Day 34: My National Conference Exploits..

Monday 2nd June 2014 

Conference resumed sitting at 9:22 presided over by the Chairman - this was a man who lost his wife on Wednesday and he is back on his fit on Monday. Well, men are men really. A strong man he is - when we went to condole with him in his residence, myself and another youth delegate - seeing me he said - this lady is not part of the conference, until my collegue informed him that I was the deputy chair committee on environment - he said "oh the one that presented their committee report and the chairman of the committee came to do it again and received boos?" - he threw his head back and laughed out loud - very simple man I must say. 

Well, we amended the votes and proceedings of Monday 26th May, Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th May and adopted as amended.

Announcement.

The deputy chair formally announced the death of the wife of the chairman of the conference Hajia Maryamu Idris Kutigi. The deputy chair conveyed the condolence of the conference to the chairman and his family.

The chairman in his response thanked delegates for their overwhelming support to him and the members of his family and told us how both Christians and Muslim trooped to the mosque for the prayer session and the cemetery to pay their last respect to his wife - he particularly thanked the deputy chair and said he will soon convert him to Islam as he was in the mosque and prayed and did all that was done by Muslims - delegates laughed. He appreciated the support of the deputy chair and all conference members.

I remember the chairman telling us while we visited him - see Christian and Muslims are all united, that what they are doing in the conference is just a hoax.

After all said, the chairman again announced the death of the son of a delegate Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja in a car accident - the deputy chair disclosed that the leadership of conference, on behalf of delegates had sent the bereaved delegate a condolence message.

Also the deputy chair announced that the secretariat on behalf of the conference had sent a message of felicitation and sympathy to the Emir of Askira HRH Abdullahi Ibn Muhammad (Askira 3) who escaped assassination by gun men.

The deputy chair introduced a delegate Mallam Ado Yakubu Wanka to replace and elder-statesman - Alhaji Adamu from Bauchi.

The chairman informed delegate that management is in receipt of  a letter which was endorsed to it by inspector general of police on a petition by aides and drivers of delegates. The aides and drivers indicated in the petition, their intention to embark on a protest over their welfare - the deputy chair appealed to the delegates to restrain their aides and drivers from engaging in acts that may disrupt the conference - well some who made personal investigation revealed that the drivers and aides in question are not well paid by their bosses some of them sleep in the cars or in hotel parking lot and are paid stipends. It's baffling though - who do they expect will take care of the welfare of their aides while they are being paid? Some of them have over 15 aides, minus driver that is - well I have no aide neither do I have a driver.

Now back to the main business of the day.

The committee on Public finance and revenue generation presented their report and this is how it went:      

The main recommendation on the report; 

The committee recommended the complete removal of fuel subsidy, stating that subsidy on petroleum products is an avoidable major financial burden the nation has been made to bear.

It said between 2006 and 2007, subsidy accounted for 30% of government expenditure which translated to 118% of capital budget and 4.18% of the Gross Domestic Product.

It was also revealed that subsidy payment of N2.527 trillion in 2012 and 2013 averaged N1.263 trillion per annum and described it as “a burden too heavy for the nation and its populace.” They further stated that resources which should have been used to undertake more developmental projects were being spent on subsidy.

They also stated that the poor and the rural dwellers to whom the subsidy scheme was initially targeted were not reaping the benefits; and that removal of subsidy would encourage investments in refineries and the downstream sector generally.

So many argued against the complete removal of subsidy; since constant power supply in the country was still a mirage; government should first fix all the sick refineries for local production of petroleum products before removing the subsidy. Those against the complete removal also stated that criminal activities would increase nationwide if the removal was carried out since majority of artisans who rely on small power generating sets to do their business would be out of work.

Those in support of the complete removal of subsidy argued that it causes wastage and high level corruption among both the fuel importers and certain government officials. They also argued that continuous subsidization of fuel would amount to deliberate effort to enrich a few Nigerians at the expense of others; and what is advisable would be to ensure judicious use of funds accruing from the subsidy removal.

Other recommendations made by the committee include; enhancing accountability, transparency and avoid mistrust between the three tiers of government, they said it has become absolutely necessary to have Accountant Generals of the Federation and that of the Federal Government - the Accountant General of the Federation would manage the accounts of the federation while Accountant General of the Federal Government would handle the finances of the Federal Government.

The committee also noted that in the 1970s, budgetary allocations, up to 70%, were always in favor of capital expenditure; a situation it said enhanced economic development; but that the situation has since changed further stating that In the last 10 years, it said approximately 73% of the annual budgets have been devoted to recurrent expenditure leaving a mere 27% for capital.

“The present budget mix is unacceptable as no economy can grow with such a paltry allocation for capital and still be expected to provide vital infrastructure and social amenities for the populace.

They also objected the current procedure - where budgets are submitted to the National Assembly and thereafter, the crude oil benchmark is subjected to upward reviews, thereby increasing the size of the budget.

The Committee therefore recommended that the country maintains a budget mix of at least 60% capital expenditure and 40% recurrent expenditure to leave substantial fund to address infrastructural gap, provide jobs and promote general economic growth and development. Urging that the time frame for the presentation of the annual budget to the National Assembly should be on or before September 30th preceding the budget year; while the passage and presidential assent must be completed on or before December 31 and also Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 which deals on budget issues be enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and all the controls and sanctions therein adhered to.

The Committee provided a comprehensive list of essential solid minerals found in states of the federation explaining that these can be a veritable source for diversification of the country’s non-oil revenue base and that when fully tapped, the revenue profile would change from oil dominance – some who did not see the name of their state in the list rose to make a case.

 

The committee also recommended that a minimum of 50% of all funds in excess crude account be transferred to the SWF while the balance should be used to augment where necessary, certain shortfalls in the FAAC in the short term and the SWF be enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

On oil and gas pipeline leakages and theft, the Committee urged that commensurate security be deployed to these areas to deter, detect, apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of the crime. Besides deployment of security personnel, Committee members said there was need for acquisition and deployment of appropriate technology to check fuel and pipeline vandalism. It demanded government to provide opportunities for young people to be involved in the oil and gas activities as this would engender gainful employment for youths, while calling for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, it emphasized the need for intelligence gathering and processing in tracking movement of ocean bound vessels coming in and going out of Nigeria – Security ke? when some of them have the backing of the……….. erm never mind.

The Committee suggested that government should consider involvement of private companies in the management and replacement of oil pipelines, some of which it said are over 50 years old.

The committee noted that, as things stand now, Nigeria’s external debt ratio is below the international benchmark of 40%; and that this has created room for further external borrowings, It said back home, instead of the stated position helping in the growth of the economy, domestic debt profile, especially debt owed local contractors, unpaid salaries of public servants, pensions and gratuities have contributed to hamper the growth.

It recommended that while there is room for borrowing, such external borrowing must be tied to designated projects which must be efficiently and prudently implemented to reduce pressure on lendable funds – rich in dept, giant of Africa.

 

At some minutes past 6pm we adjourned to resume the following day and continue deliberations on the committee of public finance and revenu

Day 33: My National Conference Exploits...

Wednesday 28th May 2014:

The conference resumed sitting at 9:00am, presided over by the deputy Chair. 

The deputy chair announced the death of the wife of the Chairman - National Conference - Hajiya Maryamu Idris Kutigi which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday 28th May 2014. Burial he said will take place from 11am of same day.

Based on the above the conference unanimously resolved to adjourn it's sitting in honor of the departed.

The conference adjourned at 9:07 to resume on Monday 2nd July 2014 - no sitting on Thursdays.... 

Day 32: My National Conference Exploits

Tuesday 27th May 2014, proceeding started at exactly 9.03 am.

Amendments were made on the votes and proceedings of the previous day and adopted as amended.

Announcement:

The deputy Chair announced that we lost one of our own again and the house went like "oh no! not again".  That was actually a misinformation - a delegate - Alhaji Tanko Yakassai lost his son - Ibrahim. The deputy chair corrected and on behalf of the chairman and the conference, condoled with the delegate.

Continuation of Discussion of Committee Reports:

The committee on religion presented their report, well delivered by their co-chair Nuruddeen Lemu, standing beside him while presenting was Bishop Felix Ajakaiye also co- chair of the committee..

What actually stroke me was during their presentation, Nuruddeeen parted Bishop Felix and called him his bother from another father - now this is the spirit! and after he finished presenting his report - he hugged Bishop Felix and the hall rose to applaud them, not just for a a sound delivery but also showing a sign of unity and peaceful co-existence of both faith. 

The report was sound, thorough and critical and knotty issues were simplified. Brilliant recommendations and submissions made therein.

Conference Deputy Chairman thanked the committee for a job well-done and thanked them also for handling the assignment with diligence and compassion and said "the constitution of the Committee on Religion was the most difficult assignment in terms of membership during the inauguration of all the committees this was due to the sensitive nature of the assignment and the fact that “people can change their political views, but they may not change their religious views.”

A key recommendation made by the committee on religion is that "henceforth, no government, at any level, should use public funds in sponsorship of any religious programme, especially pilgrimages for any category of citizens, including government functionaries".

It was agreed that "apex religious bodies in the country be allowed to handle all matters relating to pilgrimage through the Pilgrims Commissions duly managed by them under a law to be passed by the National Assembly to regulate their functions and protect pilgrims".

However holy you are, you must get critics you know? some delegates said members of the committee had avoided tackling some critical issues and answering questions Nigerians would expect them to answer.

Another delegate criticized the committee for its silence on the fate of mission schools which had in the past served as moral training grounds for young people who grew up with such morals for the betterment of the society.

Another said "the committee has shy away from the crucial issue of whether Nigeria is a secular or religious state; explaining that this became necessary because Section 10 of the constitution has been given different interpretations by different people with regard to the secularity of Nigeria. He suggested that Section 10 be amended to make it quite explicit that Nigeria is a secular state so that the misinterpretation can be put to rest.

Another delegate faulted them for not mentioning where worship centers should be sited; he said building of worship centers requires regulation to avoid noise pollution because “a man in search of salvation should do it quietly between him and God.”

One of the committees report was; "Central to the issue of religious harmony in Nigeria was the elimination of religious discriminations and prejudices and went ahead to recommend that Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution should be reaffirmed and upheld in practice".

Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution which deals with prohibition of state religion states that, “The Government of the Federation or of a state shall not adopt any religion as state religion.”

However, the most contentious issue in that report was a recommendation by the committee for the establishment of a Religious Equity Commission (RECOM) with the statutory mandate of advocacy, enforcement of constitutional religious rights such as freedom of religion, freedom to acquire land for religious purposes, among others.

The committee had envisaged the RECOM to serve as a platform that would bring individuals of the major religions in Nigeria to interact and crystalise ideas that would foster unity and tolerance; as well as monitor and investigate and expose cases of religious discrimination and violation.

The body was also meant to monitor cases of religious extremism - both in ideology and practice - and formulate counter narratives that are balanced and tolerant to neutralise such extremism.

It would have equally served as a watch dog and enforcer of religious rights of all persons, thereby creating confidence and trust in every Nigerian no matter their religious affiliations while also monitoring and investigating cases of hate speeches and utterances meant to incite religious tension and prosecute persons responsible.

Delegates said it is unnecessary and suggested that the National Human Rights Commission should be empowered to handle such issues instead of setting up another commission at a time the issue of devolution of power was being seriously contemplated while another group was against it.

The committee noted that the restoration of ethics, culture, morals and core values that promote a sense of belonging among individuals and constituent groups within a nation-state was essential to the process of nation building.

The committee noted that “Despite that its peoples are intensely religious, Nigeria is losing the moral compass for nation-building. Many factors contribute to this. There is however evidence from anthropological data that most Nigerian cultures showed greater appreciation of the core values of honesty, justice, ethics, and morality.

“The committee is of the view that Nigerians should return to those shared core values of their forebears and our faith traditions which are anchored on the sacred values of honesty, justice and the love of one another in order to build a truly united nation-state.”

The Conference, in its deliberation came to a conclusion that the National Orientation Agency to put in place a strong advocacy in collaboration with religious institutions to promote core values in the Nigerian society.

The committee - religion also recommended that; children must be taught their mother tongue or language of their immediate community during the first three years of basic education.In a bid to reinvent the African culture of courtesy, politeness, honesty, integrity, communal interdependence and peaceful co-existence which it said were rapidly being eroded in the Nigerian society. 

They also suggested that learning of Nigerian history should be included in primary and secondary school curricula; while social studies curriculum should be reviewed to reflect Nigeria’s cultural values of respect for elders, hospitality, and communal interdependence, modesty in morals and in dressing.

Some of the recommendation made on the floor of the conference include; henceforth, hate speeches and sermons meant to create incitement among Nigerians should be criminalise; and those involved prosecuted.

Other recommendation adopted include; Collection of taxes as a way of contributing to the growth of the economy by profit-making businesses carried out by religious bodies like churches and mosques. 

A suggestion made also include; henceforth, nobody wishing to convert to any religion of his or her choice should be subjected to any form of victimization whatsoever.

The committee recommended that - payment of welfare allowances be made by government to men and women particularly the most vulnerable members of the society.

It was also agreed that government should, as a matter of national emergency initiate policies that would accelerate wealth creation for the teeming populace, particularly through creation of jobs.

The issue that almost caused a fight towards the end of the day - a delegate suggested that the pilgrim welfare board be abolished  in its totality, this didn't go down well with many people who felt that the welfare board are not actually paid by the government and abolishing it will lead to people lacking support and guide when they visit Mecca or Jerusalem.

Well that and the Religion equity commission recommendation  were bracketed till further debate hence the committee on Religion report was not adopted yet.

Sitting was adjourned till the following day.

See you soon 

On Twitter: @Yadomah 

Day 31: My National Conference Exploits

Monday 26th May 2014, proceeding started at exactly 9.05 am.

 

Amendments were made on the votes and proceedings of the previous day and adopted as amended.

 

Announcement:

 

The Chairman announced that there will be no sitting on Thursday 29th May 2014, because it will be Democracy Day; the Deputy Chair manannounced that a delegate, Chief Edwin Clark celebrated his 87th birthday on the 25th May - As If we all care!

 

Then the Deputy Chair announced the names of 16 people to go help sort out the pending issue of Land Use Act which was proposed to be expunged by the Committee on land tenure but decision was not reached because of lack of consensus - as reported in the previous blog post.

 

Committees that had not laid their reports did so such as the  Committee on Transport.

 

We then began discussing the report of my committee - Environment. Everyone seem to commend us for a job well done; some came with some criticism but some others were supporting recommendations made.

 

There was a heated debate and disagreements on the issue of “Resource Democracy” which was part of our recommendations; it meant each state and /or community to have a sense of ownership oftheir resource(s), some said we tried to smuggle in “Resource Control”; and that generated a lot of controversy.

 

Even those that were for it, who actually thought it is about Resource Control, were absolutely wrong.

 

Well, amendments were made to our committee report as well as recommendations- I didn't expect people will have so much interest in our report - partly because of the glaring ignorance of most Nigerians on issues of the Environment and the lack of awareness on Environmental issues and concerns. But to my greatest surprise so many showed interest, so many approached me appreciating the work of my committee and confessed that they have learned a lot from it.

 

After recommendations were made and additional recommendations were put to vote and nays and yeas were said, and after throats have dried up and bones had became tired, we adjourned at 6.18 pm to resume the following day .

 

 

 

 

Day 30: My National Conference Exploits..

Thursday 22nd May 2014

 

Conference resumed sitting at some minutes past 10am.

 

Votes and proceedings of the previous day were read, amended and adopted.

 

The chair announced that the federal government has granted Four (4) weeks extension for the National conference consequently the conference will end on July 17th 2014 - well my opinion on this has been aired in my post some weeks ago. Initially the conference management sought for an extension of six(6) weeks from the government, but the government declined togrant 6 weeks extension, offering instead, 4 weeks. The conference felt it is impossible for delegates’ opinions on the 20 reports to be heard and collated within the original timeframe, hence the need for extending the conference’s duration.

 

A recommendation was made that the time for sitting which normally starts by 10am be brought to 9am to gain an extra hour for deliberation since time is very much against us - this was agreed upon.

 

One of the most contentious issues that brought controversy the previous day, was the establishment of grazing reserves, cattle ranches for nomadic herdsmen and the responsibility for the funding of such grazing reserves, cattle ranches, modern fodder development technology etc.

 

A motion was passed that: An integrated development and livelihood modernization program be designed and implemented to address the issues of settling nomadic herdsmen into settled communities based on established cattle ranches with fodder development technologies and including abattoirs, processors and other business along the livestock chain. It was also suggested that an integrated development and modernization program should be funded by both federal and state governments in states where such settlement are established and that this integrated development programs should be undertaken and wrapped up within a period of 5 to 10 years after which such settlements should have become self- sustaining with the full integration of the nomadic herdsmen community into modern Nigeria’s political economy.

 

This motion was adopted by the house.

 

Hence the motion for adoption of the report on committee on citizenship, immigration and related matters was moved and seconded.

 

Committees on devolution of power laid their report; a member of that committee who described herself as a lone voice presented a“minority report” saying she does not agree with the committee’s report especially in respect of the Derivation Formula. Well therules of the conference clearly stated that if 70% are in support of a position, it becomes final, moreover minority report is unknown to the conference in the words of the Chairman and giving room to such minority report will open room for more.

 

We moved on to committee reportspresentation. The Committee on Land Tenure Matters presented their report.

 

Some brilliant recommendations were made in the report.

 

The contentious issue was the recommendation of the committee on the need to expunge the Land Use Act 1978 from the 1999 Constitution. There was a clear regional divide on the issue - a part are for it and another part was vehemently against it,saying it's a capitalist movement and expunging it will greatly affect the masses.The debate was too hot, it was finally put to vote - voice vote but the voice was at par. The 'yeas' and the 'nays' hence it was bracketed. Decision on that particular recommendation was deferred - the committee report not adopted yet.

 

We adjourned at some minutes to 6pm to resume on Monday - yes no sitting on Friday as always.

On Twitter: @Yadomah 

 

Day 29: My National Conference Exploits..

Wednesday 21st May 2014

 

The National prayer, which is always the first Item on the order paper, was said. Votes and proceedings of the previous day were read, amended and adopted.

 

A motion of urgent public importance was moved - drawing the attention of the house over the twin bomb explosions that went off at the Terminus Market in Jos on Tuesday 20th May 2014 in which several persons lost their lives. the motion suggested the need to observe a minute’s silence in honor of the victims and to send a condolence message to the families of those affected. So many comments, observation and condemnation were made after the motion was read and it was unanimously adopted. We, rose for a minute’s silence.

 

The next item was the continuation of laying of reports - committees that did not lay their reports on the first day, did so; Committee on Civil Society, Labour, Youth and Sports and Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters.

 

Discussion on the report of the Committee on Citizenship, immigration and Related Matters began. Some brilliant recommendations were made by the committee and some other brilliant recommendations were added by delegates not forgetting the not so brilliant ones.

 

The contentious issue on the report that caused emotional outburst was the recommendation that reads - "the state of origin of herdsmen should be responsible for funding grazing reserves or ranches" - this got so many furious especially the Fulanis - "some of these nomadic herdsmen do not have a particular settlement and saying the state should establish and fund their ranches is impractical", they cried.

 

Well the issue was bracketed and deferred.

 

However, the other recommendations made on the report were adopted but the committee report was not adopted because of the bracket. We adjourned till the following day.

On Twitter: @Yadomah

Day 28: My National Conference Exploits...

Monday 19th May 2014 we converged atplenary after committee work.

 

We started around 10.03 am after saying the prayer we adopted votes and proceedings of 17th April - the one we had before going for our various committee work. The major amendment made was on the issue of theChibok Girls and the misinformation given before we left for committee work - that all the girls, except 8, were rescued and which was reflected in our minutes  - remember that military misinformation?

 

Delegates also screamed out with a loud voice to #Bringbackourgirls and the need for government to intensify action in rescuing the girls. They also applauded the international community for offering to helping us. Somedelegate were against the applause, while others were for it, saying we are under attack and it is not just a Nigerian problem.

 

 

Announcement was made of the passing away of a delegate, an Elder statesman, Mohammed Abubakar Jumare, who died on 5th May 2014. The conference observed a minute’s silence in honor of the deceased.The chairman also announced the nomination of 2 delegates, one to replace the LateHamma Misau that passed on and the other to replace the civil society member that declined to join the conference.

 

Committees presented their reports; a littledrama occurred when I went to lay our committee report. My chair was absent when they called out our committee and all eyes were on me to go and lay down our report. I went stepped down wearing my #BringBackOurGirl red shirt, presented the report to the house, dropped it and left - I was applauded - I guess the sympathy of being the youngest and the deputy chair, drove the applause. After laying the report my Chair showed up so I went and reported to her that I have already laid our report and she said "Good, I am proud of you"

 

Some minutes later I saw my chair speaking to the conference management and not long after, the Committee on Environment was called again; my chair stepped down to re-lay our report and there was a massive "boo" from conference members. They didn't allow her say a word as the boos were deafening... She called out: “where is my vice chair" I had to step down again and the house began clapping, sympathy for the young. We re-laid the report. This really got delegates furious as to why she should do such! Well she explained to me later that she wanted to snap a photograph. Convenient, huh?

 

Well, e no bother me sha...

 

After most reports were laid we were given the reports of the committees that we are to treat on Wednesday - that is we had a day’s break to go and review the reports; no sitting on Tuesday.

 

We adjourned till Wednesday....

See you soon..

On Twitter: @Yadomah 

 

Day 27: My National Conference Exploits..

On Thursday 15th May 2014 - Last day for committee work, we started as usual - we said the opening prayer, adopted the minutes of the previous meeting without amendment and discussed on ways we will make our presentation during the plenary.

We were requested to submit 20 copies of our committee report but our chair took it upon her self to make 500 copies for each delegate. 

Committee - Environment members thanked and hailed myself and the chair for a good leadership disposition and making a room for friendship and co existence. 

One of the committee members from Anambra promised to hook me up with one of his people and the other from Imo countered him by saying he has already booked me for his son. Well, they all know not that one of our committee member has already booked me for his son from Akwa Ibom, they even gave me option for polyandry. Variety they say is the.........? 

And then the tea boy that always smile at me when I go to take tea - he was always friendly and told me he was going to speak with me after our committee work. After the session, I completely forgot and only saw him on my way to the parking lot, he told me he is a footballer, just coming back from Dubai and that the tea business is controlled by one of his own, he is just here offering a helping hand and requested that he would want to be meeting with me often. ermmmm...*lips sealed*

After I have left the conference venue for home, my chair - Environment called me to come and meet her up at the business center that we both need to sign the original copy of our committee report, I went, met her and signed. 

We had to submit the report that very day at the conference secretariat and the 500 copies she intended to submit was not ready - we were all at the business center. I gave a helping hand in putting together the reports but it was getting late and very obvious we cannot get the 500 copies finished and delivered that very day, so we picked 30 copies and headed to the venue of the conference at about 7pm we reached the conference venue at some minutes after 7, went to the office of the deputy chair - national conference and submitted our report to him - finally finally done with committee work that is. The other copies - 500 was on the following day submitted to the conference secretariat. 

See you at first plenary after committee work on Monday.

On Twitter: @Yadomah 

Day 26: My National Conference Exploits

Wednesday 14th May 2014, we started by saying the opening prayer as always, the minutes of the previous meeting was adopted without amendment.

We had a press conference were the chair - Committee on Environment  briefed media men and women on what the committee on Environment did and gave them an overview.

She answered questions from press but funny though, the press only got interested in the issue of Bakasi and didn't care about all other issues that we had sleepless night pening down, but you can't blame the press, can you?

Without much deliberations, we adjourned till the following day so the Chair - Committee on Environment and I - deputy can go for the meeting of 50 wise men, committee chairs and the conference management.

The meeting was set up basically to get idea(s) as to how plenary will be and how time will be saved as time is very much against us. People gave their ideas, I was also opportune to give mine that; we should start by deliberating on the less controversial committee reports first before moving to the most controversial ones, and the need for them to recognize youths when we get to plenary,  which was welcomed. 

After much discussions on some key issues. We adjourned the meeting of the wise men and others :) 

On Twitter: @Yadomah