President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday set up an advisory committee on National Dialogue to establish the modalities for a National Dialogue or Conference. The Committee will also design a framework and recommend the form, structure and mechanism of the process.
Mr. Jonathan was speaking on the occasion of Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary.
In what appeared to be an abrupt decision, he said the committee will be chaired by Dr. Femi Okurounmu while Dr. Akilu Indabawa will serve as the Secretary. He said he expected the report to be ready in one month, a complete surprise considering that full membership was yet to be announced. Following the receipt of the committee’s report, he said the nation will be briefed on the nomenclature, structure and modalities of the Dialogue.
“In truth, Nigeria is still a work in progress and we are challenged everyday to keep building in spite of the various obstacles that we face,” he told Nigerians. “Our strength has been in our diversity. If we look back over the years, we can say confidently that there is every reason to celebrate.”
In another claim that is bound to be controversial, he said Nigeria on its journey to greatness has 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 called on Nigerians to begin to align their political utterances and conduct solely to the nobler passions that unite our people, stressing that ordinary folks, not politicians make a nation.
Why he tried to rally Nigerians against extremism, he curiously mentioned corruption only once, claiming to be “waging a steady battle” against it along with poverty, and unemployment, and corruption. In a new line in his recent speeches, Mr. Jonathan has stated that the menace of corruption is exaggerated in Nigeria, and he did not dwell.
On extremism, he said, “I implore every Nigerian – wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever your religious persuasion, whichever Political Party you support -: let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.”
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