National Conference: I have No Personal Agenda-Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday inaugurated the National Conference

and said he had no personal agenda in convening the conference.

NAN reported that Jonathan urged the participants to shun all primordial

sentiments in their dealings to promote national interest and rapid

development of the country.
He said that the sole motivation for convening the conference was the

patriotic desire for a better and greater nation.
''We must not approach these issues with suspicion and antagonism.

''Rather, we should be open-minded and work to achieve what is best for

Nigeria.
''Even though you come to the conference as nominees and representatives

of different interest groups, I urge you all to make a more united,

stronger, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria your preoccupation and

reference point at this national gathering.
''Whatever the pressures on you may be, I call upon you to put the best

interest of Nigeria before all other sectional or group interests,'' the

president said.
He called on the participants to come up with recommendations that would

enhance the unity and stability of the country.
According to him, Nigerians must see themselves as one unique people as

the conference is meant to strengthen national unity and nation building

for the general progress of the country.
He thanked the National Assembly for introducing the provision for a

referendum in the proposed amendment of the nation's constitution.

The president urged the National Assembly and the state legislatures to

speed up the constitutional amendment process, especially with regard to

the issue of the referendum.
''Let me at this point thank the National Assembly for introducing the

provision for a referendum in the proposed amendment of the constitution.

''This should be relevant for this conference if at the end of the

deliberations, the need for a referendum arises.
''I, therefore, urge the National Assembly and the state houses of

assembly to speed up the constitutional amendment process, especially with

regard to the subject of referendum,'' Jonathan said.

He charged the participants to ensure the completion of their assignment

before the commencement of the 2015 political activities.

In his remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Anyim

Pius Anyim, said all 492 nominated members of the conference had accepted

their nomination.
The Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, thanked the

president for the confidence he reposed in them and promised that they

would discharge their duties diligently