NADECO, CD, others remember Beko, list expectations from National Conference

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THE Chairman, National Democratic Coalition, Retired Adm. Ndubusi Kanu, on Monday said that the forthcoming National Conference would take care of a lot of complaints of Nigerians.

Kanu spoke as several groups held rallies in honour of the late Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti at his memorial cenotaph at Anthony area of Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Beko, an activist and founder of Campaign for Democracy (CD), died on Feb. 10, 2006.
Addressing people at the cenotaph, Kanu said that all ethnic nationalities in the country must come together to `agree and disagree`.

“All the different ethnic groups in Nigeria will have to decide on how they can live together,’’ he said.

In her own presentation, President of CD, Dr Joe Odumakin, said that the late Beko wanted Nigeria to have a Sovereign National Conference to address the issues that had retarded progress in the country.

“We call on all stakeholders in the national conference project to know that this is about the last chance to remake the country.

“We must therefore insist on a national conference that will address all the issues and whose outcome will produce a new constitution which will only be subjected to a referendum of the people of Nigeria,’’ she said.

Alhaji Yerimma Shetimma, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) also said that the national conference was necessary for Nigeria.
Shetimma, however, reiterated that care must be taken to ensure that the outcome of the conference was subjected to a referendum.

The Coordinator, Beko Rights Club, Mr Debo Adeniran, on his part, said that the group was sceptical about the outcome of the conference.

He said that the late Beko stood for a sovereign national conference and not one that would be subjected to ratification by the National Assembly.

Among others present at the cenotaph were human rights lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo, Chief Tony Uranta, Chief Martin Onovo and Mrs Ganiyat Fawehinmi, wife of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN).

Beko’s widow and daughter, Abosede and Nike respectively, were also present. (NAN)

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