8th January, 2015
Funsho Arogunde
Lagos State leading gubernatorial candidates, Akinwunmi Ambode of All Progressives Congress, APC, and Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will be on the podium as panelists at the 2015 annual anniversary lecture series of a group, January 9 Collective, J9C.
In a release signed by Mr. Michael Effiong, the group’s publicity secretary, the two dignitaries will be part of the panelists to deliberate on the theme, “2015 Polls: Beyond the Rhetorics of Credible Elections”, scheduled for Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, on Friday, 9 January.
Professor Anthony Kila, Professor of Political Anthropology and International Director of Studies at the European Centre of Advanced and Professional Studies (ECAPS) in Cambridge University, will be the Key Note Speaker at the event in its third edition.
The group announced that the event will also have Alaafin of Oyo, HRH Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III as Royal Father of The Day and former Cross River State Governor, Mr. Donald Duke as Special Guest of Honour.
Ovation Publisher, Bashorun Dele Momodu as well as representatives of both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police are expected as co-panelists.
Elaborating on the reason for this year’s theme, the group’s Captain, Mr. Seun Soyinka, stated that with Nigeria at the verge of a general election, it was important for stakeholders to discuss the ingredients of a free and fair election, especially because it is at the very foundation of good governance and Nigeria’s quest for rapid development.
He noted that January 9 Collective (J9C) believes that “if we are able to deliver on credible elections and elect the right leaders, Nigeria will be on the march to successfully taking its rightful place in the comity of nations.”
The January 9 Collective is a group of Nigerian professionals from different walks of life whose unifying bond is the unwavering belief in Project Nigeria and an equal passion to create the requisite awareness that will encourage and promote good governance at all levels through constructive engagements.