briefs on the March 21st Rockview Conference

21st March, 2009

Dear Compatriots,
This is to let you know that the Abuja 21st March meeting was held in Abuja as scheduled. The meeting was attended by 56 persons. Most of the participants came from Abuja but the discourse was very rich.

All the scheduled lead presenters for the three sessions (Sam Amadi, Joseph Sopade and Osaro Odemwingie) were present. One of the discussants (Jaye Gaskia) was present. The second discussant (Ms. Comfort Ogunye) was represented by two persons. The two moderators (Otive Igbuzor and Auwal Musa Rafsanjani) were present. Emma Ezeazu also joined the team of moderators.

There was a robust discussion on the need for a broad based inclusive movement for change. It was agreed that the mobilisation for change should ultimately produce a democratic and developmental state. It was also pointed out that there is the need to engage the electoral process (electoral reform and the conduct of elections) and the governance process (citizen participation, openness, transparency and accountability, responsive government, infrastructural development and provision of services).

It was concluded that there was the need to create a political platform that will be the organisation for engagement with different interest groups. The importance of forging alliances for change was underscored.



At the end, we agreed on the following next steps:

1. The rapporteurs for the meeting (ken Okoimene and Hilary Ogbonna) will prepare the communique and report of the meeting for circulation.
2. A committee of four persons (Sam Amadi, Joseph Sopade, Jaye Gaskia and Ene Obi) was set up to prepare a working paper for the platform.



We wish to thank all those that made the meeting a success.

Aluta continua.

Otive Igbuzor
Otive Igbuzor, PhD
Plot 590 Cadastral zone,
2nd Floor, NAIC Building,
Central Business Area,
Abuja.
Tel: 234 9 2348480 & 3 (office)
"Leaders are not born...They are produced during the course of the Struggle" ...Amandla

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