Realnews Publisher Appeals for commitments of African leaders to solve African problems #Realnews5thAnniversaryLecture

Thu, Nov 16, 2017 | By publisher


Media

 

MAUREEN Chigbo, publisher of Realnews magazine, wants African leaders to live up to their responsibilities in tackling numerous problems facing the continent. Chigbo made the appeal in her welcome address at the fifth anniversary lecture organised by the magazine on Thursday, November 16.

She said the media outfit’s 2017 topic: ‘African Leadership in a Turbulent Era’ had been informed by contemporary global events, especially the emergence of Donald Trump, as the United States’ 45th president, with Russia and China increasingly wielding more influence on Africa, as well as the looming threat of a nuclear war in the Korean peninsula.

According to her, the lecture is coming at a time when African countries are struggling with ceaseless political and socio-economic turbulence, high youth unemployment with hundreds if not thousands of young Africans perishing in the Mediterranean Sea on perilous journeys to Europe in search of so-called greener pastures. She recalled that just last week, some 26 Nigerian young women between 14 and 18 years old died in the Mediterranean Sea.

“From South Sudan where warlords appear bent on disintegrating the country, to the lingering Boko Haram insurgency in West and Central Africa, coupled with a rash of uprising by separatist groups including the Niger Delta militants and the Indigenous People of Biafra in Nigeria, in addition to the increasing wave of terrorism in other parts of Africa, the prognosis looks bleak, to say the least. Millions of African children are at the receiving end of the socio-economic, political, security and development challenges, with many now victims of serial abuse and violence, human trafficking, malnutrition and avoidable deaths, while others are deprived of quality education and a viable future,” she said.

Hence, she said the lecture was in furtherance of the medium’s contribution to nation-building by providing a forum for frank discussion by professionals, scholars, technocrats and influential personalities on the way forward for Nigeria as the hope for Africa.

Chigbo used the occasion to appreciate the guest lecturer and other dignitaries at the occasion. “I am elated that Professor Akpan Hogan Ekpo, our Chairman for this occasion, and other distinguished invited guests are here. It is an understatement to say I am overjoyed that our Guest Lecturer is also here. Dr. (Mrs) Oby Ezekwesili, Senior Economic Adviser, African Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI), former Vice-President World Bank for Africa, former Minister of Education, Federal Republic of Nigeria, convener of the BringBackOurGirls initiative and currently a Global Democracy Ambassador, does not need much introduction.

“My special welcome also goes to Mr. Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Dr. Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Mr. Waheed Olagunju, Executive Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), for accepting to serve as discussants at this event.”

She also used the opportunity to welcome and appreciate members of the Realnews Hall Fame. “Allow me to appreciate and welcome all members of the Realnews Hall Fame, made up of our former Guest Lecturers – Prof. Maurice Iwu, former INEC Chairman, Dr. Ibn Mohamed Chambas, United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Office in West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS), and Prof. Charles Soludo, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, and other discussants – Mr. Roberts Orya, former Managing Director, Nigerian Import-Export Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, former Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Prof. J.I. Ezigbo, Managing Director, Falcon Corporation Ltd, Mallam Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, founder/CEO, Alpine Investment Limited and Dr. Ngozi Anyaegbunam, President, Media World,” Chigbo said.

Realnews boasts of a crop of seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. We are convinced that journalism as the Fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute towards building a free, fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests without let or hindrance. Our motto is: “For God and Humanity.”

Our Vision is to build a reputable and world class media institution with professionalism and integrity as the bedrock of the four cardinal points of our Mission. The first is to ensure that Realnews becomes the cornerstone of investigative journalism in Nigeria and Africa. The second is to publish a credible and influential magazine that will galvanize the public, and spur government and decision makers into taking actions that will change the political, socio-economic landscape and society in general for the better. Third is to focus on oil and gas, environment, vulnerable groups – youth, women and children, and give voice to the silent majority and minority groups. Our fourth mission is to use Realnews magazine to fight any form of injustice and ensure that no section of the Nigerian society is neglected, discriminated against or left behind in our quest to build a better and just world where basic human rights are respected and cherished.

– Nov 16, 2017 @ 12:15 GMT |

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