Day One: May 29, 1997

8:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast

9:00-9:10 Welcome
Dr. Ebere Onwudiwe, Director, African Resource Center, Central State University, Wilberforce.

9:10-9:20 Remarks
Dr. Constance Rockingham, Vice President, Academic Affairs, Central State University, Wilberforce.

9:30-10:30 Keynote Address
Dr. Peter Ekeh, State University of New York at Buffalo
"The Case for Dialogue on Nigerian Federalism."

10:30 Coffee Break

10:45-1:00 SESSION I: EVOLUTION OF NIGERIAN FEDERALISM

Moderator: Pade Badru, University of Louisville
"The Mistake of 1914: North-South Anomalies in Nigerian Federalism." Omo Omoruyi, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania.
"The Doctrine and Practice of Federal Character and the Future of Nigerian Federalism" Ladun Anise, University of Pittsburgh
"The Impact of Military Dictatorship on Nigerian Federalism," Leo Dare, University of Toronto
"The Federal Solution in Nigeria: Past, Present and Future." Eghosa Osaghae, University of Transkei, South Africa.

1:00-2:00 Lunch
2:00-4:30 SESSION II: ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUES AND THE FUTURE OF NIGERIAN FEDERALISM

Moderator: Folu Ogundimu, Michigan State University.
"Religion and Nigerian Federalism." Julius Ihonvbere, University of Texas, Austin.
"The Relevance of Dialogue Among Igbos and Yoruba for the Survival of Nigerian Federalism." Ebere Onwudiwe, Ohio Central University, Wilberforce, Ohio and Okey Onyejiekwe, Ohio State University, Columbus
"Kanuri-Fulani-Hausa Relations and the Character of Northern Nigerian Politics." Kole Shettima, York University, Toronto, Canada
"Majorities and Minorities: Claims of Oil-Producing Ethnic Minorities of Southern Nigeria." John Boye Ejobowah, University of Toronto
"The Concept of Rotational Presidency in Nigerian Federalism." Joseph Inikori, University of Rochester, New York.

3:45-6:00 SESSION III: A OPEN FORUM ON DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE

Moderator: Christian Ukaegbu, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Rapporteur: Pita Agbese, University of North Iowa, Waterloo
In view of the prominence of military rule in Nigeria's post-colonial history, this open forum will be devoted to discussions of the best strategies for engaging the Nigerian military in a dialogue that will encourage it to exit governance without further violence and in a manner that will be beneficial to its professional standing as a military organization rather than as a political organization. The aim of this session is a practical one of assessing options that exist in our present circumstances, domestically and in the international community, for mobilizing an effective dialogue with the military.
 

Day Two: May 30, 1997

8:30 Continental Breakfast

9:00-11:50 SESSION IV: CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL PROCESSES AND THE MANAGEMENT OF DIVERSITY IN NIGERIAN FEDERALISM

Moderator: Isaac Mowoe, Ohio State University, Columbus
"The Role of the Legal Profession in Defining and Implementing the Elements of Self Determination: Toward the Protection of Minorities." Leslie Obiorah, Emory University, Atlanta.
"The Role of the Judiciary in Nigerian Federalism." Ruth Gana, University of Oklahoma Law School, Norman
"Administration of Criminal Justice in the Nigerian Federal System." Ihekwoaba D. Onwudiwe, University of South Carolina, Spartanburg
"Nigerian Federalism and Party Politics" Ebere Onwudiwe, Ohio Central University, Wilberforce, and Christian Ukaegbu, University of Wyoming, Laramere
"The Role of Intellectuals in Nigerian Politics and Public Policy-Making." O. Taiwo, Loyola University, Chicago

11:30-12:50 Lunch.

An Address from the Ambassador of Nigeria
An Address by Abiola Irele, Ohio State University, Columbus: "The Role of Intellectuals in Nigerian Affairs."

12:50-3:15 SESSION V: IDENTITIES AND THE CHARACTER OF NIGERIAN FEDERALISM

Moderator: Nkiru Nzegwu, State University of New York at Binghampton.
"Impact of Islam on Women in Hausaland and Northern Nigeria." Pat Williams, York University, Canada
"Women and the Struggle for Political Power in Nigerian History: Implications of Marginalization." Adeline Apena, Russell Sage College, New York
"Federalism and Administration of Health in Nigeria." Tola Pearse, University of Missouri, Columbia
"Citizens or Wives?: Gender and Culture in Female Leadership and Representation in Nigeria." Ronke Oyewumi, University of California, Santa Barbara.

3:15-5:30 SESSION VI: ECONOMIC FEDERALISM AND INTER- GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Moderator: Joseph Inikori, University of Rochester, New York
"The Changing Basis of State Creation in Nigeria." Peter Agbese, University of Iowa, Waterloo
"Federalism and the Regulation of Land Use in Nigeria." Paul D. Ocheje, York University, Canada
"The Politics of Integrated Rural Development and the Principles and Practices of Nigerian Federalism." Olufemi Vaughan, State University of New York at Stony Brook
"Towards Evolving Grassroots Democracy in Nigeria." Kunle Awotokun, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
"Bringing Government Closer to People: the Structural-Adjustment-Program, Decentralization, and Nigerian Federalism." Funke Okome, Fordham University, New York

5:30-6:20 SESSION VII: AN OPEN FORUM: A FRAMEWORK FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL RESTORATION OF NIGERIAN FEDERALISM.

Moderator: Peter Ekeh, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Rapporteur: Eghosa Osaghae, University of Transkei, South Africa
This session will be devoted to exploring ways of restoring constitutional federalism to the governance of Nigeria. What do participants consider to be the elements of federalism? What can be done to reform the Nigerian police and introduce other police formations at the state and local government levels? What are the roles of the states and local governments in economic production and educational development. How can the Federal Government be slimmed down to essential roles, thereby constitutionally guaranteeing that the states will be autonomous? What guarantees are there to ensure that the military will be subordinate to civilian control?

This session will also consider practical alternatives for the construction of a new constitutional framework for Nigeria. Should Nigeria invite United Nations' agencies to help it construct a new constitution?

6:20-6:30 CONCLUDING REMARKS

Ebere Onwudiwe, "Nigeria by Nigerians in North America: Where Do We Go from Here?"

A. Nigerian Scholars, Graduate Students, and Officials:

1. Aderele, Minister (Economic and Commercial), Nigerian Embassy, Washington, DC.
2. Pita Agbese, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls
3. Ladun Anise, University of Pittsburgh.
4. Kunle Awotokun, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria
5. Pade Badru, University of Louisville
6. Dr. Lovette Chuinwah, Central State University
7. Mr. Onyejiekwe Ego, Ohio State University
8. Dr. Frank Eguaroje, Afro-American Museum, Wilberforce, OH
9. Helen Ekeh, Buffalo, New York
10. Peter Ekeh, State University of New York at Buffalo
11. John Boye Ejobowah, Graduate student in Political Theory, University of Toronto.
12. Professor Andrew Evwaraye, University of Dayton
13. Ruth Gana, JD, University of Oklahoma Law School, Norman.
14. Dr. Olabisi Gwamma, Sinclair Community College, Dayton
15. Dr. Bitrys Gwamma, Sinclair Community College, Dayton
16. Joseph Inikori, University of Rochester, New York.
17. Abiola Irele, Ohio State University, Columbus
18. Bassey Irele. Ohio State University, Columbus
19. Mana, Nigerian Embassy, Washington, D.C.
20. Morakinyo Kuti, Central State University
21. Faith Mowoe, Ohio State University
22. Isaac Mowoe, Ohio State University
23. Leslie Obiorah, JD, Emory University, Atlanta.
24. Dr. Omokere Odje, Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio
25. Folu Ogundimu, Michigan State University
26. Funke Okome, Fordham University
27. Omo Omoruyi, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania.
28. Ebere Onwudiwe, Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio.
29. Ihekwoaba D. Onwudiwe, University of South Carolina, Spartanburg.
30. Okey Onyejiekwe, Ohio State University, Columbus.
31. Ronke Oyewumi, University of California, Santa Barbara.
32. Tola Pearse, University of Missouri, Columbia.
33. Jacqueline Scott-Anwana
34. Kole Shettima, Graduate Student, University of Toronto, Canada.
35. Taiwo, Loyola University, Chicago.
36. Christian Ukaegbu, University of Wyoming, Laramere.
37. Patricia Williams, York University, Toronto, Canada

B. Other Participants:

38. Richard Afanuh, Central State University (Student)
39. Michelle L. Armstrong, Ohio State University (Student)
40. Dr. Leland Bell, Central State University
41. Kendall Boyd, Central State University (Student)
42. Nelson Brown, Voice of America
43. Dr. Aaron Dunge, Central State University
44. David Jefferson Clark, Ohio State University (Student)
45. Dr. Jeff Crawford, Central State University
46. Denise Elaine Fergus, Ohio State University (Student)
47. John Flemming, Yellow Springs
48. Dean Willie Houston, Central State University
49. Lee Ingham, Central State University
50. Mr. Ingram, Central State University
51. Kai Johnson, Ohio State University (Student)
52. Rev. James (Al) Laughrey, Kettering, Ohio
53. Dr. Sam Laki, Central State University
54. Michael Lee, Central State University (Student)
55. Robert Marcus, Central State University (Student)
56. Alamin Mazrui, Ohio State University
57. Clarice McCockran, Central State University (Student)
58. Lois McGurie, Central State University, Wilberforce
59. Spenu D. Moore, Central State University (Student)
60. Pape Ndiaye, Central State University (Student)
61. Margarett Omolus, Central State University (Student)
62. Tyrone Fitzgerald Payne, Ohio State University (Student)
63. Dr. Lois Pelekoudus, Central State University
64. Melanye Tarea Price, Ohio State University (Student)
65. Robert Smith, Wittenberg University
66. Dr. Constance Rockingham, Central State University
67. Stefeni A. Stallworth, Ohio State University (Student)
68. Pauline Tobias
69. Tamika Tuyur, Central State University (Student)
70. Camara Williams, Central State University (Student)