[Governor Kayode Fayemi, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Tonye Cole, Denrele Edun & more gather in Ekiti for the 2nd edition of The Future Awards Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders]

Chike Ogeah, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi and Tonye Cole during the panel session at The Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders.

Governors Amaechi and Fayemi exchanging pleasantries at The Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders..

Chike Ogeah, Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Amaechi and Pat Utomi at The Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders..


Governor Kayode Fayemi, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Tonye Cole, Denrele Edun & more gather in Ekiti for the 2nd edition of The Future Awards Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders

On April 4, 2013, the 2nd Edition of The Future Awards Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders themed Project 2015: The Character of our Involvement took place at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti.

The event was anchored by the host of Rubbin’ Minds, Ebuka Obi- Uchendu and saw in attendance several dignitaries from around the country. Some of which were Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Professor Pat Utomi, Tonye Cole of Sahara Group, Kola Oyeneyi, Dr Oke Okechukwu of Thisday, Ajayi Olowu, Odia Ofeium, Chike Ogeah, Delta state commissioner for Information and many more.

Kicking of the event was a speech from Professor Pat Utomi, who later joined the panel of discussants and conducted a review on the state of Nigeria. The discussants with Professor Utomi were Kola Oyeneyi of the Venia Group; Japheth Omojuwa, a social media activist; Ajayi Olowu, Gbenga Sesan, Social Entrepreneur and Dr Oke Okechukwu of Thisday.

Delivering a speech titled ‘Friends, Fellows, Countrymen- we have so much work to do’, the Executive Director of The Future Project, Chude Jideonwo, said, “We need to build our capacity for leadership and we must learn from the massive pool of political knowledge our speakers dish out today, only with this will we as young Nigerians be able to define our character of involvement for the 2015.”

The second discussion for the day titled, ‘Getting your Hands Dirty: A Practical Guide to Political Participation’ had as discussants, Governor Kayode Fayemi, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Tonye Cole, Chike Ogeah, Pat Utomi and Odia Ofeium, who all dished out nuggets aiding effective political participation.

“Regarding Nigeria, I think transformation not revolution is possible,” said Governor Amachi. “You cannot change the government from outside. If you don't get involved now, you will continue to protest from the outside for the rest of your lives,” added Tonye Cole. “Only in Nigeria that ignorance appears to govern knowledge because we let it be so,” said Governor Fayemi.

The young attendees participated fully in the interactive sessions talks, exchanging ideas with the panellists and offering suggestions of their own.

The Nigeria Symposium for Young & Emerging Leaders, a platform leading from The Future Awards, is the next stage of its involvement in building a new generation of leaders to engage the nation’s governance and economy through knowledge exchange and building of networks. Registration for the 2013 event ended on 22nd March, 2013.

The 2013 edition is presented by The Future Project, in partnership with EnoughisEnough Nigeria. It is sponsored by Etisalat and First Bank, with support from Paradigm Initiative Nigeria and the Nigeria Leadership Initiative.

Media partners are Channels Television, Silverbird TV, Cool FM, BellaNaija, NigeriaNewsdesk and LASAA. Official media partner is Y!/YNaija.com.

For more information about this event, please visit www.thefuturenigeria.com or follow The Future Project on Twitter @TFANigeria and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TheFutureAwards.