The campaign for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference received a boost this morning with the announcement by President Goodluck Jonathan of the establishment of a committee to advise on the modalities of the dialogue.

Addressing Nigerians in a national broadcast to mark the country’s 53 years of independence, Jonathan named Senator Femi Okuroumu as chairman of the national conference advisory committee.

“The full membership of the committee is to be announced shortly,” said President Jonathan, adding that he expects the committee to submit its report to him n a month.

The speech touched on several other issues, some of which will be highlighted in subsequent stories by News Express.

•Photo shows chairman of the National Conference Advisory Committee, Senator Femi Okuroumu.