From Laolu Akande, New York

Besides, he said the Pro-National Conference Organisation's (PRONACO) confab should not be only about holding an ethnic nationalities conference, because holding the conference alone cannot solve Nigeria's problem.

Enahoro spoke over the weekend in New York at the PRONACO United States (U.S.) meeting where Nigerian professionals and activists came together to plan for their involvement and participation in the PRONACO talks scheduled for October. He warned that if PRONACO fails that would be playing into President Olusegun Obasanjo's hands and there may not be another opportunity.

According to him, it is in the interest of all Nigerians that this conference succeeds especially after, according to the statesman, the failure of the government's own national dialogue. He said what PRONACO will organise would be the first truly people's conference in the history of Nigeria. He said he would try to persuade the PRONACO conference to suggest the adoption of a parliamentary system of government for Nigeria because of the heavy domination of money in the current presidential system. He wondered how somebody like him would have emerged a Federal lawmaker in the First Republic if so much money, as is now required was demanded from him then.

Turning to the Nigerians abroad he said, "you don't have a chance in the present political configuration of the presidential system since the question being asked of potential politicians is 'how much money are you putting down' and now 'what can you do?"

Present at the meeting with Chief Enahoro were Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, a leading human rights activists, Chief Jumoke Ogunkeyede, an Alliance for Democracy (AD) chieftain and former National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) activist in the U.S. Mrs. Sara Jubril, Mr. Kalu Idika Kalu, U.S.-based lawyer Kayode Oladele, Dr. Baba Adams, chairman of PRONACO-U.S. and Rev. Adebiyi, among others.

Enahoro said it was time for Nigerians abroad to take a more active interest in Nigeria beyond just supporting progressive movements and standing up for what is right.

According to him, when he was asked to visit and speak at the PRONACO-U.S. he was first unwilling querying: "What's the use?"

Enahoro who ignored his prepared speech and spoke from the heart in a moving and very profound manner said: "This is the third occasion that I recall that we are building an overseas structure...but we don't see anybody when the test comes." Noting that overseas structures are vital, he explained that Nigerians abroad were the ones who encouraged him to move the independence motion, which he did in the 50s at a time when leading Nigerian politicians felt it was too early.

"Diaspora people compelled me to move the motion for independence...but Diaspora groups fold up after a battle is won." As an example, he recalled that before his motion for independence in 1953, "we were in London, the Nigerians and the West African Students Union gave us a reception, Dr. Okpara, myself and a northern person, they challenged us. When we told them our leaders at home don't like it, they said they'll back us and they did, but afterwards they packed up."

He said the Abacha regime was the second time a progressive overseas structure was organised. According to him: "Again, after Abacha, not a single one of you held office, but we needed your fresh minds, "Enahoro told his audience of over a 100 Nigerians.

He said that was why when he was asked this time to address Nigerians abroad, "I asked, 'would they come home?' They are likely to win the battle and give the prize right back to the opponent. This has happened again and again," the 82-year old statesman lamented.

But he warned that this time around, Nigeria has its deepest battle cut out for her, "it's the deepest battle we have fought, we are much more ethnically wounded now like never before." According to him the current crisis facing Nigeria is half-military, half-civilian, deeper than any one crisis Nigeria has faced in the past. He said currently, the wealth of the nation is being held down in the hands of about 50 people wondering "but when we fight again, it might be taken over by those who don't believe in what we stand for."

Enahoro said it is the right time for Nigerians abroad to take the bull by the horns and come home and do the country proud, saying they have left Nigeria to the mercy of different "characters" for too long.

Said he "what do we do when these characters come in?" Nothing: "How won't it happen again and again."

Enahoro however expressed hope this would not happen again because PRONACO should not be just about the conference.

"Just the conference alone can't solve Nigeria's problems. We need people afterwards who will marshall the people like we do during crisis like now, otherwise it will be a failure," Enahoro declared.

He then announced that there would be nine delegates from Nigerians abroad representing seven organisations abroad at the PRONACO conference. He also said in all, 405 delegates have been planned for, the conference including 101 from ethnic associations, 16 from women groups, 24 from parties, 24 from professional bodies, 12 from religious groups, 12 from governmental agencies, and five from security groups.

Speaking earlier, Ransome-Kuti narrated how human rights activists and pro-democracy groups in Nigeria have been pursuing the issue of a national conference since the late 80s till now. He said it came to the point that it was felt there was no reason to wait for the government to organise one since President Obasanjo was then strongly opposed to a national conference.

Suddenly, according to Ransome-Kuti, Obasanjo realised the need for a national dialogue and "started rushing things." He explained why the PRONACO did not think the government's conference would be ideal even before the abrupt closure of the talks in Abuja recently.

Mrs. Jubril, the leader of PRONACO women's section also spoke saying Nigerians abroad must see themselves as stakeholders in Nigeria's future and should make their impact felt now. According to her "we've had brain drain in the past, we can have brain integration. She lamented that no one is talking about any leadership quality these days or ask to whom is a politician responsible.

On Sunday, Enahoro visited Delaware where he was hosted to a fundraising reception by Dr. Olusola Dada, a Nigerian medical doctor and owner of hospitals in the U.S. Fund-raising was also conducted in New York, where Omoyele Sowore, a member of PRONACO-U.S. mobilised Nigerians present to consider giving at least $20 each towards the organisation of the PRONACO conference in Nigeria.