Confab: S’South, S’East Professionals Berate Delegates

L-R: Founder, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, (CIBN), Alhaji Oladimeji Otiti, Oba of Lagos, Obarilwan Akiolu, President, CIBN, Dr Sina Aina and Chairman, First City Monument Bank, Otunba Micheal Balogun, during the unveiling of a Book titled “The Economy of Financial Inclusion in Nigeria” written by Dr Aina in Lagos last Friday.

Members of the South-South and South- East professionals have expressed displeasure over some of the recommendations made by delegates at the ongoing national conference in Abuja.
They, therefore, challenged delegates from the two zones to sit up and live up to their responsibilities.
The President of the group, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, stated this while speaking at a dinner organised for the delegates from the two zones in Abuja, Saturday evening.
Facing the delegates, he said, “Many Nigerians following the activities of the National conference, especially the newspaper reports of the committee deliberations, are very distressed about many of the recommendations and we feel it is our duty and obligation to bring that to your attention.
“Many of you here may not believe it but many rational Nigerians see this conference as an act of God, one that may save Nigeria from a very likely catastrophic 2015 presidential elections, if the country happens to benefit from a restructuring strategy before any elections.”
He said the delegates must work harder on issues, reforms and things that would further cement the unity of the country.
“The impression is now being created that in order not to get in the way of the 2015 elections, delegates seem to be rushing their assignments thereby concentrating on cosmetic changes to the present constitution instead of fundamental paradigm shifts that will require more time and effort”, he added.
While insisting that there was nothing wrong in the delegates asking for extension of time in order for them to do a thorough job, he appealed to them not to rush their deliberations because of lack of time.
According to him, Nigerians “do not mind if the National Conference is to be extended beyond its current life span of three months if that is what it will take to have an inclusive and development oriented constitution.”