Notable Outcome @7:OCJ Okocha Lists Issues To Be Addressed At National Confab As Nigerians mark the 53rd Anniversary of Nigeria’s political independence, matters which can best be articulated and addressed by a National Conference, and the making of a new constitution for Nigeria have been identified. The issues, though identified few days before President Goodluck Jonathan in his address to the nation on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 gave indication of plans to set machineries in motion for a National Conference were canvassed by Hon O.C.J. Okocha, SAN, at the 7th Anniversary Lecture and Awards ceremony of Notable Outcome newspaper at the Rivers state Ministry of Justice Auditorium in Port Harcourt on Monday, 23rd September, 2013 difficulties in governance, at all levels, that is, Federal, States and Local Governments; the structure of the Federation, with the ever persistent clamours for the creation of more States and Local Government Areas, when some of the existing States and Local Governments are not even viable; Devolution of powers and functions to the Federating Units of the country, and the various tiers of Government; Revenue Collection, Revenue Allocation, Resource Control, Etc. Other areas of great concern include Administration of Justice, and the establishment of courts and Security, and the Maintenance and Enforcement of Law and Order, which have led to the clamour for State Police and Local Government Police; Infrastructural Development, inclusive of Power Generation, Power Transmission and Power Distribution; Agricultural Development; Education, Health and other Social Developments; Trade, commerce and Economic Development. Speaking on the theme: Nigeria at 100: Significance and Implications, the legal luminary and former National President of Nigerian Bar Association threw his weight behind a National Conference to address some critical national issues, even as he harped on the need to put in place a workable constitution, laws, and other government regulations and the requisite structures, that will secure good governance, unity, peace, progress and prosperity in our country”. Drawing attention to efforts being made by other countries to stay together and tackle their problems, Hon Okocha, SAN, insisted that: “At 100, Nigeria cannot be seen to be a failing state or a failed state, as was predicted few years ago by some foreign relations councils in the United States of America”. He maintained that Nigeria, at age 100 needs to get its act together, and re-establish itself as a viable and economically prosperous country. He warned against adulating those whose sources of wealth are dubious; conferment of chieftaincy titles and other such honours on those who have gotten rich quick that we ourselves begin to wonder whether honesty, dedication to duty and hard work should no longer be the passport to wealth and honour; as well as tribalism and nepotism, if only to encourage the average citizen to do his best to build a national identity, national consciousness, patriotism, love for our country and our fellow countrymen. Earlier in his address, the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack had lauded the publisher of Notable Outcome, Mr. Iheanyi Ezinwo for his commitment to duty and objectivity, urging other media practitioners to emulate the Notable Outcome example. He described the theme of the lecture: Nigeria at 100:Significance and Implications, as apt, just as he described Hon. O.C.J. Okocha, SAN, as a man of great pedigree and eminently qualified to speak on the subject. Also speaking at the occasion, the publisher of Notable Outcome, Mr. Iheanyi Ezinwo attributed their success in the last seven years in spite of the challenges to the grace of God, as well as the support of friends and others who believe in their business philosophy. Highlights of the celebration included award presentations to four individuals who had distinguished themselves in different areas of human endeavour, unveiling of the Second Edition of the book: Managing Students’ Crisis: The Nigerian Experience, written by Mr. Iheanyi Ezinwo, Notable Outcome’s publisher. The book was ably reviewed by Barr. Karibi George, Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 11:03:15 +0000
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