Benin National Congress

In view of the sustained campaign of collective responsibility by President Umaru Musa Yar Adua GCFR in addressing contemporary challenges plaguing our dear nation, the body of conveners of the forth-coming summit is of the considered opinion that an Assembly of stakeholders of Niger-Delta region; genuinely conveyed will provoke frank suggestions on the quick resolution of the age-long crisis. In a bid to achieve the greatest success, an Implementation Monitoring Committee will be constituted in the Benin Summit (the Inaugural Summit), which will be replicated in all the States Capital of Niger-Delta.

It is believed that achievements or success is measurable within the context of targeted goals. To this end, at a second summit preceding the Benin Summit, the I.M.C. will inform all delegates of the progress reports drawn from the compliance of all stakeholders to the memorandum signed by all stakeholders in the previous summit. The defects or non-compliance will inform the agenda of the next summit with a view to tackling the fallouts of the former. Before or after the summits have been hosted with the dedication sustained, the issue of militancy on the one hand and the non-compliance to host communities demands by Multi-national companies and Governments will become a thing of the past.

The body of conveners comprise of the following amongst others

Benin National Congress
Ijaw Youth Council
Edo Youth Democratic Coalition
Ondo Youth forum
Rivers Youths Consultative Council

The body of conveners coordinates the summit’s Planning and Execution, with the Benin National Congress President as Chairman summit Management Committee (the highest coordinating unit for the proposed summit). And for the purpose of achieving desired goals, five sub-committees exist, and they are

Finance Sub-Committee
Mobilization and Security Sub-Committee
Publicity Sub-Committee
Protocol and Accommodation Planning Sub-Committee
Conference and Intelligence Sub-Committee

The program is expected to have in attendance the stakeholders of Niger-Delta region (ethnic nationalities groups, Governors and all elected Senators and House of Reps Members from Niger-Delta; Civil Society groups; multi-national companies; All State Commissioners of Niger Delta Development Commission; All Chairmen of the Oil and Gas Commissions; Leaders of the National Association of Nigeria Students; Labor Unions; Political Parties Representatives; Religious bodies; Government representatives; Journalists and International Observers). It is believed that the three-days program, which will be climaxed by an Inter-denominational church service and the presentation of NIGER DELTA PEACE AMBASSADOR MENDALS on Sunday 13 April 2008, will have sensitized the relevant stakeholders on their responsibilities; and an Implementation Monitoring Committee inaugurated.

Responsibilities-

The Summit Management Committee will oversea the tasks of the five sub-committees within the contexts of set goals and objectives. To this end, sub-committee chairpersons are presidents or coordinators of the body of conveners of this summit. This way, communication will flow and areas of mutual cooperation within the Niger-Delta States have been carefully ex-rayed to forestall any break down of communication within the rank and file of the Management.

As for the contacts of eminent personalities to grace the occasion, all member groups in the body of conveners and other volunteers will be assigned such tasks as the delivery of courtesy visit letters and the facilitation of a formal visits which will be attended by a select members of the Summit Management Committee. To this end, division of labour is applied in the allocation of responsibilities within the context of proximity.

Concerned Nigerians and friends of Nigeria at home and abroad will be communicated from time to time with our email addresses and website contact. In the main, we sincerely welcome every suggestion that will guide the SMC for the realization of set goals.

Lined-up Programs

Day 1-

(Five thousand audience targeted) - Motor-cades rally around the major streets of Benin with all members and guests wearing the Summits T-shirts and face caps which has the following inscriptions-

WE SAY NO TO VIOLENCE
WE SAY NO TO HOSTAGE-TAKING
WE SAY YES TO PEACE AND HOSPITALITY
NIGER DELTA REGION WELCOMES INVESTORS
NO MORE HOSTILITIES, HOSPITALITY HAS COME TO STAY
PRESIDENT YAR ADUA IMPLEMENT YOUR ROAD MAP
WE BEG EVERYONE TO ALLOW PEACE AND DEVT. TO REIGN

Handbills will be circulated to members of the public as a wake-up call to all stakeholders. All guests would converge later at Samuel Ogbemudia’s Stadium, Benin City for a Peace Rally.

Day 2-

(Nine hundred and ten delegates across the Niger Delta States targeted) Conference - Invited guests will present papers at a large auditorium most probably in a Hotel or a school premises.

Business session where selected stakeholders will brainstorm on the methodology for achieving the desired goals of the summit will be declared open. The articulation and adoption of the memorandum will be one of the high points of the business session.

Day 3-

(One thousand audience and delegates targeted). Inter-denominational thanksgiving service and presentation of Niger-Delta Peace Ambassador Medal.

-In a centrally located Church, in Benin City, all delegates and guests will assemble for the august event and select persons will be presented the gold medal for their meritorious disposition to peace and stability in the Niger Delta Region.

- This will be closely followed by the announcement of the next Hosting State Capital of Niger Delta as well as the venue and date.

Requirements-

1- Twenty Five Thousand T-Shirts and Face Caps- #3.2million
2- Five Lorries with Public Address system- #950,000.00
3- 45 Thousand Posters and handbills, Conference and Thanks Giving Souvenirs #2.6million
4- Hotel reservations for delegates, and Auditorium #1.7million
5- Refreshments (food, drinks snacks and water) #910,000.00
6- Publicity (Newspapers advertorials, Press conferences, Radio and Television jingoes) #2.3million
7- Transportation, Mobilization and Miscellaneous #1.8million