A
abujagirl
Guest
The National Conference, on Monday in Abuja, frowned at the attitude of some delegates who had formed the habit of absenting themselves at plenary.
The position followed a Point of Order raised by Mrs Annkio Briggs, a Federal Government delegate, who cited Order III Rule 3 (a) of the Procedure Rules.
Rule 3 reads: "A Delegate shall, to the best of his ability, regularly attend the sittings of the Conference and those of the Committee of which he is a member.”
Similarly, Rule 3 (a) reads: "No delegate shall miss sittings without prior notification of the secretariat of the conference.”
In raising the point of order, Briggs noted that the conference had been having empty seats on a daily basis and urged the secretariat to call delegates to order.
"I want to point out that the empty seats that we see here on a daily basis is very disrespectful to the members that are here. I believe that every one of us here have very pressing issues that we can do on a daily basis.
"This is a sacrifice that we are all making; a call to serve the nation. I do not believe that every (owner of) empty seat here has taken permission from the secretariat to be absent. I believe that people will need time off once in a while; but I refuse to accept that it is proper for people that had made their presentations not to hear other people’s presentations.
"Some people who feel that their presentations are going to come a day or two later are making themselves absent, making it impossible for them to hear other people’s presentations.”
According to her, it is neither distinguished nor honourable for people to behave in that manner, urging the secretariat and the Chairman to call all those concerned to order.
Briggs suggested that it was more honourable for them to make it clear to the secretariat if they would not be able to continue participating in the conference.
Deputy Chairman of the conference, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, who presided when the chairman stepped out, upheld Briggs’ observation.
The position followed a Point of Order raised by Mrs Annkio Briggs, a Federal Government delegate, who cited Order III Rule 3 (a) of the Procedure Rules.
Rule 3 reads: "A Delegate shall, to the best of his ability, regularly attend the sittings of the Conference and those of the Committee of which he is a member.”
Similarly, Rule 3 (a) reads: "No delegate shall miss sittings without prior notification of the secretariat of the conference.”
In raising the point of order, Briggs noted that the conference had been having empty seats on a daily basis and urged the secretariat to call delegates to order.
"I want to point out that the empty seats that we see here on a daily basis is very disrespectful to the members that are here. I believe that every one of us here have very pressing issues that we can do on a daily basis.
"This is a sacrifice that we are all making; a call to serve the nation. I do not believe that every (owner of) empty seat here has taken permission from the secretariat to be absent. I believe that people will need time off once in a while; but I refuse to accept that it is proper for people that had made their presentations not to hear other people’s presentations.
"Some people who feel that their presentations are going to come a day or two later are making themselves absent, making it impossible for them to hear other people’s presentations.”
According to her, it is neither distinguished nor honourable for people to behave in that manner, urging the secretariat and the Chairman to call all those concerned to order.
Briggs suggested that it was more honourable for them to make it clear to the secretariat if they would not be able to continue participating in the conference.
Deputy Chairman of the conference, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, who presided when the chairman stepped out, upheld Briggs’ observation.