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2009 US DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY INFORMATION

October 3, 2007 - December 2, 2007

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Recommendations made by the Representatives of the Regional Military
Governors Meeting in Lagos on 9 August 1966

The meeting was declared open by the Head of the Federal Military
Government and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at 12 noon.
In his opening address, the Supreme Commander referred to the
difficult situation arising from the vents of July 29 and the
resulting bitterness on all sides and implored the meeting to give
consideration to ways of easing the situation and preparing ground
for further action by the leaders of the country. In particular he
referred to his policy statements in which he stressed his intention
to abrogate Decree No. 34 and to modify or nullify any enactments
that assumed extreme centralization in order to pave the way to
return to civilian administration and national unity.
The meeting, after the Supreme Commander had taken leave of the
delegates, unanimously chose Sir Kashim Ibrahim as its Chairman and
the Eletu Odibo of Lagos as his supporter. \
In an effort to arrive at an Agenda for the meeting, members
considered at some length the speech of the Supreme Commander and the
proposed repeal of Decree No. 34 and similar enactments and finally
agreed that the theme of the discussion should be the present
situation in the country and ways and means of avoiding a recurrence.
In this regard, the meeting unanimously agreed that the greatest
problem at the moment was the sense of insecurity within the Armed
Forces which had hitherto been the greatest unifying force in the
land. It agreed that a situation should exist where the Army should
be entirely harmless to itself. It was accordingly agreed to
recommend that:
as far as possible the Army personnel should be posted to barracks in
their Regions of origin with immediate effect as an interim measure;
having regard to its peculiar position, the question of maintenance
of peace and security in Lagos should be left to the Supreme
Commander in consultation with the Military Governors.
Having dealt with the fears in the Army, the meeting tried to
consider some grievances between the leaders of the country.
Discussion then took place on the need to expedite consultations on
future constitutional arrangement so that decision can be reached as
soon as possible. Most members agreed that these subject matters
were of considerable urgency and that any procrastination might lead
to more dangers. The meeting, however, found itself unable to
proceed with the detailed discussions especially as the Governor of
the Western Provinces had not completed consultations with Chiefs and
leaders of thought. The meeting noted that such consultations had
taken place in the North, East, Mid-West and Lagos. The committee
accordingly agreed to adjourn for a short time, say one week, to
enable the Western Provinces to complete their consultations.
Thereafter this Committee or an enlarged body should meet to
recommend in broad outlines the form of political association which
the country should adopt in the future. Meanwhile, every possible
step should be taken to ensure that the situation in the country
improves, and the Supreme Commander should be advised to make
conditions suitable for the Supreme Military Council to meet at the
earliest opportunity as a further means of lowering tension.
The meeting accordingly agreed to make the following
recommendations:
Immediate steps should be taken by the Supreme Commander to post
military personnel to barracks within their respective Regions of
origin.
Having regard to its peculiar position the question of maintenance of
peace and security in Lagos should be left to the Supreme Commander
in consultation with the Military Governors.
A meeting of this Committee or an enlarged body should take place in
a week's time to recommend in broad outlines the form of political
association which the country should adopt in the future.
Immediate steps should be taken to nullify or modify any provisions
of any decree which assumes extreme centralization.
The Supreme Commander should make conditions suitable for a meeting
of the Supreme Military Council urgently as a further means of
lowering tension.

Compiled by NOWAMAGBE AUSTIN OMOIGUI, MD

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