Theme: GOOD GOVERNANCE VS INEQUALITY AND XENOPHOBIA

Our theme this time is centered around the three big issues in Africa at the moment…. INEQUALITY is growing, so that is the problem. XENOPHOBIA is increasing, and that is the symptom… GOOD GOVERNANCE is much needed. That is the solution. So in short we have themed this; INEQUALITY, XENOPHOBIA AND THE CHALLENGES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

MERIT HOUSE
NICON LUXURY HOTEL
MAITAMA ABUJA, Abuja Federal Capital Territory
Nigeria

AYO AWE-JOSEPH

Ayo started playing music at the age of 18 while pursuing a career in the Military. He has combined skills on the Trombone and Saxophone. AAJ as affectionately known plays a fusion of Inspirational Jazz, Gospel, Ballads, and Blue Rhythm in a variety of settings. He is a pioneering member of the group "Brass Serpent", an Afro gospel band in the 90’s that was later renamed “The Apostles”. Ayo formed his own group in the late 90’s called “Jazz Epistle” with 8 members and has performed extensively across the globe. Ayo has recorded 2 successful albums, WHAT A FRIEND and PLEASANT PLACES. Ayo Awe-Joseph is passionate about good governance and the Nigerian project; he believes to attain excellence in governance, “the best amongst us should lead the rest of us”. Ayo is a full time husband and a full time daddy; he is happily married with 2 children. Ayo Awe-Joseph is the chief executive officer of Integrated Promotions and Productions, “an Entertainment and Event Planning Organization.”

BASH AMUNENI

Basiru Sunday Amuneni - "Bash" is an Architect, Essayist, Performance Poet, and has 7 years experience as a Banker. He is the Co-editor of ‘Through the eyes of innocence’ - a collection of poetry written by children under 15 years. The compilation captures their honest and naïve thoughts on the Nigerian situation. This project was fully and privately funded as an attempt to give voice to young poets and also provide a platform where children can speak up in an atmosphere of healthy competition. Bash has performed at various platforms around the Country. He is a member of the Abuja Literary Society,EB Arts & Poetry club, Jos, Plateau State and one of the figures behind the movement, Freedom Hall Abuja- which provides an atmosphere where everyday people can express their innate talents to an everyday crowd.

BIMBO DARAMOLA

Congressman, Nigerian House of Representative. Human Rights Advocate

CHRIS NGWODO

Chris Ngwodo is a writer, public speaker and strategic communications consultant. He has facilitated strategic management and organizational change retreats for a range of private sector and public sector organizations. He has confidentially written speeches and high level policy documents for offices in the federal government and state governments as well as for development sector institutions. Chris Ngwodo is a member of the technical team of the Every Nigerian Child Project (ENCP), a policy advocacy group working in collaboration with international development partners, to improve the quality and effectiveness of education in Nigeria. He is also a member of the Initiative for the Advancement of Good Leadership, a non-profit that is engaged in civic advocacy, governance-related issues and creating spaces for informed public debate.

CHRISTINE K

Christine K heads the Nigeria Office of hbs, which is a political foundation affiliated to the Green Party in Germany. The Foundation has 30 offices around the globe, where it supports a dialogue around green development options. In Nigeria, this dialogue currently revolves around industrialization, electricity, gender rights and how citizens and government can plan Nigeria’s future together. What are the options to grow Nigeria without destroying our planet Earth? Before joining the Foundation, Christine has worked for the BBC as a radio producer (in Hausa) and as a journalism trainer. She has developed and run nationwide behaviour change campaigns in Nigeria. She’s lived in Nigeria for more than 13 years (Kano, Lagos, Abuja) and is an alumni of Bayero University Kano.

EMMAN SHEHU

EMMAN USMAN HARANDE SHEHU (PhD) hails from Maradun in Zamfara State, has a wealth of experience as a radio and television presenter, editor, editorial page editor, editorial board chairman, ombudsman, media consultant and activist. He currently heads the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) in Abuja and is the founding editor of Cavalcade ( international journal of writing , criticism and art) and Dugwe ( an in-house literary journal of the Abuja Writers Forum). Both journals are published by the Abuja Writers Forum. Dr Shehu was part of the team that drew up the framework for the start up in 2014 of the New Telegraph Newspaper. He is also the Editorial Board Chairman and contributes a regular column. He is also part of the Strategic Communications Team of the BringBackOurGirls advocacy. The advocacy started in April 2014, following the abduction of 263 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram insurgents.

HENRY AGBONIKA

Henry Anibe Agbonika is a development thinker, critical analyst, human development advocate and community mobilizer with over ten years of experience in the support of sustainable economic growth across Nigeria. A PhD candidate in Development Communication at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, He is a product of several institutions including the Coady International Institute of the St Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Canada, the Kogi State University, Anyigba and the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja. Mr. Agbonika’s contributions to the development of Nigeria cuts across various sectors, particularly solid minerals, agricultural value chain development and the environment. He currently serves in an advisory capacity with one of the leading bilateral institutions in the country.

ISMAEEL AHMED

Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, born in 1980 from Kano State. 
Earned a Bachelors Degree from University of Abuja and a Masters from Webster University in St. Louis Missouri, USA. 
He is a member of several charitable organizations and also found the first Nigerian Voluntary Teaching Community of Teach4Nigeria.org. 
He formed the first youth group of APC to give young people the platform to help in building a party from the scratch, called the APYF. 
He is a member of several committees within the APC, a special adviser to the Kano state Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and a leading partner in Barclays Chambers, and Abuja Law Firm. 
He is a fellow of Nigerian Leadership Institute (NLI).

KASIM SODANGI

Kasim Sodangi is a lawyer by training and is currently employed in investment advisory. He's interest include apologetics and political economy.

KAZEEM SANUSI

Kazeem seeks the sustainable growth of Nigeria by utilizing his skills and potentials to facilitate context-sensitive approaches in policy and projects. He holds a BSc URP and a MPhil Transport Studies* . His professional affiliations are SAPI, ITSSA, SAICE, NITP*, and TOPREC*. Kazeem is a Managing Partner at Development Facilitation and Strategic Planning Limited, and Mapping Without Limits Limited as well as a Trustee at Reforms Plus – NGO focused on Governance and Public Sector Reforms, amongst others, in Nigeria.

OTERI OKOLO

Dr Okolo Oteri holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree from the University of Benin. She is an award winning fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College and the West African College of Surgeons. A social commentator she is passionate about responsible leadership and the rule of law. She is happily married with 2 boys.

PETRA AKINTI-ONYEGBULE

Petra Akinti Onyegbule is a development practitioner with bias for advocacy. A graduate of Sociology, Petra has worked previously in social development sector. Her daughter, Ruby, born at 25 weeks, is the inspiration behind Tiny Beating Hearts Initiative. Hence the organisation was founded with the aim and objective of reducing neonatal mortality with special focus on preemies.

SIMBO OLORUNFEMI

Simbo Olorunfemi currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of HoofbeatDotCom, a Strategic Communications Consultancy with interests in Advertising, Publishing, Public Relations, Research and Brand Strategy. He is a Ph.D candidate in International Relations at the University of Lagos, with Masters Degrees in Political Science and International Law and Diplomacy. He has a Post-graduate diploma in Journalism and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He is passionate about consumer protection, and has volunteered his service to many community causes. He has served on the Executive Council of one of Nigeria’s foremost NGO, the Sunshine Foundation for the Aged for over 22 years.

TAOPHEEK BABAYEJU

Taopheek is a seasoned professional with hands-on experience in Project Management, Technology and Entrepreneurship. He is known for his detailed and analytical approach to solving problems, he specialises in using technology and innovations to enhance business models and processes. He serves as the Programme Director of ProMaCon, an initiative that won him PMI award for the "Most Outstanding Contribution to Project Management in Nigeria”. He was the Vice President, Outreach of the Project Management Institute (PMI Nigeria) and a member of the Society for Monitoring and Evaluation of Nigeria (SMEAN). He is also an international correspondent for PM Forum and PM World Today Journal, and an editorial board member of PM Foresight Magazine. He is a Certified Entrepreneurial Manager, trainer and public affairs analyst.

UKAMAKA OLISAKWE

Ukamaka Olisakwe was raised in Kano State, Nigeria. Her debut novel, Eyes of a Goddess, which was published in 2012, was listed by This Is Africa as one of the best 100 books by African writers and her screenplay, a 104-episode TV series, has been produced and is currently aired on DSTV. Her essays and short stories have been published in the New York Times, Saraba Magazine and many other reputable literary magazines. Ukamaka was selected in the Africa39 project as one of the 39 most promising writers under the age of 40 from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Diaspora. She was also a delegate at the 8th Pan African Congress in Ghana. Before her budgeoning literary career, Ukamaka worked in the Nigerian banking industry