Nigeria at 53: Jonathan raises committee on national dialogue

The Federal Government has heeded the call for convocation of a Sovereign National Conference as President Goodluck Jonathan announced the setting up of an Advisory Committee to work out modalities for the confab.

The President who stated this in his independence day broadcast, however, admitted that these may not be the best of times for the country.
He said that the setting up of a committee on national dialogue was borne out of his belief in the strength of dialogue in charting the way forward for the nation.
According to him, the committee which will be chaired by Dr Femi Okurounmu and Akilu Indabawa, as secretary will work out modalities for the conference and submit its report within a month. President Jonathan said other members of the committee would be announced soon.
On the proposed dialogue, the President said, “our administration has taken cognizance of suggestions over the years by well-meaning Nigerians on the need for a national dialogue on the future of our beloved country. I’m an advocate of dialogue. When there are issues that stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss.
“In demonstration of my avowed belief in the positive power of dialogue in charting the way forward, I have decided to set up an Advisory Committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a national dialogue or conference. The committee will also design a framework and come up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process,” the President said.
On the state of the nation, the President said: “I admit that these may not be the best of times for our nation. Our people are divided in many ways; ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially. I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot hide from my own responsibilities”.
According to Jonathan, the country has not had a smooth sail in the past 53 years, nevertheless, it has made some appreciable progress, adding that “Whatever the challenges that we may face, we have every reason to be proud of our national accomplishments. We have every reason to remain proud and optimistic. Our collective national journey has witnessed great watersheds, thanks to our spirit of endurance, perseverance and sacrifice.  Getting the rest of the job done with determination and courage is just a matter of time.
“In our journey to greatness as a nation, we have built an economy that is robust and erected, enduring infrastructure and institutions of democracy. Our social system is now more inclusive, open and compassionate. We are waging a steady battle against poverty, unemployment, and corruption. Our sense of community, solidarity and shared expectation is strong and capable of withstanding the present social, economic and political challenges that still confront us,” he noted.
“This is after all, our Fourth Republic; but despite all its flaws, it has lasted longer than all the previous three, put together. That is progress and it proves that, our differences –real and imagined – notwithstanding, we are, in every sense, a united nation.
The  President said, though Nigeria’s place in the global scene is strong and safe, the country must continue to build on it by remaining a nation and people “committed to ideals, the noblest humanitarian values, and the rule of law.”
While calling on Nigerians to spare a thought for victims of terrorists activities across the world, Jonathan said he was overtaken by grief each time he received news of the atrocities of the terrorists in any state in the country, especially in the North-East geo-political zone.
On the massacre of over 50 students in Gujba, Yobe State, two days before independence celebration, according to Jonathan, was a barbaric act and a “demonstration of the extent to which evil forces will go to destabilize our nation. But I assure you, they will not succeed.” The incident, according to the President, cast a dark cloud on the country.
He pointed out that the threat confronting the nation may be real and immediate, Nigeria is not alone, as this is generally “a difficult season for much of the world: industrialized or developing; rich or poor. What matters are the lessons we learn, the wisdom we demonstrate, and the victory we snatch from the jaws of likely defeat.
“And I tell you, more than anything else, there are lessons to learn, and every cause to be thankful. If I must cite one example, take Syria. As we all pray and work for a return to normalcy in Syria, it would be helpful for us to reflect on the fact that Syria was once a peaceful, thriving, multi-cultural nation which played host to a mosaic of religions and ethnic cities.”
The President called on Nigerians to begin to align their political utterances and conduct, solely with the nobler passions that unite the populace, pointing out that it is the common folks that make a nation and not politicians.
His words: “Our politics should be an art of patriotic labour and selfless service to the community, particularly, by the political elite who are placed in positions of great trust and responsibility. Politics has its own high moral principles, which abhor distracting and divisive rhetoric. As men and women in leadership, we must continually focus on service, duty, responsibility, and the next generation. Those who are elected to govern at all levels must focus on improving the lives of our people, not selfish ambition. Whether we are Muslims or Christians; rich or poor; from the North or the South; East or West; regardless of our political affiliations, this is the time for every one of us to be a statesman.”
This is no time for the harmful clutches of parochial sentiments and the politics of bitterness, impunity, arrogance and unhelpful indiscipline. We must stand as one, with absolute commitment and resolve to resist any force that threatens us and the sanctity of our union”, he stated.