NIGERIA CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW: SPEECH DELIVERED BY ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI AT THE RETREAT ORGANISED BY THE SENATE AD HOC COMMITTEE

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AT THE RETREAT ORGANISED BY THE SENATE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW ON 17TH JUNE, 2016.

PROTOCOL

1. Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, you would recall that in earlier this year upon the inauguration of this all important committee, I did make the point that the members of this committee had been arrived at in recognition of the enormity and solemnity attached to the exercise of constitutional review.

2. This is why the essence of this retreat cannot be overemphasized.

3. Since, independence, our nation has sought to develop for itself workable Constitution on which her unity can be perfected. Other nations have trodden a similar path. For instance, following the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War in 1776, the original 13 States of the United States of America operated an Article of Confederacy, a necessary but unwieldy document that institutionalized a central government. The Article lasted for 8 years before it was jettisoned for the current Constitution of the United States.


4. Constitution making has always been a challenging issue in any polity. Because it is expected to put together the aspiration, commitment, values and agreement of different communities, debates can be polarizing, contentious and in some cases conflictual. These defaults issues should be viewed as part of the process of building consensus and strengthening our democracy. As polarizing as these issues are, with robust engagement, inclusive participation and process-led initiatives we can resolve the contentions and agree on some of the issues.

PRESIDENT BUHARI FELICITATES WITH SOUN OF OGBOMOSO AS HE TURNS 90

On behalf of his family, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari heartily congratulates the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, as he turns 90 years old on May 27, 2016.

President Buhari joins the Oyo State Government, Oyo State Council of Obas and chiefs, Ogbomoso kingdom and the family of the Soun of Ogbomoso in celebrating the long life and remarkable achievements of the revered royal father, who has spent 42 years on the throne of his fathers.

Looking into the pedigree of the nonagenarian from birth in 1926, his success in business and ascension to the throne, the President believes that the steps of the Kabiyesi were ordered from above to bring succour to his people and serve humanity in general through his passion for peaceful co-existence, education and entrepreneurship.