Conveners of the two-day National Dialogue held in Lagos, which resolved to ensure the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, have decided to hold such dialogue in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
According to the communique issued at the end of the conference, held under the banner of the National Summit Group, it was also decided that a steering committee should be set up to facilitate the work of the group.
The communique, signed by the Executive Secretary of the NSG, Tony Uranta, said: “That the dialogue should be continued and held in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria dovetailing into a major national summit at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja in ensuring a total mobilization of all Nigerians and state institutions, including the legislature within the shortest possible time.”
The communique in reads in full: “PREAMBLE
“At the instance of the National Summit Group (NSG) a 2 day National Dialogue of Eminent National Leaders of Thought on the State of Nigeria was held at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers on the 6th and 7th of February, 2012. The dialogue was attended by a cross section of Nigerians from all the geopolitical zones of the country, cutting across all religious lines; political, social and economic strata of the nation.
“The over 150 participants included such eminent Nigerians as Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Chief Edwin Clark, Olorogun Felix Ibru,Dr. Authur Nwankwo, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, Barrister Femi Falana, Prof. Akin Oyebode, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chief Olu Falae, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi, Alhaji Orthman, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Mrs. Charity Shekari, Obong Victor Atta, Chief Alabo Graham Douglas, Prof Pat Utomi (Convener), Ms Ankio Briggs, Mallam Shehu Sani, Dr Federick Fasheun, Engr Ife Oyedele, Mallam Nasser Kura, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Chief Ralph Obioha, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Dr Ishaq Lakin Akintola, Dr Ephraim, Goje, Ms Joi Nune Okunnu, Chief John Nwodo, Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, Mr Bala Zaka, The Lagos State Commissioner for Police, Yakubu Alkali, Professor Kevin Etta, Barrister Tare Yeri, Comrade Dele Akele, Mrs Ireti Doyle, Mr Tee Mac Itseli, Mallam Mahmud Othman, Mrs Baarong Tony-Uranta, Mr Tony Nnacheta, Sheikh Abdurahman Ahmed, Ms Amara Nwosu, Ambassador Grace Bassey-Eke, Mr Denzil Kentebe, Mrs Sotonye Fulton, Mr Taofeek Gani, Ms Abiola Ige, Chief Asuquo Ekanem, Col Paul Edor Obi, Mrs Gift Amangi, Professor Remi Sonaiya and Mr Saint Obi among many other eminent Nigerians. Traditional Rulers present include the Amanyanabo of Opobo, HRM King Dandeson Jaja and the Oni of Ife (represented by Oba Aderemi Adedapo). Organisations present include the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and several other civil society organizations representing special interests of youths, women, ethnic nationalities and others (Please, a comprehensive list of Attendees shall be published later)
“The dialogue provided an auspicious platform for stakeholders in the Nigerian Project to confront current challenges facing the Nigerian nation and also to proffer solutions to them.
“OBSERVATIONS
“The dialogue observed as follows:
“1. That the Nigerian nation is currently facing serious challenges which, if not urgently addressed, are capable of leading the country to total disintegration
“2. That the issues constraining our development as a nation include systemic corruption, Insecurity of lives and properties, poverty and infrastructural deficiencies, lack of credible electoral process, clueless leadership of state institutions and processes across board and defective structure of the Nigerian Federalism, backed by a flawed constitution. These defects have lasted for too long
“3. That the deteriorating state of insecurity, especially in recent times, calls for more urgent attention as it is capable of leading to violent and unprecedented collapse of the Nigerian state if not dealt with firmly and decisively.
“4. That we condemn the senseless killing of defenseless Nigerians in different parts of the country. The dialogue observed a one minute silence for all Nigerians who have recently lost their lives across the country
“RESOLUTION
“The dialogue resolved as follows:
“1. That the dialogue should be continued and held in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria dovetailing into a major national summit at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja in ensuring a total mobilization of all Nigerians and state institutions, including the legislature within the shortest possible time.
“2. That the National Summit Group should ensure wider attendance at future dialogues and was commended for its efforts so far.
“3. That the ultimate goal of the dialogue should be the convocation of a peoples’ national conference of the constituent units of the country that will give birth to a truly peoples Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“4. That a steering committee whose membership would be continuously reviewed as more Nigerians come onboard be established, to ensure that no interest is excluded.
“5. That the steering committee is to come up with a work plan within 30 days of its constitution.”