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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 Monday, 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 9:00 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
Troops Neutralise Suspected Boko Haram Fighter, Recover Logistics Items in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with local vigilantes and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have neutralised a suspected Boko Haram fighter and recovered logistics items during an ambush at Gwadale deserted village along the Ngoshe–Kirawa road in Adamawa State.
Sources said that at about 12:50 a.m. on Thursday, troops engaged a confirmed number of suspected terrorists who were conveying logistics items.
The troops opened fire with a high volume of rounds, resulting in the neutralisation of one terrorist, while others reportedly fled in disarray with possible gunshot wounds.
Following the engagement, troops conducted exploitation of the general area and recovered one carton of Klin detergent and a bag of salt. The troops returned to their forward operating base at Pulka at about 2:30 a.m. same day.
Officials said the operation illustrated ongoing efforts to disrupt Boko Haram’s supply lines and restore security in the affected axis.
Troops Neutralise Suspected Boko Haram Fighter, Recover Logistics Items in Adamawa
Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Supplier Arrested in Hong LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops have arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier, Ismail Muhammed, 28, in the Visik General area of Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
Sources said the arrest was carried out on Thursday by the troops of 28 Task Force Brigade in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters.
Items recovered from the suspect included one AK-47 magazine, one round of 7.62mm special ammunition, a jungle hat, 10 bags of salt, two cartons of spaghetti, two sachets of seasoning cubes, a sachet of tom-tom, and bitter kola.
The suspect is currently in custody for further investigation, authorities said, as operations continue to disrupt Boko Haram supply chains in the North-East region.
Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Supplier Arrested in Hong LGA
Attack on BIR Post in Bargaram Leaves One Soldier Dead, Five Wounded
By: Zagazola Makama
At least one soldier was killed and five others wounded during a night attack on a Battalion of the Rapid Intervention Brigade (BIR) post along the Cameroon-Nigeria border in Bargaram.
Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred between the night of Feb. 18 and the early hours of Feb. 19 at approximately 01:00 a.m., when armed assailants launched an assault on the military installation.
The attack resulted in the death of Private Second Class WAKOM Spkassa Barthélémy (Service No. T2024/53715), while five soldiers sustained injuries, including one reported in critical condition.
Security forces reportedly engaged the attackers, neutralizing five terrorists and recovering a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. Items seized include eight AK-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, one anti-personnel rocket, two anti-tank rockets, a grenade launcher, 11 AK-47 magazine boxes, 242 rounds of 7.62 x 54 mm ammunition, 121 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition, a motorcycle, and a camera.
The wounded soldiers were evacuated to the District Hospital of Mada for medical treatment, while the body of the fallen soldier was transferred to the mortuary of the Regional Hospital of Maroua.
Authorities have been urged intensified security measures along the border region to prevent further attacks and maintain operational readiness.
Attack on BIR Post in Bargaram Leaves One Soldier Dead, Five Wounded
Troops Neutralise Suspected Boko Haram Fighter, Recover Logistics Items in Adamawa
Nigerian Navy Chief of Operations, Rear Admiral Musa Katagum, dies after illness
Army Arrests Boko Haram Drone Supplier, Neutralises Top Commander in Madagali, Adamawa
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