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Tag: decisions

  • ‘I pray before taking certain decisions’

    ‘I pray before taking certain decisions’

    Mallam Abdullahi Muktar Muhammad, a lawyer, is Executive Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, he takes an introspective look into the just concluded hajj exercise vis-à-vis lessons learnt and preparations for 2018 hajj operations as well as a peep into his management and organisational style. Excerpts:

    What is your assessment of the 2017 hajj exercise and what are the challenges and lessons learnt if any?

    As the man on the driving seat I won’t like to assess our performance I would rather allow the public and other stakeholders to assess us. But if you ask me what public opinion has been and what is the view of other stakeholders, who assessed us based on their own comments, submissions, engagements, interactions with the media and the feedback we’re receiving through other mechanisms either established channels of communication by the Commission or through the court of public opinion, I can say it’s a huge success. It’s a success in the sense that despite all the challenges and initial attempts by some people to derail us from our main focus during the controversy over the hajj fares, we were able to remain committed to the cause of delivering hajj as planned. We were successful in airlifting all the pilgrims under the States Pilgrims Welfare Boards, commissions and agencies across the country, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Armed Forces, that is 38 entities. Not only that, we were also able to intervene by ensuring that pilgrims who also paid through the private licensed tour operators were airlifted into the Saudi Arabia Kingdom because we had challenges whereby some of the licensed tour operators couldn’t get scheduled flights to bring in their pilgrims. So the Commission as a regulator had to intervene by organising special flights out of Kano and Abuja to bring in those pilgrims so that they are able to meet up with their hajj exercise. And this is the first time in many years that the Commission intervened or had to rescue the tour operators in airlifting their own pilgrims. So if you look at the inbound operations critically, there was this challenge of the discourse on the hajj fares which nearly, if not removed us away from our focus, so much so that we could have withdrew completely and lose track of the whole exercise. Yet, we were able to overcome it and get everybody airlifted.

    The aspect is the offshore. If you look at our arrangements in Medina, it’s an improved version of last year. All the pilgrims were accommodated within the highbrow area called Markasiya that is the prime area of Medina which is just some few minutes walking distance to the Grand Mosque of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW). The feeding in Medina was also an improved version of what it used to be. This was attested to by the pilgrims and state officials themselves. We also had improved transportation for Nigerian pilgrims. The busses we used this year compared to what it was in the previous years, of course, you can say that there is really no basis for comparison at all. These year’s busses were VIP busses with refrigerators, toilet facilities, internet facility, fully air-conditioned, television services, and tracking devices. The busses are new in terms of their make so there were no reported cases of busses stopping on the roads due to mechanical breakdown and all that. I think out of the movement of almost 90, 000 people there was only one reported case of a vehicle that developed fault on the road. So if you compare that with previous statistics, it’s a great success. In the previous years on daily basis, you have reported cases of vehicles breaking down and rescue operations had to be arranged for passengers and all that.

    Medina medical services had improved version of what it used to be. If you look at the activities in Mecca, most supervised by the Commission, is also an improved version of what it used to be. Most of the states were able o get houses in more accessible areas and straight route to the Haram (mosque), not hilly paths and easily traceable that the pilgrims don’t have to miss their way. The medical arrangement in Mecca was better coordinated compared to last year. Of course, anybody who visited any of our clinics will agree with me that it’s really an improved version of what our medical services used to be.  The records of patients being seen in the clinics was unprecedented so also the recorded keeping which were all computerised and of real-time online basis which has eliminated the chances of pilgrims visiting multiple clinics at a time for the purpose of getting drugs that would take back home. The coordination and synergy between the states and the federal team in the medical arrangement is superb. Having said this, in a nutshell from the assessment of our stakeholders so far so good, we thank God for seeing us through.

    Given the fact that the hajj fare is largely dependent on the exchange rate, what should Nigerians be expecting, in terms of the hajj fares next year bearing in mind the flexibility of our exchange rate?

    Well, from what happened this year I think the coast is very clear that whatever is the official exchange rate that should be our yardstick for computing the hajj fares. So, let’s continue to pray, all Nigerians should pray and work hard by supporting the government in its drive towards stabilising and growing the economy so that the dollar/naira disparity will be improved to the extent that naira will take its rightful position in terms of exchange rate to dollar. If we are lucky the dollar crashes, the total hajj fare will also come down because the dollar component which makes up the hajj fare, which is about 8-9% of the total hajj fare, some did not increase even with $1 compare to last year. In fact, it has reduced with about $300-350 depending on the states. And even in some states, it’s up to $400. So, impliedly, the dollar component reduced but the exchange rate has increased. The exchange rate used in 2016 was N197, which was the official exchange rate when we consummated the transaction with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). But this year, the official exchange rate is N305 so already there is a gap of N108 I think. So in simple layman terms assuming the hajj fare for 2016 was just $1 that each pilgrim paid to perform hajj, by 2017, the fare has reduced to $0.73. But the exchange rate last year N197. The exchange rate this year is N305, so no matter the reduction in the dollar component, the impact will not be felt by the ordinary pilgrim because he has been affected by the exchange rate. That is the simple explanation. If the exchange rate remained at N197 or lower, which means, the pilgrim will benefit and he will know that yes, efforts are being made by the government to down the hajj fare itself. But despite this hiccups, it is important for the pilgrims and other members of the public to know that the fare prices would have been much higher than what it was this year if government said pilgrims should go and source for their dollars at the interbank rates, which then was about N362-365 and in some cases N368, respectively. But the federal government was magnanimous enough to look at the sensitive needs and importance of the pilgrimage and religious services for both Muslims and Christians and allow us to enjoy the official exchange rate, which is N305. I think we should be grateful for this gesture of the government and continue to be prayerful that the naira appreciates against the dollar as low as N1 to the dollar. If it reaches that level, which means hajj fares will become N5, 300 or even less! May be by that time only God knows how many people will be rushing to go and perform the hajj. We hope the economy will get better. But just to summary the answer to your question, what shall we expect in 2018 in terms of hajj fares, the answer is whatever the official exchange rate that would be the basis for our computation of the hajj fare.

    When does your typical day begin?

    Well, I really don’t know because during hajj operations, you can say that we work for 24 hours here. So, I have very odd time. I work very late, may be sleep a little but without compromising my health and my footings and I try not to lose my balance over issues. So far so good.

    Could you tell us your management style, what works for you?

    I believe in consultation and I believe nobody has monopoly of wisdom. So I believe in reaching out to people who knows to ask them about what I don’t know. Even what I know love to hear difference of opinion and I am a very good listener of critics because critics strengthen me more.

    In terms of motivating your staff, do you apply the stick and carrot approach?

    Yes. In fact, I appreciate any staff that is very hardworking and I don’t treat them as a boss-servant relationship but as a friend-boss relationship. Sometimes you see me working into the office of my subordinates and very junior staff.  I can walk down into their office, sit down with him or her and do the work together just to do the needful. And if anybody excel, I believe he or she should be rewarded. And there are different ways of rewarding the staff. There could be personal appreciation, official appreciation, official commendations, fast tracking his or needs and going out of your way to assist what they least expect you will even be there for them. And of course, the stick formula is also needful.  For one, I don’t tolerate indiscipline at all and I hate people who are deceptive, especially people who fail to do their job until may be compromise is being made. That really irritates me. And I can do away with any person who I believe is not adding value and he/she is becoming a stumbling block in the process of the exercise. But I can say we have very wonderful staff here, as such I can gladly recommend them for any challenging responsibility anytime any day and I think they deserve more than what they get in terms of reward. And if Allah gives me greater opportunity to reward them better than what we are doing now, definitely, I will do that.

    As the CEO what has been the toughest decision you have had to take ever since you came on board?

    Well, I think the hardest decision is if it comes to matter of somebody’s future. I find it very difficult to be part of any negative history of somebody. So I don’t want to pinpoint a particular example but that’s one of the toughest things that if it comes to my table I embark on serious prayers for God’s guidance because it’s better to set somebody free than to decide on him in an unjustifiable manner or just out of sheer sentiments. So most decisions that has to do with people’s future is difficult for me to take; the reason being that I don’t want to take wrong decisions over somebody who hasn’t committed any offense at all. There are pilgrim officials, my staff or anybody. But once I’m convinced that an offense has been committed and there is ample evidence, and there is no sign of remorse from the offender, I can take that decision and go to sleep. But if there is any slight ambiguity or doubt really it gives me some high level of discomfort because I don’t want to be remembered on the negative side of history.

    Talking about legacies what legacies would you want to leave behind as the CEO of NAHCON?

    I want to be remembered for anything good that I have initiated, participated or assisted in bringing into the hajj operations of my country. And I want to be forgiven for any mistake that I have done knowingly or unknowingly.

  • Buhari’s economic decisions long-lasting, says Fed Govt

    Buhari’s economic decisions long-lasting, says Fed Govt

    •We’re providing conducive environment for business

    •Getting out of recession ‘not a fluke’

    President Muhammadu Buhari is not adopting a quick fix approach to the economy, but initiating long-lasting policies, the Federal government has said.

    Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed told reporters in Lagos at the weekend that the results of the economic policies of the government would soon begin to germinate in full measure.

    The minister said: “This administration’s contract with Nigerians sits on a tripod— The fight against corruption, tackling insecurity and reviving the economy— even our worst critics acknowledge the progress we have made in fighting corruption and tackling insecurity.

    “But one area in which they have consistently criticised us is the economy. Right from the inception of this Administration, we chose the path of seeking a lasting solution to the economic crisis plaguing the nation instead of engaging in a quick fix that may attract accolades but will not endure.

    “We chose to be painstaking instead of engaging in palliatives.”

    The minister added that the “well-thought-out policy, encapsulated in the Administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) is working and the results are beginning to show. In September we exited recession and returned to the path of growth, after five consecutive quarters of contraction. Taking Nigeria out of recession did not happen by accident. It was the culmination of months of hard work by the Administration and fidelity to its well-articulated economic policies.

    “To show that taking Nigeria out of recession was not a fluke, less than two months after, the country has moved up 24 places, to 145th, in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ report. Not only that, for the first time the country is recognised as one of the top 10 most-improved economies in the world.”

    Secretary of Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Dr. Jumoke Oduwole said the Federal Government would build on the achievements recorded, especially the enhancement of a conducive environment for business operations.

    She said the conducive atmosphere include guaranteed access to credit for Small Scale Businesses (SMEs), construction permits, ease of business registration, ease of tax payment, and promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment.

    She said The PEBEC chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo took a significant step towards making it easier for micro, small and medium enterprises to business by approving a 60-day National Action Plan on the ease of doing business for ministries, departments and agencies responsible for their implementation.

    The minister said the measure was taken because micro, small and medium scale businesses account for half of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (DGP), adding that they also employ over 80 per cent of the labour force.

    Mohammed added: “We look up to these enterprises to provide endless possibilities for economic growth. If the MSMEs blossom, Nigeria’s economy will thrive. We even surpassed our target. We had hoped to move up to 20 places. We beat that by four more to move up to 24 places.”

    To boost taxation, the minister said the administration launched the “Nigerian Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to provide time-bound opportunity for tax payers to regularize their tax status and pay tax regularly.

    He said if tax payers honestly declare previously undisclosed assets and income, they will benefit from forgiveness of overdue interest and penalties, and be insulated from criminal prosecution for tax offences.

    Mohammed added: “As of 31st Oct. 2017, VAIDS has raked in over N200 million and 55 million US dollars. For eight consecutive months, headline inflation has been falling; the foreign exchange reserves are up to $34 billion, from $24 billion a year ago; oil production is at nearly 2 million barrels per day, a significant improvement from 2016 when it was mostly below a million; the value of the Naira in the parallel market has appreciated significantly in recent times against the US dollar, and that at about 1.8 billion dollars, the capital inflows in the second quarter of 2017 were almost double the $908 million in the first quarter.”

    The minister said Nigerians will savour a new lease of life, owing to the on-going massive infrastructural development, especially roads, railways and power, adding that food prices tumble and more jobs will be created.

    Hailing Nigerians for their patience and belief in the Buhari administration, Mohammed said: “Reviving the economy was never going to be an easy task. It was bound to bring some hardship to our people in the short term. Through it all, the good people of Nigeria have borne the pains with equanimity, based on their unshakable trust in the sincerity, capability and commitment of President Buhari. Now, the soothing balm is here.”

    Oduwole reviewed the performance of the economy, based on the World Bank’s reforms in the critical areas of starting a business, dealing with construction permits, registering property, getting credit and paying taxes, stressing that Nigeria was on course.

    She said: “In the area of company registration, the Corporate Affairs Commission has moved to offer online registration and introduced new features such as electronic stamping of registration documents. Thus, entrepreneurs have been able to register their businesses much faster, within 24-48 hours, thereby saving cost and time

    “Getting construction permits and registering property in both Lagos and Kano States have become more transparent and easier for businesses with the online publication of all relevant regulations, fee schedules and pre-application requirements online.

  • How to make informed shopping decisions

    A plethora of competing products, especially consumables, now fill the market space. While this has given several options to consumers and shoppers,  making informed choices has become a challenge as taste, flavour, cost, amongst others, are strong factors for consideration by shoppers, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN

    Entering a supermarket located in Surulere, Lagos, a young female shopper, who simply identified herself as Chiamaka, was faced with a dilemma of making a choice from the variety of competing commodities, both local and imported products, at the supermarket.

    Placed side-by-side on the store’s shelf were competing brands, especially consumables. For instance, on the cooking oil roll, brands such as Mamador, Chrisco and Wesson vegetable oil beckoned for selection. Close-Up, Macleans, Pepsodent, My My and Colgate toothpastes were displayed together on the shelf; Weetabix, Golden Morn, Corn Flakes, among others, filled the cereal section. In the confectionery section, Cabin, Coaster and Okin biscuits were very conspicuously displayed.

    Confused and unsure of which one to settle for, Chiamaka left the store, and sought the assistance of a grocery expert to guide her on what should inform her choice the next time she visits a supermarket.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Delightsome stores in Gbagada Lagos, Mrs. Modupe Shopeju, said such confusion when shopping are better handled by first ascertaining by considering a number of factors before visiting a store.

    For instance, she explained that when an item is well packaged, of a good quality, has good taste, and generally if it can give a consumer value for his/her money such product will be a preferred choice always among consumers.

    Shopeju thinks there are some consumers who would choose indigenous products anytime, even if they fall within the same price range with foreign ones. She also thinks more people patronise foreign products even if they are three times more expensive than the local ones.

    Having listened to the expert, Chiamaka’s ability to make preferred choices between indigenous goods and foreign goods has improved as she only buys foreign cereals which she believes is of a better quality. “Kellogg’s cornflakes taste better than the Milo cornflakes, Nasco flakes and Good Morning flakes. Though more expensive, it gives good value for the money I use in buying it,” she explained.

    According to the Branch Manager of Apapa Shoprite, George Ukwunna, price is considered as one of the most important factors affecting the consumers’ perception of a product. “Once a consumer perceives a price difference between items whether it is local or foreign, price differentials begin to affect their preference for local goods. In other words, if they notice that local items are more expensive than foreign ones, they go for the foreign ones.”

    He added that a high-priced item may be perceived high in quality because of the image created by manufacturers through advertising. Similarly, a global product may be perceived to be of superior quality as quality is believed to be a prerequisite for international acceptance.

    Findings have it that some consumers purchasing pattern depicts their social status. It is believed that people, especially the young ones, consider current fashions and trends while buying a product. And through television, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the fashions and trends in other parts of the world. Hence, the fashions and trends dictate the preference of some individuals.

    But most people go for international brands rather than local ones. They feel proud when they buy imported items because, to them, it depicts class.

    Apart from just focusing on where the product is from, people consider other factors when buying. It has been noted that consumers are reluctant to buy goods made-in- less-developed countries as they perceive them to be low in quality.

    If a brand is perceived as globally available, consumers are likely to attribute a superior quality to it, because its international acceptance is seen as a sign o f its high quality.

    On one hand, consumers seem to value foreign brands and regard them as a status symbol. But they are often criticised for threatening the local differences leading to a loss of cultural identity.

    Some consumers believe that purchasing local goods promotes patriotism; they, therefore, accuse foreign brands of being a potential threat to a country’s economy and employment level. However, it is important to note also that a good item should have some unique proposition to satisfy a consumer needs.

    The attitudes and perceptions of consumers toward their choice of goods sometimes depends on categories, for example, electronic goods from Italy may be perceived as a poor quality but Italian clothing would be perceive as fashionable and high quality. And the Japanese electronic goods would be perceived with positive attitudes while their clothing will be negatively perceived.

    However, patriotic consumers believe that our local companies have a competitive edge over their foreign competitors because they are closer to consumers here and have a better understanding of what people want. They fear that buying foreign products may hinder the growth of local companies in the country.

    The Nation Shopping spoke with some shoppers to find out which product they patronise more and their experience of indigenous products.

    Mr. Samson Shoile, said: “The problem with patronising indigenous products is that they are usually over-priced and of inferior quality. For example, furniture makers sell a set of living room chairs for about N650, 000 and above. It’s not as if they are of the best quality, and the finishing is likely to be shabby. If you check a foreign magazine on furniture, you will realise that what they offer for the same price or less is of a better quality. I don’t find this encouraging.

    Mr Alex Ndigwe told The Nation Shopping at Mowe Ibafo, in Ogun State: “I bought a Zinox laptop sometime ago for N80, 000 with very low specifications just because I wanted to buy a made-in-Nigeria product and it didn’t last a year. I could have bought HP or Acer at the same amount with higher specifications. Same with Hitv that is supposed to give Dstv a run for their money; instead it is more expensive with all their crappy stations. It is the same issue with Globacom Nigeria and MTN South Africa.” he said.

    Mrs. Esther Aghelibe  said: “If we want our local products to pick up in sales we need to force the issue; ultimately, it falls to the government to set trade tariffs to force the price of imported goods to go up so that buying locally made goods becomes attractive to people. For example, if there is a Nigerian car manufacturer that is not getting patronage, put tariff on importation of cars or parts so that people get to buy these cars.

    “The United States (US) did something like that back in the days when the Japanese manufacturers were dominating the electrical appliances market in the US. Most of our goods are better than all these Chinese products seen in every corner of the country.  It’s just that we already have the mentality of buying imported goods even if it’s not worth it.”

    Mary Obire thinks a good quality product should be durable, reliable and should have good features.

    Each product claims high quality, nutritive content, innovative packaging, value for money, world-class standards and certified by relevant regulatory authorities. So, people have reasons for patronising a particular brand. For some, it has to do with the taste and flavour if it is something edible, or it could be as a result of the low price attributed to an item. For others, it is the preference for a particular brand as a matter of tradition.

  • Akwa Ibom: Lower court decisions on facts not law, says Supreme Court

    Akwa Ibom: Lower court decisions on facts not law, says Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court yesterday adduced reasons for affirming Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as validly elected governor of Akwa Ibom State.

    Justice Chima Nweze, who gave the reasons, said that the decision of the lower court was a mis-judgment based on only facts and not on the provisions of the laws.

    Nweze said the decisions of the lower court swayed the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the use of card readers for the election

    He held that the lower court denied the governor fair hearing.

    “From the study of the evidence brought before us, Udom Emmanuel won the highest lawfully cast votes.

    “This has placed the court to set aside the judgments of the two lower courts as the other parties challenging his victory could prove otherwise.

    “The lower courts were wrong to have cancelled elections in 18 and subsequently the entire 31 Local Government Areas of the state on the basis of non-compliance,’’ he held.

    “While we commend the introduction of the card readers, the innovation, however, cannot supersede the voters register.

    “The extant laws of the federation provides for the use of voters register but the card reader irrespective of its importance does not have a place in any extant law of the land,’’ Nweze held.

    Justice Nweze, therefore, held that the tribunal was wrong to base its judgment on non-compliance with the use of card readers.

    On allegation of violence and irregularities during the election, Nweze said Umana Umana and the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to prove the allegations.

    “The two respondents were not able to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt because they failed to bring witnesses from all the polling units to substantiate their claims,’’ Nweze said.

    Justice Nweze held that to prove non-accreditation, the respondents ought to have tendered the voters register and then demonstrate it how it was abused.

    “I do align myself to earlier decision of the apex court that the provision of the law recognises the voters register as the only key element to conduct any elections,” he said.

    Noting that INEC had power to make subsidiary regulations regarding conduct of election, Nweze held that the regulations must conform to constitutional provisions.

    Justice Nweze held that the extant laws did not give room for arbitrary nullification of an election.

    “Petitioners have got to prove that there was substantial non-compliance in all polling units before we could take such allegation serious,” he said.

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja had nullified the Akwa Ibom governorship election of April 11.

    The governor’s election was challenged by the APC and its candidate, Umana.

    At the election tribunal, the governor secured partial victory, as it ordered a rerun in 18 out of the state’s 31 local government areas.

    The governor challenged the ruling, insisting he won in all 31 local government areas, but the Court of Appeal went on to nullify the entire election.

    Justices Mary Peter-Odili and Clara Ogunbiyi had hinged on the above reasons to justify the return of Delta,Yobe and Oyo States governors.

  • ‘Obey ECOWAS Court’s decisions’

    ‘Obey ECOWAS Court’s decisions’

    How can the effectiveness of the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) be improved upon? It is by enhanced commitment of ECOWAS member-states, say the court’s President Justice Maria Do Ceu Silva Monteiro, the court’s Registrar, Tony Anene-Maidoh and the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu.

    They condemned the levity with which member-states and institutions treat the court’s decisions. They contended that without ECOWAS states leading by example in ensuring prompt and effective enforcement of the court’s judgments, the purpose for which the court was established about 10 years ago would be defeated.

    Justice Silva Monteiro, Anene-Maidoh and Odinkalu spoke in Abuja at the opening of the court’s 2014/2015 legal year. It had as theme: “The effectiveness of ECOWAS Community Law: The challenges of enforcement.”

    The court’s President, who listed the  challenges facing the court, said the law rate of enforcement of its judgments questioned the efficacy of the community law. She urged ECOWAS member-states to ensure the prompt approval of the court’s Rules of Arbitration, which has been pending before the ECOWAS Commission since March 2011.

    Justice Silva Monteiro said the absence of the court’s Arbitration Rules has made it difficult for the court to  exercise one of its judicial mandates of serving as arbitration tribunal as provided in the law establishing the court.

    She also complained about the inadequacy of space for the court, urging the Federal Government to grant the court’s request for a more accommodation as contained in its letter of July 8, 2014 to the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. She urged the  government to “fully and effectively” implement the December 18, 2003 agreement between ECOWAS and Nigeria.

    Anene-Maidoh, who noted that judgment enforcement ‘remains a grave concern,’ said the court’s effectiveness and credibility depend on the respect that everyone accords its judgments. He suggested the strengthening of the court’s judgment enforcement machinery.

    Odinkalu, who urged member-states of ECOWAS to show good example by ensuring prompt enforcement of the court’s judgment, having voluntarily subscribed to its existence,  noted that compliance was vital to execution of the court’s judicial function.

    “Habitual failure of compliance is an attack on the legitimacy of the institution, and so, the efficacy of its foundational instruments and dispositions.  If not redressed over time, failure of compliance derails rule of law and could substitute vigilantism in its place.

    “Failure to effectively address the challenge of compliance and enforcement with decisions of the ECOWAS Court could also impair the effectiveness of the court and frustrate the realisation of the promise of the Community sa formidably captured in the Declaration of Political Principles of 1991.

    “Habitual failure to comply with its decisions portrays the community as indifferent to its credibility, impotent in the face of defiance of its will or complicit in such defiance. None of these does any credit to the community,” Odinkalu added.

  • Conference decisions

    For very obvious reasons, the impending national conference will continue to dominate public discourse for quite some time. Not only will the processes leading to its final convocation be contentious, the conference proper promises no less rancorous. The envisaged controversy was given fillip when President Jonathan indicated in his Independence Day broadcast, that he too was uncertain on its appropriate nomenclature, which he then charged the committee to figure out.

    Since then, debate has centred on whether it should be a sovereign national conference or just a national conference with many rooting for the sovereign variant. Issues were also raised regarding the incongruity in having a sovereign national conference with all the democratic structures in place. The argument is that you cannot have two sovereigns at the same time.

    But Jonathan seemed to have responded to this dilemma when he said last week that the decisions of the conference will be subjected to the national and state assemblies for ratification and incorporation into the constitution. For this to be realized, he then urged Nigerians to persuade their representatives at the national and state assemblies to get the recommendations of the conference incorporated into the constitution.

    Expectedly, the proposal has attracted a wide gamut of reactions. Most of those who spoke, faulted the proposition on the grounds that it amounted to another constitutional amendment process and therefore an avoidable duplication. They find it difficult to fathom how reflective of the decisions of the people the conference outcome would become if it is subjected to these assemblies that are largely peopled by those who represent the status quo. And why dissipate energy, valuable time and resources if the conference is another name for constitutional amendment which the National Assembly is currently handling, they seemed to be asking. These posers seem to have further reinforced scepticisms by the national leader of the All Progressives Congress APC, Senator Bola Tinubu on the motive of the conference. It would seem the envisaged conference may turn out a subterfuge to buy time especially given the rancour generated by Jonathan’s political ambition.

    But some others have argued that there is no way you can get the decisions of the conference into the constitution without subjecting them to the body constitutionally charged with that duty. Senate committee chairman on information, Enyinnaya Abaribe said the president’s position was proper and in tune with the fact that the National Assembly is the custodian of Nigerian sovereignty.

    At stake here again, is the location of the sovereign powers of the people in a democratic setting. In this column last week, I had dwelt extensively on the larger philosophical and conceptual issues encapsulated in this argument. We do not intend to go over them again. But suffice it to say at this point that the argument on the location of the sovereign powers of the people in a democracy would have been superfluous if elected persons, extant democratic institutions and structures had been truly reflective of the collective will of their constituents. That Nigerians are wary of subjecting the decisions of the conference to the national and state assemblies is indicative of the dissonance and of loss of faith in the capacity of these assemblies to reflect the will of their supposed constituents.

    That is the tragedy of the contraption of democracy we purport to practice on these shores. It would appear it is this lack of synergy between the collective interests of the Nigerian people and their elected representatives that accentuates feelings for the nationalities to once again, take their destinies on their hands.

    We should be seriously worried why people do not have confidence in the capacity of the assemblies to reflect and represent the collective will of the Nigerian nationalities. It is because the Nigerian nation in a strict sense of it does not exist at present. In its place, what we have are ethnic nationalities that compete with the central authority for the loyalty of the citizens. With this competition comes mistrust and suspicion. The problem is further accentuated by the structural advantages which some sections of this country enjoy over and above others. These are reflected in inequalities in the spread of states, local governments and electoral constituencies among the zones.

    Because the central authority is largely seen in terms of what the constituents stand to grab from it, forging national consensus on vexed issues of our federal order has been largely illusory. Issues are perceived from the prism of how they satisfy the predilections of the primordial groups. It is difficult to build national consensus in such a prevailing circumstance. Little wonder nation building has largely remained a mirage.

    In the issue of subjecting the decisions of the conference to the national and state assemblies, the suspicion is that these differences will again come into play. That is where a sovereign national conference derives its greatest lure. But its problem lies in the fact that the sovereign powers of our people are now vested in subsisting democratic structures irrespective of whatever reservations we may have against them. This fact is not in doubt. It is also not in doubt that the residue of the sovereign powers of this country lies with its peoples. But much progress will not be made in the present circumstance if we continue to dissipate energy on the structure of the conference.

    The fact of the matter is that there are contentious issues of our federal being that needed re-engineering if we must make progress as a united nation. A way has to be fashioned out to get some of these trashed out such that they do not continue to hinder our development. Ironically, the National Assembly has not shown enough capacity to get these issues resolved.

    Jonathan has now told us that he has no place for a sovereign national conference. That is his message and the way it is handled will determine the success or lack of it of the conference. The challenge is how to resolve the myriads of these destabilizing tendencies taking copious inputs from the people without compromising the powers of the National Assembly on constitutional amendment. It is a matter of striking a balance between the resolutions of the conference and the powers conferred on the National Assembly to amend the constitution.

    Now we know the mind of Jonathan, it is only proper we channel our creative energies to the best ways of taking maximum advantage of the seemingly difficult circumstance we found ourselves. The alternative is to spurn the entire idea. But that will not be in the best interest of our people.

    It is at this point that one considers the intervention by a leading lawyer, Awa Kalu SAN very apt. He had suggested that a way out is to subject any new or radical idea to a referendum. If approved, it will be sent to the National Assembly which will then have no power to override any decision taken at the referendum because power belongs to the people. It will take time. But if there is genuine commitment, it is realisable because some consensus already exists on some of these issues.