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...

 

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