For several years, Nigeria and Nigerians have been subjected to a number of hardships. For them to alleviate these sufferings, they devise several means: legal, illegal and inhuman. The action in turn is now nurturing social vices in our society. There is no doubt that crises of various kinds occur in Nigeria while a number of factors are cited as their causes. The need to overcome these and promote unity among the great folks of this country gave birth to National Conference by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The National Conference is composed of well-meaning and highly respected Nigerians drawn from various disciplines and spheres of life. It comprises educationists, traders, clerics, activists, elderly people, and youth, among others, nominated from all the states; all coming together to discuss the issues of ‘National Interest’.
However, the term ‘issues of national interest’ was ironically turned to ‘issue of personal interest’ right from the selection of the representatives for the conference. Before the commencement of the conference, quite a number of crises had started manifesting. The nomination of delegates, to many, was not based on public interest but was politically motivated. From here, the first problem manifested and generated others – religion, tribalism, class, among others.
Fortunately, the conference began but with many crises. Recalling one of such was the allegation by Pastor Tunde Bakare, former Vice Presidential candidate to General Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 general elections. Bakare faulted the Chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi over his religious address to the gathering. He said since such gathering is in the interest of finding peace in the nation, the Arabic words, Bisimilahi Rahaman Raheem, meaning in the name of Allah the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful, were not fit for such gathering. This led to argument throughout the nation. However, these are just Arabic words equivalent to “I start my work with You, the Lord of mercy”.
The issue of gender discrepancy is also another way in which the confab has been turned into avenue for promoting national problem. There have been many grievances between the males and the females, especially the politically-oriented women. A female delegate told the leadership to allow women to serve as deputy chairmen where men are appointed chairmen of committees and vice versa. The action was not in the interest of the nation but one section of the society. Furthermore, the issue of class is very vital issue in the nation-building. One of the major ills in our nation is segregation among the people in the society. Nigeria as an entity has been further divided along class – the rich, the poor, the powerful, the powerless, and others – a situation that denies many people the opportunity to contribute in saving Nigeria from total collapse.
Won’t the outcome of the conference lead to New National Problems?
By Aribido Ekundayo,
Department of Mass Communication,
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU),
Lapai, Niger State