Posted on Wednesday, December 28th, 2011 at 3:31 PM
By Damilare Aiki
The Central Working Committee (CWC) for The Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders has unveiled the full list of keynote speakers, lead-ins and discussants for this historic event, which will gather young Nigerian leaders from across the country to discuss governance and leadership.
The Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders is scheduled to hold on Wednesday 11th – Thursday 12th January 2012 at the MUSON Centre and it is proudly presented by The Future Project, in association with EiE Nigeria and the International Republican Institute. To be a part of this ground breaking historic event, be sure to nominate yourself or an individual HERE as 50% of the seats have been declared open for nominations. Registration ends Friday 30th December 2011.
Director of The Future Project – Adebola Williams said “We are incredibly excited about all the young people we have managed to bring together, we are gathering some of the brightest and best of young Nigerian leaders from all the six geo-political zones to talk about how the next generation will choose to lead. This generation wants to be different from the last, but how can it be practically done? The target is for a truly transformed and functioning Nigeria – but unless we actually define that leadership ideal, we will be unable to achieve it. This symposium takes the first giant step.”
The Headline Speaker is Obiageli Ezekwesili (World Bank VP for Africa) and she will be supported by Bishop Matthew Kukah (Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church) while the opening address will be given by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi (Minister for Youth Development) and hosts of the event are Tolu Ogunlesi (Winner for CNN African Journalist of the Year 2009) and Adaure Achumba (Correspondent for Reuters).
Check out the full list of speakers at this event;
The Perspective from the government
(A)Emerging Leaders: Public Officers/Civil Servants – Is it Possible to Stand Out in Government?
The challenge of governance in Nigeria is the continuing perception that when “good people” enter government, they become unrecognisable, lost in a web of waste, corruption and deceit. With examples, models and prescriptions, this panel will assess the viability of standing up for positivity in government.
Lead-In – Dr Kayode Fayemi (Executive Governor of Ekiti State)
Discussants
Moderator – Mfon Ekpo (Maritime Lawyer/Negotiator)
(B)Emerging Leaders: Technocrats – Understanding the Problem: Politics or Competence?
From the return of democracy in 1999, there has been a clamour for “technocracts” in government – people who are uniquely qualified in their area of appointment. More than a decade after, has this led to any transformative change? Or are we doing it all wrong? We assess the impact and relevance of this set of public officials.
Lead-In –Oronto Douglas (Senior Special Adviser to the President on Strategy, Research, and Documentation) and Prof. Pat Utomi (Director of the Centre for Applied Economics, Pan-African University)
Discussants
Moderator – Aziza Uko (Editor-At-Large, Y! Magazine)
(C)Emerging Leaders: Politicians – The Matter of Mud
One of Nigeria’s more popular borrowed clichés is “Politics is a dirty game”, but with many politicians managing to be in or leave government with either reputations intact and/or praise for their achievements, how can a new generation of leaders achieve this feat and make politics more palatable for greater involvement?
Lead-In – Rotimi Amaechi (Executive Governor of Rivers State) and Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Former Minister of the FCT)
Discussants
Moderator – Deji Badmus (Head of Reportorial Desk, Channels Television)
The Private Sector Alternative
(A)Emerging Leaders: Professionals – The Degrees of Separation
Is there a need for a greater interest in government by professionals or is it enough to sit behind desks and do our jobs well? The historic EnoughisEnough rallies last year and the #ABSURape saga this year signpost a new era of professional involvement which is effective because of its independence from government and politics. This panel will assess impact and the future
Lead-In – Austin Edoja-Peters (Head of Corporate Communications, Access Bank) and Folake Ani-Mumunney (Chief Marketing Officer, First Bank Nigeria)
Discussants
Moderator - Ferdinand Adimefe (Research and Development Executive, Century Energy Services Ltd)
(B)Emerging Leaders: Artistes – When is it More than a Job?
The last presidential elections threw up a new and dominant scenario where several high profile entertainers endorsed candidates for office. While this is proper practice in many developed democracies, the transactional nature of our politics led to criticism as to motivation and reward. We seek to explore the burden on entertainers, the criticism over discharge of professional duties and the correct context within which to situate such engagement
Lead-In – Abiola Alabi (Managing Director, M-Net Africa) and Obi Asika (CEO Storm 360)
Discussants
Moderator – Matse Uwatse (Presenter, Nigeria Info FM)
(C)Emerging Leaders: Entrepreneurs – Building an Alternative Resource-Base to Affect Governance
Is it time for young people with thriving businesses to put their monies where their mouths are? Is it possible to be a force for good from the outside, financing candidates, and marshalling resources to support positive change in the Nigerian society? This session will stimulate thought and action – as well as effective strategy for engagement.
Lead-In - Tonye Cole (CEO, Sahara Group) and Dumo Lulu-Briggs (CEO, DLB Marine Ltd)
Discussants
Moderator – Ohimai Atafo (Creative Director, MAI)
Driving Change from Outside
(A)Emerging Leaders: New Media Commentators – Questioning The Effectiveness of Arm-Chairs
The evolving phenomenon of the online commenter and thought leader is extensively explored, perhaps for the first time in our nation’s history. It is important to identify the dichotomy between the arm chair critic and the force for change. The accessibility and egalitarianism of the online space – blogosphere and social networks – can be a veritable tool for development – but how? And what are the rules of effective engagement?
Lead-In – Dele Momodu (Publisher, Ovation)
Discussants
Moderator - Kola Oyeneyin (CEO, Venia Business Hub)
(B)Emerging Leaders: Traditional Media – The Challenge of Responsible Influence
The Nigerian media has consistently been accused of duplicity and corruption, severely weakening its moral authority to drive the conversation. It is important to explore how much of this is exaggerated and how much is reality with a view to establishing a new credibility and moral order for the media in an information age where the consumer drives the news via a 24-hour media cycle. This panel will look at that future critically.
Lead-In – Ibim Semenitari (Former Editor, Tell Magazine/Commissioner for Information, Rivers State)
Discussants
Moderator - Dr Peju Adeniran (Editor, DocSays)
(C)Emerging Leaders: Issue Advocates/Activists – How Far Away should we stay from Government: Driving a Credible Agenda
Nigeria’s vibrant activism culture has seen many erstwhile activists make a quick cross over to government – leading to cynicism within the populace, convinced that activism is often an open invitation to patronage. This session will ruthlessly assess youth-led civil society organisations and how they can succeed with regard to motivation, intent and, sustainability.
Lead-In – Ndidi Nwuneli (Founder, LEAP Africa) and Osayi Oruene (Executive Director, FATE Foundation)
Discussants
Moderator – Rebecca Enobong Roberts (Executive/Operations Officer, Youth Empowerment and ICT Foundation)
Special Africa Session – Identifying a Continental Leadership Context
We often speak of leadership incidents that happen “only in Nigeria” – but the continent is replete with governance that is seen as corrupt, inefficient and pre-modern. The possibility of a continental push for good governance or creating a ripple effect through a network of countries working together is explored at this special session, alongside alternatives for development and growth.
Discussants
Moderator – Emmanuel Etim (Programme Manager, AUYVC-PMU/Partnerships and Ext. Relations Adviser, African Union Commission)
Photo Credit: BellaNaija.com
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________BellaNaija.com is an official media sponsor of The Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders
Original Source: Bella Maija
© 2012 Created by Saji Prelis.
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