Goodluck Jonathan Foundation: Edo Government To Host Democracy Dialogue

The Edo State government will be hosting this year's 2024 annual Democracy Dialogue in partnership with the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation. The event is scheduled to take place on the 13th of June 2024 in Benin City, Edo State.

With the theme "Functional Education, Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development," the 2024 Dialogue aims to convene a diverse group of key political leaders, policymakers, and experts from across the continent. 

The focus will be on examining the crucial role of education and effective political leadership recruitment in realizing the development goals of African nations.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State expressed that the theme of the dialogue aligns with his administration's objectives to advance education as a cornerstone for development and societal progress.

Ms. Ann Iyonu, the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, emphasized the foundation's optimism that participants in the dialogue will offer solution-oriented presentations. She also highlighted that the conference's outcomes will be compiled and shared to contribute to the collective efforts of Africans in advancing democratic governance and socioeconomic development.

This year's Dialogue follows the 2023 edition, which delved into the relationship between democracy and development under the theme "Breaking New Grounds in the Democracy-Development Nexus in Africa."

The event is expected to be attended by notable figures such as the immediate past President of Kenya, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, former Liberian President George Weah, former Vice President of Zambia Dr. Nevers Mumba, Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the head of the UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa, Njoya Tikum.

Professor Olubayi Olubayi, the Chief Academic Officer at Maarifa Education and former Vice Chancellor of the International University of East Africa (IUEA) in Uganda, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2024 Democracy Dialogue. He expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with others on the necessity to reconsider the African education system.

The event will also feature a panel section dedicated to exploring the theme of the event.