Former President of the Nigerian Senate, Ken Nnamani was caught taking a seemingly much needed nap during the National Conference session in Abuja yesterday.
Nnamani chose a time when Former Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili was making a passionate speech to catch a few zzzz’s.
The photo has gone viral and is causing much criticism about the seriousness of the conference and the delegates who are getting paid N12 million each to attend sessions.
A possible reason for the sleep
DailySun reports that at yesterday’s proceedings, many seats allotted to the various delegates were empty. Many delegates whose names were called out to make their contributions to the ongoing debate of the speech of President Goodluck Jonathan were absent.
The absence of many delegates became very obvious soon after the lunch break. At the resumed sitting by 4pm, more seats were seen empty. Even during debates, some delegates walked out and did not return.
The growing fatigue and apathy, Daily Sun observed, is borne out of the non-availability of food for the delegates. Many delegates have openly complained on the floor of the house about how the secretariat is unable to provide them lunch.
Delegates who have to drive out of the premises to get lunch do not return to the venue for the 2-4pm proceedings. The chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, openly admitted the insufficiency of the lunch provided to delegates.
“That is very bad if there is no food. You are supposed to be provided with lunch,” Kutigi openly admitted.