by Ifreke Inyang

Professor Pat Utomi has been selected to deliver the keynote address at the formal launch and unveiling of Nigeria Dialogue in London. This announcement was made by The Executive Board of the organising group.

According to a statement from the organisers, Nigeria Dialogue is a platform for forward thinking young Nigerians to proffer inputs into sustainable economic, infrastructural and social development through meaningful dialogues and measurable actions. It is an avenue for young Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora to get involved in the engineering of a thinking framework that translates to the building of strong institutions or systems and sustain their continuous existence.

Speaking on the event, the Chief Operation Officer of Nigeria Dialogue, Mr Bankole Eniola stated that the event which has been themed : “The Journey Starts here” is an opportunity to unveil the short, medium and long term goals of the group which has been in existence for few months now.

He stated that based on their conviction that true development comes only through popular participation of the people which begins with their ability to voice their opinion and share same in groups, Nigeria Dialogue aims to be a platform to generate  conversations that will shape the future of our nation; bringing change to Nigeria – one person at a time. The group plans to build a community of 40 million people from all spheres of life in fifteen years, “a number fit enough to generate the needed momentum to drive the desired change in Nigeria”, trough it’s website, www.nigeriadialogue.com

The launch which is scheduled to hold on Saturday 22^nd October 2011 at Radisson Edwardian,9-13 Bloomsbury Street, London is billed to be a tightly packed and a highly intellectually stimulating gathering of great minds during which the group hopes to take the national discourse to a whole new level.

Keynote speaker Professor Pat Utomi is a political economist, management lecturer and entrepreneur. He has served in senior positions in Nigerian government, and his academic background covers Policy Economics, Business Administration, and Political Science. As an entrepreneur he has founded and co-founded companies that are active in fields including financial services, ICT, and media. He is also a former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) and a revered public affairs analyst.

Other dignitaries expected at the event are the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, the Chairman Nigeria/British Chambers of Commerce, Nigerian Industry leaders, in Oil and Banking industries in the UK.

Oluwapelumi