As Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria celebrated 15 years of relentless democratic advocacy, eminent Nigerians have called on indigenes to occupy the “Office of the Citizen” and ensure that accountability is a culture not an aspiration. The event: “Footprints & Frontlines,” was a retrospective of our civic journey and a transition into a new era of youth-led leadership.
The ceremony was headlined by Director-General of World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Her participation represented a “full circle” moment for the movement, as her words 15 years ago at The Future Awards sparked the foundation of EiE’s advocacy. She reminded guests that the strength of a nation’s economy is linked to the accountability of its leaders.
Each speaker offered a blueprint for national renewal. The lineup included Muhammad Sanusi II, emir of Kano; Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto; Fola Adeola, co-founder of GTCO; Dr. Omobola Johnson, Nigeria’s first minister of Communication Technology; and rap icon and tech entrepreneur, Jude “MI” Abaga, among others.
Highlight of the night was the leadership transition. Outgoing Executive Director, Yemi Adamolekun, whose tenure redefined civic courage, introduced Ufuoma Nnamdi-Udeh as new executive director. Set to assume office in January, Nnamdi-Udeh’s appointment as a Gen Z leader signals EiE’s strategic pivot toward Nigeria’s largest voting and digital demographic.
“EiE’s story is proof that a small group of committed citizens can reawaken a nation’s conscience,” remarked Adamolekun. “For fifteen years, we have turned civic frustration into civic action. As we enter this next chapter, our mission remains to remind every Nigerian that leadership begins with citizenship.”
The event also featured the premiere of One Voice, Many Echoes, a powerful short documentary chronicling three decades of Nigerian dissent—from the Concerned Professionals of 1993 to the #EndSARS movement of 2020. Additionally, the organization launched the updated edition of its seminal book, Footprints: Past. Present. Future, which now includes critical chapters on local governance and recent civic awakenings.
Government representatives, including Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy (representing Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat), and Mr. Adegoke Adedamola (representing the SSA to the President on SDGs), were in attendance, acknowledging EiE’s consistent role as a bridge between the people and the state.
The 15th-anniversary celebration, hosted by media icons Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Ayo Mairo-Ese, concluded
World Trade Organisation chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has urged nations to keep calm over tariffs, warning that a tit-for-tat trade war would be “catastrophic” for the world economy.
Okonjo-Iweala issued her appeal during a panel discussion on tariffs at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in a week that saw U.S. President Donald Trump threatening 9tariffs against China, the European Union, Mexico and Canada.
The WTO director-general urged cooler heads to prevail, quipping: “Please let’s not hyperventilate. I know we are here to discuss tariffs. I’ve been saying to everybody: could we chill, also. I just sense a lot of hyperventilation.”
She recalled the fallout from the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in the United States during the Great Depression in 1930, which prompted retaliation and worsened the global economic crisis at the time.
“We are very much saying to our members at the WTO: you have other avenues. Even if a tariff is levied, please keep calm, don’t wake up and without the necessary groundwork levy your own,” she said.
“If we have tit-for-tat retaliation, whether it’s 25 percent tariffs, 60 percent, and we go to where we were in the 1930s, we are going to see double-digit global GDP losses, double-digit. That’s catastrophic.”
The Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has expressed concern over the Food and Agriculture Organisation( FAO)’s latest figures of 733 million people are facing hunger globally.
Speaking at the opening plenary of the World Food Forum in Rome, hosted by FAO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala noted: “The FAO’s latest figures show around 733 million people are facing hunger — most of them in Africa and South Asia. At our current pace, we won’t meet Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger and malnutrition by 2030, as you heard earlier.
Climate change is a growing threat to food security, affecting every aspect of our food systems, and exacerbating the sector’s problems with water and land management, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. 55 per cent of the world’s food production occurs in areas experiencing water insecurity.”
She maintained that agricultural production and consumption have continued to be distorted by trade restrictions and subsidies. “In 54 countries analysed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), support provided to individual producers averaged $630 billion per year [2] from 2020 to 2022. This support often has environmentally harmful effects, encouraging the overuse of fossil fuels, energy and water. The distance between business as usual, and truly sustainable food systems is considerable. The FAO has estimated that our current agri-food systems impose “hidden” health, environmental, and social costs equivalent to at least USD 10 trillion per year.”
She underscored the crucial role of trade and the WTO in addressing the challenges of farming and food security. “A free, fair, open, and predictable multilateral trading system and modernised trade rules [provided by the WTO], is critical to building an agrifood system that can deliver good food to the world’s people today and in the future,” she emphasised.
The Director-General recalled the strengthened partnership between the WTO and the FAO in the areas of food and agriculture. She highlighted the WTO’s ongoing efforts to update trade rules, stressing that the multilateral trading system must be complemented by domestic policies that reduce distortions and enhance competition. She pointed to the importance of “policies that provide essential public goods to farmers such as research, pest and disease control, efficient water management, and extension services that are needed to improve productivity and sustainability.”
In another development, she urged WTO members to “continue to be constructive” in addressing outstanding issues on the WTO work agenda such as agriculture, fisheries subsidies, development and dispute settlement reform so that concrete outcomes can be achieved. She spoke in her capacity as Chair of the Trade Negotiations Committee at a meeting of the WTO’s General Council.
“We need to continue to be constructive and to keep in our sights that we are here to achieve outcomes,” the Director-General told members, citing positive discussions on several issues under negotiation.
On agriculture, the Director-General said she was grateful for the positive discussion that took place at the Trade Negotiations Committee meeting on 10 October, which focused on advancing the agriculture negotiations.
On fisheries subsidies, the Director-General welcomed progress on acceptances of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies concluded in 2022 and noted that only 25 more acceptances are needed to ensure entry into force of the Agreement, with a number of additional acceptances expected in the days and weeks ahead.
She also underlined that members were “almost there” with regards to a deal on the second part of the Agreement, which aims to address subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing. “There are some issues, not many, and some members who need more work to be done so that we can push towards a conclusion,” she said.
On development, the Director-General said she was happy that the work has resumed on special and differential treatment proposals at an October 11meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development. To keep up the momentum and to work towards more concrete results, members should achieve as many results as possible in Geneva rather than waiting for the next Ministerial Conference, she told members.
On dispute settlement reform, the Director-General noted that reform of the system was a “collective desire of every member in this room,” the importance of which was underlined at recent meetings of the Group of 20 foreign ministers and the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
On investment facilitation for development (IFD), Director-General noted the continued discussions on the proponents’ request to incorporate the IFD Agreement into the WTO framework.
•We salute her courage and congratulate her on joining the septuagenarian club
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), turned the proverbial three score and ten years on June 13, 2024. She made history by becoming the first woman and first African to serve in that very exalted global institution. A renowned global finance professional, international development expert and economist, she is an alumnus of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
She was born in Ogwashi Ukwu, Delta State, to late Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo, the former Obi of the Obahai Royal Family of Ogwashi-Ukwu and his wife, Prof. Kamene Okonjo. She had her early education at Queens School, Enugu; St. Ann’s School, Molete, Ibadan, as well as the International School, Ibadan, Oyo state.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala had a 25-year career at the World Bank where she rose to the number two position of Managing Director, Operations. In 2003, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo head-hunted her to come take up the position of the Nigerian finance minister (2003-2006) and later appointed her foreign affairs minister. She made history as the first woman in Nigeria to occupy both positions. Her efforts, amongst other things, included her intervention as the chief negotiator of the team that appealed to the Paris Club for Nigeria’s debt cancellation at the time.
She tried to improve Nigeria’s macro-economic management system that included the implementation of the oil price-based fiscal rule that meant saving excess crude revenue in a special account geared towards the rainy days. She helped Nigeria obtain her first ever sovereign credit rating (a BB minus) from Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor in 2006.
She returned to the World Bank in 2007 as Managing Director.
In 2011, she was reappointed finance minister and coordinating minister of the economy by the Goodluck Jonathan government, a position she held till 2015. The economy experienced growth and a level of economic transparency under her.
She is on the board of numerous global institutions and corporate bodies in the fields of finance, development, health, climate change, technology and peace initiatives.
Her nomination by the Buhari administration to vie for the Director- General of the WTO is testament to her dedication, not just to Nigeria but the global family. The European Union backed her candidacy, helping her clinch the highly coveted post. Today, as DG of WTO, her impact and influence reverberates globally.
We join in celebrating the gift that she has been as a Nigerian whose patriotic zeal is admirable and an inspiration to younger Nigerians.
Her life is testament to the value of educating every child and giving every child, irrespective of gender, the opportunity to flourish. Today, she is a shining example of what comes out when opportunity meets preparedness. Kudos to her parents that invested heavily in educating her at a time girl- child education was not very popular. Her sterling global achievements are a vindication of the trust they had in investing in her development.
She has been a beacon to many families, putting a lie to the flawed assumption that career women do not often keep their family lives. She is happily married, has four very well educated and individually successful children; one of who is the Harvard-educated medical doctor and author of the very successful, ‘Beasts of No Nation’ novel that centred on the ills of child-soldiers in Africa.
She proudly owns and protects her Nigerian heritage with not just her professional inputs but in advancing the culture through her now unique dressing that promotes the Nigerian Ankara clothes. She seems to be different from many diaspora Nigerians that see no value in coming back to contribute to the development of the country or even continent. She is very involved in most cultural and economic events in Nigeria and Africa.
However, we regret that her coming home to serve had attracted a lot of attacks and betrayals from those who felt she was setting a barricade to their systemic corruption. In her book, ‘Fighting Corruption is Dangerous’, she had documented her sour experiences serving in Nigeria as finance minister. Her mother was kidnapped as a bait for her to resign over her uncompromising stance on corruption but she stood her ground and served out her tenure. Some other individuals in her position would have buckled under the threat, thereby making the criminals triumphant. Her stoicism was classic.
We join in celebrating her 70th birthday while wishing her the best in all her future endeavours.
The Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has cautioned politicians in Nigeria against using her name and image to fight their battles.
The former Finance Minister gave the warning while reacting to a viral post claiming that she criticised the subsidy removal policy of the Bola Tinubu administration and the subsequent increase in Nigeria’s debt profile.
A Facebook post quoted Okonjo-Iweala as saying: “Nigeria debt for the first time in history has risen to 24 trillion in just 2 months even after removing subsidy is something unbelievable.
“I call several times to help and advise but the current administration and cabals refuse to let me come in. How can you remove fuel subsidy with a debt of 24 trillion in 2 months.”
In a tweet via her verified X handle on Monday, June 24, the WTO boss described the post as fake.
She cautioned those behind the post and several others on the internet to desist from “putting words in her mouth”.
“It appears that there are people in Nigeria trying to use my name and image on social media to fight battles on different sides of the political divide, putting words in my mouth that I never said,” Okonjo-Iweala tweeted.
“Therefore, I want to alert everyone that the message below is FAKE. This is a stern warning to all those trying to misuse my name for their political ends that I will continue to rebut any attempts to use my name and image falsely,” she added.
The installation of Obi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo 11 of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom has thrown the kingdom into turmoil. Another prince, Nathan Okonjo, claims he has been installed by an aggrieved party, writes Okungbowa Aiwerie in Asaba
OGWASHI-UKU Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State is on the boil again. At the centre of the debacle is a decade old kingship tussle, which predates Obi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo 11, who succeeded Obi Ben Chukuka Okonjo, a professor of mathematics and father of ex-Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The new obi’s coronation followed the endorsement and presentation by the Umu Obi Obahai royal family of Ogwashi-Uku and the traditional chalking and crowning ceremonies conducted by the Ikelike and Agidiehi (kingmakers) in Ogwashi Uku.
Despite the colourful ceremonies heralding the reign of the young monarch, a faction of the royal family, led by Prince Nathan Okonjo and his siblings, is on the warpath.
Historically, the Umu Obi Obahai royal family had suffered usurpation by the Dieyi’s regency for 140 years. But in a landmark ruling, an Asaba High Court on January 24, 2007, restored the throne to the Umu Obi Obahai royal family.
Despite the court judgment, peace has eluded the Ogwashi-Uku royal family as litigation continues to threaten the community’s unity and peace.
The crux of the matter, according to Prince Nathan Okonjo, lies in the correct interpretation of the judgment by Justice S.C Oseji, which states in item (ii): “It is the duty of the said family to meet to examine the eldest son of the late Obi and his qualifications as hereinbefore stated. It is this meeting of the sole ruling dynasty which is entitled to resolve all questions as to the qualifications and fitness for appointment and all pre-selection claims or counter-claims. If any, including in case of any dispute arising as to seniority in age between two sons of the late obi by different mothers, to determine the issue of seniority between the two sons and put forward the elder son for the succession.”
He alleged that some key family members were induced financially, saying that due process was not followed in the selection of the incumbent obi.
Prince Nathan Okonjo said: “I went to court because our family, the larger Umu Obi Obahai family, did the wrong thing. The Hon. Justice Oseji judgment was in favour of the Umu Obi Obahai family that went to court, but within the Umu Obi Obahai family is the Okonjo dynasty-the sole owners of the throne. Instead of allowing us (Okonjos) do the normal thing as the court-ordered i.e. picking and selecting a candidate to be put forward, the Umu Obi Obahai now decided to award the obiship to Prof Okonjo without following due process. Of course, right from the outset, I objected. I wrote a protest letter to the kingmakers telling them that they should not be in a hurry to chalk anybody. I told them that the man they are bringing forward is not fit and proper to rule. I have copies of these letters (displaying a sheaf of papers). The one we wrote on February 8, 2007, soon after the judgment, then the one of February 21, 2007, on the same subject-matter. You know the daughter was a one-time Finance mnister of the federation; she aided him.”
He went on: “Some of us objected, pointing out that due process was not followed. That process is for the Okonjos to sit and decide because as it is, at the time of the judgment, nobody’s father was an obi. So, for someone to make the claim of succession from father to son is ludicrous. My father was the last of the Okonjos that lived and he instituted this legal action that proved successful in 1984. If things were done properly, I, being the eldest son, should be selected, but they used unorthodox means to get him (Prof Okonjo) there.”
In his protest letter to the chairman of Aniocha South Traditional Council, Prince Okonjo said the procedure for selection of obi is that the Emordi family, acting through the Diokpa of the Emordi family, requests the Okonjo family to meet and provide two candidates for confirmation by the Emordi family. Also, the confirmation of the two candidates by an oracle must be witnessed by three or four persons in the Emordi family, one being a woman.
According to him, this crucial process was bypassed. The Umu-Obi Obahai family, he said, acted outside the main Umu Emordi group. Their (Umu Obi Obahai) only role is to accept the nomination of the Okonjo family as presented by the Umu Emordi family.
In furtherance of his desire to become king, Prince Nathan has commenced the chalking rites preparatory to being crowned obi.
He added that his action is based on an Ogwashi Uku High Court’s judgment by Justice Tessy Diai delivered on November 22, 2012.
Prince Nathan Okonjo said he had been chalked and installed by the Umuonihe Adimoso Ruling House.
According to Nathan Okonjo, the Umuonihe Adimoso, according to Justice Diai, is entitled to nominate, recommend and present a candidate for the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Onihe of Ogwashi-Uku, which also installs an Obi.
He said the age-long Ogwashi-Uku succession tradition of primogeniture cannot be swept under the carpet, adding that as the eldest male in the Okonjo family; he is the authentic obi of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.
The late Obi Okonjo
Also, there is another suit instituted last year by Prince Clement Okonjo at an Ogwashi Uku High Court challenging the new monarch.
The suit between Prince Clement Okonjo and others vs Prof Ben Okonjo and six others has, among other reliefs, a perpetual injunction seeking to stop Obi Ifechukwude 11, who is listed as the fifth defendant, from parading himself as the crown prince to the throne.
Prince Clement Okonjo said because Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo 11 was joined in the suit, it was wrong for him to have allowed himself to be crowned as obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
His words: “This is because whether an interlocutory injunction has been granted or not against the installed obi, one should obey and respect the rule of law by holding forth until the matter is dispensed with.”
Reacting to insinuations that the new monarch was crowned in error, the Ogwashi-Uku royal family faulted such claims.
In a statement jointly signed by the Acting Diokpa; Umu Obi Obahai royal family; Prince Emmanuel Nwokolie Ohei; Ozoma of Ogwashi-Uku; and Palace Secretary Prince Okolobi Nkemjika Lawrence; Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi; they urged the public and the people of Ogwashi-Ukwu to disregard any misinformation being peddled by “some disgruntled individuals”.
The seven-paragraph statement reads: “It has come to our attention that Patrick Okonjo, a renegade and serial petition writer has issued a statement in which he claims to be speaking for the Umu Obi Obahai royal family.
“We want to make this known: Patrick Okonjo does not speak for the family; he speaks only for himself as he has always done.
Prince Nathan Okonjo
“We urge our people, the public, media and all stakeholders to ignore the reckless comments of Patrick. He has been issuing such frivolous statement and filing frivolous court cases in pursuit of his selfish interest for over a decade.
“The Umu Obi Obahai royal family is united in its decision which produced Obi Ifechukwude Chukwuka Okonjo. And this decision has been endorsed by Agidiehe and Ikelike , the kingmakers. The successful installation, enthronement and the joy of the people last Friday (September 13, 2019) knows no bounds and goes to show that the people of Ogwashi-Uku are happy with this decision.”
According to the statement, the new obi is rounding off the remaining traditional processes and set to begin his reign, adding: “ We thank God for making the process smooth and we also ask Ogwashians to pray for the progress and development of our great kingdom.”
Certainly, the last has not been heard in the hometown of the Okonjos.
As we continue our discussion on the 2010 “Next Generation” report, it will be imperative to focus on an area that has been a source of concern to many: Nigeria’s growing population. I have written over four articles on this subject over the years. Recall that the “Next Generation” report is a series of global British Council research focusing on the attitudes and aspirations of young people, and the policies and conditions that support them in becoming creative, fulfilled and active citizens.
The research projects examines young people’s views around education, employment, and lifestyle, as well as uncovering their hopes and fears for their country, their degree of international engagement and views on the wider world, and the values and beliefs that affect their lives. A ‘Task Force’ of some eminent Nigerians chaired by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at that time the Managing Director of the World Bank and later the Minister of Finance, was convened to explore Nigeria’s future at a time of rapid demographic, social, and economic change.
In the chapter titled: “Dividend or Disaster: understanding Nigeria’s demographic choices,” the report drew a parallel between Nigeria and many countries that have experienced similar demographic challenges over the past 50 years prior to 2010. The essence was to draws on this international experience by providing a strong base of evidence on which effective policies can be built upon by policy makers.
The report pointed out that: “demographic dividend is a concept that is well understood by economists. The window of opportunity opens as fertility and youth dependency decline, and the working age share of the population rises. The East Asian countries saw a sharp increase in the number of young adults in the workforce from the mid-1970s onwards, a period that coincided with the region’s economic ‘miracle.’ One third of growth in this period can be directly attributed to the favourable demographic conditions the region was experiencing at the time.”
But as it rightly pointed out, demography is not destiny. “Countries can only collect their dividend if young workers are healthy, adequately educated, and able to find productive employment. Robust financial markets help too, allowing adults to save for their retirement while generating the capital that can provide a further boost to growth. All this requires an effective government, a strong society, and relatively high levels of peace and security.
If these factors are not in place, a country will miss its opportunity. The damage may be subtle at first, with decades of underperformance followed by crisis as the baby boom generation reaches retirement.”
What should frighten us now is the reality of some of the factors the report said would happen if certain actions were not taken. For instance, if young workers are not healthy, adequately educated, or being able to find productive employment, the outcome maybe glaring. “The results may also be much more dramatic, as large cohorts of unemployed or underemployed young people destabilise their societies, fuelling crime and creating conditions where civil conflict becomes more likely. Instead of collecting a dividend, a country that is not well prepared to make the most of its baby boom generation can find itself in the midst of a demographic disaster.”
I watched a video clip of a demonstration by a group that took place in Abuja last year, and immediately this report came to my mind. I saw a young man atop a fast moving vehicle – movie style, except that it was in real life – trying to use his fist to smash the windscreen while the driver of the vehicle swerved in an attempt to get the intruder off his vehicle. The same daring feat was carried out on the Nigeria Police armoured water canon vehicle. These are some of the individuals we may have wittingly or unwittingly created through serious policy lapses.
In analysing the seriousness of the demographic risks the country faces, the report had an “upside” and a “downside.” It stated that during the current decade (2010 era), Nigeria’s economy experienced relatively robust growth, with annual per capita income growth far outstripping its historical performance by most measures. “Assuming Nigeria maintains this growth; Nigerians would see significant improvements in their standard of living. By 2020, the average Nigerian could expect to have 48% more income than today. By 2030, his or her income would have more than doubled. Such a sustained period of growth would have a transformational impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”
We are today one year shy of 2020 and we all know what the conditions are; Nigeria was not able to significantly accelerate the transformation of its economy. Task Force research modelled a scenario that includes two economic drivers that are at the heart of the demographic dividend: an expanding labour force and steady improvements in life expectancy. Their impact on Nigeria’s prospects would be substantial as “31.8 million people are taken out of poverty by 2030, showing the potential of the demographic dividend to transform lives.” This certainly has not happened.
Moreover, the research suggests that the dividend could be larger if its effects are augmented and supported by much-needed investment in human and social capital. At 48 years, life expectancy in Nigeria is still shockingly low and is projected to increase only to 56 years by 2030. “We explore what would happen if health improvements raised life expectancy to the current developing-country (excluding China) average of 64 years by 2030, which would correspond to Nigeria achieving a significant degree of catch-up by 2030 to income-adjusted global health standards. We also look at the impact of steady improvements to Nigeria’s institutions, where the country continues to lag well behind international standards on indicators including corruption, rule of law, and public sector efficiency.”
Again, as it pointed out, the results are striking. Although the impact of better health and institutions looks modest in percentage terms, adding about two percent to per capita GDP in 2030, its true impact is in terms of lives, bringing another 2.3 million people out of poverty. Over the next generation, Nigeria’s demographic wave could bring huge benefits to its citizens – halving poverty and nearly trebling per capita incomes in a generation. Again, this has not happened.
On the “downside” of the equation, the report noted with concerns that at the same time as Nigeria’s opportunities are increasing, its risks are multiplying. “Demographic change does not take place in the background. It heralds a profound and deep-seated transformation to all facets of a society, and many of these changes are already being felt in Nigeria. In 1960, fewer than 7 million people (17% of the population) lived in the country’s towns and cities. Today, Nigeria is half urban, half rural. Over the next 20 years, the urban population will almost double, increasing by 65 million (64% of the population).”
This will come with enormous challenges as is being felt in major urban cities across the country. Nigeria’s urban centres are very different in character from its traditional villages. Kinship structures are weaker and families are smaller. Young people – especially those in cities – tend to have very different attitudes and expectations than their parents – and the sheer size of the new generation ensures that it will be an influential, and potentially disruptive, force.
And as the report stated, these social and cultural changes are unsettling, but they can have a positive impact with certain conditions in place. Young urban countries can be powerful engines for innovation, but only if the society is sufficiently robust to adapt to new pressures and demands. “Weak states, with stagnant economies, are more likely to find themselves overwhelmed by the demands placed on them, leading to a vicious cycle of failure and decay.”
In the worst case, Nigeria will find that: growing numbers of young people are frustrated by a lack of employment opportunity. Competition for jobs, land, natural resources and political patronage fuels violent conflict between groups. This unrest is exacerbated by the growing impact of climate change on weather patterns, water and other resource availability, and agricultural productivity. Cities lack the resources to cope with the speed of their growth and become increasingly dysfunctional and lawless.
It would appear we are witnessing some of these outcomes already.
A former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has advised African and relevant institutions to focus on the implementation of policies that will put the continent at the heart of rapid technological changes that are sweeping the world.
She said such changes should be embraced and not resisted because science and technology is a game changer that can help Africa overcome and thrive, despite poverty and other challenges facing the continent.
The former minister spoke at the convocation ceremony of the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, where the university graduated 434 Masters and 31 PhD students in 12 years.
She said: “Artificial intelligence and other forms of technological advances will underpin the future of the world’s development at a time of macroeconomic uncertainties, trade wars and geopolitical tensions and, most of all, rapid technological change.
“This is something that we cannot stop. These changes are happening rapidly and will continue to happen.”
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Chair of the AUST board, urged the audience, including the graduates, to see themselves as part of the vanguard for Africa’s technological development.
“There is a great push, globally, to see what AI and robotics can do to help manage the world. We can’t stop it; it is going to infuse everything we do. We’re going to have driverless cars, whether we like it or not; we’re going to have robots trying to do a lot of the work that people normally would do and it will come down to us.
“But we need not be afraid of the arrival of technological change. I believe strongly that Africa can use it to thrive and prosper and that we should be at the vanguard of using AI to solve some of those logistical, infrastructural and skills problems which we’ve not been able to solve,” she said.
The convocation guest speaker, Dr Acha Leke, reminded the graduates of the enormity of the challenges confronting Africa.
He urged them to accept the historic challenge of deploying their knowledge and skills to the continent’s benefit.
“Africa is on the move indeed, but we still have a long way to go. About 600 million Africans still live in the dark today – with no access to electricity. We have huge infrastructure deficits which will require us to double our investments to close the gap.
Social media giant,Twitter Inc., has announced the appointment of Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to its board.
Also appointed is former World Bank chief, Robert Zoellick, as the microblogging site reshuffled its board. ,twitter said Thursday.
According to the Executive Chairman of Twitter, Omid Kordestani, Okonjo-Iweala would be an incredible asset for the company as “it strives toward transparency in its global operations.”
“Ngozi and Bob are distinguished leaders with unparalleled global perspective and policy expertise.
“We are confident they will be incredible assets to Twitter as we continue to focus on driving transparency and making Twitter a safer, healthier place for everyone who uses our service.”
In a response, tweet on her official handle, @NOIweala, the former minister expressed words of appreciation to the company for the appointment.
“Excited to work with @Jack, and an incredible team on the Board of Twitter, a global platform that is such a strong connector of people and ideas.”
She acknowledged that she was thrilled by the appointment, while assuring Twitter of maximising its influence for the good of the global society.
“Twitter is a powerful platform that continues to be used as a strong connector for the global community, and I ’m thrilled to be a part of the team.
“As we strive to build a better world for tomorrow, Twitter can amplify messages and drive critical conversations around today’s most important issues.
“I look forward to partnering with Twitter’s talented directors and leadership team as we work to leverage the power of Twitter for good,”she said.
… as Edo gov enlists AU for state’s industrialisation drive
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, have made a strong case for Nigerians to support the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari to stamp out corruption from the country.
In separate interviews on the sideline of the just-concluded 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of Government of the African Union in Mauritania, with the theme: ‘Winning the Fight against Corruption, A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation,’ Governor Obaseki and the former Minister of Finance urged Nigerians to back President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption fight for a prosperous Nigeria.
According to Obaseki, “the African continent has not given up hope on us because they see in our leader someone who has the willingness to tackle this problem, which we have as a country and so I urge Nigerians to understand that it is not a personal battle.”
He emphasised that the fight against corruption “should not be a solo effort. It is about us, as we have one more opportunity as a country to deal with this cancer, this cankerworm that has held us down.”
Okonjo-Iweala said: “We are here at the African Union because the AU is very concerned about corruption on the African continent. Obviously, the body has asked our President to lead the fight against corruption. What that means to me is that in Nigeria we also need to strengthen our effort, work very strongly to make sure that we set an example.
“I think all of us should be involved. I want to repeat that fighting corruption is a task for every Nigerian. I believe that majority of Nigerians are honest, hardworking people who just want to get on with their lives. So we must not allow the majority to be overtaken by the minority of people. We must fight them, we must put in place the systems and these should be done by all of us.”
However, Governor Obaseki enlisted the support of the AU in the state’s industrialisation drive, in a spirited effort to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the state.
The governor, who was part of Nigeria’s delegation to the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government AU, stressed the friendly investment climate in the state and the support structures put in place by the state government to promote and protect investments.
The governor brought his experience as an investment banker to bear in sessions on business as well as other discussions relating to doing business in Nigeria at the AU summit.
