The School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) institute, in collaboration with the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, launched its maiden edition of Big Ideas Platform, which is a significant milestone in fostering intellectual exchange and innovation across the African continent
The Big Ideas Platform event, ash tagged #BIP2023 is under the overarching theme of “Reawakening the African Renaissance: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Development,” marked a significant milestone in fostering intellectual exchange and innovation across the continent.
According to a statement by the SPPG institute, the #BIP2023 brought together five dynamic voices from Africa, as each presenting bold solutions to enhance the quality of life in African communities.
“This pan-African intellectual convergence served as a vibrant marketplace of ideas, igniting discussions and paving the way for transformative change.
The highlights from #BIP2023 stated that Amal Hassan, Founder/CEO of Outsource Global, emphasized the significance of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) as a pivotal economic catalyst.
She underscored BPO’s role in generating millions of jobs in India and highlighted Nigeria’s potential to replicate this success.
With the robust infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a constant influx of graduates with diverse skill sets, Hassan suggested that Nigeria has the capacity to harness BPO opportunities and cater to global demands while retaining her youths.
Also, Adetola Onayemi, CEO of Norebase, highlighted the stark disparity between Africa’s population share of 15% and its GDP contribution of only 3% globally.
He emphasised the urgent need for strategies to bolster Africa’s GDP and advocated for initiatives that not only foster continental prosperity but also contribute to the growth of global GDP, hence his big idea on borderless business.
Ijeoma Akwiwu, Co-founder/COO of Pivo Africa, presented her big idea of building an end-to-end financial operating system for Africa’s supply chain. Reflecting on the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Akwiwu underscored its profound impact on individuals and businesses, highlighting the urgent need for resilient financial systems capable of mitigating disruptions, hence her big idea.
Hamzat Lawal, Founder of CODE and Follow the Money, addressed the concept of “Factivism,” combining activism with data-driven facts.
Lawal recounted the tragic narrative of lead poisoning in Zamfara, where 700 children lost their lives and 1500 were left sick as he detailed how the #SaveBadega campaign, rooted in activism, garnered significant attention and spurred governmental action in response to the urgent crisis.
Samson Ogbole, Farmer at Soilless Farm Lab, spoke on “Soilless Farming” for sustainable agriculture. Drawing attention to the ageing demographic of Nigerian farmers, with an average age of approximately 60 years, Ogbole highlighted the concerning lack of interest among young people in agricultural pursuits.
He emphasised the urgency of involving youths in agriculture to address the imminent challenge of an ageing farming population and the adoption of soilless farming to ensure food security for the future.
These discussions offered invaluable insights into critical themes, fostering a sense of shared purpose in addressing Africa’s challenges.
Building on the success of #BIP2023, the focus of this year’s event is on information technology and behavioural change. Scheduled for May 25, 2024, coinciding with Africa Day, the event will run from 11:00 AM to 12 PM WAT (GMT+1) at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center in Abuja, with virtual participation via Zoom.
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