24 hours away from the 2017 HoJ summit and dinner, By Ballason Gloria Mabeiam

At this point, the anticipation is so taut it can be cut with a knife.Tomorrow Kaduna will host the entire country to an end of year family meeting. We take a look at what friends of Nigeria and Nigerians are saying over this event:
Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. “

Martin Luther King, Jr.
I urge Nigerians to grab this opportunity offered by House of Justice during the annual summit slated for Tuesday December 19th in Yar’adua Hall in Kaduna State to discuss real issues affecting the most populated country in mother Africa and to chart way forward not only for them but for the entire world.

Ochola Saba from Kenya
I have followed very keenly the activities of House of Justice on social media.My people, in Ethiopia, have suffer from atrocities and lack of justice and freedom. This is the time that we need to promote African initiatives such as the House of Justice; a great program to mitigating barriers and facilitating enablers for justice, peace and development not only for Nigeria but also for the whole African people. It is my pleasure to happily endorse your program and congratulate you for this annual dinner summit!!! I am always there to share best experience with you. Molalign

Belay from Ethiopia
Shout out to organizers of the House of Justice Summit holding on 19thDecember, 2017.I urge Nigerian citizens to join the dialogue of building a Nation of Justice and Peace.

Nhlanhla Khumalo from South Africa
It is because of colleagues like you, that I challenge myself each day. Being a Mandela Washington Fellow has been one of my greatest achievements, especially with you being part of my community of professionals. I watched you fight for justice for your community and country Nigeria. From Liberia, I say hats off to you Gloria Mabeiam Ballason. Congratulations on the House of Justice Annual Dinner! Please attend this event Nigeria/Nigerians.

Sydell Goll from Liberia
All the way from Uganda, the pearl of Africa….I am excited to hear about the Annual House of Justice Summit and Dinner due to take place on 19th December in Kaduna (Nigeria). Totally worth every second of my time. Be there or be squared!

Joanita Phabulous Kakao, Uganda
“Our freedoms are vanishing. If you do not get active to take a stand now against all that is wrong while we still can, then maybe one of your children may elect to do so in the future, when it will be far more riskier — and much, much harder” Suzy Kassem.
I urge all Nigerians to grab this opportunity to engage each other on this serious issue affecting them today for the benefit of future generations and the Africa we strive to build.

Leah from Kenya
With its theme: Building a Nation of Justice and Peace, the summit will have as its keynote speaker none other than General Yakubu Gowon, the former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, also at the summit will be Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, His Royal Highness the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Senator Binta Massi Garba, Hon Sunday Marshall Katung, Dr Usman Bugaje just to mention but a few.
In discussing the imperative for justice and peace, one of the organisers, Mr. Reuben Buhari, former SA Media Kaduna state, explained that Nigeria is going through trying times with crisis here and there and the root cause is not far from the issue of justice. He holds the view that the summit will be a very good platform for Nigerians to evaluate the issues that concern them along with the nationalists and statesmen that will participate in the summit. Reuben expressed that the summit is one of the ways to do so. “We need to come to the realization that we need to sit down and talk about the issues that affect us. People have grievances and they want to talk about it but it seems there is not enough platforms for them to air these grievances, the summit that is coming up is one of the platforms that people can come and discuss about their grievances in a friendly, family atmosphere. There a lot of problems that currently plague the country and for us to make progress in this country is for us to sit together, include everyone towards finding solutions to our problems.
something remarkable will result from the event. I believe Nigeria is a country that has all it takes to be great and anyone that share this sentiment should endeavor to participate in the House of Justice Summit/Dinner.”
Bomba Dauda, another organizer opines that the issue of justice has always been relative. “The fact is there are a lot of people who feel side-lined while at the same time others are having a field day with state resources and this is the main basis upon which a lot of regions or groups agitate for justice. Across the country today, there a lot of demands by various groups, be it succession, restructuring etc. every segment of the country is agitating for one right or the other and it is important to come together to find solutions to these agitations.”
Commenting on youths and politics .He explained that the huge challenge the youths face is the complete monetization of the political process. He noted that to fight for a political position in Nigeria is very expensive and until the system becomes cost effective and is based on big ideas rather than big amounts the youths will always have challenges in effective participation. It also seems that those dominating the political scene are more keen on passing power to their family memb ers or relatives which is also a challenge for the ordinary man who aspires to lead the country.
Highlighting the need for inclusion, Mr. John Yem remarked that Nigeria belongs to all of us not just a group or class of people and the summit is one of many ways to address some of the social injustice in the country. “One example is the issue of the disabled members of the community, we do not have special consideration for the disabled in this country neither are they allowed to participate significantly in any level of governance. The issue of social injustice will continue to result in crisis unless we begin to include everyone in the process of nation building.We are proud to say that members of the Nigerian family who are physically challenged have a place at the table as much as every other person at this summit.We also hope this becomes a worthy example so that we do not hear of them only when they are fighting for their rights but that we look beyond their physical form to their intrinsic beings.”
Yem is of the optimistic view that the event will encourage people to learn how to build bridges across divides. “The calibre of people from all around Nigeria that will be present at the event are respected and successful members of the society, the opportunities that will present themselves are countless and everyone is encouraged to take advantage of them and share ideas and interact socially.If people get to hook up and marry eventually, that wouldn’t be a bad one.”
At this point, there isn’t much to say.I hope that after tomorrow, Nigerians will increase the family sense of being and the dust will settle gradually but surely on our perceived differences. God bless Nigeria.

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