THE NIGERIAN DIASPORA CONFERENCE
4th Science and Technology Conference and the 3rd Diaspora Day
Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, Cross River State. 23-27, July 2008.
This is to inform the general public that the 4th Science and Technology Conference/3rd Nigeria Diaspora Day will be held from July 23-27, 2008 in Tinapa, Calabar,
Cross River State.
The Annual Diaspora Conference, initiated in 2005, is envisaged as a platform for dialogue, interaction and collaboration between Nigerian scientists in the Diaspora and their counterparts in Nigeria. The aim remains the building of synergies and partnerships in the utilization and application of science and technology for national development. Following the success of the first conference, it was expected to include education and youth engagement.
The broad theme for this year's conference is "Nigeria and her Diaspora: Utilizing Science and Technology to Drive Vision 2020." The choice of the theme is against the backdrop of the country's desire to become one of the 20 largest economies by 2020 and to address the challenges of Mr. President's Seven point agenda. As most of you may be aware, in a seminal report in 2006 on Nigeria, Goldman Sach predicted that, Nigeria would, by 2025 become one of the 20 largest economies of the world if it can continue and sustain the tempo of its reforms. The former administration however decided to challenge the country to achieve the feat by 2020.
The administration of President Umaru Musa Yar'dua has embraced the vision and committed itself to drive the vision to its logical conclusion with great emphasis on power, education, agriculture and food security, employment generation, security, Niger Delta and wealth creation. Accordingly, it is setting up the institutional mechanism for the development of a framework for 2020, a sort of coordinated plan of action or road map that would ensure that the vision is realized. In this regard, Nigerians have been invited to contribute to the development of the framework that would guide and sustain Nigeria's march towards 2020 and beyond. This is to ensure broad support for the vision 2020 plan of action.
It is against this backdrop, that we wish to invite Nigerian professionals abroad, in industries, business, health, education, as well as scientists, technologists, economists, bankers, planners and investors, all those who can add value to the nation's collective effort to transform the economy of the country into a 21st Century economy within the next twelve thirteen years.
The theme of the Conference and this invitation offers the Nigerian Diaspora particularly the experienced professionals, the opportunity to contribute in deciding the fortunes of the country by its involvement in developing vision 2020 Road Map. The conference is also designed to encourage the Diaspora to be more proactive in engaging the country in her effort to transform the nation to build a knowledge based economy. The report of the Conference would constitute the Diaspora contribution to vision 2020. In this way, the Diaspora would not just contribute to the Vision 2020 framework but would also define the role they would play in the implementation of the vision plan.
It is in this context that the invitation especially in terms of speakers would be more selective than in previous years in order to maximize the contribution of the expertise of key stakeholders from the highest level of knowledge, experience and professionalism from the Diaspora, the private sector, the academia and the government. The conference will seek to engage participants in vigorous debate, analysis and consensus on what the nation needs to do, know and how to build the framework that would guide a carefully crafted programme of work for the implementation of the 7 point agenda.
In other words, apart from the Nigerian Diaspora, participants would also be drawn from federal and state governments, the private sector, the universities and professional groups, leaders and decision makers in seriously addressing the challenges of 2020 and proffering credible solutions. In addition to the cross fertilization of ideas, the broadness of the conference is to ensure that its essence as a platform for dialogue, interaction and collaboration between Nigeria and her Diaspora is sustained and strengthened.
A new feature of this year's conference would be an interactive session with state governors. This is to create a platform for dialogue between the state governors and their Diaspora on how the Diaspora can be part of the development process in the state. We are confident that a few governors would be at the conference to showcase their states and seek Diaspora intervention. Following on-going consultations with the National Assembly, there is also the possibility of a session on the Diaspora voting.
This is the first Conference call. More details would be made available shortly, including the online registration which will commence by the end of March once our website is rebuilt. It will end in mid June. A call for papers would also be issued in due course with guidelines along with a time-table for all conference activities.
The 2008 Conference is built on a sharper focus on Vision 2020 and to address the challenges of Mr. President’s 7 point agenda. The Conference aims to ensure Diaspora participation in the transformation of Nigeria by 2020. It is also designed to encourage the Nigerian Diaspora, particularly the experienced professionals, to be more proactive in engaging the country in her efforts to attain the Vision 2020, and to build a knowledge-based economy.
The theme of the Conference as previously indicated is “Using Science and Technology to Drive Vision 2020”. The Conference will seek to formulate and deliver to the National Committee on Vision 2020.
The Diaspora contribution/proposals for Vision 2020.
This makes it imperative that those wishing to contribute either in terms of ideas and papers should:-p>
- set out the steps to be sequentially followed in ensuring that Nigeria becomes one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020.
- itemize the overall tasks involved or to be undertaken.
- specify responsibilities within each step, and
- propose mechanisms for effectively completing the tasks.
More fundamental, all presentations at both plenary and breakout group
sessions should also seek to answer the following questions posed in a
presentation at the 2007 Nigeria Economic Summit 13:
- What divergent development paths could Nigeria take over the next 18 years? (now 13 years).
- What kind of Nigeria would we like our children and future leaders to inherit in the future?
- changes, events and strategies do we envisage will take us to that goal?
- What other outcomes and development paths could emerge if different strategies are pursued and different changes and events occur.
It is in this context that we invite your participation and to urge you to prepare to engage your colleagues at home in rigorous debate, analysis and consensus on what the nation needs to do now, in order to build the framework that would guide a carefully crafted programme of work for achieving the Vision 2020.
Intending participants will need to register in line with the prescribed application form now available on the web (www.fmst-nnvs.com).
For the 2008 Conference, all participants will need to be confirmed by July 10, 2008. Those who may wish to make presentations should be guided by the draft agenda on the website and forward their abstracts of not more than 250 words to the Secretariat to
Mr. B. C. Amuzie. The presentations will be collated and may be distributed to all other participants that are registered for the Breakout Sessions in order to facilitate their preparation for effective discussion of key issues and minimize the time to be spent on reading of papers. This process will also assist the Breakout Sessions to sharpen their agenda of work and allow for better allocation of time and responsibility.
Nigeria National Volunteer Service
Federal Secretariat Phase I
Shehu Shagari Way,
Abuja.
PRESENTATION OF PAPERS
For the 2008 Conference, all participants will need to be registered. Those who may wish to make presentations should forward their abstracts of not more than 250 words to the Secretariat to reach
Mr. B. C. Amuzie.
Use the draft agenda on the website as your guide for presentations.
VISION 2020
The “Vision 2020” is a goal of the government to make Nigeria one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020. President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua embraces this vision through his Seven-Point Agenda – (1) energy and power; (2) education; (3) agriculture and food security; (4) employment generation; (5) transportation; (6) Niger Delta; and (7) wealth creation.
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