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Ambassador Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari To Deliver Realnews 12th Anniversary Lecture
The management of Realnews Magazine and Publications Limited, publishers of Realnews Magazine Online, has announced that His Excellency, Ambassador Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, and former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, will deliver the Realnews 12th Anniversary Lecture.
The lecture on “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics, Matters Arising on Democracy, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources” will be held at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Ambassador Gambari’s acceptance to deliver the lecture was communicated to Realnews in an email dated April 27, 2027, that he sent, stating: “I am delighted to re-confirm my acceptance in principle of the invitation to deliver the lecture.”
Gambari, a Nigerian academic and diplomat, served as chief of staff to the President of Nigeria from 2020 to 2023. Before this, Gambari was the longest-serving permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations from 1990 to 1999, under five Heads of State and Presidents, and minister of external affairs from 1984 to 1985.
While at the UN, Gambari was the President of UNICEF in 1999; and became Under-Secretary-General and the first Special Adviser on Africa to Secretary-General Kofi Annan from 1999 to 2005. He was the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political Affairs from 2005 to 2007 under Secretary-Generals Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon. His last appointment in the UN was from January 2010 to July 2012, when he was appointed by Ban Ki-moon and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission as the Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur.
Born on 24 November, 1944, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Gambari attended King’s College, Lagos, and subsequently went to the London School of Economics where he bagged a B. Sc. (Economics) degree (1968) specializing in International Relations. Later he got his M.A. (1970) and Ph.D. (1974) degrees from Columbia University, New York, United States in Political Science and International Relations.
He taught at the City University of New York before working at the University of Albany and subsequently at Ahmadu Bello University, in Zaria, Kaduna State. From 1986 to 1989, he was a Visiting Professor at three universities in Washington, D.C.: Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Georgetown University, and Howard University. He has also been a research fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. and a resident scholar at the Bellagio Study and Conference Center, the Rockefeller Foundation-run center in Italy. He has authored many books and published articles in reputable journals in foreign policy and international relations, including the ‘Theory and Reality in Foreign Policy: Nigeria after Second Republic’.
The diplomat also served as the Minister for External Affairs between 1984 and 1985 under General Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime, after he was the director general of The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).
The lecture will be chaired by Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative in Nigeria, who will also moderate the panel session.
Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism. We have expertise in reporting the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities. We do this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report that will influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.
Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: “For God and Humanity.”
Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in our society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in our national development.
The 11th Anniversary Lecture in 2023 on The Threats of Illicit Funds Flow to the African Economy was delivered by Dr. Edwin W. Harris Jr., Director-General, ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). The 10th Anniversary lecture in 2022 on “Drug Abuse among Youths in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections” was delivered by Brig General Buba Marwa, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA; 9th Anniversary Lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective”; 2020 Eighth Anniversary Lecture of Realnews was delivered by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on Managing COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: The Nigeria Experience; Former President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana gave the 2019 Lecture on Beyond Politics: An Economic Narrative for West Africa while Prof. Mahmood Yakubu spoke on Political Transitions and Africa’s Economic Development: Preparations for Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections at the 2018 Lecture. The 2017 Fifth Anniversary Lecture on African Leadership in a Turbulent Era was delivered by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of Education and former World Bank Vice President. The 2016 Fourth Anniversary Lecture on Security and National Development in Plural Democratic Society was delivered by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative to West Africa and Sahel; the 2015 Realnews Third Anniversary Lecture was delivered by Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on November 19, 2015, under the theme: It’s The Nigerian Economy, Stupid? The Second Realnews Anniversary Lecture on Nigerian Democracy: Getting it Right in 2014 was delivered by Professor Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
As the Ondo State governorship election nears its conclusion, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Sylvester Alabi has embarked on a comprehensive inspection of polling units and collation centres.
This proactive measure is aimed at maintaining the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
According to a press release by the Nigeria Police Force, the tour focused on ensuring that voting materials remained intact and accounted for while votes were counted and collated in a fair and orderly manner.
The release, titled “Ondo Elections: DIG Elections Inspects Polling Units, Collation Centres, As Polls Wind Down,” emphasised the importance of vigilance, particularly at collation centres. Officers were instructed to restrict unauthorised movements and enforce strict safety protocols to prevent disruptions.
READ MORE: #OndoDecides2024: Lawmaker Applauds Peaceful Election
“The DIG further charged the officers deployed for election security to ensure a constant state of vigilance, restricting any unauthorised movement of persons in and out of the collation centres. Officers are to emplace strict safety protocols to prevent any potential disruptions or irregularities that could compromise the integrity of the elections,” the statement read.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, also reassured Ondo residents of the Force’s commitment to ensuring both the security of the electoral process and the safety of the state post-election.
“The Force is dedicated to providing top-tier security, ensuring not only the sanctity of the ongoing electoral process but also the safety of the state after the polls,” the IGP said.
In a call for collaboration, the Force urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies to uphold a peaceful atmosphere, reinforcing Ondo State’s democratic values.
The election, widely watched for its implications on national politics, continues to progress under tight security, with assurances from authorities for a credible and peaceful conclusion.
Jimi Odimayo, the lawmaker representing Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts in conducting a peaceful governorship election in Ondo State on Saturday.
After voting at his Legumare Unit 001, Anglican Primary School, Ward 3, in Irele Local Government Area, Odimayo expressed satisfaction with the seamless process. He commended the electorate for their enthusiastic participation and the smooth functioning of the election technology.
“So far, it has been peaceful, and our people are conducting themselves well. They are very enthusiastic about the election. Let me commend INEC. Based on what I witnessed today, the commission has improved tremendously. The process was seamless—it took just about two minutes for the BVAS machine to accredit me before voting,” he said.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Population highlighted the impressive voter turnout, which he noted surpassed that of the 2023 general election.
He expressed confidence in his party’s prospects, stating, “We are going to win because we have worked for it. We are looking at a massive victory for the APC because we don’t have any challenges at all. This election is going to be a pointer to what to expect in 2027, and we want to assure our President, Bola Tinubu, that Ondo State is a home for massive votes.”
While commending the current process, Odimayo acknowledged that there is still room for improvement in future elections.
The election has continued to receive commendations for its peaceful conduct as voters across the state await the official results.
During the Ondo State governorship election on Saturday, the state Police Command intensified efforts to enforce the election day movement restriction.
This led to the seizure of numerous motorcycles and vehicles from individuals who violated the directive.
The operation, which was conducted across the state, focused particularly on Akure, the state capital. Offenders were apprehended at checkpoints, including a significant interception along Oyemekun Road near ‘A’ Division in Akure, where armed police officers dismissed excuses from violators.
READ MORE: #OndoDecides2024: BVAS Challenges Mar Ondo State Election
One of the affected individuals, identified as Dejo, narrated his experience to our correspondence. He said, “My motorcycle has been impounded in the last four hours. I came from Igoba to vote at Champion Junction. I showed them my voter’s card, yet the police wouldn’t allow me to go on my motorcycle. More than 60 motorcycles and 10 vehicles are being impounded here. You can count them. Help me beg them.”
Reacting to the situation, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Funmi Odunlami, explained that the action was necessary to maintain peace during the election.
“Those people you observed contravened the restriction order, and the right thing was done by the operatives that impounded those vehicles and motorcycles. The restriction was announced earlier. It will only be for the period of restriction,” she stated.
This enforcement measure underscores the commitment of the Ondo State Police Command to ensuring a peaceful election process, despite concerns raised by affected individuals.
#OndoDecides2024: Police Chief Tours Polling Units, Collation Centres
#OndoDecides2024: Lawmaker Applauds Peaceful Election
#OndoDecides2024: Police Seize Motorcycles, Vehicles Violating Restriction Order
#OndoDecides2024: BVAS Challenges Mar Ondo State Election
#OndoDecides2024: Interior Minister Commends Peaceful Conduct
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