Goddy Jidenma Foundation is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that was established in 2007 in the memory of Arc Goddy Jidenma, who died in 2006.
By Jeffrey Agbo
President of African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank), Prof Benedict Oramah, has been selected as the 2024 Distinguished Guest Lecturer of the Goddy Jidenma Foundation Public Lecture scheduled to hold on Thursday, 22nd February 2024 at the Agip Hall Recital, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
The topic for this year’s lecture will be fashioned out by Prof Oramah from the theme “Governance, Insecurity, Poverty and Socioeconomic Development in Contemporary Nigeria and Africa.”
A statement on Thursday by the Executive Secretary of Goddy Jidenma Foundation, Ije Jidenma, said Oramah is a notable African who has made remarkable strides in developmental finance. He has several publications one of which is ” A path to making Africa Great again “
Goddy Jidenma Foundation is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that was established in 2007 in the memory of Arc Goddy Jidenma, who died in 2006. He was a selfless leader who made an indelible impact in the lives of many during his lifetime. He served as a mentor to many and always strived to add positive value wherever he was. He was born in Zaria in Northern Nigeria, schooled in the Eastern part and had his enterprising career mostly in Lagos. He also served as a Commissioner for Works, Housing & Transport and Commissioner For Commerce & Industries in Anambra State in the nineteen nineties. The Public Lecture series of the Foundation is focused on issues of national and continental relevance and proffering solutions to them.
The inaugural lecture of the foundation was held in 2009 with a ground-breaking Lecture by the renowned Constitutional Lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN, NNOM, CON on “Strengthening the Foundations and Institutions of Democracy in Africa”. Prof Ben Nwabueze who died recently, was the pioneer Chairman of Goddy Jidenma Foundation. May his noble soul rest in perfect peace. This Lecture Series is a testimony of his far-sightedness, selfless service to the nation and tirelessness in laying a solid foundation for our country. Today, we dedicate this edition of the Lecture to his enduring spirit. Prof Nwabueze lives on, in our hearts and minds and have sown seeds of greatness that must be watered by all of us.
The second biennial Lecture which was held in 2011 on the “Democracy and the Politics of Petroleum: Comparative African Perspectives” was delivered by the notable Public Intellectual and internationally celebrated African Political Scientist, Prof Ali Mazrui., D.Phil (Oxon) C.B.S.Ali Mazrui was one of the greatest Africans of all times and is highly celebrated for his TV series ‘ The Africans : A Triple Heritage ‘
The Third biennial Lecture on “The Practice of Federalism in Africa, the Nigerian Experience and the Way Forward” was delivered in 2013 by Prof Elaigwu, a Stanford University trained, Emeritus Professor of Political Science of University of Jos and the President of Institute of Governance and Social Research, Jos.
The Fourth Public Lecture was held in 2015. The Topic of discourse was “Leadership, Responsibility & Good Governance” which was delivered by Prof. Pat Utomi, Founder and CEO of Center for Values in Leadership. Prof Utomi has been on the vanguard for a better Nigeria , all his life.
The Fifth Public Lecture was held in 2017 on the topic: “The Challenge of Economic Growth in Nigeria” by Prof Kingsley Moghalu, OON, Founder & President, Institute of Governance and Economic Transformation & Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria.He later contested the Presidency of Nigeria.
The Sixth Public Lecture was given by Prof PLO Lumumba, a notable Pan Africanist and visionary public intellectual who had served as the Director of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and the Director of the Kenya School of Laws.
The Seventh Lecture which was held in 2021 had Prof Attahiru Jega , CON, a Nigerian academic, professor of political science, a former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission as the Guest Lecturer .
This year’s Lecture will be chaired by Mr Fola Adeola, the Founder of Guaranty Trust Bank and an acknowledged reformer of the Nigerian Pension system with sustainability in focus. Previous chairmen of the event include Arthur Mbanefo (2009) a former Nigerian Representative to the United Nations; Prof Anya O. Anya (2011) a National Merit Award Laureate; Chief Emeka Anyaoku,GCVO,CON(2013) the former Secretary General of Commonwealth; Dr Christopher Kolade, CON(2015) a former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom & Former Pro-Chancellor of Pan Atlantic University; Mallam Mohammed Hayatu-Deen (2017) Former Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group; Prof Joy Ogwu, OFR, (2019)Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Federal Republic of Nigeria & Former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and Chief(Mrs) Nike Akande, CON, (2021) former Minister of Industry.
Members of the Board of Trustees include Prof Pat Utomi (chairman), Justice Rose Ukeje, Victoria Taylor, Obidi Ezenwa, Zik Obi, Chidi Ilogu, Stella Okoli, and Ndidi Nwuneli.
