For the conference to work

The debate on why President Goodluck Jonathan chose this time to bring up the national conference issue will continue even beyond his reign, whether the outcome meets the expectations of the people or not. The generally held view that it is better to jaw-jaw, than to war-war applies here.As long as there is an open line of communication between parties, there is hope. It is said that ‘little drops of water makes a mighty ocean’.Even if decisions arrived at are not ratified by the required authorities, relationships would have been formed across boards that will serve as foundations for future co-operation. At least, the people will get to understand better the mindsets of their counterparts from other parts of the country.Understanding is the key; by the time we begin to understand ourselves better, the barrier of communication will be  broken and mutual acceptance becomes practicable. What I am trying to express here is that the national conference is a win-win situation for all no matter the outcome.However, considering the expectations of Nigerians - they see the conference as a panacea for all the problems bedeviling the nation – coming together and just making friends will not be enough. The major issue here is: how ready are we for this debate? Are we ready to be sincere, with mutual respect for each other’s views?For the debate to work, all parties must come to the table with an open and sincere disposition. We have over 250 distinct languages/ethnic entities in Nigeria, every single one of them must be identified and given recognition. Their views must be taken into consideration, through their various representations, including those in far-flung areas like the Koma hills.Are we ready for the views that will benefit the overall interest of Nigeria and strengthen us as a nation state or toe the views that favor our own ethnic and parochial interest? Already, some state governors and interest groups have opted out of the conference; this is a clear manifestation of the phobia for bias in the conference agenda.I will, however, advise them not to take this course; rather, they should send representations to espouse their views, including the fear they have in mind.Fortunately for us, Jonathan has unwittingly chosen men of independent minds to draw up the framework, that even before the sittings began, they have expressed divergent opinions on where to direct the outcome of the conference – whether to subject it to a referendum or to the National Assembly for assent – It is a bold statement from Femi Okurounmu; I believe we should give them a chance to see what they will come up with. Are we ready for the Federal Government to shed its excess baggage and allow the states to blossom in the spirit of true federalism?It is interesting to note that almost everyone understands that the system we are running now is more akin to the unitary form of government than a true federation of independent states that it ought to be; unfortunately, when our politicians get into power and experience the grandeur and power of the position at the federal level, they hesitate to devolve power.This is principally because of the nature of our politics – the one with power always hold sway, they control the resources and all of the armed forces. It will take extra ordinary measures to uproot any sitting president in Nigeria. Will President Jonathan be sincere enough to allow for a true Federal Government, constituting of 36 independent states?As an addition to the views expressed above, we have a National Assembly, whose membership has become so used to the perks of office. Are they willing to subsume their personal ego and influence and allow the structure as it is presently constituted to change? Are they ready to accept the outcome that this conference will generate? For the conference resolutions to have any headway, it must receive the endorsement of the National Assembly.Our National Assembly members must, therefore, brace themselves up for this onerous responsibility of righting the defects in our federated structure. They must be willing to pass a motion accepting the resolutions of the conference and validating it through a people’s referendum.Talking about a people’s referendum, we must begin to task the National Orientation Agency of the enormous responsibility to carry the people along in this project. They must devise appropriate strategies to reach the people just like the MAMSER days of Prof. Jerry Gana. In fact theirs must go further  -Town meetings, professional bodies of all types, schools, religious and voluntary organisations, private and public bodies, town criers, radio, television and so on – No channel of communication should be overlooked. This must be complemented by the various ministries of information both at the federal and state levels. A true referendum is the position of the people.An ideal nation state is a very difficult level to attain but we can come close to this if all ethnic groups are given the opportunity to choose where they want to belong and whom they want to associate with. Situations where states are created without taking this vital point into consideration will continue to breed discontent.The United Nations acknowledges the right of every ethnic group to have a say on how they are to be governed. So indigenous ethnic groups that want to align with their own ethnic kith and kin should be allowed to do so. Also every bon afide Nigerian should enjoy total and unfettered rights in any part of the country they choose to inhabit.The issues to be resolved are so many that we cannot exhaust all in this forum but subjects like the secularity of the Nigerian state in the area of religion must be forcefully made. Also, our various professionals must sit and fashion out views that will elevate Nigeria’s professional status. They should fashion out policies/standards that will make them stand out amongst their peers internationally.The issue of the Judiciary must be taken care of. How will it be structured? Are we going to have state appeal courts? Will state Police be okay? Will the federated states be along ethnic lines or a multiplicity? How will resources generated be shared?The issues are endless. The underlining fact is that: all must come to the table with an open and sincere mind to move the nation forward, it is possible.