pledge to use my allowances as a seed grant and start a foundation that will cater for vulnerable women especially widows and children in Borno State, if you understand their hopeless and helpless state in Borno State and Northern Nigeria in general you will support me in this new drive to put a smile on their faces.

On Twitter: @Yadomah
 

Day 2: My National Conference Exploits.....

So today or was it yesterday? (18th March 2014) day two (2) of the National Conference, ended well? Or not? I can't say but it was a day full of activities.

There was a question and answer session by delegates. Someone said "some of the people delebrating on the problems of Nigeria at the National Conference are part of Nigeria's problem".

Another countered "We are the problem and also the solution" Is it that someone picked his sub by the forgone speaker?

Another protested on the use of Islamic citation by the chairman of the National Conference before reading out his speech.

Some aired their reservation especially with the seating arrangement - because of our cultures and respect for the elderly, a young person can't instruct an elderly man/woman to stand up he/she wants to step out and resolve some pressing issues and so on.

Then there was sharing of trolley boxes. Names were called one after the other, everyone stepped down and collected his, therein were six (6) working books for perusal and study.

So I walked out of the hall where boxes were shared and went to the secretariat to get a form to fill. I collected the form from an official, and started filling, then a drama began right in front of me without paying for a cinema fee.

A man was standing by the door, another came in with a box trolley - it resembled the one we were given books in.

One of the officials asked the man that strolled in with the trolley "where did you say you were representing sir"? "Nigerians in the diaspora" the man with the trolley replied, "which continent" the official demanded? "Europe" said the man. "Can I see your passport sir"? because the man standing by the door shares same name with you and he is representing Nigerians in America", the man with the box said with a laughter "O I am glad to see someone I share the same name with, I thought my name is rare"

"My name America, my name UK" interesting said trolley carrying man.

So basically the two guys were claiming one slot. Both of them were obviously above 40 years.

He presented his passport after much fumbling saying "I cannot impersonate anyone you know"?

Well I was not filling form again o.

The official glanced at the mans passport, it looked very new, no page was stamped, he - official instructed the man standing by the door to present his (passport), he did, his was fully stamped.

Now this became interesting, the man with trolley was asked to present his indifinate residence permit, he said he doesn't join the two together - his passport and other papers, saying he left it at the hotel he lodged, the official told him to sit, he said, "no let me go and come back later by then this thing is sorted out".

The lead actor disappeared from the scene of the movie.

I am still pained by that.

So you know the National conference was adjourned till Monday right?

See you on Monday.

On Twitter: @Yadomah

Day 1: My National Conference Exploits

Today (17th March 2014) was the first day of the national conference. Delegates were inaugurated

I arrived at the venue of the event around 2 PM. Upon arriving at the gate, I saw vans of armed police men stationed at the front gate, and I was like "wow this country".

I got into the reception where delegates are to be accredited. First i had to go and get checked and see if my name was on their system by showing my ID, then proceeded to a room where I was captured for my tag. I was told my tag will be ready in 10 minutes, I walked out of the room and waited for my tag. I got my tag at the said time.

We -delegates, left the reception and proceeded to the venue of the inauguration, you must have heard what happened to me at the entrance. A man (guard) in a fine suit stopped me, with a straigh face he asked "Are you a guest" I said "No", he asked, press? I said "NO". He then quickly glanced at my tag dangling on my neck, and started, "sorry ma, youngest delegate".

I felt out of place, like I do not belong here. I felt like it's a gathering for the elderly and not for the young.

I walked passed him, went found a seat and sat. Waiting for me were three (3) books on the arm rest, one; on the programme of event and the other two on the national conference and centenary.

There were free seats on both sides of me some women sat, one of them asked " Are you from national youth council"? I said no! What group are you representing? I told her youth and other youth organisation. The pank hit me again of being out of place. I thought "am I really too small" or is it the Nigerian mentality that someone has to be old to deliberate on National issues?

Then after a while, another woman (a delegate) came and sat by my other side, a big woman obviously, she asked, "which state are you from"? "I said Borno" she asked "Maiduguri"? "I said yes". We got talking and I told her youths are very angry because there is less representation of youths at the conference, majority are elderly, she said "yes they can not be accommodated", and I was like what?! She said errrm you see they can't be accommodated, I thought "But old men and women can be accommodated"?. Before I could say anything, the arrival of the president was announced.

How many of such will one hear before the conference ends?

Speeches were made, pictures were snapped.

It was announced that they'll be a dinner later tonight but I obviously cannot make it. Couldn't drive home and drive back for the dinner, i choose saving my fuel over free meal. Fuel is still scarce remember.

For those that are interested in the money aspect: No money was given, no accommodation, no sitting allowance as people claim will drop everyday. Some said delegates will be given accommodation at transcorp and other big hotels on arrival, well no such thing happened, or probably not yet or not for tiny rats like myself.

And please if you know anyone that knows anyone who knows any thing about the conference, ask him if he knows what time will the event start tomorrow and where?

The organizers should be given the award of....... Never mind....

I am trying to eat now, yes it is late, nobody gave me food at the inauguration, and my appetite was distorted, so I am eating....

On Twitter: @Yadomah