…..Govs, top politicians, industry Chiefs confirm attendance
By Charles Olewezi
Next tomorrow being wednesday 20th November will wtiness a major event in Abuja the nations capital as Nigeria’s flagship newspaper, The New National Star marks its 5th year anniversary in grand style.
Established on 20th August 2019, the newspaper which prides itself with the slogan ” WE TELL IT THE WAY IT IS” has remained consistent in publishing quality news across the country.
The Anniversary with the theme ” Strengthening Democratic institutions and Electoral Syatem in Nigeria” will be delivered by renowned author, public speaking expert, senior advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist Prof. Mike Ozekhome
The event is scheduled to hold at the Abuja Continental Hotel ( Formerly Sheraton Hotels and Towers) and will attract eminent Nigerians, including governors, senators, heads of government agencies and parastatals, captains of industries on Wednesday 20th November, 2024. They will converge to celebrate with the Publisher, Editors and Management of New National Star Newspapers on the occasion of the newspaper’s 5th Anniversary Public Lecture and Award Dinner
Among those to receive award are the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, Taraba state Dr. Agbu Kefas and Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke respectively.
Others are the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the University of Port hsrcourt, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa , former Chairman ICPC and current Chairman, National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission? ( NSIWC) Chief Ekpo Nta, former Governor of Imo State Chief Emeka Ihedioha, CON, Chairman Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Godknows Igali ( who will chair the occasion)and the Managing Director of African Independent Television (AIT), Dr. (Mrs.) Tosin Dokpesi.
Also expected to attend and receive awards include, Chairman Shirks and Bishops Limited and INTERPOL Consultant Chief Chike Udensi, General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Executive Director ( Rural Electrification Fund) in the Rural Electrification0 Agency, Dr. Doris Ugbo, Executive Director, Operations and Technology of Fidelity Bank Plc Sir Stanley Amuchie, Aviation Management Expert Chief Festus Ugwoegbu, property magnate Chief Victor Onukwugha, Director-General/CEO Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Mr. Salihu Dembos,, District Chairman Inner wheel Club District 910, Lady Shirley Ntima and Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Clement Ojukwu, amongst other dignitaries
Some public and private organizations in different fields of endeavour that have contributed significantly to the development of our economy are also billed to be honoured during the event. They include, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and Pacesetters Academy, Abuja
Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, will deliver the Public lecture on the topic: :Strengthening Democracy and the Electoral System in Nigeria” while Professor Soludo, an economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will deliver Keynote Address on the topic “ Turning Around Nigeria’s Economic Fortunes: The Anambra State Example.” Governor Peter Mbah is also expected to share with Nigerians the strategies driving the digital transformation going on in Enugu State.
Established 5 years ago, New National Star newspapers is a member of the Montage Africa Media Limited owners of the newspaper and Montage Radio Fm 99.7. The Newspaper is printed, circulated and read nationwide as well as in South Africa and United Kingdom. The newspaper’s founding objective is to bring quality and factual news from around the globe to our readers while striving to be exceptional in news reporting. This is the reason for the slogan we uphold: We Tell It The Way It Is!
The New National Star 5th Anniversary Public Lecture is conceptualised as a vibrant annual programme to provide a forum for intellectual discourse on democracy and good governance in Nigeria aimed at sensitizing Nigerians to the strategic importance of citizens right in the promotion and sustenance of good governance in our democracy and to effect a sense of direction in the citizenry to better appreciate and embrace our democratic culture, cherish its inherent values and accord it pride of place in all aspects of our development agenda; and to emphasise the need for freedom of choice and good governance in every sphere of our national life.
Given its history and its current trajectory, democracy is essential to the survival of the Nigerian nation. Military government was not more just, accountable, or efficient than democracy, nor was it less corrupt.
Despite over 2 decades of unbroken democratic rule, many Nigerians believe that democracy has not yet delivered a considerable uplift in living standards for most Nigerians. But it remains the only system of government which can offer the hope of reconciling the extraordinary plurality of religions, ethnicities, and political traditions of its large population.
It is the only system of government which can create a fair society without resorting to oppression or the exclusion of considerable parts of the population.
It is also essential for the rest of Africa that democracy survives in Nigeria. This is because, half of West Africans are Nigerians and if democracy were to fail it would have enormous implications for the rest of Africa.