In order to drive the conversation on critical national issues, Goddy Jidenma Foundation will hold the sixth edition of its bi-annual lecture at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, on November 26.
According to a statement made available to BusinessDay, the lecture is part of the Foundation’s objectives to promote thought leadership through its bi-annual public lecture series.
Like always, this year’s lecture will focus on engaging the Nigerian public on issues of national and continental relevance, and former director of Kenyan Anti-Corruption Commission and Kenya School of Laws, Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba will facilitate the lecture as the guest lecturer.
Lumumba is expected to bring his anti-corruption crusade experience to bear on issues stemming from corruption that are holding down growth in Africa when he speaks on the lecture topic: ‘Governance, Insecurity, Poverty and Economic Development: Whither Africa?’
BusinessDay also learns that the event will be chaired by Joy Ogwu, former minister of foreign affairs and former permanent representative of Nigeria at the United Nations.
“Goddy Jidenma Foundation is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that was established in 2007 in the memory of Arc Goddy Jidenma, who died in 2006. He was a selfless leader who made indelible impacts in the lives of the people around him particularly among the disadvantaged.
“He achieved this through philanthropic acts that helped to uplift and improve the living conditions of widows, orphans, aged spinsters amongst others,” the statement reads.
Since the foundation held its first lecture in 2009 with a topical lecture by the renowned constitutional lawyer, Ben Nwabueze, on ‘Strengthening the Foundations and Institutions of Democracy in Africa’, the foundation has been successful in contributing to national development though significantly engaging lectures.
Relevant issues of national import have been addressed through topics like “Democracy and the Politics of Petroleum: comparative African Perspectives”, “Leadership, Responsibility & Good Governance”, and “The Challenge of Economic Growth in Nigeria”
Key political players, thought leaders as well as captains of industries are expected to be present at this year’s event.
“Attendance at the Lecture is free and the Nigerian public is invited to this Lecture which is expected to be highly informative and thought provoking and contribute to this year’s discourse which is of great national and continental relevance,” the statement further reads.
