Day 21: My National Conference Exploits....

Thursday (24th April 2014)...

We began the day with a lecture presentation by a waste management expert. It was an interesting discuss as he spoke about the negligence of waste management in Nigeria, and lack of professional waste managers nor professional bodies.

"Waste management is not even taught in undergraduate level".

He said: a neat environment shows transparency and good governance and a dirty environment shows bad governance and lack of transparency. I totally subscribe.

He suggested that responsibility of waste management should be handled by the 3 tiers of government.

The Federal Waste; this should include explosive, mining waste and Nuclear waste which should be handled by the federal government.

State waste; should be any hazardous waste with the exception of the ones mentioned above.

And council waste; should be non hazardous waste.

He also advised on the need for each state to have a waste management authority, because waste managemt is beyond sanitation.

"Nigeria doesn't even have a database for waste" he lamented - well is that not asking for much? When we do not even have a database for lives lost? 

Away from my committee; I learned that the committee on Electoral matters wanted to include Nigerians in the diaspora to vote come 2015, it seem all of them were myopic or under the illusion that diaspora only means Nigerians in the U.K and U.S. They almost swore not to change position until a delegate asked them whether they know how many Nigerians we have in Niger, Chad, Saudi, Cameroon and other countries? they are all abroad right?Are we truly ready for that? A confused delegate said that he has never thought it that way. And they all agreed the matter should be left until when Nigeria is truly ripe and ready for that. That is why is good to use your brain, all the time.

On Thursdays also, we - the youths at the National conference held a press conference. Our submission;

TEXT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE HELD ON THURSDAY 24TH APRIL, 2014 AT THE NICON LUXURY HOTEL ABUJA.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the press. Welcome to this press briefing.  We have called you to bring to the notice of the media and the general public the attempt to deliberately gauge the opinion of the youth at the national conference.

It is interesting to note that of the 493 delegates, the youth have only 18 representation which is a marginalisation of the majority by the minority considering the youth population. In other climes, a conference of these nature should have more of the younger generation under the guidance of a few elders. It is only in Nigeria, that we have more of the older ones than the younger ones in discussing the future. Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo negotiated the independence of this country at relatively young age. We accepted to downplay this because we thought the conference would be about intellectual contest that will allow the best ideas scale through. This is despite the urge scepticism of our constituency. We started the conference with a subtle blackmail that we should respect our parents at the conference once it is noticed that our opinion varies with the status quo. As young Nigerians well brought up with our various rich cultural values for respect, we have immense respect for our elders at the conference. But we also understand that we can respectfully disagree and insist on our position except a superior position emerges. It must be understood that we are here in our official capacities to represent the youth and not to massage the egos of some people.

When the 50 wise men were convened, a serious omission was made by not having any youth representation. Is the leadership saying that we have no youth who can represent the interest of the youth on the key issues that was discussed and agreed upon?

Again, 20 committees where constituted and the principal officers refused to see the wisdom in young delegates being represented in each committees despite that we raised objection at the plenary. We appreciate that one of us emerged a deputy chairman of a committee. While we appreciate the importance of the economy, environment, energy, labour, transport, civil societies and sport in our nations development; how come we were omitted from equal critical issues like devolution of power, restructuring of government, public services and political parties? Was this a deliberate attempt to silence our view on political issues or another omission? If this is not addressed urgently, we may have no other option than to dissociate ourselves from outcomes of decisions taken about our future in our absence.

We will like to use this opportunity to draw attention to the increasing senseless killings and insecurity in our country. We the youth are most vulnerable. We therefore call on the government at all levels, our elders and the youth across the country to come together at this time regardless of political differences to confront the common enemy. We sympathise with the families of the deceased and pray that God grants the families the fortitude to bear the loss.​

Thank you for your time​

That is about all for yesterday, meanwhile my committee is trying hard to get our report ready for deliberation by team members on Monday. I envy your weekend :( 

See you soon ...

On Twitter: @Yadomah....

Day 20: My National Conference Exploits....

Yesterday (23rd April 2014), deliberations continued from the previous session we had.

We again tossed around the thematic areas from where we stopped and the need to work hard to see to the success of the committee work and implementation.

We all agreed that most of these issues all boils down to poverty and poor living standards of Nigerians to be nearly sufficient enough to cause deforestation, illegal mining, bush burning and the best alternative available to them is to use nature to make money but in turn harming the nature. So, while protecting the environment, we have to also look at creating employment for the locals to sustain nature.

The need to use technological advances and new innovations were also recommended.

We also have resolved to inviting a few professionals to come and deliver a paper to the committee which will help in mapping out our final report. Though we have a Professor of Environmental studies and some environmental experts amongst us.

After general deliberations, we splitted to sub groups so that each group will take on at least 5 Topic in the thematic area. And we have 4 persons in each group.

In the rules, the Chair and deputy's  responsibility is to oversee the affairs of the committee and it's members but I told my Chair that I must join one of the sub committees because I can't achieve anything by being an overseer... Well, she had to agree.

I volunteered to be the secretary of the group and now like the resource person. It's hectic but we would get there.

We have made progress and things are falling into place. To beat time now, we have to work all days and most nights and also use our weekends. After all, there's always a price to pay for saying "Yes, I do"

Yeah!

 And I promised to bring you reports from the other committees right? 

All the committees seem to be calm but one... Which you may ask right?

The committee on devolution of power, I heard some of the members have been devolving insults amongst them selves. Even the French words and the flip fingers have been used, all in a bid to make our Nation better! (Power, is usually a thug of war)

Off track: My heart still with the abducted Chibok school girls. Wish they are safely reunited with their families and loved ones.

On Twitter: @Yadomah

Day 19 : My National Conference Exploits....

Hello all...

Hope y'all had a great holiday? Mine was choked up trying hard to figure out ways and solutions to make our Environment better and friendlier.

Well, yesterday (22nd April 2014) went pretty......

Committee work properly started and my committee - the committee on Environment began deliberation some minutes pass 10am.

We brought up the thematic issues in our committee; 

Meteorology

Illegal Mining Activities

Pollution

Gas Flaring

Protection of Biodiversity

Afforestation and Reforestation

Flooding/Gully Erosion

Environmental Degradation

Oil Spillage and Desertification

Drought

Waste management/Disposal

Hazardous/toxic Waste

Bush Burning

Natural Disaster

And any other Related Matters.

We discussed and deliberated on each.

It was an interesting session as those who are offbeat with environmental issues are beginning to catch up and those that feel atypical of the committee are deciding to changing their minds.

We decided that the 17 of us will break into sub committees, so that for every 5 topics, 4 people will draft a position paper.

We discussed so many Environmental issues that affects the Nigerian people; like the Ogoni, Makoko, Lake Chad and other issues of illegal mining in various states that poses serious danger to lives and properties, issues of grazing reserves that causes conflict amongst others. 

The preventive measures to be taken were dully assessed 

Little adjustment - We actually decided to lessen our break timing which used to be 2-4pm to 2-3pm in order to come back and work then close at 5pm instead of 6pm 

...

After much deliberations, we adjourned at 5pm to resume the following day at 10am.

Other committees as well have began deliberations and like I said in my previous post, one can sent submissions to the other committees or even go and discuss with other committees. I am glad the committee on national security is directly opposite mine. I can always work in and out at my will to make contributions.

I am so far overwhelmed with my committee work, I know not what is happening in the other committees, but will find out for you. 

See you soon... 

On Twitter: @Yadomah....

Day 19 : My National Conference Exploits....

Hello all...

Hope y'all had a great holiday? Mine was choked up trying hard to figure out ways and solutions to make our Environment better and friendlier.

Well, yesterday (22nd April 2014) went pretty......

Committee work properly started and my committee - the committee on Environment began deliberation some minutes pass 10am.

We brought up the thematic issues in our committee; 

Meteorology

Illegal Mining Activities

Pollution

Gas Flaring

Protection of Biodiversity

Afforestation and Reforestation

Flooding/Gully Erosion

Environmental Degradation

Oil Spillage and Desertification

Drought

Waste management/Disposal

Hazardous/toxic Waste

Bush Burning

Natural Disaster

And any other Related Matters.

We discussed and deliberated on each.

It was an interesting session as those who are offbeat with environmental issues are beginning to catch up and those that feel atypical of the committee are deciding to changing their minds.

We decided that the 17 of us will break into sub committees, so that for every 5 topics, 4 people will draft a position paper.

We discussed so many Environmental issues that affects the Nigerian people; like the Ogoni, Makoko, Lake Chad and other issues of illegal mining in various states that poses serious danger to lives and properties, issues of grazing reserves that causes conflict amongst others. 

The preventive measures to be taken were dully assessed 

Little adjustment - We actually decided to lessen our break timing which used to be 2-4pm to 2-3pm in order to come back and work then close at 5pm instead of 6pm 

...

After much deliberations, we adjourned at 5pm to resume the following day at 10am.

Other committees as well have began deliberations and like I said in my previous post, one can sent submissions to the other committees or even go and discuss with other committees. I am glad the committee on national security is directly opposite mine. I can always work in and out at my will to make contributions.

I am so far overwhelmed with my committee work, I know not what is happening in the other committees, but will find out for you. 

See you soon... 

On Twitter: @Yadomah....

Day 18: My National Conference Exploits.....

Thursday (17th April 2014) I went to the venue of the conference, some minutes to 10am, from the parking lot I noticed the poor turnout of delegates. Prolly because of the Easter I guessed.

On reaching the hall, I met so many empty seats greeting me, well "it's morning, so you wouldn't expect turnout of people Yadoma wait till 10am" I said to myself. But it's normally not like that.

At 10am, opening prayer was said, and deliberation started. 

Someone moved a motion that we cannot continue, if we do not form a quorum  seeing the number of people absent. "Well someone noticed it too"...

The secretariat counted the number of people present and we are well over (1/3)

For the first time no correction was made nor observation on the votes and proceedings of the previous day - obviously the noise makers were absent.

Well after that, a delegate raised his hands, got noticed, stood and informed the house that the abducted girls in Borno were rescued by the Nigerian army with the support of the civilian JTF and that we should commend them for an effort well done.

I was so delighted to hear the girls were freed, only to come online to find out that the news was false that the army lied about it? This saddened me sincerely, why are we Nigerians like that? Lying at the expense of others sorrow? 

A delegate brought the information that Wukari (Taraba) is under siege right now (17th April).. God! It's been from one bad news to another!

A person from that state explained to the house what is happening. "We are not attacked by Fulani or any tribe, we are invaded, they are now under 24 hours curfew, so many people are calling me now they are at home, they expect me as a member of the conference to do something, please and please the government should take up the responsibility and end these massacres. My people said they have never seen people like that or guns like that in their entire life, hunger may kill some of them before the 24 hour curfew elapses. "Please do something"

Isn't Nigeria on so many issues? When will all these end? When will we get stories that will make us happy not sadden us in this country?

After much discussions, deliberations on the work plan of the national conference began. 

And here is the work plan.

Committees 1-10 on the list of committee classification will meet at the venue of the conference. Committees 10-20 will meet at Sheraton due to lack of enough committee rooms at the venue of the National conference.

From Tuesday 22nd to Thursday 24th April, committee work will commence .

From Monday 28th - Wednesday 30th April, committee work will be concluded.

Thursday 1st May is of course workers day.

Monday 5th to Tuesday 6th May, conference will receive and deliberate on reports from committees.

Wednesday 7th to Friday 9th May will be break due to world economic forum that will hold In Sheraton hence no rooms for committees 10-20 members.

Some delegates were not so down with that aspect demanding we should not take a break for the Economic Forum, saying we can make judicious use of that time instead of wasting it away for a summit not all of us here will attend. We can't waste much time. - totally agree with that

Monday 12th- Thursday 15th May, conference concludes deliberation on reports from the committees.

Monday 19th to Thursday 22nd May, secretariat drafts report.

Monday 26th to Friday 29th May, secretariat will continue drafting reports.

Some people spoke about the issue of report drafting and said delegates can join in the drafting of these reports.

Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th June, consideration and adoption of the draft report.

Monday 9th to Thursday 12th June still consideration of adoption of draft report.

Monday 16th to Thursday 19th June, production and signing of final report.

Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th June consideration and adoption of draft report.

Monday 9th - Thursday 12th June, still on consideration and adaptation of draft report. 

Monday 16th - Thursday 19th June, production and signing of the final report.

Well your delegates spoke about the submission of the report from various committees and time constraints, the time to synergies between some committees with common ideas like that of religion and national security for example.

A delegate said we should not attempt extending the time of this conference, because the general public will assume we are demanding for more money not more time. - I totally agree with this submission.

Well after deliberation on the work plan, general discussions began....

Some women announced that it's another woman's birthday today and guess what? They started singing "happy birthday to you". Dear Good Lord...

A delegate frustrated stood up and said; "the things we are doing here will ridicule us in the eyes of the general public, things like birthdays are personal things that should be done at home not here. To which so many other delegates seconded "yes yes yes..."

These are the same women throwing bants at each other via media that one is not qualified and the banter is saying she is more qualified and reading out her CV to the media. Who does that?

Well conference was adjourned at 11:49 am till Tuesday after Easter break.

Well it's exactly a month now since the conference began and you followed each post from day one till date. If I were a reader of my Blog, I will say progress has not been made yet. Though major issues of national concern were deliberated on.

The whole work starts after Easter. The 20 committees will start meeting on Tuesday 22nd April as you read above. In shaa Allah ( God willing). Here we go..see you after Easter. 

Have a wonderful holiday.

See you soon....

On Twitter: @Yadomah 

Day 17: My National Conference Exploits....

Yesterday (Wednesday 16th April), deliberations started at exactly 4pm.

A delegate was angry about the banter between the Governor of Kano and the President of Nigeria that this is not how leaders should behave - Oh my!! As if it's why we are here.

Some delegates actually got frustrated about that and told the chairman, to please and please ignore such recommendation because if we go this way, we will discuss almost everything under the sun and head to nowhere.

Another delegate said we are trying to use an Ak47 to kill a fly.

Announcement was made that a delegate who spoke yesterday afternoon slumped after closure.

A delegate complained about lack of efficient paramedic in the conference venue but the chairman said there is a clinic within the vicinity.

"The slumped delegate was helped by a fellow delegate who is a medical doctor but there was no oxygen in the ambulance". Another delegate lamented. Well, the good news is that, he is now stable.

Most deliberations yesterday were centered on the issues of the committee structures and realignment. Some people were angry about the structure of the committees; that some people who are in the committee do not have any passion or idea of the committees to which they were thrown to.

And then, others complained that their group are lumped in one committee.

"And why are most of the traditional rulers lumped in the committee of land tenure?" A delegate observed.

The chairman said: We can not all be spread to the committee of our choice because fresh ideas are needed in some of the committee and it's is an opportunity to learn. - Never knew we are back to school yo.

Some delegates agreed with the chairman, some disagreed.

 

A youth also spoke about how youths are not spread across most of the committees and are not in the critical committees like that of devolution of power. He insisted that the 18 of us be spread in the 20 committees available.

The chairman said "it's noted...." 

Well after all is being said, the chairman told the house that those who have genuine complains should write to the secretariat and they will see what the can do about it.

Well, the list of the leadership of committees was shared. I found my name in the list as Deputy Chairman committee on Environment. It came to me with a total shock and surprise, the youngest and a deputy chair? That is the least I expected, a little creature like me expect a great marginal influence of all the youths in the house. But well..

A woman spoke about more women inclusion and gender balance. 

But some women who are the pro gender equality complained about two women heading some of the committees? - Lord! What do all these feminist want?

After much noise about the committees. We adjourned at 6pm till the following day 10am....

Stay close by for updates...

On Twitter: @Yadomah....

Day 16: My National Conference Exploits....

Tuesday, 15th April 2014......

Votes and proceedings of the previous day was checked, reviewed, deliberated upon and adopted.

Oops! Some of your big men are still demanding for allowance for their drivers and aides... humans as they say, are insatiable in nature. True!

The deputy chairman said he is wondering why people are still asking for that after being told no provision was made for that...

Hah! These old men sha.. Sigh!

Announcement was made of the abduction of School girls in Borno.

Deliberations yesterday were centered at the Nyanya attack and the abducted girls.

A delegate said: "Beyond showing concern we should do something and suggested a team of women visit the hospital and show their concern and support".

A delegate also suggested that we should pass stop signals. Everyday, we stand here for a minute silence, but for how long? He suggested the National Conference be put on hold until matters of National security are tackled and until we see some sense of seriousness by the government.

Another delegate said we shouldn't critique the government that the President is not responsible for the security but the military ... oh my days....I’m in tears, literally!

In line with the security challenge, another delegate suggested that a delegation should be led to the President to meet him and demand for action over the insecurity....

However, a delegate countered it saying "is it the same President that brought us here to help him out with solutions that we want to go and meet? Meet him and tell him what?"

He also said: "they said we should not politicize this issue but a political party is in Kano right now dancing after people were killed the previous day? How will the world take us serious when we cry over our security challenge and our Big Men are shown on national TV dancing"?

A royal father from Borno spoke about the insurgency saying the abducted girls were carried in a van and passed through so many villages, some got to escape but a lot were taken and these girls are from various schools in Borno that came to write exams....

I am sick, tired and demoralized of this country as I write this..

At some minutes after 6pm we adjourned till the following day 3pm. 

Yes! 3pm. Normal work plan commences right after the Easter Break. 

The women wore black yesterday, and also instructed the Youths to do same, so we were all in black, mourning.... :(

Wait, have I told you that we are all classified to our various committees? 

I got the committee I wanted, that aspect of Nigeria that is very important yet abandoned and neglected. "The Environment".

Some youths got the committees they wanted, some didn't and were protesting that they were not placed in the committee they wanted, and there is no youth in the most critical committees like the devolution of power or structure of governance. . Only Big shots made to that committee and as well, the controversial Men. 

"They think say we the youths no fit devolve power"? A youth lamented.

See you soon....

On Twitter: @Yadomah....

Day 15: My National Conference Exploits....

Today 14th April at the National conference, the mood was gloomy as everyone seem to be sad and angry about the killings going on... Well, did I say everyone? I beg your pardon, some....

A motion was passed that condolence message be sent to the families that lost their lives in the Nyanya blast today.

So many delegates seconded the motion, and added their voices to the insecurity situation of the country.

Everyone seem to know the problem, very few solutions though..

A delegate whose son was kidnapped some weeks ago added his voice saying the insecurity is really sad! The kidnap of his son is a minor issue considering what is happening in the country, he also told the delegates that it is convenient to sit in Abuja and make noise though the security are trying their best.

Another delegate said until we have a country, only then can we have a conference, so this issue has to addressed.

Another delegate moved this motion in the house and it reads;

• Whereas the Rules of Procedure has provided in Order VII Rule (1) v that matters of urgent public importance (if) any may be tabled for discussion 

• Whereas the security situation in the country has been deteriorating in the last 5-6 years.

• Whereas the preponderance of the security breaches have been in the North although security is a National issue

• Whereas in the last two months the security breaches have escalated in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States where over 20 villages have been completely razed down and thousands of people killed including school children inspite of the state of emergency which has been in existence for almost one year

• Whereas in the North East the problem is Boko Haram, in the North West, it is armed banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping of young women more particularly in Zamfara, Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna States

• Whereas in the North Central we have ethno- religious and Herdsmen and Farmers Conflicts which have led to the sacking of several villages, destruction of properties, displacement of people and killing of thousands of people in Abuja Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa States

• Whereas the Conference notes that Nigerian security forces have put up a lot of efforts to bring the insurgency, armed conflicts and banditry under control

• Whereas inspite of the efforts of the security forces the situation has continued to escalate

Prayers:

1. That the Conference condemns the activities of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes

2. That the Conference is concerned about the continuous deterioration of the security situation and calls upon the Federal Government to take urgent, drastic and concrete steps to arrest and immediately bring an end to these atrocities

3. That all necessary measures be put in place to use proportional and non-excessive force to deal with the situation and safeguard the life, property and well-being of innocent civilian population in all areas affected.

4. In particular, the FGN and other stakeholders should commence the immediate implementation of all actionable recommendations made to it by various Committees such as the Gaji Galtimari, Kabiru T. Turaki, Borno/Yobe Elders’ etc  

5. That the Federal Government should immediately

commence a process of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas.

Delegates supported the motion and prayers another added that there is a committee assigned by the government to profer solution to the insurgency yet the resolution of the committee is not implemented so the government should as a matter of urgency work with the resolution of that committee - the Galtimari committee report.

Another delegate said the conference should not waste time in deliberating on such issues - National security, as there's a committee that should work on that. Oh my days!

Well, after all votes and proceeding of 10th April were checked and adopted, then, the next thing on the table was; Consideration of revised work plan and structure of conference committees.

Someone suggested the need for a committee that will talk on paramedics and emergency aides as we lack this in times of emergency like what happened today.

Well someone lamented that all these long deliberation should be cut short as we are here to be grouped to various committees, so, we should cut the long grammar short.

The chairman confessed to us that the committee grouping are not yet ready, the secretariat is working hard. We have to adjourned to resume tomorrow evening 4pm

At some minutes pass 11am we adjourned till tomorrow 4pm. That means there won't be morning session tomorrow....Sigh!

On Twitter: @Yadomah

Day 14: My National Conference Exploits..

 Everyday at the conference comes with its drama. Yesterday (Thursday 10th April, 2014) was no exception.

Votes and proceedings were read and adopted and the 3-minute marathon continued..

The Chairman in his wisdom did not allow any disturber to disturb the proceedings as he made sure that no unnecessary point of orders were taken..

A delegate brought a pack of toothpick into the house saying "this toothpick was imported all the way from China. With all the bamboo trees in Nigeria, we still import toothpick?!"

“So long as the present architecture of government remains intact with the prevailing political culture, the meltdown of Nigeria in the days ahead is almost inevitable. If the voice of the youth is needed – the voice of the future, we will design a paradigm shift in this conference to focus on bridging the gap in our foundation.” - Ms. Mosunmola Umoru, a youth delegate lamented.

An elder-statesman had this to say: "All the uprisings we have seen from Niger Delta to the far East are products of corruption. How do you explain a situation where a Nigerian public officer will be sleeping on a mattress of money? Money meant for pensioners. Money that has been contributed by people either in billions. There must be something wrong. We need to conduct medical test on some of these people to see whether they are humans or see why the punitive accumulation is in them.”

A delegate from Borno state said the following prayer "God touch the hearts of corrupt Nigerians to return our looted monies, and if they fail, destroy them. God all those who stole our money and built mansions, let thunder, fire and earthquake destroy those houses". I didn't hear much Amens though. But apparently not the first time in the history of Nigeria "Amen" not said at the end of prayers, as religious as we are!

He also lamented about the secutity situation in the North East “the person who in Borno was the root cause of illiteracy was even saying that he do not care about what the media would write about his administration because over 50% of the people of the state could neither read nor write, bought private jets and planes worth millions of dollars". Sigh!

He also said the President should not worry about criticism and focus on his job because he will be criticized anyway.

A paper on the memorandum on the security challenges in Borno and Yobe states was shared to all delegates among other papers.

Hah! A delegate made a speech with each sentence ending with “only in Nigeria”. (Like a rhythm right?) Everything negative he said ended with “only in Nigeria”, "they steal our money...only in Nigeria”. When the bell rang indicating his 3 minutes was over, he didn’t stop, he continued talking and the Chairman said his rhythm to him too “Only in Nigeria”. Funny!

This was immediately before lunch. So during our lunchtime, most delegate were already making jest of the phrase, replying "Only in Nigeria" to any question deserving & undeserving and it became like a trend some sort of - reminded me of "Oga at the top" and "Go and Die"

Ok, I admired the speech of a Royal father from the south. His depth of foresight and calmness was awesome, he spoke about everythging in Nigeria belonging to all Nigerians. "Every resources in Nigeria is for all Nigerians". 

Some delegates frowned at that speech though - with the expression; "what the hell is this man saying" written all over their faces… Well, you can't please everyone tho.

The deputy Chairman presided over the evening session.

At some minutes after 5pm we came to an end of the 3 minutes marathon which started since March 24th. March 24th - 10th April. What a race! ....

We had to all give ourselves a resounding round of applause and it reminded me of my good old school days.

After the plenary session was adjourned till Monday, yes! Monday because no session on Fridays, the deputy Chairman said we should hang around, that the secretariat had something to give all the delegates. 

Names were called one after the other - I actually thought it was our committee classification or something important until my name was called and I collected it. It was an envelope and therein was a green card. Lo and behold, it is a card from President Jonathan wishing delegates a Happy Easter celebration.

If only wishes were horses... I would have wished Mr President sent those cards to the People that deserve it the most - the people of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Benue, Zamfara and other sates washed with sorrow and sadness, they need happiness than this display of concern over the distinguished delegates, who sleep under air conditioned room, play scrabble and know no fear or sorrow.

...so don't expect beggars to ride on horse.

Well, See you on Monday...

On Twitter: @Yadomah.....

Day 13: My National Conference Exploits...

Yesterday (9th April 2014) at the national conference.

Votes and proceeding were checked and adopted. Amended copies of proposed committee and rules of procedure were given.

And, business of the day.

So many women have in the past days suggested that men that are corrupt should be punished by casteration. Well some few others were against it and the matter was brought up today again. Whatever happens to corrupt women.. 

The representative of the people living in the diaspora suggested creation of state for the people living in diaspora. How illogical?!

Another delegate lamented that the name Nigeria remains him of the word "Nigger" so he will appreciate if "Nigeria" is renamed and called "United State of Songhai" and the house went like "HUH"?!

The representative of market women association made her speeh amidst laughter. She seemed to be a delight to be listened to in the house but made some valid points though. She frowns at the way banks set targets for marketers especially females staffers making them run from one office to another and go out of their way to do unethical things all in the name of target. “How you go put woman and lion in one place”, she lamented. She also spoke on the need to engaging and supporting market women for they contribute to the larger GDP (Perhaps, rebased GDP).

A youth representative in my category Hassan Rilwan had this to say: "The president’s speech has urged us to strengthen National Unity. Unlike times where different interests come together with a winner take all mindset, this time we must ensure to be our brothers’ keeper.

We must understand that any interest that is just about a section of the country to the detriment of the others, is not in the interest of Nigeria. We must advance our interest to achieve the ultimate interest of our nation.

Let us not shy away from the issues but confront them. I am looking forward to a robust discussion on the resource control which will ensure that wealth is created in every nooks and cranny of our nation in a manner that you will be so immersed in trying to consume that which is in front of you than looking over the plates of another person’s food. Let us expand the space of prosperity.

 

I  am looking forward to a high sense of responsibility that will ensure that you will be contented with that which comes from your soil and allow that which is on sea for the benefit of the entire nation.

The issue of indigeneship brings a two way responsibility on you that went into a community and the people you met there. However, does it make sense that what makes me more Deltan than you is the fact that my ancestors migrated to Deltan 1000 years ago and yours did the same 100 years ago? One day your hundred years will become my 1000 years. We must guarantee and promote inclusion. We must break the false walls that exists between us. Be ready to integrate and proudly identify with the cultures and values you met; indeed be ready to accept he/she who genuinely loves to be part of you. That is the Nigeria the youths want!

Distinguished delegates, We must answer the question of who you our parents are going to handover Nigeria to? I hope you are not under the delusion that you will do so to the youth you have ill prepared because you do not want to leave the stage. We have to come up with a visible youth agenda. Government have to stay out of youth politics and we the youth have to get our acts together. The current youth politics is akin to dancing naked in the village square. Its a shame!

We must ask a very important question. Are we being responsible elites? we must learn the meaning of contentment and reassess our values and what truly is happiness.

All these amassing of wealth will not save our children. We must be responsible to advance our interests not losing sight of the basic needs of the masses for if the masses youth stay awake, tell me the son of a king that will sleep with his eyes closed and enjoy his inheritance.

I do not believe in the single term of 6 years because it does not serve as an incentive for hard work since the  he/she will leave after all. It is also risky because it will make the country stuck with a failed leadership for too long. I am therefore calling for a two term tenure of office which should not run concurrently. This means that no public officer can conduct his own election.

It is therefore my expectation that we should be able to recommend a government that will best address our diversity as a multi-ethnic and multi-Religious society that we are, a government that is not wasteful, one that can harness the full potentials of our nation, one that can deliver all the socio-economic rights enunciated in chapter of our constitution and a government based on justice and high sense of duty.

We should have a two term tenure of office that will not run concurrently"

I will leave you with the above to ponder.....

See you soon.....

On Twitter: @Yadoma 

Day 12: My National Conference Exploits...

(Tuesday 8th April 2014) started a tad frenzied. A delegate after amendment of votes and proceedings of the previous day protested about something he read in the papers earlier that morning that delegates' feeding allowance per plate each day is N60,000. He demanded the secretariat explain to the house how much exactly is the cost per plate per delegate as this is image denting to say delegates eat N60,000 food per person. The Deputy Chairman in his calm and wise words explained that the budget for each delegate is N4000 and even at that, the caterers are complaining that lthe money is less considering the number of delegates and are battling to sort things out with them. "N60,000 per plate is absolute lie he added".

 

What don’t media carry though...N60,000 per plate? This is someone’s salary for goodness sake. Well, N4,000 is equally another’s salary too. Irony of life!

The three 3-minutes session is still ongoing but I am sincerely bored and barely kept record except for some really interesting, funny or very uninteresting submissions. 

A controversial Emir from the North East Nigeria dropped the bomb at the conference yet again. He said “some people have started jumping the gun on resource control, resource ownership among other agitations. So I will like to jump the gun today too. Let states which don’t have oil allow states who have oil to take a 100% oil revenue and states who don’t have oil to take 100% land resource - that means ownership of land should revert to those states and anybody who wants to use the land or the structures of the land must pay rent to those states or traditional owners of the land."

He continued "As for traditional rulers, I don’t support the idea or opinion to give us any role in the constitution. Our roles are conventional similar to the British constitution but what traditional rulers want is recognition. However, there is a need for National traditional council of Nigeria whose membership would be 3 traditional rulers in each state including the president of the traditional rulers council in that state. The other day I heard an ethnic nationality delegate saying his people are marginalized because a district head is appointed from an area which his people don’t support. 

The Emir concluded by saying "My Chairman, we should not listen to this ethnic chauvinist because if we agree with their argument we would end up in a situation in this country where EVERY ethnic group will demand for their President, Governor, Emir, Oba, Obi, Minister and even Chairmen of their Local Government."

 

The first three lines of this speech (the resource control) seemed like what majority of the house was waiting to hear - a lot of YES YES YES……

A delegate close to the ending of the session also brought up a burning issue about N12 million delegates' pay, saying we have been reading on Newspapers that delegates collect this and that. Please the secretariat should come out straight and tell the public how much exactly is the take home of each delegate since there is nothing to hide. The Chairman said he is not privy to such info but the person in charge of finance will come tomorrow and explain to the house.

 

At some minutes past 6pm we closed for the day…

Oops! Have I told you the Deputy Chairman National conference said he admired my speech and he is highly impressed by my talent? Oh well who says only Jonathan gets praises here? LOL!

 

See you soon…..

On Twitter: @Yadomah...

 

Sent from my iPhone

Day 11: My National Conference Exploits...

Yesterday (7th April 2014) started a bit dull for me. I was at the hall but was half listening, so I barely kept record of what was going on and perchance, 7th April marked exactly a year since I lost my beloved Hero and Dad, Alhaji (Dr) Bukar Umaru Mandara....

But what actually added to my lack of concentration is the way so many of the delegates spoke, repetition of previous submissions, only in different English.

But a speech by representative of the Muslim council woke me from my emotional downwardness. He made a resounding speech that normally it is out of order of the conference to clap but he got applauded. He made a whole lot of sense. He said: “As a delegate and as a people representing people of faith in God from Islamic perspective, one thing we believe is that God will protect the community that stands for justice even if they are not Muslims and God will not protect the community that goes contrary to justice even if they call themselves Muslims."

Nurudeen Lemu added, “God is not a religious bigot. He is neither a male chauvinist. He is not an ethno-centric tribalist. God is not the oppressor of anyone. God is with those who care, those who want for others those things they want for themselves".

“One tendency for people who claim to follow a religion is to slide into the position of believing that they are better than the others. We over-estimate our virtues and under-estimate the goodness in others." 

“The tendency is for us to be spiritually arrogant and forget that others are people like us. And if you are in other person’s position, you probably will be like someone else."

He continued “As delegates from the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, we condemn the murder and the murderers of all Christians; we condemn the murder and the murderers of all Muslims; not because they are Christians or Muslims but because they are all human beings—creatures of God."

“There is no compulsion in religion. We all own Nigeria. We all belong here. And we all have rights to self determination. We should respect that right and do onto others what we will do onto ourselves."

“Every ethnic group is an oppressed minority somewhere. Every majority or settlers is an indigene somewhere. In one way or the other, we are all settlers."

“We just don’t remember where we came from and why we came. But ultimately, we are all visitors to this planet; from God we came and to Him we will return."

“As Muslim delegates, we come against the exploitation of religion and religious sentiments; we come against stereotyping, stigmatizing and dehumanization of each other. We come against the use of religion as a political decoy and distraction from the critical things that bedevil our nation."

“I pray that at the end of this conference, we will all grow in our humanity and respect for each other,”

Perfect talk, perfect speech. I normally don't mention names on my      

post but I have to do this today...

I also spoke yesterday, oh well I got claps in the hall and cheers and congratulatory messages after the speech. I also got contact cards. I was not in the mood though but I actually spoke about the unity of Nigerians and spoke to our elders about those pressing issues. At some point i almost broke down in tears but I managed not to. I told them our common enemies are corruption, poverty, unemployment, terrorism amongst other serious problems, their children are at home wasting away unemployed, some resort to robbery, violence and other vices, the children murdered in Yobe in cold blood, what was their crime? Their crime is being innocent Nigerian children in school, so many women have turned widows and so many children have turned orphans. Our common enemies are united against us that is why they always win, they know no Christians or Muslims. 

I didn't write the speech so I don't have the script, it is a three (3) minutes speech so no need of writing it down I felt but right now I wish I did. I will get the video and share it.

So many big men of repute came up to me to appreciate my speech but my prayer is that they have listened and would apply what I said to use.

Some delegates spoke about issues of ethnic minorities and a host of other serious and as well as unserious issues.

A delegate was angry as to why some seats were empty, that the chairman has to call delegates who duck out to order. I share in her anger too.

A delegate from Zamfara brought up the issues of the killing spree in the country and urged leadership responsible to live up to expectations. A minute silence was observed for the victims of the recent Zamfara attack and other places across the country.

A delegate moved the motion, requesting the house to send felicitation to a delegate whose son was kidnapped. Some were against it because they believe it is the sign of our failure as a nation that creates such void but afterwards concluded to sending it. Some delegates also suggested the need to pay some last respect to the family of late Hamman Misua beyond the one minute silence to show his family some love.

At some minutes after 6pm, we closed for the day and as always, the traffic at the venue wouldn't allow one leave on time, just imagine about 300 plus cars zooming off at the same time. The best you can do is hang around for some 30 minutes or more. Why am I even telling you this?

See you soon 

On Twitter: @Yadomah....

National Conference: "Where to Belong"...

Hi Friends, I hope you all are having a smooth weekend? Mine is as rough as anything though.

Well, I just thought I should share with you the thematic areas/committees that all delegates will split into in the coming weeks.

Here are the committees and subcommittees;

NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2014
THEMATIC AREAS

1. COMMITTTEE ON DEVOLUTION OF POWER
-Fiscal federalism
-Revenue sharing
-Resource control
-Sharing formula
-Policing
-Local Government Administration
-Role of traditional rulers and institutions in governance. 

2. COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL RESTRUCTURING AND FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
-Federalism 
-Regionalism
-State Creation
-Geopolitical zones
-Forms and Content of Government
Presidential
Parliamentary
-Legislature
Bicameral
Unicameral legislature
(Part-time/Full-time)

3. COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY
-Armed Forces
Civilian oversight of the security sector
Review of the Armed Forces Act
-Reform of the Nigerian Customs
-Road Safety Corps
-Terrorism/Counter-Terrorism
-Armed Robbery
-Kidnapping
-Small Arms Proliferation
-Communal Violence
-Election Violence
-Illegal oil theft and smuggling
-Sea Piracy
-Organized/Trans - National Crime
Money Laundering
Human Trafficking
Drug Trafficking
Terrorism Financing
-Cyber Crime


4. COMMITTEE ON ENVRIRONMENT
-Meteorology and climate change
-Illegal Mining Activities
-Pollution
-Gas Flaring
-Protection of Biodiversity
-Afforestation and Reforestation
-Flooding/Gully Erosion
-Environmental Degradation
Oil Spillage and Desertification
-Drought
-Waste management/Disposal
Hazardous/toxic Waste
-Bush Burning
-Natural Disaster

5. COMMITTEE ON POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
-Immunity clause
-Good Governance and democratization
Deepening democracy, democratic culture and orientation
Mechanism for a more inclusive participatory democracy
National Ethics
-Minority rights/ethnic nationalities
-Corruption
Anti Corruption Agencies
Corruption and National Development
-Constitutional Amendment
-Freedom of information

6. COMMITTEE ON LAW, JUDICIARY, HUMAN RIGHT AND LEGAL REFORM
-Law and order
-Judiciary
Immunity of judicial officers
Review of judicial institutions
Increase in the number of supreme court justices
Increase in the number of divisions of the court of appeal
Technology in administration of justice
Professional development of judicial officers
-Sharia and customary legal systems
-Delays in administration of justice
-Independence of the judiciary
Funding of the judiciary
Appointing of judicial officers
-Access to justice
-Alternative justice - ADR, Mediation, Conciliation etc
-Specialised Court/ tribunals
-Condition of service of judicial officers


-Prison Reforms
Rehabilitation
Reformation
Reintegration
Sentencing and Death penalty
-Justiciability of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy; 
Chapter 2 of the constitution
-Jurisdiction of industrial court

7. COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WELFARE
-Health 
Universal Health Care Coverage
Primary Healthcare
Emphasis on Preventive Health.
-Education
Restructuring of curricullum
Investment in Education
National education policy
Return of missionary and private schools to original owners
Nomadic education
Institutionalizing Almajiri education system
-Housing
Affordable Housing
-Social Security
Rights of Senior citizens
Unemployed Nigerians
Pension and Gratuity
-Gender
Status of married women
State of Origin
State of Marriage
Afirmative Action
Political Participation
Discrimination
Childs Rights Law
Childs right Law implementation
Disability rights/Welfare

8.COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
-Roads
-Railway
-Aviation
-Maritime
-National Inland Water Ways
-Shipping and Shipment

9. COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT
-Information, Communication and Technology
Media/ Social network
-Science and technology education
-Investment in research and development
-Promotion and improvement of indegenious technical innovations
-Space and nuclear regime
-Capacity building and training for scientist
-Medical technology
-Biodiversity
-Fabrication of buildings e.t.c

10. COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
-Food Security
-Food storage, processing and packaging industries
-Grazing reserves/ ranching and Industrial Cattle feeds
-Water Resources
-National agricultural policy
-Agricultural subsidy
-Mechanized agriculture
-Land acquisition, traditional institutions and agriculture
Irrigation

11. COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SOCIETY AND SPORTS. 
-Capacity building and CSOs
-Youth Empowerment 
-Unemployment
-Minimum Wage
-Trade Unionism and Industrial Action
-National Youth Service Corps
-Investment in sports
-Legal Regime in Sports.

12. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE
-Federal Character 
-Civil Service Structure 
-Remuneration of public Officers and Civil servants
-State of the civil service

13. COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL MATTERS.
- Political parties and electoral process
-Methods of elections
-Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
-Local government elections
-Regulation of campaign 
-Campaign financing and expenditure ceiling.           
-State Electoral Bodies
-Electoral offences
-Independence and autonomy of Independent National Electoral Commisison. (INEC)
-Delineation of constituencies
-Conduct of free and fair elections
-The role of security agencies in elections 
- Diaspora Voting


14.COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN. POLICY AND DIASPORA MATTERS
-Prisoner Exchange 
-Extradition 
-Promotion of culture and tourism, investment in tourism.
-Cultural exchange 
-Nigeria and International peacekeeping operations
-Review of Technical Aid Corps program
-Promotion of peace, human rights, justice and racial equality within the international system 
-Nigeria-Centric foreign policy -Security and well being of NIgerians at Home and Abroad 
-Afrocentricism 
-Promoting Economic Community of West African States  (ECOWAS)regime 
-Non alignment 
- Economic diplomacy
-Domestication of treaties
-Mutual Legal Assistance 
-Univeral Jurisdiction
-Role/ participation international Orgaization. 

15. COMMITTEE ON LAND TENURE MATTERS AND NATIONAL BOUNDARY
-Review of the land use act
-Traditional land holding rights
-Establishment and manning of boundaries
-Adjustment of boundaries

16. COMMITTEE ON TRDE AND INVESTMENT
-Patent, copyright, trademarks, trade or business name, industrial designs and merchandize marks
-Bio-piracy and traditional knowledge
-Foreign direct investments
-Export processing zone
Industries
-Protectionism and quality control
-Oil and other mineral resources exploration and management.
-Trade agreement
-Bilateral/ multilateral

17.  ENERGY:
-Solar Energy
-Nuclear Energy 
-Wind Energy
-Hydro Energy
-Thermal Energy

18.   RELIGION
-State and Religion
-Sponsorship and Public Funding of Pilgrimage
-Restoring National Ethics, Culture, Morals and Core Values.

19. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC FINANCE AND REVENUE GENERATION
-Domestic and external debt
-Tax Administration
-Tax contribution
-Internally generated revenue
-Externally generated Revenue
-Regulation of external borrowing by states and local government

20. COMMITTTEE ON IMMIGRATION
-Movement of goods, person and services
-Citizenship and nationality
-Integrated national database
-Immigration and internal security
-Dual Citizenship of Nigerians in Diaspora
Residency
-Indigeneity and residency (indigene/settlers dichotomy)
-Refugee and Asylum
-Census
-Border patrol


How would the delegates split into these various committees right?

Here is your answer: each delegate is to select three (3) committees of interest and of the three(3) selected, the secretariat would push you to one that best fits your profile. How would the secretariat do that you may ask right? Well, we were given forms to fill our professional and personal informations so it could serve as a guide.

Well I selected 

1.Committee on Environment
2.Committee on Politics and Governance
3.Committee on Social Welfare

I don't know to which I will be thrown into but the good news is that irrespective of the committee one belong, one can push his/her submissions to any commiittee of interests.

So if you have any contribution(s) to make on any, you can mail me on: Engageyadomah@gmail.com

Thank you......

On Twitter:@Yadomah

Day 10: My National Conference Exploits...

Yesterday (Thursday, 3rd April 2014) was just like any other day.

We started by saying the opening prayer. Proceedings of the previous day were checked, corrected and adopted. After that we took the journey for 3 minutes speech

And here are what some of your delegates said. They so much love to be called ‘Distinguish’ that they queried the Chairman for calling them delegates, so I might be in great trouble if one of them read my Blog where I often address them as 'delegates'. But you have my back, don't you?

A ‘Distinguish delegate’ said "You know why Nigeria is this backward? because our civil service has failed. We profess that countries like Singapore are now ahead of us, I will tell you why, they made sure only the best get into their civil service. Malaysia focused on science, technology and Engineering. We can do same".

Another delegate said "the speech of the president surpasses that of Martin Luther King Jnr. Obama is no match o....

"We need to empower and educate our youths. We need to get our Youths jobs, we can't allow them die fighting to get jobs"

"If I divorce my wife for 20, 30 years and you snatch and marry her and then you couldn’t control her, you should return her to me not blame me for not being able to control her. Those that are blaming the military for the woes of this country should return her to us" an Army delegate asserted.

"The speech by Mr Presidents is just another speech by a president, I am one of the critics of this conference and that's why when my name was submitted, it was removed but I somehow got here. Even children unborn know the problem of Nigeria, because the nourishment they get during pregnancy has changed now. We know the problem of Nigeria, we don't need to spend public funds, our problem will be solved when we have one man one vote - good electoral system when the vote of an individual counts".

"Nobody will remember what we say here in few years but what we do by addressing the key concerns of Nigerians".

"Some of them here talk like they are very religious while they throw weekend parties, buy private jets yet come here and talk about ethnicity, religious divide among other things"

Delegate representing Muslim Group said "Religious representatives should come together and discuss to end the difficulties that we are facing; it's not only based on religion that we clash. We agree pilgrimage sponsorship should be stopped, both to mecca and Jerusalem and if our Christian brother want biblical laws inserted into the constitution, why not? We have no problem with that"

“Representatives of people with disability protested about calling them people with special challenges. He also lamented that, the more violence happen, the more they increase in number”..

"Some of the people that were part of the problem in the 60's and 70's still come here and blame the government. Why are we like that"?

"As we disagree, which we must, we would split to various committees soon, but we should please disagree with decorum"

Well, we went for lunch break by 2pm, after lunch I saw a group of men, one military and the others in their suits staring at me, they were actually staring at my tag, I was wondering what are they up to…then I overheard them saying "Kai!! Wai wannan da tag? sai dai na mamanta ko?" meaning I am probably wearing my mothers tag. I haf tire.

After lunch we continued the 3 minutes speech journey......

The first speaker started with us "For the young ones here that want to outcast the over 65 men, you should know that the elders can see what you can't see"

"We need an education task fund in this country. As a young person, I have created job for my friends and myself, if I can do it, other youths can do it, we need mentorship and entrepreneurship skills aquisation centers in this country. Said a youth.

"The situation in the Northeast is very pathetic, market squares, churches and mosques have been burnt, and we find it difficult going home -  there is poverty, jobless-ness, and illiteracy in the lands. These boys that terrorize us are between the age of 14, 16 & 25, the FG should create jobs. Imagine the president given N3billion to Movie Industry - Nollywood, just when hundreds die in cold blood.”

"We want a total overhaul of our economy; we only have a filling station economy. We need to major in the agric sector as well"

"Nigeria is the only country that doesn't have a transport bank. We should explore that’.

"When will you children get to positions if you don't retire and leave the position you are? Some of the youths too are unemployable. I once told a girl to write me a list and I was calling out the names she should write, when I said Nasir she told me "I can't write Hausa names – how poor can our National Integration be?"

"Most of the ex-convicts are here after eating our money, they still come here and talk. Irony!"

"The major problem with this country is, we the politician don’t give up when we lose election"

"It is Bakasi yesterday, boko haram today, who knows what next?"

"The president didn't include eduction in his speech yet the major problem we have in this country is in our Educational system. Almajiri school is a way of depriving the children of the poor and subjigating them to perpetual poverty - upgrade the Almajiri students to normal schools"

"Let's give this system of governance 15 more years" said an old man oops a delegate.

"Before, we don’t admonish people because they have money but people that love the masses and are making positive impacts, but today if you have money that is it",

"I am still in my 50's and my fathers and grand fathers are still in office so you the young ones should cooperate with us" said a distinguished delegate.

Another delegate said "It's funny, I know the presidents’ speech was probably written by his admin assistant, yet people are praising it"?

"When I was coming to this conference, I don't know if it is a constitutional conference or what exactly. The president has sent a message to the house of assembly to accept the resolutions made here, well this is a good one"

"The young ones here know that if they praise the government, they will get ministerial and other appointments. It is not good the way we are going about this, we must tell the truth. Please let us display morals, let us not be drum beaters and point to him -president where he is wrong" said a distinguish.

Well, there was a deliberation on the food that was served during lunchtime, someone moved the motion that the food doesn't go round, so the secretariat should take note’.

LOL! ‘Some shut him down saying very soon the papers will carry "delegates fighting for food"

"We are not here to eat food please"

A delegate read out order three (3)(a) of the  rules of procedure of the conference and it reads; " No Delegate shall miss sittings without prior authorization, then he added "But Mr Chairman I noticed most of the people especially from the other wing are absent, probably because they have finished their speech or they just decided not to attend sittings, we are here to listen and understand each other Mr Chairman this has to be checked".

Some minutes after 6pm, motion was moved for the adjournment of sitting till Monday. Why Monday right? Sittings are normally from Monday to Thursday, 10am - 6pm. Friday according to our procedure was set aside for administrative works.

Well, we stopped at "I" the 3 minute journey is not yet over.

See you on Monday.

On Twitter: @Yadomah

Day 9: My National Conference Exploits...

Yesterday (2nd April 2014). Well, I won't say it went well or not, because I was so disappointed and disgusted by the utterances of some born again, saints that milk our nation dry. 

At a point I couldn't even keep record of what some of them were saying because it doesn't make sense at all, but as I promised my friends here, I will share with you my experiences. I will try as much as possible not to be frustrated out of keeping up.

I did a lot of psyching and listening and looking closely, I have seen a lot from expression to body language but I won't be hasty of making conclusion.

Conference started at 10am after the opening prayer was said like every other day, the proceedings of the previous day was read, corrected and adopted and the 3-minute session continued...

Here are some of the submissions.

The first speaker said "We should stop playing politics with the issues of insecurity and issues bothering us. They have moved from stealing to looting to mass looting. We should form a truth and forgiveness committee in this conference so that people of this magnitude that stole from us and are amongst us in this conference will return their loot so we could quietly forgive them"

"Yesterday, two pastors said the 1999 constitution is an Islamic constitution. I felt very sorry to hear this from learned men. The constitution was based on common law, Christian common law, Islamic law and the customary law. But they singled Islamic and customary laws saying there's a problem with these laws". A speaker pointed out.

"There is no part of the North that has not been affected by insecurity, we should provide security for our country - Nigeria"  

"Well, an Old Youth - NANS member, said he is 36 and that he has since at the age of 24 slept in prisons fighting for the masses, so it's time things start working for Nigeria" 

"Before, other tribes from other states go to other part and get elected, like someone from Borno was elected by in Benue state. Another Yoruba man was recently elected in Kano and they sang for him "Skiru ya ci zabe shi ma dan kano ne" meaning Skiru has won election he is a Kano person too. This is the type of integration we want to be seeing in this nation".

"The Ruler-followership issues is our problem. The problem of Nigeria is that there is a serious disconnect between the citizens and the leaders. As a mother and a woman, we carry pregnancy for months not for our children to be slaughtered. If we want to protest, we get prevented. But whosoever is involved in killing our children should stop".  A woman leader proclaimed. 

"With due respect to the president, I have gone through page to page of his speech but have not seen anywhere he spoke about the recent insecurity facing the country, life is not worth a penny to him apparently. Even yesterday, there was bombing in Borno and we have been told that the security and welfare is the primary responsibility of any government. We have to wake up! Don't know what happened to our securities - SSS have been turned to prison service warders, they have abandoned their responsibilities, they have taken over VIO and Road Safety. That is why the security has been politicized. A total overhaul and retraining of the police, army and SSS is needed" said a delegate

"We have to be careful, it is already on the papers that religion tears conference."

"I am disturbed that the President didn't assure the people of this country that the submission on the conference will be implemented. I am appealing to the president to make history."

"In the North west,  people from other part of the country have won elections - a Yoruba man won election in shinkafi, a speaker earlier spoke about his 35 years in Lagos yet he is still not considered an indigene, why? and of recent, my people in the Southern part of the country are redeployed - they should learn to accommodate please"

"Diverting the wealth of our people to develop other parts has to stop. We can't deal with that anymore."

"We have subsidy billionaire and sure-p billionaire, the president should go beyond this conference. He can change what he can, without waiting for this conference. He can start by sacking any minister that doesn't keep up." A speaker submitted.

"We cannot move forward if untouchable are not touched, everyday people are slaughtered, we cant continue this way. We can only move forward as a nation if something is done about the security lapse".


A royal chief added that "The current generation are born in the computer age, they are not patient, they need change and if they don't get it soon the may turn violent" 

"It is unfortunate that if you meet some of these men in private, you will hear brilliant contributions but when they come to plenary they only spew bigotry"

"During the 2005 conference I told them that issues of corruption deserves capital punishment and immunity clause be removed and they said mine is a military mind".

"We the minorities of the north will present our submission when committee work begins, we are tired" a speaker lamented.

"In the north the Christians are a minority and the government should find solution without infringing the majority Muslim, so also in the south where Muslims are the minority, the government should look for a solution without infringing on the Christians rights. I am the only Igbo Muslim here and we igbo muslims feel greatly marginalized". 

"This president will rule this country today and always". The unity of this country is genuine for we the Igbo. I want what is happening here in Abuja to be replicated in other parts of the country."

After lunch, the deputy chairman had to preside over the conference because the Chairman didn't show up. He later showed up and the deputy chairman made jest of him saying "I had to assure them that you have not been kidnapped by the conference liberation group" and we cheered.

"We need rural health provision, there is nothing to show for health in this country. Millions of dollars are spent abroad yearly. The Medical and mental fitness of leaders should be checked, they should present their mental and medical certificate before they swear an oath to office".

"Our land contributes immensely to the account of this country, yet we only have a dilapidated police post to show for. It's like the more you give to the nation the less you enjoy, we don't need to take up arms to be recognised please"

"We are not here to make this country disintegrate, yet, we can't paint a house whose pillars are collapsing or plant flowers in a house that is being destroyed. This federation is collapsing we have to fight injustice"

"Nigeria is bleeding and is on her knees with no sign it want to stand up".

"Corruption is not regional or ethnic. After this conference we will still meet poverty and corruption in our various states, no conference can single handedly change this nation" 

"Last week I almost went to the secretariat to get my seat changed to the exit door side because of the heat in the house but I am glad things are calm now. But I am sure in the coming weeks when critical matters are raised I fear we will experience the same heat". 

"When I hear some comments of some leaders, I don't know if I should laugh or cry, if yesterday's men are complaining about yesterday, what then did they do during their time? We have ministers and senators here complaining, what did they do during their time? When I saw the former minister speaking I thought he was an activist, when he was an education minister he threw party when children were on strike. Religion is your private business, give the youth their right, give them education. I don't care about your religion, I don't care what religion the president is". 

A point of order was called by a delegate and was read; "no delegate should insult another delegate". If this is allowed Mr Chairman, delegates will be insulting delegates that looted"

Many delegates shouted "Didn't they loot" is "it a lie"? the chairman upheld the point of order and allowed the speaker to continue.


"Immunity clause should be removed" another delegate said and someone shouted "a lot of them here would have been death by now" 

"We have passed the first acid test on the issue of consensus, let's continue that way".

"When I schooled in the North, we played together with my Northern friends, ate together and slept on same bed, no difference. It is only of recent that I began to see the difference"

"What is the role of traditional rulers since the military came to being? we have been reduced to nothing, no activities"

"Our judiciary is failing us, everywhere the judiciary is the last resort of the poor man but in this country the reverse is the case"

"We murdered regional government which were more effective, the regional government was murdered under the military and also the parliamentary". 

"People are poor in the middle of plenty. We have kidnappers, robbers, terrorist and the worst, the pen criminals, lets warn the president and remind him that he still has a year to turn the country around. He should create employment and not extort from youths. A minister just earned millions from youths from recruitment. Let's tell the IMF and world bank we are a free people." 

At 5:55 pm the deputy chairman on behalf of the chairman addressed the house, he said to have noticed so many of the speakers because of anger and need to express their innermost feeling are using indicting words like genocide - genocide is an international crime and we might invoke them to check us. He explained that he was part of a 7 month terrorism check programme and what he saw, he wish nobody in the hall ever see it - "I wept more than I did when I was a child" he said, it was a terrible experience. I understand the pain and anger but there are other words we can use to express them. I am not belittling what is happening" he concluded.

Well gradually, we are seeing things in the conference...

We have gradually moved to Alphabet "G" and my name is "M" so I still have a long wait, but I will keep updating you..

On Twitter: @Yadomah