President’s speech sets agenda for conference – Delegates
Debate, comments and opinions on the Presidential speech as a footpath to issues and decisions continued on Tuesday at the on-going National Conference holding at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.
Moderated by the Conference Deputy Chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, most of the delegates described the President’s speech on March 17 at the inauguration of the Conference as agenda-setting on issues to be discussed and the outcome Conference.
For instance, former President of the Senate, Dr. Iyorcha Ayu said: “I stand not to praise nor vilify the President’s speech. It is the speech of a leader who is worried about his country. It is the speech of great expectation, and the whole country expects a lot from all gathered here.”
Delegates however observed that beyond the letters of the elegant speech lies the responsibility of translating the words into action for the benefit of Nigerians so that the report of the current Conference will not go the ways of others.
Some of them said the timing of the Conference was apt; coming on the heels of Nigeria’s centenary as a country because it would create opportunity to reflect on the last 100 years while planning for the next.
Mrs. Temitope Ajayi described the Conference as historic, “coming as Nigeria celebrates one hundred years of existence as one entity.
The courage exhibited by Jonathan in convening the Conference despite stiff opposition and criticisms by political opponents also formed a part of the comments made by delegates on Tuesday.
Dr. Amos Akingba said delegates must justify such show of courage by the President by ensuring that issues that would stabilize Nigeria occupy everybody’s mind and not ethnic interest.
A retired civil servant, Akin Arikawe, said the convocation of the National Conference by Jonathan despite threats and warnings by certain Nigerians was a demonstration of the President’s confidence in the outcome of the Conference and urged delegates not to frustrate that hope
