Afe Babalola, Soyinka, others to speak at VOR lecture

Eminent Nigerian scholars, digital and social entrepreneurs, stakeholders in education, research and innovations industry will on February 19, converge for a lecture scheduled to hold at Agip Hall, Muson Centre, to argue on the need for Nigerian government and relevant organisations in the country to shift focus from traditional economy to building a knowledge-based economy and society.

The Lecture, organised by a Yoruba Intelligentsia group, the Voice of Reason Advocacy for Social Development Foundation (VOR), in honour of her founder, late Prince Goke Omisore, is themed, ‘Restructuring – Building a Knowledge-Based Society and it will be chaired by Elder Statesman, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), founder of Afe Babalola University with Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka as Special Guest of Honour.

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According to the Publicity Committee for the event led by Chief Olufemi Kufo, the keynote address at the lecture will be delivered by Professor James Fabunmi, a Development Consultant and  Chief Executive Officer of American Heritage Defense Corporation, United States of America (USA), while a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe will lead the Panel of Discussants which includes former Nigerian Minister of Communications Technology, Dr (Mrs) Omobola Johnson, ex-Vice Chancellor of ll Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Professor Kayode Makinde, ex-Vice Chancellor and a renowned Social Entrepreneur, Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji.

“While we consistently push toward a restructured Nigeria, we need to let the government and relevant stakeholders understand that this is the era of ideas, innovations, creativity and digital communications, therefore, there’s need to fund research and innovations in this country if not, danger looms.

“We are putting this event together to free up the creative energies of the people of Nigeria especially the younger generation and domesticate responsibility and accountability. We want a Nigeria where people, through innovations, can creatively compete with global economies against the current trend of consuming without building,” Kufo said.

The statement further read that all the Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of government-owned universities and polytechnics in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States including Babcock University have been specially invited as special guests at the event.