Barring any last-minute decision, the stage is set to hold the First African Students For Liberty Conference at the expansive multipurpose Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan, between July 25 and 26, 2014. This was contained in a statement released by the group’s African Programs Manager, Mr. Olumayowa Okediran, who said the decision to hold the conference was borne out of the fact that Africa is faced with myriad of problems. According to him, ‘Africa has been a case of charity for too long, the narrative has been about a continent so poor that it cannot by itself break free from the shackles of poverty; it has been about a continent struck with the pestilence of corruption and horrendous economic situations,’
African Students For Liberty is an offshoot of Students For Liberty; a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a unified, student-driven forum of support for students and students organizations dedicated to liberty. The body also seeks to empower students to become leaders and agents of change in their communities, particularly within their university.
By attending the conference, participants will hear from top speakers in the freedom movement, network with other pro-liberty students, discover countless opportunities for jobs, internships, conferences and seminars. The event will also feature tremendous speakers and panels on the ideas that lead to a free society and the actions necessary to implement them. Among the Speakers that will grace the occasion include; Alexander McCobin, Ms. Ida Nganga, Calvin Burgess, Japheth Omojuwa, Dr. Wale Okediran, Frederick Roeder, Ayo Sogunro, Wale Ajetunmobi, Kofi Bentil, Mike Rotich, Peter Goetler, among others.
Alexander McCobin is a Co-founder of Students For Liberty, in 2008 and till date serves as the Executive Director of the organization. He has sinced his high school participated in debates on liberty and spreading the message through it.
Ms Ida Nganga is currently the outgoing Director in charge of promoting Leadership Development and Entrepreneurship in Africa for the Global Peace Foundation. Under her leadership, the Global Peace Foundation is currently rolling out character and entrepreneurship programs in Africa, as well as pilots in Brazil, Paraguay, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia. She has also helped identify and helped sponsor young Africans for the Harvard Mentor Program.
Calvin Burgess is the founder and CEO of Dominion Group of Companies. He is a graduate of British Columbia Institute of Technology. The origin of the dominion group dates back to 1977 when Mr. Burgess founded a general contracting firm. That business expanded in 1986, since which year the Dominion Group has sited, designed, built and financed over 3.2 million square feet of public and commercial properties.
In Kenya and indeed Africa, Dominion Group have had its footprints in the Dominion Farms. Dominion Farms Kenya Limited was chartered in Kenya 2003. Since then, Dominion Farms has turned over 4000 acres of previously un-accessible farmland into productive and sustainable farmland. Today, Dominion Farms is the Single Largest Producer of rice in Kenya, and employs over 800 locals. He is active in a number of faith-based operations on the education training, and motivation of citizens of poor and developing nations.
Japheth Omojuwa is the curator of omojuwa.com and contributor of numerous articles on African and Nigerian socio-economic development. His works have appeared in local and interationl media including Thisday, Financial Times and regular articles on Punch Newspapers. He is a regular commentator on radio and television platforms on Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges and opportunities. Japheth has been an International Election Observer too while also working as a philanthropist in raising funds for terminally ill young Nigerians. He believes that the revolution of Africa needs more than anything else is that of ideas and walking the talk of our productive beliefs. He uses social media to good effect for advocacy, business and social commentary.
Dr Wale Okediran is a qualified Medical Doctor from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1980. He had worked in government and private hospitals for several years before he went into private practice in 1987.He remained active in private practice until 1999 when he went into active politics and was appointed Chairman, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board. He later contested for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives, where he represented his constituency from 2003 to 2007.He is the author of the book ‘’Tenant of the House’, a skillful fictional delineation of the ugly colours of Nigerian politics with its seeming intrigues, base motives, ‘win-at-all-cost ’ motivations, and money as the great leverage. A fictional account of his tenure at the Nigerian House of Assembly, the book exposes the intricate web of corruption in the House of Assembly. As a social critic, his views have been published in both local and international media. Okediran is a past President of Association of Nigerian Authors [ANA].
Wale Ajetumobi bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Ilorin in 2010, he is currently pursuing a Post-graduate degree in journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, he was a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Trainee in 2010 and a participant at the Students and Young Professionals African Liberty Academy (SYPALA), Nairobi, Kenya -2013. He was Editor-in-Chief, National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS),UNILORIN chapter-2009 to 2010 and Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Students Chemical Sociey of Nigeria (SCSN) UNILORIN chapter,2009 to
2010.
He was a Finalist at the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award for Brand Reporting-2012, was Assistant Editor, CAMPUSLIFE, The Nation newspaper 2010-2012 and is presently Editor, CAMPUSLIFE, The Nation newspaper 2012- till date.
