Abati, Ogbe, Nwosu, Adesina, Abiodun Role headline Naija Times’ Diaspora Conversations today

TODAY, from 5pm, Nigeria’s lingering challenge of insecurity will engage the attention of its Diaspora community as the maiden edition of Naija Times’s Diaspora Conversations holds virtually.

The event, happening via the Zoom platform with complementary showing on Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms, is also historical for Naija Times, the online platform which began operation a little over six months ago with the self-authored mission, “Journalism in Service of Society.’

At an earlier announcement of the birth of the project, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Ehi Braimah, had said it was conceived as a consolidation of the mission of the publication to “continuously cultivate the interest of Nigerians abroad, and engaging them on issues that concern the country.”

Braimah, an avid media practitioner and writer, who is managing director of the publishing outfit, Daniel & David Communications Limited, also said, “Nigerians in the diaspora are an important demography for Naija Times and it explains why we have Diaspora News and Diaspora File sections”.

He added that the primary objectives of Naija Times Diaspora Conversations are, “to engage Nigerians in the diaspora on issues that affect us; find a common ground and make recommendations to the government; promote patriotism amongst this demography and publish a summary of each conference on Naija Times website for the benefit of our readers.”

The Editor-in-Chief hinted that subsequent themes of the conference will focus on topics that include “consular services, economic migration, diaspora remittances, investment opportunities, population growth, public health crisis, social capital, natural resources, tourism potential and development of infrastructure and so on.”

Braimah also said that the ‘Diaspora Conversations’ is only one of the several innovative initiatives the publication, launched September 15, 2020, will stage as a corporate entity. The others are the Naija Times Lecture Series and the Naija Times Investigative Journalism Awards.

On the Diaspora Conversations, Braimah said the eminent speakers had been carefully selected to offer divergent perspectives on the topic. They are:  Major General Abiodun Role (Rtd), a security expert and consultant; Dr Ikenna Nwosu, investment lawyer, public policy analyst, former vice president, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and member, Naija Times Editorial Advisory Board, and Toju Ogbe, communications strategist and doctoral student, King’s College, University of London. 

Also on the panel are two eminent journalists who have also had opportunity to work in the Nigeria seat of power: Dr Reuben Abati, columnist, public commentator, former Chairman Editorial Board of The Guardian, and ex-Senior Media Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, now lead anchor of Arise TV’s The Morning Show, and Femi Adesina, former Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief  of The Sun Newspaper, currently Senior Media Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, whose contribution will help throw light on the current challenges, as well as spotlighting the prospects of taming the festering sore. 

Meet the Panelists:

MAJ-GEN. KAMOURDEEN ABIODUN ROLE (rtd) 

With a distinguished career spanning 35 years in the Nigerian Army, Maj.Gen ‘Biodun Role specialises in Peace and Security matters, Crisis Management, Diplomacy, Negotiations, Leadership Development (ATD Certified) and Executive Coaching. He is a Resource Person/Facilitator for Nigerian Defence Academy, National Defence College, Army War College, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Nigerian Army College of Logistics and National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies. His military awards include: Grand Service Star (GSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS) and a Fellow of the Defence College (fdc+). At present, he is the Chief Executive Officer Top Role Consult, a consultancy firm that is engaged in Leadership and Talent Development, Executive Coaching and Mentoring, and Security Consultancy.

DR IKENNA NWOSU

Lawyer, ex-banker, natural resources economist, and expert in investor relations/investment promotion/ private sector development, Dr. Nwosu is a successful operator in international logistics/trade facilitation, and a seasoned veteran of over two decades in the Chamber of Commerce movement in Nigeria. With a Doctorate degree (with Distinction) in Law, from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy, University of Dundee (specialising in Energy, Natural Resources and Transnational Investment Law, Policy and Economics), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Nigeria at Nsukka, Dr. Ikenna Nwosu was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. He is a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and has been in private legal practice for 27 years as a silent partner in the law firm,  Noble Associates. He was recently appointed by the Federal Government as a Member of the Committee to draft a new National Development Plan and Medium Term Economic Framework for Nigeria.

TOJU OGBE

A Communications professional with over two decades of experience across Africa, Middle East and the UK, Ogbe is currently a doctoral candidate in Leadership Studies with Reference to Security and Development at the African Leadership Centre, King’s College, London. His research is situated at the nexus of leadership, culture and social crisis in Nigeria and the UK.

DR REUBEN ABATI

With a doctorate in Theatre Arts, specialising in Dramatic Literature, Theory and Criticism from the University of Ibadan, a Law degree from Lagos State University, Lagos, Dr Abati is a preeminent commentator on social, cultural, economic and political affairs of Nigeria. He also has a professional training certificate in journalism from the College of Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park, United States and a Certificate in Management and Leadership from  Said Business School, University of Oxford. He served as Chairman, Editorial Board and Editorial Page Editor of The Guardian Newspapers, for more than 10 years, and later as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity and Official Spokesperson in the Nigerian Presidency (2011-2015). He is currently lead anchor of Arise TV’s The Morning Show. 

FEMI ADESINA

After his studies  at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and later at the Lagos Business School, Femi Adesina started his career in journalism as a writer for Radio Lagos, and later joined Vanguard Newspapers. Adesina wrote for Vanguard Newspapers and National Concord Newspapers before joining The Sun Newspaper, where he rose to the position of editor-in-chief. He also served a two-year term as president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. Although re-elected for a second term as Guild president, Adesina stepped down after receiving his government appointment. He also stepped down as editor-in-chief of The Sun. Adesina was sworn-in as special adviser on media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari on August 31, 2015.