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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
FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 59 suspects during coordinated raids across major black spots and criminal hideouts in Abuja.
Sources revealed that the raids were conducted late Saturday by operatives from Apo, Kubwa, Karu, Karmo, Life Camp, Maitama, Wuse, Mabushi, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Zuba, and Tungan Maje Divisions.
The police said the operation targeted uncompleted buildings and identified criminal hideouts within the divisions’ areas of responsibility.
According to the sources, all suspects are currently undergoing screening and interrogation, and those found culpable will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the command is also investigating an alleged suicide involving a 20-year-old labourer identified as Alfred Habila, from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Habila was reportedly found hanging in an uncompleted building behind River Park Estate, Lugbe, on Sunday morning.
A resident, Engr. Jatto Abdulkareem, told the police that he received a distress call from another resident, Joshua, who discovered the deceased’s body around 8 a.m.
Police operatives who visited the scene took photographs and conveyed the victim to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy and preservation, while investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe
Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Sokoto State have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits on Mangwarori Kwandawa area of Isa town, Isa Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that
heavily armed bandits invaded the community, shooting sporadically in an attempt to penetrate the town.
According to the sources , troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA army responded swiftly and engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted several minutes.
The superior firepower of the security forces forced the attackers to retreat into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds.
The sources added that four civilians sustained minor injuries from stray bullets during the exchange, while no casualties were recorded among security personnel.
Security operatives are currently conducting bush combing operations to trace the fleeing bandits, while adjoining divisions have been placed on alert to block possible escape routes.
Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community
NSA, service chiefs meet over Trump’s directive on Nigeria
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, is currently meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, following reports of a directive by U.S. President Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria.
A security source told Zagazola Makama that the emergency meeting, which began on Monday afternoon, is aimed at assessing the implications of Trump’s statement accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant groups.
Trump’s remarks, made late Saturday, alleged that the U.S. military was being prepared to “act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy” a statement that has triggered widespread concern across diplomatic and security circles in Abuja.
According to the source, the NSA convened the session to coordinate a unified national security response and review intelligence assessments on the potential fallout of the U.S. president’s pronouncement.
Zagazola reports that Trump did not specify which killings he was referring to, though claims of a “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria have been circulating in some right-wing U.S. circles in recent months.
However, independent monitoring groups and analysts have noted that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism and banditry in the country, with no evidence of a targeted campaign against one faith.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated through official channels from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
NSA, service chiefs meet over Trump’s directive on Nigeria
FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe
Electoral officer rescued as one killed, others injured in Kontagora election violence
Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community
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