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Tag: Bola Tinubu Colloquium

  • Post-poll bluster

    Crave a window into post-poll bluff and bluster, from the electorally vanquished?  Go no farther than the lair of the Ebora Owu!

    But then, want a double-take: into the jaunts, at the victors’?  Check out the vibes, from the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, the 2019 version of the yearly feast of ideas, put together to mark Asiwaju Tinubu’s 67th birthday.

    But between the Ebora Owu and the Jagaban Borgu, there may well be playing out Nigeria’s 21st century equivalent of the Greek mythical change of regnant orders: the Olympian overthrow of the Titan gods.

    The Titans were giants: powerful and strong.  The Olympians were a marvel: beautiful and nimble.  But the time, in Greek mythology, was ripe for change — from raw strength to dazzling brains.

    But the beauty was the Titans knew, not without pains, when to quit.  They bowed out with rare grace.  The Olympians too, took over with even rarer magnanimity.

    It’s the dazzling beauty of Greek mythology, as captured by John Keats’s incomplete long poem, “Hyperion”.

    But it’s all a simple yet sweeping metaphor, in Greek traditional common sense, of the grace of wisely yielding to change — as the Titans splendidly did.

    In contemporary Nigeria, however, that common sense would appear not common — and the bluff and bluster, from the camp of the Ebora Owu, is prime evidence.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is, for good or for ill, one of the towering figures of the current 4th Republic, right from its dawn on 29 May 1999.

    He was not only the republic’s first elected — and two-term — president, he embraced Breton-Woods orthodoxy (most especially, in his second term, 2003-2007), which triggered “reforms” that nevertheless under-developed Nigeria; and mushroomed poverty, just for Nigeria to blissfully count among serf-countries, in the West’s neo-economic imperialism.

    Needless to say, the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari (incidentally, the only re-elected president after Obasanjo) is changing all that.

    PMB’s alternative economic philosophy not only pulled Nigeria from recession, the putative economic stability, that had resulted, has even spurred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cut the monetary policy rate (MPR) from 14 % to 13.5 %.

    If that heralds a new dawn, it could well result in progressively lower MPR, crashed interest rates, cheaper credit to fund business and, other things being equal, a booming economy; and eventually, development and prosperity.

    That is the sound bite that came from the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, with the celebrator himself advising the PMB economic team to shun any hike in the value-added tax (VAT) — being canvassed, by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), to rise from 5 % to between 8.5% to 10% by 2019 year end.

    Aside, Tinubu harped on the imperative of infrastructure upscale — better roads, more modern rail, etc., as the administration has already started — but insisted that electricity held the ace to power the economy into global reckoning.

    Still, he decried estimated billing: the cash cow of electricity distribution companies (DisCos), pushing their democratic right to extort payment sans service — another Obasanjo-era legacy of corrupt privatization.

    But he also charged the PMB government to deliver more electricity to power factories: to create jobs, reduce poverty and spread prosperity.  That, the Jagaban called, “the government working for the people”, thus challenging the people to also work for the government.

    The sweet mutuality of the state working for its people, and a challenged but immensely pleased people working for their state, is never more beautifully put!  That is the fundament of patriotism; and it had its apogee in ancient Sparta.

    Yet, that ethos was almost extinct, in the Obasanjo era (1999-2015).  Back then, government policy became arbitrary ticket to enrich a few friends, but ruin the majority.

    Elections themselves became a criminal selection process, to fulfil all righteousness in periodic (s)elections; with nary any righteousness in the whole charade.

    That flared in 2003, when Obasanjo “won” re-election.   But it hit the very nadir in 2007, when the outgoing president, after a crashed attempt to corral a third term contrary to constitutional provisions, pushed forth a mortally ill Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

    To be sure, elections from 2015 have not become voter el dorados.  In 2015, violence was higher but more localized, to some traditional flashpoints, especially Rivers State.

    In 2019, there was less violence across the board.  But the violence was more spread out, due mainly to non-democrats insisting on, by hook or by crook, “winning” democratic elections.

    The more spread out violence has sent the losers’ camp howling, and projecting the electoral Armageddon that suits their troubled psyche.

    But the election results have shown Nigerian elections are getting better, even if it hasn’t hit the desirable models many Nigerians dream.

    Still, it would appear far better than the brigandage that ruled the roost in 2003 and 2007, when some lobbies, in some parts of the country, abusing the so-called “federal might”, just sat down to cook and award figures.

    Incidentally, 2007 and its do-or-die election marked the beginning of the end for the Obasanjo era, though it would take another eight years (2007-2015) for that Titanic to sink.

    Ironically now, it’s the old evil selectorate, that progressively ruined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), that now try to pooh-pooh the electoral gains recorded since 2015.

    Obasanjo, the fountain head of that ancien regime, crunching his sour grapes, sees nothing but chaos in the emerging new order; and blusters over his old power and glory, that nevertheless brought nothing but ruin to the majority.

    That is why he would claim Nigerians were more divided today than ever – a contentious hyperbole, for Nigerian “unity” was also a serious issue under his presidency; brag he was the longest serving Nigerian leader (as if sheer length approximates quality delivery); and go to South Africa to resume his charge for the youth to “snatch power”.

    But the last time Obasanjo had the chance to walk his talk on that, he abandoned his darling “youth” and scampered into Abubakar Atiku’s camp!

    The Ebora and the Jagaban, therefore, epitomize two contrasts: the one led an old order to perdition; the other preaches salvation with an emerging order, even as the fierce transition battle rages.

    The former president, not being a classical scholar, might not gain much by the Titan-ic wisdom: of embracing change with painful grace.

    Still, the theology scholar in him should school him in the utmost danger of making false fires.  That was the tragedy of Nadab and Abihu, the two blighted sons of the Levite, Aaron, who made false fires to the Jehovah (Leviticus: 10, 1-2).

    But “false fires” is only a spiritual lingo for cant.  Hauling cant, with the fond hope of subverting change, earns nothing but extreme diminution.

    That is what the former president should be wary of, even as he comes to grip with his post-poll de-mystification.

  • Buhari not an orator but action man, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said President Muhammadu Buhari may not be an orator but he has a track record of getting things done.

    Osinbajo said this while representing the President at the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium at the International Conference Centre on Thursday in Abuja.

    Osinbajo described Tinubu as an astute politician whose political achievements only very few Nigerians can boast of.

    The event, which was tagged “Next Level”, is a yearly programme to commemorate the birthday of the APC leader and former Governor of Lagos State.

    Tinubu, while addressing the gathering joked that the Vice President is “talented but evasive”.

    Read also: How Tinubu led ACN to reclaim lost states in 2007, by Osinbajo

    He commended the current administration efforts and called on Nigerian s to cooperate with the government in moving the country to the next level.

    Tinubu said that the phrase “Next-Level” is not just a political slogan but a call to action for change and development of Nigeria.

    The event was graced by dignitaries from all spheres of the life including members of the federal executive council and the National Assembly, Royal Fathers, Governors and members of the public.

  • Buhari, Asiwaju and 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium

    This year’s Bola Tinubu Colloquium, marking the 66th birthday of Asiwaju Tinubu, may have come and gone, but it was an occasion many will not forget in a hurry. The galaxy of dignitaries in attendance, the high quality of presentations made and speeches delivered and the moving accounts rendered by beneficiaries of the social investment programmes of the government made the event a highly memorable one. This 10th edition of the colloquium confirms the platform has come to be accepted as a forum for the critical interrogation of the nation’s problems and presentation of substantive ideas for the way-forward.

    This year’s theme- ‘Investing in People’ was particularly apt. It drew attention to governmental programmes improving the lives of many poor and vulnerable Nigerians. It was eye-opening to see and hear people from all parts of the country narrate how a particular government programme that invested in ordinary people enabled many to leave the ranks of the unemployed or poverty-stricken by starting their businesses or acquiring skills that enabled them to gain employment. Students emotionally recounted how the school feeding program enabled them to have at least one solid meal a day and how this has been a magnet for them and others to attend school by overcoming the hunger and poverty that previously kept them away from the classroom.

    President Muhammadu Buhari who had attended the 8th edition of the colloquium held in Abuja made a return at this year’s event. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who leads a committee of Tinubu’s associates to organize the annual programme, did a superlative job with this event. At least 20 state governors, captains of industry, prominent traditional rulers from across the country, members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries attended.

    In a powerful speech, Vice President Osinbajo recounted how the idea for the colloquium was born and its essence. He said the idea was based on Asiwaju Tinubu’s encouragement of lively debate and discussion among his cabinet and other advisors while he was Lagos State governor. The Vice President explained the philosophy behind the social investment programmes of the Buhari administration, emphasizing that the establishment of this social safety net was unprecedented in Nigeria. This feat was even more impressive considering the lower oil prices and diminished revenues this government faces as opposed to the prior PDP administrations. The VP did not mince words in drawing a clear distinction between the APC Buhari government and the PDP government it supplanted. He said the government of President Goodluck Jonathan wasted and squandered money when oil prices were high. The Jonathan government engaged in record corruption instead of investing in the people, though it had greater means to do so.  The Buhari government has been able to do much more for the people although it has less money, Osinbajo stated. He said Nigerians should remember that the PDP lost and looted on a grand scale. Thus, they should not be again given the reins of government as they will only repeat their financial hijinks.

    Also at the event, there were  presentations on the government’s Social Investment Programme by the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, and National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) by the National Coordinator of the programme, Mrs. Abimbola Adesanmi. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede, spoke on N Power Programme and Job Creation, Executive Director, Bank of Industry and Coordinator, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, Mrs. Constance Lewechukwu, spoke on the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme ‘Market Moni’ while the Special Assistant to the President on Social Investment, Hajiya Maryam Uwais, dwelt on the National Cash Transfer Programme. Some of the beneficiaries of these programmes came on stage to speak about the benefits they derived from the programmes and their experiences.

    The 10th colloquium offered a platform to explain the government’s social investment policies and programmes to the people. This was appropriate given there is a lack of awareness in some quarters as to the efforts undertaken to establish a social safety net adequate to the needs of the people.

    Now a few clarifications. One, some commentators have argued the colloquium was like a 2019 campaign launch for President Buhari. Not so. The event was to draw a sharp distinction between the progressive ideals and resultant people-oriented policies of the APC and the corrupt banality of PDP style governance. As one of the leading progressive voices in the nation, Asiwaju Tinubu was pleased to have received such an explanation of government programmes on his birthday.  The colloquium served to underscore that the government indeed remained faithful to the APC’s progressive creed despite the budgetary and other constraints faced. No PDP government can claim the same loyalty to ideals and to the people.

    President Buhari himself spoke at the Colloquium, affirming his commitment to reform and improve Nigeria despite the hardships those who benefit from the status quo may concoct to deter the drive for a better, more just nation.   The president had said: “I am happy to be here with you to celebrate the birthday of my friend and political partner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  I call on all Nigerians to join me in celebrating this man.  Asiwaju Tinubu is widely known as a political strategist.  But strategy is barren unless wedded to a higher purpose than just itself. Here, Asiwaju also sets himself apart.  I have come to see him as a man who cares about people and who is a fountain of ideas for economic development and improving the situation of the common man and woman.  He is a true humanitarian and we appreciate his contributions to Nigeria’s and Africa’s progress”. Later, Asiwaju Tinubu would also speak highly of the president and his commitment to progress despite the undermining antics of those opposed to change.

    Two, some others including a few writers also alleged that Asiwaju deliberately skipped some dignitaries among them ministers and traditional rulers when recognizing people at the colloquium. Some specifically tried to make heavy weather over the unintentional omission of the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN),

    a former governor of Lagos State. These people seek to stir a tempest in a teaspoon. Those in attendance saw how Asiwaju was emotionally moved by the honour done him by the presence of some leading Nigerians present to the extent that he put aside his prepared speech to speak extempore. He did so out of a feeling of gratitude not pettiness. At such moments, the exactitude of protocol can escape a person. There are many that Asiwaju probably wanted to acknowledge but did not simply because of uniqueness of the moment.

    That Fashola was there only contributed to the fullness of that moment. Asiwaju would not have stained such a special time by knowingly refusing to recognize Minister Fashola or anyone else for that matter.  Over the years, Asiwaju has repeatedly and publicly acknowledged the fine place that Babatunde Fashola holds in the history of governance of the state. Those who now try to spark enmity should find more constructive work for their overactive imaginations.

     

    • Rahman, former Editor, THISDAY on Sunday Newspaper, is Media Adviser to Asiwaju Tinubu.

  • Osinbajo: Why we can’t stop talking about past treasury looting

    The full remarks of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium in Lagos on Thursday 29 March, 2018. He explains why Nigerians need to be reminded always of the mindless looting of the recent past

    Let me first say that we started this colloquium now about 10 years ago, and I’m sure that most of us have heard the story. Many of those who started the idea of the colloquium probably are here with us today.  Most of us had worked with the then Governor of Lagos State, Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for several years, some for four years, some for eight years. And we decided that every year, on the occasion of his birthday, we would take time to discuss matters of national importance. Part of the reason why we did so was because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was an unusual governor in Lagos State.

    Let me say why it was unusual. The reason why it was unusual was because it was a government where there was a great deal of argument and he, as the leader of that government, allowed so much argument and so many different shades of ideas.

    I recall a particular occasion, when we started talking about the land use charge. I know that there are issues around the land use charge today. But when the old concept developed around the land use charge, there were so many arguments. One group felt that we shouldn’t even introduce the charge, another group felt that we should do so. I remember that in Ikeja, where this argument was taking place, we were in a small room; Lai Mohammed was there, Wale Edun, Yemi Cardoso, I think Dele Alake, and a few others. We were all there arguing on both sides. At some point, when Asiwaju was losing the argument, he said, “Ah, were you the people who were voted for?” Then he stormed out of the room and left. Then, we all waited. Nobody left. He came back a few minutes later and said, “ah, are you people still here? Then he continued the argument. Now he came back with more facts and figures. So we suspected that when he stormed out of the room, he actually went to bring some more facts.

    In the end, we instituted the charge and so many other different ways by which the foundation for what we see in Lagos State today were developed. And I want to just commend Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu again, for ensuring that, not only did he develop a whole generation of persons who have become, in various respects leaders, but also that he allowed that group of people to develop ideas to contradict him many times, to controvert his own ideas many times, and many times, he gave in to those ideas, and we’ve seen the results of it.

    My role here is to tie the knots and link the philosophy to governance and commitment of our social investment programme.

    I want to thank His Excellency, The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, for giving me the opportunity to coordinate this programme and also for giving me a free hand to run the programme. The way the programme was structured is that in order to ensure transparency, we left all of the issues around procurement and financing to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning. We have a steering committee of ministers, an inter-ministerial group, about six or seven ministers I think, who decide what to do and what the direction would be. I chair that group of ministers, that inter-ministerial team.

    I must again say I pay my deep respect to the man in whose honour we are gathered here today and for whom we gather every year to explore and advance ideas that we hope would shape our nation for the better. And I must say that the Bola Tinubu Colloquium still draws its thematic priority from the main focus of Bola Tinubu’s life- the people. Not only is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu a man of the people, his life’s story in both private and public spheres, tells of a fighter and champion of people-oriented causes. Let me say that when we began this journey in 2014, and when I say ‘this journey’ I refer to our government, our party, the APC, was determined to change the dominant narrative about our country. We were determined to ensure that the notion of a country rich in all natural resources, but even richer in human capital, but being destroyed daily by grand corruption, and the impunity in the looting of public resources; we had to change that narrative.

    We saw a nation where a few in office had so privatised the commonwealth that while oil prices were at their highest and we were getting growth figures as high as 7%, the majority of people remained extremely poor.  On one of our campaign trips in Zamfara State, Mr. President said, “Look at the eyes of this people,” and of course, we saw the poverty and desperation in their eyes. Then he said, “They expect us to fix this problem of their poverty as soon as we get into office.”

    So the President on the campaign trail emphasised three things; security, the economy; and by the economy here, in particular the welfare of the people and Corruption.

    To address the question of the welfare of the people, we realised that if we waited for the economy to pick up and then provide jobs for the people, especially young people, many would have given up hope, and many would have ended up in all manner of illegal activities.

    Every time we talk about this, every time we talk about corruption, our opponents say, “Don’t talk about it, just do your own, Don’t talk about it.” The Yorubas have an adage, they say, and I will translate that. It says “When the conversation comes to the matter of tales, the frog will say, let us skip that, don’t talk about it.” We will talk about it. And the reason why we will talk about it is, first, we must let our people know that we cannot afford to go this way again; never again should we allow a system where people take the resources of this country and skew the resources of this country, use the resources against the people of this country, and at the same time, they want to continue in ruler-ship. The second is that, we as a party and your government, must show the difference between us and the party and government that impoverished our nation. We must show that difference.

    So we decided on two things; one to invest heavily in Agriculture; to create jobs in the hinterlands, provide enough food locally and for all of the urban areas. In our agriculture programme, I’m sure that many would already agree that this has been a tremendous success. Several millions of Nigerians have been employed in agriculture. Some who have abandoned their farms, in fact, Mr. President tells the story of his own village where people used to let out farms; they used to lease out their farms to farmers from Kano. But now, nobody is leasing out their farms anymore. Everybody is on his own farm. The more interesting part of that story is that not only are more people now going to Hajj, they are also taking more wives.

    Secondly we also decided to put in place an audacious Social Investment Programme to the tune of N500 billion, the largest  pro-poor programme in our nation’s history, and the largest social safety net, at least in Sub-Saharan Africa. This was despite the fact that by 2015, oil prices fell by over 50% and our production also fell from over 2 million barrels a day to less than 700,000 barrels a day, sometimes even 500,000 barrels in 2016.

    We have seen today the empirical evidence of the successes of this programme, and all of that is evident for us to see and listen to several testimonies and stories. 200,000 jobs for undergraduates employed under the N-Power programme, 300,000 more waiting to be employed; they have been pre-selected; over 7 million children being fed daily in 22 States so far; beneficiaries of microcredit loans going to about 300,000; and almost 300,000 households benefiting from conditional cash transfers.

    As for our fight against corruption, we realised, as Mr. President said, that if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us. Corruption is an existential problem for Nigeria. Let me pause here to reiterate that from all I have seen in government in the past three years, the corruption of the previous five years is what destroyed the Nigerian economy. Every time we talk about this, every time we talk about corruption, our opponents say, “Don’t talk about it, just do your own, Don’t talk about it.” The Yorubas have an adage, they say, and I will translate that. It says “When the conversation comes to the matter of tales, the frog will say, let us skip that, don’t talk about it.” We will talk about it. And the reason why we will talk about it is, first, we must let our people know that we cannot afford to go this way again; never again should we allow a system where people take the resources of this country and skew the resources of this country, use the resources against the people of this country, and at the same time, they want to continue in ruler-ship. The second is that, we as a party and your government, must show the difference between us and the party and government that impoverished our nation. We must show that difference.

    Let me give you an example. In 2014, when oil was at between 100 dollars and 114 dollars a barrel, the actual releases for capital for three ministries – Power, Works and Housing – then they were three separate ministries, was in total N99 billion; while Transportation got 14 billion, and Agriculture got 15 billion. I’m talking about actual releases, not budgeted, what they actually got.

    Let’s compare that with capital releases to the same ministries in 2017, when oil price was between $50 and $60 a barrel, N415 Billion for Power, Works & Housing, N80 Billion for Transportation; N65 Billion for Agriculture; totalling N560 Billion, in a time when we were earning at least 50% less than we were earning in 2014.

    What is the reason why this is possible? It is possible because if you do not steal the resources of the people, you can spend on the projects that concern the people; it is as simple as that. If you are not stealing the money, you will spend it on the right things, and this is what we have seen. When the President insisted that the TSA must be done, we suddenly discovered that we actually could see for ourselves how much money was available in the system, and so much money was available. We doubled the money from everywhere, and we found out that this money was available.

    And when we say that this same government that spent N139 Billion only on all of Agric, Power, Works and Housing, Transport, etc; spent between January 2015 and the elections, the sum of a N100 Billion in cash and 289 million dollars, altogether about a 100 Billion in cash, was released and spent, shared. This sum of money was in excess of the amount of money that was spent on Power, Works and Housing. And this is the point we are making, that there is no country in the world, and we must know this; there is no country in the world that would allow its resources to be plundered in the way our own resources were plundered and expect to be economically viable; it is not possible. Nigeria is unlike any other country because of the level of corruption that was perpetrated. We must stop that corruption and that is why we are so committed.

    In 2014, when oil was at between 100 dollars and 114 dollars a barrel, the actual releases for capital for three ministries – Power, Works and Housing – then they were three separate ministries, was in total N99 billion; while Transportation got 14 billion, and Agriculture got 15 billion. I’m talking about actual releases, not budgeted, what they actually got.

    Let’s compare that with capital releases to the same ministries in 2017, when oil price was between $50 and $60 a barrel, N415 Billion for Power, Works & Housing, N80 Billion for Transportation; N65 Billion for Agriculture; totalling N560 Billion, in a time when we were earning at least 50% less than we were earning in 2014.

    When you fight corruption the way we are fighting it, corruption is going to fight back. The system would fight back. You will find that the fight-back is taking place everywhere, it is taking place on social media, it is taking place everywhere. But we are determined. When you listen to the stories of these young people, when you listen to the stories of the vulnerable, the disabled, and all of these people, these are the people for whom we are responsible; these are the people who voted for us. We must ensure that we defend their rights, it is in the defence of the rights of these people that we will put everything out to make sure that those who have been taking the resources of this country are made to pay for it.

    I will just give you one last example. Three billion US dollars was lost to something called the Strategic alliance contracts in NNPC, 3 Billion US Dollars, and never paid back. Now, the same 3 Billion dollars, the Minister of Finance sat with us at a meeting of the Economic Management Team, and we are proposing; in fact 3 billion dollars is about a trillion naira. We are now proposing foreign loans for the same 3 billion dollars: (to build the following roads): Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, 2nd Niger Bridge, Enugu-Port Harcourt road, East-West road, Sagamu-Ore-Benin road, Kano-Maiduguri road, Abuja-Lafia-Akwanga-Keffi road, and Lagos-Abeokuta: the old road, all for the same 3 billion.

    That is why the criminal looting of this country cannot be allowed to continue and those who did it must be held to account.

    Today we earn almost 50% less than five years ago and we are investing several times more. In 2017 we spent 1:3 Trillion on capital, the largest in the history of this country, despite earning 50% less. The majority of our people depend on the integrity of those who govern them because they don’t have the odds. They are far too poor, in many cases, far too vulnerable to be able to say anything for themselves. It is our historic duty as a party, as a government, to provide for all of them, to be a voice for them, to make the sacrifices that are necessary, even when the sacrifices are costly; we must make those sacrifices for them. That is why I am so pleased that the government of President Buhari has chosen the path of the people, to stand with the people. In this government, we have chosen to take the side, and we will remain taking the side of the people of this country.

    Again, let me commend the man for whom we are gathered, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the man whom has been known time and time again for his battles for the people of this country, beginning here in Lagos State, all over the South West and for the entire nation.

    I want to commend him for his resilience and for sticking to his principles as a fighter for the people of this country. On our part as a government, and for the rest of us, I believe that the best times for our country are yet to come. The future of our country is bright; day by day, step by step, we are going in the right direction. Our country is getting better and better every day.

    Thank you very much and God bless you.

  • Buhari to chair 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium in Lagos Thursday

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is expected to chair the 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium to commemorate the 66th birthday of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Tunji Bello, the President will lead several distinguished Nigerians to Lagos next Thursday for the event.

    This year’s event, which has as its theme: “Investing in people”, holds at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos and is expected to bring together stakeholders, including policy-makers, academics and members of the civil society groups.

    It is expected that the gathering at which Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will be the chief host would provide a talk shop for attendees to tell the unique Nigerian story of what it means for the government to act as a social investor in the affairs of its people.

    The colloquium would ascertain whether the quest for the government to act as a social investor can be regarded as a campaign slogan or a mere ideology with no incremental/socio-economic benefits.

    The gathering would also debate whether such decision by government should be regarded as a necessary policy action, which the nation must embrace if she must witness any real development.

    The yearly gathering has become a veritable ground for sharing knowledge, experiences and information around socio- economic issues and addressing the common governance challenges confronting Nigeria.

    Last year, the topic was: “Make it in Nigeria” and it provided avenue to examine critically how Nigerians can look inwards and use what they produce while also ensuring that they produce what they use.

    At the eighth edition, which took place in Abuja in 2016, the theme was: “Agriculture: Action, work, revolution” while in 2015 at the seventh edition, the organisers chose change: ‘How it will work”.

    In 2014, at the sixth edition, invites gathered at the invitation of the organisers to deliberate on: “The summit of the common man”. In 2013, at the fifth edition, the topic of discussion was: “Beyond mergers: A national movement for change, a new generation speaks”.

    “Looking back, thinking ahead” was the theme of discussion at the fourth edition of the colloquium held in 2012 and  “Nigeria – Why isn’t it working, how will it work” was chosen for discussion in 2011 at the third edition.

    At the second edition, which held in 2010, the theme of discussion was: “This house must stand! Pulling Nigeria back from the brink”.

    The topic for discussion at the inaugural edition in 2009 was “Every vote must count”.

    The idea of a Bola Tinubu Colloquium was conceived in 1999 by some close friends and associates of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who felt that some of the very rich and stimulating intellectual debates that hallmarked some of the meetings at which he presided should be translated into a platform, which would expand the conversation and lead to tangible outcomes.