Youth advocate and Communication Strategist, Seun Awogbenle has disclosed that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Immediate-Past President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Peterside Dakuku, and Founder/CEO of Cable Newspapers, Simon Kolawole are some of the Speakers expected at the intergenerational dialogue, marking the public presentation of the book ‘The Urgency of Now’.
In a statement released in Lagos by the author on Sunday, Awogbenle disclosed that the theme of the dialogue is “The Vision Nigeria Needs” which would be centered on intergenerational dialogue.
Awogbenle further said, “Beyond the need for intergenerational cooperation as an important requisite for visioning, I also think that this is a very sobering and challenging time for our country. There is a need for all of us to come together across ages, to demonstrate that for all our differences, we are all in this together, as men and women, young and old. We must show the world that we can pull back from the brink and put our country back on the path of progress.
“This time affords all of us an important opportunity to tap into the strength, inventiveness, and dynamism of young people, and leverage the depth and experience of the old order as the foundation for reimagining Nigeria. Above all, this is a time for truth-telling and frank conversations. It is not a time for recrimination, blame game or name-calling, we must rally ourselves to pull together through this time.”
Other speakers at the Intergenerational dialogue, include the Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Akin Oyebode, Singer, Filmmaker and Politician, Bankole Wellington Banky W, Humanitarian and Strategist, Sally Suleiman, and brand strategist, Chalya Shagaya.
The book has 10 chapters with the foreword by The Founder/CEO of Cable Newspapers, Simon Kolawole that harped on the imperative of visioning, leadership, youth participation, and active citizenship.
Awogbenle was quoted as saying that “in the face of the present uncertainty and unending agitation, he is convinced that what Nigeria needs is a vision, not secession or division.”