Malam Muhammad Garba, NUJ Chairman.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has counselled the country’s National Assembly to suspend the ongoing constitutional amendment which it is undertaking since President Goodluk Jonathan has constituted a committee for the convocation of a national conference in the country. According to the NUJ, proceeding with the constitutional amendment would mean that the National Assembly is duplicating functions as in the body’s view, the mandate of the constitutional amendment and the national conference are meant to serve the same purpose.
NUJ President, Mallam Muhammed Garba, who made the organisation’s position known on Thursday at a press conference in Abuja, also called for the inclusion of journalists in the Advisory Committee on National Dialogue set up by President Jonathan.
His words: “The setting up of the committee has shown that the political system has failed because if the three arms of government cannot address the issues, then the political system has failed. The government should make sure that all the issues are addressed accordingly.
“But what is going to happen to the constitutional amendment? All the issues to be discussed in the national dialogue such as state creation, are also the issues in contention before the constitutional amendment. We hereby suggest that the National Assembly should suspend the constitutional amendment for the meantime pending the outcome of the national dialogue committee; at the end, it will be sent to the National Assembly for consideration.
“We have seen some eminent Nigerians selected as members of the committee. For us, it is a very good development because people have been agitating for it. The issue of national dialogue is more appropriate because quite a number of Nigerians have been clamouring for it. Our only worry is that the media is not represented; we need to be represented. The committee has to be very careful in whatever agenda is before it.”
Mallam Garba also calle for the expansion of the issues to be discussed during the dialogue, noting that all contending issues bordering the country should be discussed.
“There should be ‘no-go-area’; even the people advocating that this country should be divided should be given an opportunity to be heard. Let’s discuss everything. I don’t believe in ‘no-go-area’.
” Everything should be discussed; after all, we are talking of national dialogue and reconciliation. The selection or election of the members should be based on merit.
“We will make sure that all the issues discussed on power and electricity are adequately addressed because power is very central to national development,” he said.
Garba equally stated that proper attention should be given to the general insecurity rocking the North-east and caused by the Boko Haram ; face-off between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) and the strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) .
“Kidnapping and oil theft are now lucrative business and have continued unchecked for the past three years. We thought that with the kidnap of some journalists in Abia State about two years ago, government would have done something about it.
“The ASUU strike is really very touching and disturbing. There is no way it won’t affect academic calendar in Nigerian Universities. This will go a long way in affecting the academic standards. The standard of education will continue to come down.
“I appeal to the Federal Government to ensure that all the issues are amicably resolved. We must have to address the issue of education in Nigeria. University education in Nigeria is being crippled. We also call on government to intervene in the strike by NARD because health sector strike would mean more deaths in Nigeria,” the NUJ leader held.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Government is set to constitute a high-powered Elders Consultative Forum to enable the State prepare adequately for the proposed national dialogue.
Governor Seriake Dickson made the announcement in Yenagoa at a dinner party organised by the State government as part of activities marking the nation’s 53rd independence and 17th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa at Government house in Yenagoa.
Commending President Goodluck Jonathan for always responding to reasonable concerns of well-meaning Nigerians, the Governor noted that the convocation of the dialogue would promote national cohesion and stability.
On the rationale behind setting up the Forum, Governor Dickson explained that the proposed Forum will among other responsibilities collate the divergent views of the State on matters of critical interest to the people as well as ensure that Bayelsans speak with one voice without jeopardizing the peaceful co-existence of the country.
“Very soon we will have the need to assemble our elders to formally set up the Elders Consultative Forum, and to provide another platform for interaction.
“You are aware of the unfolding scenario at the national level which is positive. This Tuesday morning our President, leader and brother, who is flying the flag of the country so very well announced the intention of the Federal Government to hold a dialogue of the peoples of this great nation, and we commend that initiative. And so, in the course of this week, I will begin the mechanism for putting our elders together so that our representatives will be able to interact and compare notes with you which we will be forwarded at the appropriate time in that respect.’
Describing Nigeria as a land with endless potentials and opportunities, Hon Dickson renewed his call on Nigerians to work together in harmony irrespective of their political and religious differences for the greater good of the nation.
While thanking Bayelsans for their support and prayers, the Governor reassured them of his administration’s commitment to build a new Bayelsa ‘’where its people are bonded together by a sense of brotherhood and unity.’’
Dignitaries at the event include the State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah Retired, first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and first military Governor of old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Others were former military administrator of Ebonyi and Delta states, Retired Navy Capt. Walter Feghabo-Amain, the Chairman Fiduciary Board, Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC), Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu, Professor Emeritus Ebiegberi Joe-Alagoa and the State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri.
Also in attendance include serving and former members of the National Assembly including one time Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Ghali Na’abba, former Governor of old Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Chairman of the State council of traditional rulers, King Godwin Igodo.
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