The newly inaugurated constitution review committee of the Incorporated Igala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA) caretaker committee has called for memorandum from all Igala stakeholders to ensure an all inclusive constitution that would be acceptable to all.
The call was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary ICDA Constitution Review Committee, Dr. James Odiba, on Sunday.
According to the statement, the call for stakeholders input will stimulate an all inclusive content and robust debate.
Odiba explained that the inputs from all sources will be collated by the constitution review committee and will be debated at the annual general meeting specifically called for this purpose before ratification.
He stated that the chairman of the committee, Ambassador Ali Ocheni, has reiterated his commitment, and that od the committee, to engender a process that will strengthen the ICDA inline with the vision of the founding fathers and in accordance with international best practices and ensure that people of impeccable character and pedigree with adequate experience, devoid of partisanship take up the leadership of ICDA at the highest level.
“Recall that the incorporated interim caretaker committee with Comrade Emmanuel Omata as its Chairman was set up to ensure that due process was followed in the amendment of the constitution of the ICDA.
“Also, the harmonised draft constitution of the ICDA, under review, is a product of the painstaking efforts of the Board of Trustees of the incorporated ICDA under Dr Omakoji Simeon Oyiguh and Professor Stephen Ocheni based on the counsel of the Eje Dekina HRH (Dr) Alhaji Usman Obaje, the Acting Chairman of Igala Area Traditional Council. This was part of efforts to reconcile and restructure the ICDA to reflect the interest and wishes of the entire Igala people.
“The Board of Trustees of the incorporated ICDA which set up the Constitution Review Committee is therefore saddled with the responsibility of ushering a new, repositioned and empowered ICDA which would be at par and have high standing like notable socio-cultural organisations in Nigeria.
“It is also instructive to assert that the Igala people being the ninth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, should parade some of her best as leaders of it’s apex socio- cultural organisation.
“Taking a cue from other major socio cultural organizations in Nigeria, it can be observed that the first eleven of the Igala people should be given the opportunity to lead the ICDA to ensure optimal performance.
“The committee is expected to ensure that the draft Constitution reaches all the branches of ICDA, Igala stakeholders, especially the other Igala socio-cultural organizations, the intelligentsia and individuals of Igala origin both in Nigeria and diaspora, with the view to ensuring widespread information and contributions to the amendment process,” the statement read in part.
Meanwhile, the Constitution Review Committee of the incorporated ICDA has received representations from various groups and bodies in Igalaland.
They include Dr Sekuru Muhammed, representing District Community Development Associations; Engineer Tijani Abu, representing Ojuju Agbadufu; and Abdulmalik Idris, representing Igala Students Association, amongst others.
Odiba urged stakeholders to send memoranda to the committee’s email; icdacrc@gmail.com
