Osinbajo to Speak on Greening Africa’s Economies at the NCF 23rd Chief S.L Edu Memorial Lecture
Fadekemi Ajakaiye
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has announced the details of the 23rd Chief S.L Edu Memorial Lecture. The lecture which is hosted annually by the NCF, in collaboration with the family of Late Chief S.L. Edu will hold on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 11:00am. The event will hold at Ijewere Hall, CIBN, Plot 19, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The lecture, themed “Greening Africa’s Economies: Can Climate Positive Growth Deliver Prosperity?”, will be delivered by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, Former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture is the flagship advocacy tool of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation aimed at bringing pertinent environmental issues to the fore while advocating solutions through renowned speakers. For over two decades, the lecture has provided a platform to address pressing environmental and sustainability issues in Nigeria and beyond. Through renowned speakers, the event has consistently articulated solutions to environmental challenges while promoting sustainable development.
This year’s theme reflects the urgency of climate-positive growth to drive sustainable economic development across Africa. With the growing impact of climate change on economies, livelihoods, and ecosystems, the lecture aims to stimulate discussions on fostering green economies that balance prosperity with environmental responsibility. Prof Osinbajo who is renowned for his commitment to economic transformation and sustainable development will deliver a lecture that will highlight pathways for Africa to achieve climate-positive growth while creating prosperity and resilience for its people.
Now in its 23rd edition, the Annual Memorial Lecture equally serves to award grants to two PhD students whose research are in the field of environmental sciences in any Nigerian universities. The grant which is sponsored by Chevron Nigeria Limited, seeks to promote research works in nature conservation, biodiversity preservation, environmental management, and sustainable livelihood. Selection of successful candidates is done through months of rigorous adjudication exercise involving academics, professionals and stakeholders in the fields of conservation.
Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture has achieved significant gains in shaping public opinions and government policies in Nigeria and to some extent, globally. It has equally supported many researchers in fulfilling research goals and contributing to the body of knowledge across the field of environmental science. After each lecture, recommendations from the lecture are shared with the government and stakeholders.
As a leading tool for advocacy, the target audience are policy makers, conservation stakeholders, government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, the academia, traditional rulers, researchers, NCF Board of Trustees and National Executive Council (NEC), NCF members, local and international press among others. The event remains cardinal to the achievement of the Foundation’s vision and mission. Participation at this event is free.
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) is Nigeria’s premier environmental non-governmental organization dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development. The Foundation was founded in 1980 by the late Chief S.L Edu and registered as a Charitable Trust in 1982. The Foundation is the Birdlife International Partner in Nigeria, an Associate of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and a Member of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Other notable international partners are Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Wetlands International. NCF also maintains strong collaboration with governments at all levels, corporate organisations, communities, and individuals in the country.
