Governor Adamu heads citizenship committee
Conveying the appointment and at the same time inaugurating the committee at
the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Obasanjo stated that current dictates
in the Nigerian polity makes it imperative for citizenship rights to be examined
in light of constitutional provisions. He said that there has been a resurgence
of various forms of discriminations in recent times, making it necessary for
government to look into ways of protecting Nigerian citizens.
In a speech at the inauguration ceremony, Governor Adamu stated that the
success of their assignment would be a turning point in our endless national
search for the cord that should bind us together as one people and one nation.
Continuing, Governor Adamu stated that "as political leaders in our
individual rights, we know that the lack of national consensus on the practice
of citizenship in our country is the bane of our national unity. Nigeria cannot
expect to be truly united if its citizens face discrimination in educational,
employment and political opportunities in states other than their own. Nigerians
must be Nigerians wherever they are in or outside the country. The tendency to
regard and treat some people as "strangers" or "settlers"
even within their states, local governments and communities, corrodes the metal
fabric of oneness".
Other members of the committee are:
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Governor of Oyo state
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Governor of Delta state
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Governor of Enugu state
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Governor of Kano state
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Governor of Adamawa
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Minister of Information and National Orientation
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Minister of Federal Capital Territory
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Minister of Women and Youth Development
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Minister of State, Ministry of Justice
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Chairman of ALGON
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Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
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Among the terms of reference of the committee, are to
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Examine the intent
and implications of the constitutional provisions on citizenship and
fundamental rights and the limitations on their application;
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Identify sources
of conflict between the constitutional provisions on citizenship and
rights and the issue of "indigenship", "settler",
"host community" and "native", etc;
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Advise on measures
necessary to achieve a fair and just balance between the legal provisions
and the practical application of the constitutional provisions of
citizenship and rights;
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Identify roles of
governments, communities and leaders in eliminating conflicts arising from
disputes over the issue, concept and practice of citizenship and enjoyment
of rights as constitutionally provided. |
