Delegates converge on Abuja as national confab begins

 

Delegates drawn from across the 36 states of the federation on Sunday started arriving in Abuja, for the National Conference scheduled to commence today (Monday).

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was a beehive of activities as some delegates flew into the Federal Capital Territory amid tight security.

Eminent Nigerians at the arrival lounge just as others who had armed security escorts, made their way into waiting private vehicles.

The entire airport was heavily guarded as plain-clothes security personnel and a few uniformed men were sighted at strategic locations within and outside the airport.

As is to be expected, taxi drivers were also making brisk business as a result of the increased human and vehicular traffic, which was compounded by civil servants and businessmen who were returning to Abuja after the weekend.

Delegates, who arrived on Sunday, included Sir. Olaninhun Ajayi, Prof. Anya O. Anya; a former Chairman, PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola; and the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Aliu Mustapha.

The Corps Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Jonas Awgu, told The PUNCH that the FRSC was deploying 250 of its personnel to ensure a free flow of traffic to strategic locations in the FCT.

He said “For now, the total personnel we are deploying is 250, made up of 50 officers and 200 other ranks; we will be deploying 15 vehicles, three bikes and two breakdown trucks.

“The conference is holding in Abuja; as much as we will emphasis on what happens between the airport and the venue, the other parts of Abuja won’t be left unattended to; we will consider those areas.”

He said the commission expected road users to be law abiding and exhibit a high sense of decency and respect for  rules and regulations.

His counterpart in the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Emmanuel Okeh, said the NSCDC was deploying 2,000 of its officers and men, as well as 100 sniffer dogs as part of the security arrangement for the event.

 The FCT Police Command said it had deployed men to all the major hotels where delegates were lodged, adding that the venue and surrounding areas had been placed under tight security watch.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Altine Daniel, called on Abuja residents to cooperate with all security agencies to ensure a hitch-free event. He was, however, silent on the number of officers deployed.

The Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditoium at the National Judicial Institute is wearing a new look for the inauguration of the conference.

Investigations by one of our correspondents on Sunday indicated that some of the delegates, who arrived early, had commenced accreditation and registration.

Special security team made up of the military, FRSC, Police anti-riot squad, anti-bomb unit and the men of the State Security Services were busy taking instructions from their team leaders and doing last-minute rehearsals.

Although soldiers were seen on parade, attempts by one of our correspondents to take their photographs met with stiff resistance as they threatened to smash his iPad.

Also, members of the anti-bomb squad were seen combing the premises and making sure that no dangerous material at the venue.

Sources said that the existing security arrangement at the NJI had been overhauled with hundreds of security men being deployed to man strategic areas of the conference venue.

Officials of FRSC were also on hand receiving briefings on their expected roles during the proceedings of the confernce.

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