Leaders of The Patriots, a non-partisan and multi-stakeholder organisation in Nigeria have vowed to ‘rescue’ and re-engine the country to keep it at pal with the dreams and aspirations of her founding fathers.
This was as the group observed the country was currently walloping up in economic degeneration and insecurity, adding Nigeria needed a people-oriented constitution for it to continue to exist.
The group stated this in a communique, which was made available to journalists by its Secretary General, Olawale Okunniyi, after its special assembly in Lagos in preparation for the funeral of one of its fallen heroes, Chief Ben Nwabueze.
The communique read, “We of The Patriots, a non partisan, multi stakeholders group of eminent national leaders in Nigeria, met on Tuesday, 12th December, 2023 at our National Secretariat at the FRA Williams Chambers, Ilupeju, Lagos under the leadership of our new Chairman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, CFR (Former Secretary General of Commonwealth of Nations)
“The Patriots in session discussed the funeral arrangements for our late Chairman, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN and endorsed the burial plans submitted to us by the Nwabueze’s family as follows:
“Friday, 23rd February 2024 – Valedictory court session in Lagos;
“Saturday, 24th February 2024 – Day of Tributes in Lagos;
“Monday, 26th February 2024 – Colloquium / Lecture to be organised in Lagos by The Patriots in honour of Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN;
“Tuesday, 27th or Wednesday, 28th February 2024 – Day of Tributes in Enugu;
“Thursday, 1st March 2024 – Private family burial in Atani, Anambra State;
“Friday, 2nd March, 2024 – Celebration of his life in Atani, Anambra State;
“Saturday, 3rd – Monday, 5th March 2024 – Traditional rites in Atani, Anambra State.”
It added, “The meeting however designed most of the above listed Funeral Programme for rallying Nigerian Stakeholders towards political cohesion for the re-engineering of Nigeria.
“The Patriots in session later reviewed the state of affairs in Nigeria and again expressed very serious concern and apprehension about the prevailing insecurity of life and properties in the country, the deterioration in the economic conditions of Nigerians, including the massive poverty among the general populace as well as the worsening conditions of sections of Nigeria’s national infrastructure.
“As a way forward, The Patriots reiterated its position that to tackle Nigeria’s deep national challenges effectively, there is an urgent need to give the country a new democratically generated people’s constitution. The meeting then went on to discuss the modalities for achieving this crucial objective for the unity, stability and prosperity of Nigeria
“A Technical Committee was set up at the meeting to generate consensus on a detailed roadmap and programme of action of The Patriots for mobilising Nigerian Stakeholders towards rescuing Nigeria from its longstanding political and constitutional incohesion and instability.”
Some of the Eminent Patriots in attendance at the meeting are; Chief Emeka Anyaoku – Chairman; Gen. Ike Nwachukwu; Prof Anya O Anya; Senator Ben Obi; Senator Bassey Henshaw; Chief Supo Shonibare; Chief Raph Obioha; Prof Mrs Remi Sonaiya; Prof Kola Ogundowole; Barr Tokunbo Rotimi Williams; Chief Delly Ajufoh; and Prof Anthony Kila.
Others included Hon Kayode Samuel; Chief Fafa Dan Princewill; among others.
Eminent economist, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu; Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Obong Victor Attah; Solomon Asemota, SAN; Mr Donald Duke; Prof Pat Utomi; Prof Isawa Elaigwu; Dr Ms Bilikisu Magoro; Mrs Modupe Adelaja; Deacon Chris Iyovwaye; Chief Dozie Ezeugwa, among others sent in apologies for participating in the meeting virtually.
