Fayemi, Oduwole, to keynote at ILA-NG conference, Friday

The former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and the Special Adviser on Ease of Doing Business and Investment (PEBEC) to the President, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, are part of the keynote speakers scheduled for the annual conference of the Nigerian branch of the
International Law Association (ILA-NG), holding tomorrow (Friday) in Abuja.

The conference will examine the role of international law in advancing public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a tool for promoting sustainable investment in public infrastructure and development projects.

According to a statement by the organisers, the conference, which will hold at Abuja Continental Hotel, will provide a platform for international lawyers to discuss the design, financing and implementation of PPPs at national, regional, and global levels, in a manner that does not negatively impact international human rights and sustainable development.

Lawyers, non-lawyers in business and financial spheres, academics, advocates, practitioners and students interested in international law, would attend the conference.

While Dr. Jumoke Oduwole will give the keynote lecture, Dr. Kayode Fayemi will anchor a keynote Gala Conversation as well as panel discussions by leading practitioners on PPPs can be effectively regulated.

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The branch President, Prof. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, Vice Chancellor, Baze University, Prof. Kathleen Okafor, SAN, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Professor Mohammed Tawfiq Ladan, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Infrastructure Bank, Nkiru Chime, Head of Legal and Company and Secretary at Lekki Concession Company Limited, Gbolahan Agboluaje, the Director-General of Ogun State’s Public Private Partnerships Agency, Dr. Dapo Oduwole, would be among the speakers.

Others are Nigeria’s representative and Vice Chair on the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, the Chairman, Manufacturing Committee of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, His Royalty Engr. Otis Oliver Tabugbo Anyaeji, the Chief Executive Officer of Clean Tech Hub Nigeria, Ifeoma Malo, Associate Vice President and Senior Legal Counsel at the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Nosakhare Aguebor, Head ESG, Sustainability and Climate Change PwC, Marilyn Obaisa-Osula, Managing Partner of Aluko And Oyebode Law, Joke Aliu, Senior lecturer in law at the University of Derby, United Kingdom and the Chairman of the Teaching of International Law Committee of the Nigerian branch, Dr Eghosa O. Ekhator, Chairperson of the Natural Resources, Energy and Environment Committee of the Branch, Oluwaseyi Ebenezer, amongst other expert speakers.

The Chairperson of the Conference Organising Committee, Oludayo Olorunfemi, said this year’s conference would be unique in its deliberate blend of panelists to discuss topical issues.

Olorunfemi noted “This year’s conference provides a timely opportunity for stakeholders to examine the intricate relationships between international law and the financing of infrastructure using a public-private partnership model. With the growing recognition of the need to urgently mobilize financing to address infrastructure deficits in key economic sectors, such as power, public health, food security and education amongst others, PPPs have become highly important if well structured.

This conference provides a high-profile platform to examine how law can better respond to the opportunities and commercial risks in structuring PPPs.

This conference will aim to deliver latest knowledge and networking opportunities for practitioners and researchers in this important area.” she concluded.

The ILA was founded in Brussels in 1873. The ILA now has some 4,500 members in 45 national and regional branches around the world. It is headquartered in London under the leadership of the global chair, Professor Christine Chinkin. The Nigerian Branch of the ILA regularly hosts innovative lectures, seminars, conferences, and other capacity development programs to advance the study and understanding of international law in Nigeria.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE