According to verifiable data, one out of five Africans everywhere is a Nigerian. Nigeria will have a population of four hundred million people by year 2050 according to United nations estimation. This indicates that Nigeria is pivotal to the continent of Africa and until Nigeria gets it right, the progress of Africa will be stunted as experienced in the last 6 decades.
It is on this premise that The Conversation Africa presents: THE NIGERIAN CONVERSATION with the Theme: THE NIGERIAN PROMISE; THE NIGERIAN DREAM, THE NIGERIAN IDENTITY as its first instalment in The Conversation Africa Series.
It is evident that in Nigeria today, nation building is the need of the hour and as Benjamin Disraeli said, “The Youths of a nation are the trustees of posterity”. For the youth to become trustees indeed, there must be a clear understanding of their national values, promises, dreams and identity. The Nigerian youths are gradually becoming politically aware, demanding change at different quarters, and are continuously growing interest in the process of governance. With the highest percentage of Nigeria’s population being between the ages of 15 to 65, Nigeria’s population is no doubt a young population and this holds big opportunities for socio-economic growth in the country, if properly harnessed.
The huge population of the youths can also serve as a great asset for political transformation within a democratic space. It is, therefore, pertinent that the youths understand the dream that birthed the nation Nigeria, the promise that it holds for their future, their roles in bringing this to reality and the identity that they must embrace and own in order to see that this dreams and promises fulfilled.
The Nigeria Conversation is scheduled to hold in Lagos, Nigeria
Date: Saturday, 7th November, 2020
Venue: The Citadel, 30, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos
Time: 10am prompt.
The event will also be streamed live on popular Social Media platforms. Register here to be a part of this event.
| Program | Dates | Schedules | People |
| The Nigerian Promise | November 7th, 2020 | 9.30am – 12pm | Panelists |
| Highlight of first session | November 7th, 2020 | 12:15 – 1pm | TCA Team |
| The Nigerian Dream | November 7th, 2020 | 1pm – 3pm | Panelists |
| Highlight of Second session | November 7th, 2020 | 3.15pm – 4pm | TCA Team |
| The Nigerian Identity | November 7th, 2020 | 4pm – 6pm | Panellists |
THE NIGERIAN PROMISE
What really is the Nigerian Promise?
The promise made by our founding fathers is an unfolding journey to greatness of a nation where though tribes and tongues may differ, the potential of every and all Nigerians can and will be realized. This promise seems truncated by continuous distrust and suspicion by each geo-political zone, the year of locust by the military incursion and the seeming never ending corruption the pervades our private enterprise and public service.
THE NIGERIAN DREAM
The Nigerian dream finds its roots in a compelling crystal-clear picture of the future we desire despite our current realities. The dream of a united Nigeria with equal access to opportunity regardless of pedigree, background, or status. The dream deeply rooted in our founding anthem at independence and embodied by our forebearers in their speeches, policies, and lifestyle. The dream seems deferred, it is drifting, derailed, and almost destroyed but that is what great dreams are made of which always snatch victory out of the jaws of Defeat.
THE NIGERIAN IDENTITY
If you are rootless you are fruitless.
Our identity is marred in cultural biases, ethnic coloration, tribal sentiments, religious ambiguities, gender innuendos and generational differences. If you do not know who you are, you will answer to who you are called. Who are we really and how do we manifest our authentic identity and express the indomitable spirit, resilient psyche, and infectious sense of humour regardless of circumstances?
Our distinguished Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker is Dr. Tunde Bakare, The Inaugural Chairman, Advisory Council, Royal Commonwealth Society, Africa
Dr. Tunde Bakare
Serving Overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, The Convener, Save Nigeria Group and The Inaugural Chairman of the Advisory Counsel, Royal Commonwealth Society, Africa.
His Excellency, Peter Obi
Former Governor of Anambra State and Vice-Presidential Candidate 2019 Nigerian General Elections.
Prof. Pat Utomi
Former Presidential Candidate and Founder, Centre For Values in Leadership.
Hon. Mohammed Musa Bello
The Honorable Minister of The Federal Capital Territory
Chief Ayo Adebanjo
Elder Statesman and Founder of the Afenifere Group
General Yakubu Gowon
Elder Statesman and Former Head of State of Nigeria
Chioma Ajunwa-Opara MON
Olympic Gold Medalist and the Founder/ President, Chioma Ajunwa Foundation
His Excellency, Babagana Umara Zulum
The Executive Governor Borno State
Dr Joe Okei Odumakin
Founder, Women Arise For Change Initiative
Akinwumi Adesina
President of the African Development Bank
Innocent Ujah Idibia (2 Baba)
Award Winning Musician and Founder of Hypertek Digital Record Label Company
Fola Adeola
Member of the Commission for Africa, One of the Founding members of Guaranty Trust Bank and Chairman FATE Foundation
His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
The Executive Governor of Kaduna State
Tonye Cole
Co-Founder and Former Executive Director of Sahara Group
Poju Oyemade
Senior Pastor and Founder, The Covenant Nation and Convener of The Platform Nigeria
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
Co-Founder Sahel Consulting
Atedo Peterside
Founder and Pioneer CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Chairman Atedo N. A Peterside Foundation
His Eminence Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
14th Emir of Kano State, Former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and The Chancellor Kaduna State University
Ibukun Awosika
Chairman of the Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria and MD/CEO Soko Chair
Bishop Most. Rev Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah
Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese Sokoto
Amina J. Mohammed
Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations
Arunma Oteh OON
Former Treasurer & Vice President of The World Bank
Prof. Is-haq Olarenwaju Oloyede
Secretary General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs
Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba
Director of The Kenya School of Laws
Panel Sessions
The Nigerian Promise
Anchor:
- Peter Obi.
- Pat Utomi.
- Mohammed Musa Bello.
- Ayo Adebanjo.
- Yakubu Gowon.
- Chioma Ajunwa
- Babagana Zulum
- Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
The Nigerian Dream
Anchor: Segun Awosanya (SEGA) & Omoakhalen Omoaholo
- Akinwumi Adesina
- Tu face Idibia
- Fola Adeola
- Nasir El-Rufai
- Tonye Cole
- Poju Oyemade
- Ndidi Nwuneli
- Atedo Peterside
The Nigerian Identity
Anchor: TY Bello, Nadah Fauno
- Dr Tunde Bakare
- Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
- Ibukun Awosika
- Rev. Bishop Matthew Kukah
- Amina Mohammed
- Arunma Oteh
- Prof. Is-haq Olarenwaju Oloyede (Secretary General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs)
- Prof. Patrick Lumumba