Pascal Oparada
The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote will deliver the ninth anniversary lecture of Realnews Magazine on November 18, a statement by the organisers said.
According to organisers, the theme for this year’s lecture will be ‘Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective.
Publisher of Realnews, Maureen Chigbo said the the choice for the topic came out of realisation that the Nigerian economy is dependent on oil
“As we think of weaning the country of this dependency and lay emphasis on gas (especially with the declaration of the decade for gas in Nigeria by the federal government), we believe speakers at the lecture can provide a guide to achieve this objective,” Chigbo said.
She said: “The Lecture is also an opportunity to discuss Africa’s economic development, especially against the background of ongoing debate on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCFTA.”
The Lecture is expected to have a massive positive impact on society. a statement by Realnews said.
Past anniversary lecturers include Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation and chairman, Presidential TaskForce of COVID-19 (2020); President John Dramani Mahama.
Others are former President of Ghana (2019); Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria INEC, (2018); Dr. (Mrs) Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and Vice President, World Bank (2017), Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head, United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (2016); Professor Chukwuma Soludo, former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, (2015), and Professor Maurice Iwu, former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, (2014).
