National Confab panel: Anya replaces Nwabueze

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of Professor Anya. O. Anya as replacement for the 83 year old Professor Ben Nwabueze in the advisory committee for national conference.

This was contained in a statement issued from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Thursday.

Nwabueze, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and leading constitutional lawyer was named among members of advisory committee for the national conference inaugurated by President Jonathan on 7 October.

The Octogenarian who is currently undergoing treatment abroad had however declined his appointment into the Federal Government’s Advisory Committee on National Dialogue citing his ill-health and old age.

In a press statement, Professor Nwabueze disclosed that he has been battling with prostate cancer and has been surviving by “consultations from time to time with, and treatment by, a Consultant Oncologist at Charing Cross Hospital in London”.

He added that while he never expected to be appointed chairman or member of the Committee, he considered such an appointment inappropriate in the circumstances. “It is an appointment for a younger person, not for an old man of 83 years afflicted by ill-health,” he said.

Nwabueze however said he will be willing to work with the advisory committee if he called upon. The constitutional lawyer said he already has plans to contribute to the convention of a National Conference.

“The Patriots remain willing to work with the Presidential Committee, and to give it all necessary assistance, if called upon to do so.”

The Presidency also announced the appointment of Mr. Pius Olakunle Osunyikanmi as Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Technical Aids Corps in the statement.