The federal government Thursday released the modalities for the forthcoming national conference which will hold in Abuja for a tentative period of three months.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, who gave the modalities after what he called a “long and mature deliberations on the Committee’s Report (Advisory Committee on National Dialogue)”, said the conference “shall discuss any subject matter except the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a nation,” stressing that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable.
“A conference management secretariat shall be established to manage, administer and run the affairs of the Conference. Decisions at the National Conference shall be by consensus; but where it is not achievable; it shall be by 75% majority,” he said.
The National Conference is also expected to advise the Government on the legal framework, legal procedures and options for integrating the decisions and outcomes reached into the Constitution and laws of the country.
Anyim noted that “The National Conference shall have a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson of unimpeachable integrity.”
The list of nominees shall be submitted either online to www.osgf.gov.ng or in hard copy to the Office of the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties Office), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase I, 3rd Floor, Central Business District, Abuja.
The nomination of delegates will take place from January 30th- February 20th and formal inauguration of the conference will follow as soon as the nominations are received and collated.
Below is the proposed composition of delegates for the National Conference, that will be attended by 492 persons drawn from various sectors:
PROPOSED COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE | ||||
S/N |
STAKEHOLDERS | DETAILS | DELEGATES | REMARKS |
1. | Elder Statesmen | 1 per State and FCT | 37 | Nomination by President |
2. | Retired Military and Security Personnel: i. Military ii. Police iii. State Security and NIA | 1 per Geo-political Zone 1 per Geo-political Zone 1 per Geo-political Zone | 6 6 6 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
3. | Traditional Rulers | 2 per Zone + 1 for FCT | 13 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
4. | Retired Civil Servants | 1 per Zone | 6 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
5. | Labour Representatives: i. NLC ii. TUC | Nominations should reflect Geo-political and Gender Balance | 12 12 | Nomination by NLC Nomination by TUC |
6. | Organised Private Sector i. NECA ii. MAN iii. NACCIMA iv. NESG | 2 2 2 2 | Nomination by Stakeholders | |
7. | Nigeria Youth Organisations: i. Nat. Youth Council of Nigeria ii. NANS iii. Other (Outstanding Youths and Role Models) | 1 per Geo-political Zone 1 per Geo-political Zone 1 per Geo-political Zone | 6 6 6 | Nomination by Stakeholders Nomination by Stakeholders Nomination by Federal Government |
8. | Women Groups: i. NCWS ii. Market Women Associations iii. FIDA, NAWOJ, WINBIZ | 2 per Geo-political Zone 1 per Geo-political Zone 2 per Organisation | 12 6 6 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
9. | Political Parties: i. PDP ii. APC iii. APGA iv. Accord Party v. Labour Party | Parties that have representation in the National Assembly | 2 2 2 2 2 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
10. | Muslim Leaders | 6 | Nomination by Stakeholders | |
11. | Christian Leaders | 6 | Nomination by Stakeholders | |
12. | Civil Society Organisations | Ensure spread | 24 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
13. | Nigerians in Diaspora (Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Middle East) | 2 per location | 8 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
14. | People Living with Disabilities | 1 per Geo-political Zone | 6 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
15. | Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria | 2 | Nomination by Stakeholders | |
16. | Nigeria Guild of Editors | 2 | Nomination by Stakeholders | |
17. | Nigeria Union of Journalists | 2 | Nomination by Stakeholders | |
18. | Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria | 2 | Nomination by Stakeholders | |
19. | Socio-Political/Cultural and Ethnic Nationality Groups | 15 per Geo-political Zone-Nominations should reflect Ethnic and Religious Diversities. | 90 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
20. | Professional Bodies: NBA, NSE, CIB, NMA, NIM, NIA, ICAN, ANAN, NIPR, AAPN, NIESV, Nigerian Environmental Society, Nigeria Economic Society. | 1 per Organisation | 13 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
21. | National Academies: i. Academy of Science ii. Academy of Engineering iii. Academy of Education iv. Academy of Letters v. Academy of Social Sciences | 1 per Academy | 5 | Nomination by Stakeholders |
22. | Judiciary | Persons not currently serving on the Bench | 6 | Nomination by President |
23. | Former Political Office holders: i. Former Governors ii. Senators Forum iii. House of Reps. Forum iv. Association of Former Speakers | 1 per Geo political Zone 1 per Geo political Zone 1 per Geo political Zone 1 per Geo political Zone | 6 | |