National Conference yesterday proceeded on a one week vacation, to enable members study rules of procedures to be debated and adopted for the confab.
The members are also to study President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech he read to declare the 3-month Conference open, to enable them make informed contributions.
Secretary of the National Conference, Dr. Valerie Azinge, had informed the delegates that the presidential speech would be debated in the first two weeks of sitting, during which issues that would form agenda for discussion would be formed.
She further explained that going by limited time frame within which the Conference is to accomplish the task, they will break up into various committees after the debate on the president’s speech.
The secretary also informed the delegates that seating arrangements would be done such that a delegate’s name would be written on a seat allocated to him for occupation throughout the period.
Also taking his turn, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Assistant Secretary, Finance and Administration, informed the delegates that the Conference would begin the day’s business at 10am till 2pm; observe a lunch break and resume second session at 4pm till 6pm.
He further told the delegates that sitting would be from Monday to Thursday every week, while “everything”, including accommodation, feeding, transportation, and sitting have been monetized.
Moreso, the Assistant Secretary (F&A) told the delegates that since the federal government prohibits cash payment, every individual shall be paid electronically, hence the need for them to submit their accounts details for e-payment.
Mode of payment to the delegates, according to Prof. Yakubu, would be in periodic advance of tweaks until the three months are exhausted.
Personalized Conference bags are to be distributed among the delegates, while their seats are to bear name tags, and each delegate is to provide his medical details including the name and address of his physician.
Also addressing the Conference delegates, Mr. James Akpandem as Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications announced that a website has been developed for the Conference thus: www.nigerianationalconference2014.org. Dr. Akilu Ndabawa, Assistant Secretary, Conference Proceedings, Also took time to explain his role as the conference recorder keeper.
However, the provision of praying ground for Muslims without consideration for Christians who are currently in their Lent season provoked agitation from Chief Mike Ozekhome, demanded that the Christians be provided a worship place as well.
Also, Charles Edosomwan and Mr. Amuse chorused the need to allow delegates to seat anywhere they like, so as to allow congregation of states or regional congruities to confer on issues for debate, but they were countered by Chief Segun Osoba who spoke amidst applause from the delegates.
The Conference was jointly presided over by its chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi and his vice chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.
