The 20 committees created this week by the National Conference will begin work next week Tuesday after the Easter break. The Conference, which was inaugurated on March 17, is scheduled to conclude plenary sessions today.

This was disclosed yesterday by Chairman of the Conference and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, retired Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi. The announcement followed submission of list of committee members and the leadership of each of the 20 committees to the Conference in plenary amidst complaints and applause from a cross-section of the delegates.

The chairman informed delegates that 10 of the 20 committees will hold their sessions at the National Judicial Institute while the remaining 10 will sit at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

It was agreed through a voice vote that delegates with genuine complaints on the composition of the committees, both the membership and the chairmen, co-chairmen and deputy chairmen should sort out the details with the Conference secretariat.

Kutigi, however, stated that while such genuine complaints were being sorted out, normal committee sittings would commence as scheduled and that deliberations and decisions of committees would not be affected by the process.

At the commencement of sitting yesterday, the Conference Chairman informed delegates that some of them might find their names in committees they did not indicate interest and that they should face the challenge of serving in such committees in the interest of the nation.

Most of the members indicated interest in four out of the 20 committees, a situation that led to redistribution into other committees since all the committees must have members. More than 45% of the members indicated interest in the committees on Devolution of Power, Political Restructuring, Politics and Governance, Party and Election Matters and National Security. In spite of the hue about Religion, not up to 18 delegates indicated interest in the committee

As expected, delegates raised objections on various issues ranging from the constitution of the committee membership, why they were not consulted before the changes were made and why certain people headed committees and other did not.

Dr. Iyorchia Ayu said committees should not be constituted based on expertise since, according to him, even non-professionals in specific fields who have practical experience can make useful contributions.

Princess Rabiu Ibrahim drew attention to her observation that appointment of women to headship of committees did not represent the required 35% applied by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Former Chairman of Punch newspapers, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, said arguments over committees will continue non-stop and advised that it was time to work now that the list has been compiled and released.

Charles Edomsomwan from Edo State informed the delegates that it would be impossible to satisfy everybody and that even if the list was compiled a hundred times, there will still be complaints.

He stated: “We must not present ourselves to Nigerians as if we are here for a picnic,” and that whoever would have wished to be in a particular committee but was not appointed to serve there, should submit a memo to that committee.

Femi Falana, SAN, through a Point of Order said it was the duty of the Secretariat to appoint committees, membership and leadership and that whoever had a genuine complain should submit them to the secretariat while work should start immediately.

News Express published the composition of all the committees on Tuesday and followed it up last night with the full list of chairmen of the committees and their deputies.

•Photo shows Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi.

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