Braithwaite, Falana, Others Eye Revolution, National Independence
The eminent speakers made the resolution during the inaugural Annual Tunji Braithwaite Birthday Symposium on Friday in Lagos.
The symposium, which was organised by the Tunji Braithwaite Foundation, was to celebrate Braithwaite’s 80th birthday anniversary and proffer solutions to some of the challenges facing the country.
The theme of the event was 'the rising threat of instability in Nigeria: Domestic and international response'.
Among other discussants moved for a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and a platform that would guarantee revolution in the country are Political Economist, Prof. Pat Utomi; Professor of International Relations and Jurisprudence at University of Lagos, Akin Oyebode; political analyst, Alhaji Galtima Liman; and Mrs. Omoruyi Fatayi-Williams.
According to them, the only way forward for Nigeria’s unity and development is the organisation of a SNC.
Braithwate described SNC as a sensible and peaceful resolution for tackling bad governance and corruption, which, he said, was “grave and king” issue affecting the country.
He said: “There is going to be a revolution in this country. It is long overdue and as from now it has started already immediately after this anniversary. I implore everybody to join whatever strength you have to ensure the success of the revolution. We will not allow impostors to misrule this country before we institute SNC and revolution. It is advisable for government to join the national salvation effort because people will no longer be held down.
“What they call constitutional amendment is pretence. It is dominated by the selfish interest of the National Assembly members. Before any election will take place again in this country, we must address the challenge of corruption unless; there will be no country in 2015.
"The sacking of ministers and lecturers strike did not come as a surprise. It is the beginning of the bad policies which the people are made to consume for many years.
“We are prepared and indeed, ready to heed the strident calls from all the geo-political zones of Nigeria, from men and women, young and old to commence, as a matter of urgency an altruistic procedure for the people of Nigeria to convoke SNC that will fashion for themselves and future generation a new arrangement for the peoples of Nigeria in an orderly and peaceful manner, before any further election in this country. Such landmark steps in our nation would surely halt the headlog descent into a state of anarchy.”
Falana on his part, said Nigeria has failed, adding that the assessment by the United Nations Education Fund, that Nigeria is developing was a “deceit.”
Falana said: "The statement that we have not collapsed or failing is totally false. Our leaders are selfish to the extend that they cannot protect their own interest. What UNESCO said that we are developing is a lie. If you have 10.5 million illiterate children it shows that we are not developing.
"We truly need a SNC. Revolution must come to pass. A new liberation movement is urgently needed. Stop the New Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressive Congress, they are not for our interest. It is only here in Nigeria that we pay criminals. Unemployed youths also deserved to be paid salary since we are paying the militants."
Utomi explained that Nigeria has failed in all index of development.
"Nigeria biggest challenge is ignorance. It does not matter if someone has a PhD, there are lot of people who have PhDs and are still ignorant. Growth index shows that Nigeria is one of the worst places to live on earth," he added.
Prof. Humphrey Asobie of the Department of Political Science University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who was the keynote speaker at the event, lamented that Nigeria's poor leadership would be tackled by a new liberation for a national independence.
He said: "In the medium and long term, we should come together to launch a new national liberation movement to free Nigeria from politicians and their neo-imperialist allies. A SNC, not of nationalities, but of Nigerian working people of all categories.
"The purpose will be to begin the process of planning and strategising for a second struggle for national independence and economic democracy. January 2014, is an appropriate time for the conference."
Oyebode said, "Aso Rock seems to have lost its marble in terms of attending to what should be done. Jonathan is not a first class student if I am to asses him, I will be running charity if I give him third class.
"This is the first time we are having a PhD holder as our president and look at the embarrassment he has subdued us into."
Among those present at the anniversary were politicians, traditional rulers, lawyers, activists, medical experts, interest groups and academicians.
http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/braithwaite-falana-others-eye-revolution-national-independence
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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