BY BENNEDICT NWACHUKWU, ABUJA
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State will lead other prominent Nigerians to fashion a way forward for a united Nigeria following agitations for separation by some groups and individuals.
The calls to discuss the sustainability of Nigeria as a united nation became imperative and gave rise to the need for some Nigerian leaders to gather in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, to discuss.
A statement signed by the Chairman, Conference Organising Committee, Babatunde Ayeni, read that Ganduje, would deliver a keynote address on the occasion.
A five-man discussants that include the former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha; incumbent Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Raji Fashola (SAN); Senator Peter Nwaboshi, Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Dr Ramatu Tijjani-Aliyu and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele would also be part of the forum.
The public lecture being organised by the APC Press Corps, titled, ‘Sustaining united and indivisible Nigeria: A myth or reality,’ is aimed at contributing to the intellectual development of the nation’s democracy.
The APC Chairman, Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, will be Chairman of the one day programme.
Other prominent Nigerians expected to speak at the event include the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Minister of Trade and Investment, former governor Niyi Adebayo; Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo (SAN); James Faleke, Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu; Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum, Salihu Moh Lukman, among others.
Ayeni noted that the series was aimed at providing a workable template for good governance and to serve as a medium for the deepening democratic norms and institutions by engaging key players in politics, public administration, academia and economy.
Report and suggestions at the forum will be made available to the party and interested members of the public.
“In discussing Nigeria’s diversity, we believe that Governor Ganduje has a lot of experience to share. Being a product of the Premier University of Ibadan, though born in Kano. It’s also a fact that Governor Ganduje’s daughter married a Yoruba man. In addition, his networks of close friends and associates are mostly from the South-East and South-South.”
