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Welcome Address by His Excellency Sen Otunba Gbenga Daniel FNSE, FAENG. Co-Chairman, Organising Committee 2025 National Constitutional Summit, Abuja

Published

5 months ago

July 16, 2025

Your Excellency, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chairman of The Patriots,
Your Excellencies, former Presidents and Heads of State,
Distinguished members of the National Assembly and the Judiciary,
Fellow co-chair, HE Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,
Respected Traditional Rulers, Elders, Youth Leaders, Women Leaders, Members of Civil Society, the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with an immense sense of honour, profound humility, and unwavering commitment to our national responsibilities that I warmly welcome each and every one of you to this historic event, the 2025 National Constitutional Summit.

This significant gathering has been convened by The Patriots and is being held here today in the heart of our nation’s capital, Abuja.

Today, we come together not merely as individuals representing various institutions, ethnic groups, or political parties, but as proud citizens united by a common and noble aspiration: to forge a Nigeria that truly works for all its people. We gather as a group of patriots, although with differing ideas and perspectives, yet deeply committed to helping shape a Nigeria that we are all proud of. This moment marks a significant step in our journey towards unity, progress, and national development. By standing together today, we reaffirm our shared dedication to the ideals of fairness, justice, and equity, which are the foundation of a truly great nation.
This Summit is a citizen-driven constitutional intervention, stemming from months and even years of relentless advocacy, extensive consultations, and a growing sense of public urgency. We are here because the existing structure, established by the 1999 Constitution, has consistently proven to be inadequate in effectively addressing the core issues related to governance, equity, inclusion, and national cohesion.
Our agenda for the coming days is ambitious but aims to be straightforward and focused. We will scrutinise vital themes, including:
The organisation and structure of the Nigerian Federation,
The role and functioning of local governments and traditional institutions,
Resource control and fiscal federalism,
Electoral and judicial reforms,
Security concerns nationwide,
And the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy of the 21st century.
More importantly, we will work diligently to ensure that no voice is too small and that no group is left behind. This summit is multi-generational, spanning different regions, and inclusive of various sectors, truly embodying the Nigeria we aspire to build.
To our young people, your presence here is a compelling reminder that the future of this nation undoubtedly rests in your hands.
To the women, our committed civil society actors, our esteemed traditional leaders, and our revered religious figures—your insights, viewpoints, and contributions are not only valuable but essential to shaping the path forward.
Your involvement and voices are crucial in building a brighter, more inclusive, and resilient future for all.
As the co-chair of this organising committee, I feel it is essential to take a moment to sincerely commend and acknowledge the tireless dedication, hard work of His Excellency Emeka Anyaoku and the wonderful team put together to midwife this process especially the commitment of all our volunteers, advisors, and conveners.
Allow me to conclude by emphasising that this moment does not signify an end, but rather a new commencement.
The resolutions and proposals arising from this summit will be carefully documented, further refined, and subsequently presented to both the Presidency and the National Assembly for their consideration.
Our intention is not to foster confrontation but to promote constructive collaboration and mutual understanding.
It is imperative that we persuade our leaders—through reasoned argument, consensus-building, and compelling evidence—that Nigeria is in dire need of a new constitutional framework that reflects the aspirations and realities of all its citizens.
Let history record that in 2025, Nigerians came together not to complain, not to incite, but to build a framework for the country we desire and deserve.
On that note, I welcome you all warmly and invite us to proceed with the seriousness, respect, and resolve that this moment demands.
Let me finally thank the President and Commander in Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR for providing an enabling environment for the summit to hold.