BY DAYO JOHNSON

AKURE — THE Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue/Conference, weekend, assured that voice of every Nigerian will count in the ongoing nationwide consultation.

Its Secretary, Dr. Akilu Indabawa said this in Akure after a stakeholders’ meeting with various groups in South West.
Indabawa noted that with the large turn-out and success of the first meeting with various groups in the region, it is clear that, “Nigerians want to establish total ownership of the country.

“Each voice is important to us. Every voice will count.”

The Secretary described the turn-out of people at the nationwide consultation (South West) in Akure as impressive and encouraging.

Indabawa commended the overwhelming interest shown by Nigerians, assuring that the committee will live up to people’s expectations.

According to him: “It is very obvious that Nigerians are interested in a better, stronger Nigeria and that the only way to ensure that is for them to come forward, submit memos or speak to us orally at the various fora that we are going to organise at 12 various locations including Akure.

“The Akure take-off has been very smooth, very encouraging. I am sure Nigerians want to establish total ownership of the country.”

He said after the consultations the Committee will hold a retreat where it would analyse the outcome of views expressed by Nigerians and come out with recommendations.

This, he explained, will be in line with the terms of reference given by the government.

On if the recommendations of the National Conference would be subjected to the National Assembly, he said: “We have not reached that stage yet.

“Our Committee has been constituted in order to consult Nigerians on the composition, structure, functions, agenda, legal framework of the proposed Conference or Dialogue.

“It is the outcome of the Conference that people are debating, but we are not talking about the Conference now.
“We are talking about modalities to bring the Conference into being.”