Fayemi to Deliver Prince Emeka Obasi Inaugural Memorial Lecture May 2

Oluchi Chibuzor

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, would on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, deliver the Prince Emeka Obasi Inaugural Memorial Lecture at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, beginning at 10.00 a.m.

Fayemi would speak on, “If This Giant Must Walk; Manifesto for a New Nigeria”.

A statement by the Chairman, Advisory Board, Business Hallmark Public Policy Forum (PPF), Marc Wabara, stated that the lecture was organised in honour of the second anniversary of the late founder and publisher of Business Hallmark Newspaper, Prince Emeka Obasi.

On the lecture theme, Wabara stated that, “our consistent inability to address the failure of the Nigerian state to optimally deploy its abundant manpower and resources to fast track its growth and development after six decades of attaining political independence, as well as an overriding desire to sustain Prince Obasi’s passion for a Nigeria that takes her pride of place in the comity of nations were compelling factors.

“Nigeria should not be under performing the way it is doing right now. However, ignorance and lack of thorough appreciation of issues are some of the problems militating against the rapid development of our country.

“It is our conviction that Nigerians must first of all accept that there is a problem with the country before devising ways of helping her.

“We were therefore inspired to organise this lecture to help sustain our late publisher’s passion for a Nigeria that takes her pride of place in the comity of nations”.

On the choice of Fayemi as the guest speaker, Wabara maintained that the former Ekiti governor and former Minister of Solid Minerals Development has a lot to share with the public on his success stories in the private and public sectors.

“He has distinguished himself as one of the best public servants the nation has ever produced while at the helm of affairs as Ekiti governor and Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

“Many Nigerians will benefit from his pool of experience”, he added.

After Fayemi’s presentation, a distinguished four man panel made up of Prof. Pat Utomi, founder and CEO of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL); Prof. Anthony Kila, Director, Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS); Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi, Chairman and Founder, Proshare Nigeria and Senator Shehu Sanni, an author and social activist,  will analyse and offer insights on the major themes discussed.

The statement added that former Cross River Governor, Donald Duke, would chair the event, while  Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, is the Special Guest of Honour.

“This lecture is billed as a Masterclass presentation given the retinue of speakers that have been assembled at the event.

“They represent some of the country’s finest minds with a cerebral disposition to issues and a fine blend of public sector and private leadership experience. It promises to be a worthwhile session.

“This lecture is planned to be a consistent cyclical event,” Wabara added.

Prince Emek Obasi, a veteran journalist and founder of the Hallmark Newspaper Group, was also a PR expert, author and former Commissioner for Information, Abia State. He passed on to glory on March 15, 2022 at the age of 58 in Lagos and was buried in his country home, Umuaroko, Ndume Ibeku, Umuahia North, Abia State on April 14, 2022.