Attention will be focussed on public finance and revenue as the plenary session of the on-going National Conference holding in Abuja resumes on today. The Conference had been abruptly adjourned on Wednesday last week following the death of Maryamu, wife of the Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi.

Delegates could also not sit on Thursday as the day was declared Democracy Day; a public holiday set aside to mark Nigeria’s return to democratic governance after a long period of military rule.

When plenary resumes today, “delegates are expected to continue deliberations on Committees’ reports. So far, reports of three committees have been presented, discussed, debated, and resolutions adopted through consensus. The three are the Committee on Environment; the Committee on Religion; and the Committee on Land Tenure and National Boundaries,” said Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, Akpandem James.

According to James in a statement made available to News Express last night, “About two resolutions from these reports still remain to be adopted; they are from the report of the Committee on Religion and the Committee on Land Tenure and National Boundaries.

“The two resolutions placed in ‘bracket’ have to do with removal of Land Tenure Act from the 1999 Constitution to make for easy amendment; and the debate as to whether the Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards should be scrapped.

“One of the reports scheduled for discussion on Monday is that of the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue with focus on both sources and utilisation of public funds.

“The report focuses on thorough examination to ascertain the adequacy of existing laws with regard to relationship between the three tiers of government with such recommendations that would positively affect the fiscal policy of the country.

“The report was originally scheduled for deliberation on Wednesday last week but had to be carried forward because of the adjournment of plenary session.

“The Committee is headed by Senator Adamu Aliero with Senator Azu Agboti as deputy chairman

“Meanwhile, the residence and family of the Conference Chairman, Justice Kutigi, on Sunday hosted dozens of people across the country who participated in the fifth day prayer called the Fidau for his late wife, Maryamu.

“Maryamu, 70, died at 2am on Wednesday last week and was buried at daybreak in line with Islamic rites of passage.

“Among the dignitaries at the prayer session were the Deputy Chairman of the Conference and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi; the Conference Secretary, Dr Valerie-Janette Azinge; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, and some delegates to the National Conference, including Professor Jibril Aminu, Chief Mike Ozhekome, SAN, former Defence Minister, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed and Comrade Issa Aremu.”

•Photo shows some of the National Conference delegates.

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