THE IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA LEGACY DIALOGUE

second edition

THEME: ISSUES IN AFRICA'S DEMOCRATIC JOURNEY

About the Dialogue

The maiden edition of the IBB Legacy dialogue took place on the 12^th of August, 2021 with the theme IBB, The Man, His Vision, His Legacy.

President Ibrahim Babangida turns 81 on 17^th August. As has become customary, the Ibrahim and Maryam Babangida Presidential Library Foundation will mark the occasion with its 2022 Annual Dialogue event.

In tune with the count down to the transition from one elected administration to the next, this year’s Dialogue will Centre on the broad theme of “Issues in Africa’s Democratic Journey”

The dialogue entails a public lecture by an outstanding statesman, public figure or scholar of international repute, goodwill messages from former presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and panel discussions from eminent discussants that will dissect issues raised by the lecture as well as deliberate on related sub themes as well as goodwill messages from past presidents of Nigeria and presidential aspirants.

Objectives

.01

To generate ideas from outstanding leaders while identifying priorities and distilling ideas that will place Nigeria at the fore of human progress.

.02

To encourage students of history and political science to better analyze the impact of good policies on the growth of a nation.

.03

To proffer and advance game-changing solutions through multi-stakeholder collaboration in the interest of the growing population of youths in the African continent at large.

.04

To contribute to global discourse that puts transformational leadership at the center of the efforts to achieve the SDGs and harness the relevant demographic dividends.

DIALOGUE FRAMEWORK

Public Lecture

The dialogue will be headlined with a flagship Public Lecture by a renowned and experienced personality with broad knowledge of African/Nigerian politics and governance.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

.01

Issues Arising from the 2022 Electoral Bill

.02

Monetisation of the Electoral Process

.03

Campaigning Around Issues and Policies

.04

Internal Security and Free and Fair Elections

.05

Democracy and Basic Freedom in Nigeria

.06

Judiciary and the Elections

.07

Towards an Inclusive Democracy

.08

Voter Education and Citizens’ Participation in the Electoral Process

A CHARGE TO PATRIOTISM

It is a dear hope of mine that next years’ election will not only bring or give us a president and the vice president that Nigeria deserves, but also the political contest we deserve. One that inspires our young people to see politics as a noble calling, so that the best and the brightest of our young people will commit themselves to public service. That way, in 2027, and in 2031, and beyond, the caliber of candidates will be, if anything, even greater.

All thanks to the dedicated efforts of those who take responsibility here and now. The sad fact is that too many of our countrymen and women are cynical about politics, and about the whole process. Nigerans have experienced many frustrations in the decades since we won our independence. The path to full democracy has been a slow and uneven one. We all know that we are not there yet.

Patriotic leaders like my father have played their part in keeping our country together, and in bringing about the stability and the rule of law required for economic growth and human flourishing. But ofcourse, it will be an understatement to state that not all of our leaders have served us well. Even since the advent of the 4th republic in 1999, the history of democracy in Nigeria has been a checkered one, so it is natural that Nigerians are weary at election time. B ut it is also important that we do not give in to cynicism.

The 2022 electoral bill has been an important step forward and I hope it will give voters great confidence in the conduct of the electoral process. It is important that the elections are not only free and fair, but seen to be free and fair, so transparency is a key principle. Along with the integrity and independence of electoral officers and ofcourse, the judiciary. A strong and independent judiciary is as essential to democracy as the elections them self because, it is only when voters have faith in the rule of law, that they will participate enthusiastically in the elections and trust the results.

Naturally, there are also concerns about the monetization of the electoral process because nobody must be able to buy votes or steal an election. But we must remember that majority of those who entered politics, whichever party they are, are motivated by public service and a desire to shape a better future for Nigeria.

And ofcourse, It is also the purpose of today’s dialogue (The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Legacy dialogue), there are many wise men and women gathered here today. Brought together by the gravitas of one of the wisest heads of all – President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. So, this is an opportunity to share some of that wisdom and to educate and inspire a new generation of leaders for our country.
Next year’s election campaign is a time for party politics. Now is the time for unity, for national togetherness, a time to forgive and forget the quarrels of the past, and to focus on the solutions for the future.

HE. Aisha Babangida
Chief Executive Convener
IBB LEGACY DIALOGUE, 2022

CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCASSION

His Excellency
Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo (GCON) VICE PRESIDENT
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo GCON (born 2 August 1954) is a Nigerian politician who was the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 19 May 2010 to 29 May 2015. He also served as Governor of Kaduna State, Nigeria from 2007 to 2010. Arc. Namadi attended the School of Basic Studies at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria in 1972, after which he joined its Department of Architecture, graduating in 1976 with a bachelor's degree with honours (BSc (Hons)). He also holds a master's degree in architecture.

CHIEF HOST

Malam Muhammad Musa Bello Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory

Malam Mohammed Musa Bello is a Nigerian banker who is the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, in office since 2015. He spent over twenty years in the corporate sector in various capacities. He was the Director of Habib Bank Plc, and other companies. He served as a Member of the Technical Committee on Privatization (TPC). He was also a Member of the Adamawa State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture. In 2006, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria where he served from 2007 to 2015.

CHIEF CONVENER

HE. Aisha Babangida Chief Executive Convener
The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Legacy Dialogue

Her Excellency, Aisha Babangida is a powerful convener of successful collaborative processes in leadership, development, and Negotiations. She plays roles as a champion, shaper of issues, and a great unifier. She serves as the public face for the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Legacy Dialogue, the Mothers of the Nation Initiative, and female entrepreneurship development in Nigeria and Africa. Aisha serves as the conscience of the community she serves. She is the founder of Egwafin Micro Finance Bank, Women Enterprise Alliance as well as the Chairperson of the Better Life Program for the African Rural Woman. Aisha Babangida is a humanitarian leader with a demonstrated history of working within philanthropy and helping the underserved.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Prof Jibrin Ibrahim Senior Fellow Center for Development, CDD

Prof Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow with the Centre for Development, CDD. He was the Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development and an outstanding scholar-activist with an international reputation. Prof. Ibrahim received degrees in Political Science from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and a doctorate in Politics from the University of Bordeaux in France. He was a Professor of political science at Babcock University, Ilishan, and a Research Professor at the Institute of Federalism in Fribourg, Switzerland among several other academic accomplishments, Prof. Ibrahim has lectured, published, and consulted extensively on democratisation and governance in Africa. A well-regarded leader in civil society, Prof. Ibrahim was the Chair of the West Africa Civil Society Forum.

COMPERE

Mrs. Eugenia Abu

Broadcast Journalist

Eugenia Abu is one of Nigeria’s frontline Broadcast Journalists winning several awards in the field including the prestigious NMMA Best Newscaster of the year in 1995. She is one of Nigeria’s most recognisable faces. She anchored the NTA flagship network news for 17 years and retired from active public service at the top of her career as Executive Director, programmes having served meritoriously for 34 years. A Multimedia Strategist, Media Consultant, Columnist, and Author, she is a much sought-after Compere at home and abroad and was the compere at the inauguration of President Yar’adua and President Jonathan. She also compered the inaugural dinner of President Buhari.

MODERATORS

MR LADI AKEREDOLU ALE

TV Host

Mr. Ladi Akeredolu Ale is the Controller of Current Affairs at Channels Television. He takes charge of programming in this genre, particularly foreign Affairs, sports. He graduated from the University of Ilorin and the University of Lagos. He is an alumnus of Lagos Business School Chief executive’s Programme. He anchors the current affairs interview programme, Newsnight, and flagship news at ten on Channels television.

MRS. NGOZI ALAEGBU

TV Host

Mrs. Ngozi Aleagwu studied German at the University of Hamburg, Germany. She started her career by working with DBN. She thereafter moved to TVC where she spent some years before resigning in August 2019. Alaegbu’s transition to Arise TV happened in February 2020. Alaegbu won the Television Newscaster of the Year Award at the 2021 Nigeria Media Merit Awards.