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Leading Intellectuals, Policymakers, Technocrats to Gather in Abuja for Reawakening the African Renaissance
Leading Intellectuals, Policymakers, Technocrats to Gather in Abuja for Reawakening the African Renaissance
By: Michael Mike
Leading intellectuals, policymakers, technocrats, and changemakers would be gathered in Abuja to engage in stimulating discussions and showcase bold ideas and disruptive solutions that can propel Africa towards a future of inclusive prosperity and sustainable development.
The gathering is organized by the School of Politics, Policy & Governance (SPPG) in partnership with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, named “Big Ideas Platform”
The first edition under the broad theme of “Reawakening the African Renaissance: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Development”, debuted in 2023 and had five dynamic citizens of Africa whose ideas illuminated bold solutions that can enhance the quality of life in African communities shared a platform to tell a diverse audience the story of their big idea.
According to a statement on Friday, this year’s edition is also a collaboration of the School of Politics, Policy & Governance (SPPG) and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, taking place on May 25th, 2024, will explore the theme “Information Technology and Behavioural Change”.
The statement added that this thought leadership initiative event will gather leading intellectuals, policymakers, technocrats, and changemakers to engage in stimulating discussions and showcase bold ideas and disruptive solutions that can propel Africa towards a future of inclusive prosperity and sustainable development.
The statement further revealed that @The Big Ideas Platform” is an intellectual convergence of concepts, a marketplace of ideas, where exceptional African minds convene to engage in robust conversations. The platform will facilitate the sharing, generation and collaboration of fresh ideas, innovative solutions and implementation strategies to address Africa’s plethora of challenges.
Speaking on the event, the CEO of SPPG,
Alero Ayida-Otobo, said: “The Big Ideas Platform is a thought leadership initiative that serves as a platform for launching new thinking, spotlighting visionary individuals, and illuminating bold ideas that have the potential to improve the lives of African communities”
According to her, the Big Ideas Platform will serve as a catalyst for change, fostering a community of forward-thinking individuals committed to translating ideas into impactful actions that shape the continent’s future.
She disclosed that the Big Ideas Platform 2024 focuses on the crucial role of information technology and behavioural change in propelling Africa towards a better future.
Dr Amina, Faculty of SPPG, said, “We must remember that technology is a tool, and for a sustainable and enduring African Renaissance, we must reconsider how technology is harnessed to drive system change that benefits everyone, helping to shift behaviour from damaging to managing our scarce resources.”
Key areas of focus at Big Ideas Platform 2024, according to the statement, will include: Blockchain technology: This is premised on immutable records to protect legal tender such as academic certificates and to earn revenue; Virtual Reality: A four-dimensional visual experience of hard-to-reach places such as conflict zones to build awareness and empathy and inform accurate urgent action; Artificial intelligence: Non-animate machines trained to think and act like humans for humans, for example, identifying fake news; Environmental Awareness: Child-centred learning tools to shift children’s understanding of waste and its management to secure wealth and the environment.
The lineup of panellists for this year’s edition include: Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, EdTech professional and Founder of Passnownow.com; Oluseun Badejo, Team Lead of SPPG Blockchain project; Mrs. Sian (Shan) Cuffy Young, Founder of Siel (Sigh-el) Environmental; and Ahmad Salkida, Investigative Reporter.
According to the statement, the event is opened to the public, and registration is free. It will be a great opportunity to learn from thought leaders and professionals, who have the requisite knowledge about improving Africa’s economy and enhancing its development.
The event is scheduled for May 25, 2024 between 11:00 AM – 12 PM WAT (GMT+1) at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre and would be zoomed live, interested members of the public are advised to register
on thesppg.org/bip2024 website and stay up to date with event updates.
Leading Intellectuals, Policymakers, Technocrats to Gather in Abuja for Reawakening the African Renaissance
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
By: Zagazola Makama
The military has arrested four police officers for allegedly providing unauthorised escort services to a VIP in contravention of the presidential directive on the withdrawal of policemen from VIP protection duties.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest occurred on Dec. 17 at about 9:30 a.m., while the officers were reportedly on escort duty.
Those arrested were identified as ASP Musa Waziri and Insp. Jeremiah Achimogu both attached to 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja; Insp. Awipi Terry of 21 PMF; and Insp. Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, Abuja.
According to security sources, the officers were arrested by military personnel after allegedly flouting the presidential order withdrawing police personnel from VIP escort duties.
The sources further disclosed that the policemen were dressed in uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly in an attempt to evade detection and deceive enforcement personnel.
The arrested officers have since been detained, while disciplinary procedures have been initiated against them in line with extant regulations.
The Federal Government had earlier directed the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties to redeploy manpower to core policing and internal security operations across the country.
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits, suspected to be insurgents, have attacked a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) nipping point at Ibrahim Leteh Village along the Wawa–Luma Road in Niger State.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the attack occurred on Dec. 22 at about 4:30 a.m., when a large number of the assailants stormed the outpost and opened fire.
Security sources said two NSCDC personnel on duty took cover during the attack, while the bandits riddled the patrol vehicle and the mini office at the location with bullets.
The sources added that one G3 rifle, officially assigned to an NSCDC personnel, was carted away by the attackers during the incident.
No casualty was recorded in the attack.
The scene was later visited by security operatives, and photographs were taken for investigation and documentation.
Efforts are currently ongoing to recover the stolen rifle and apprehend the suspects, while security presence in the area has been reinforced.
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than nine persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal motor vehicle accident along the Yola Road in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Zagazola gathered that the accident occurred on Dec. 22 at about 7:00 a.m. near Kaluwa Village and involved a DAF truck and a Sharon commercial vehicle, both travelling in the same direction.
Sources said the DAF truck, with registration number BLG 551 XA, driven by Umar Abubakar, 41, from Potiskum, Yobe State, reportedly rammed into the Sharon vehicle, with registration number GME 19 XC, driven by Garba Sule, 60.
As a result of the impact, the driver of the truck lost control, causing the vehicle to somersault and fall by the roadside.
Victims of the accident were rushed to the General Hospital in Kaltungo, where nine unidentified persons were confirmed dead on arrival.
The sources also said two other unidentified persons were trapped inside the DAF truck, while efforts were ongoing to evacuate them.
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
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