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