The Economist Magazine has scheduled a day and a half summit in Nigeria
termed “The Nigeria Summit: Turning Potentials into Profit.” The event is
billed for October 19th – 20th, 2011 in Abuja. Registration, which is tagged at $1,800 hascommenced, and according to the advert, discussions would be led by editors fromwithin The Economist Group.
The Economist Magazine has scheduled a day and a half summit in Nigeria
termed “The Nigeria Summit: Turning Potentials into Profit.” The event is
billed for October 19th – 20th, 2011 in Abuja. Registration, which is tagged at $1,800 hascommenced, and according to the advert, discussions would be led by editors fromwithin The Economist Group.
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The goal of the summit is to, among others, “define a clear roadmap for the country’s future.”A preliminary analysis of the planned Economist summit would reveal that rather than chart a novel course for Nigeria’s economic path, the event is dense with potential to muddle up the progressive effort being made by the country in diverse sectors.
For a summit of the type planned by The Economist Group in Nigeria, it is
expected that at the least, a combination of indigenous expertise, together with global authorities would ensure balanced conversations. Similar set-ups has defined other summits organized by The Economist in Mexico and in China. Mexican intellectuals, entrepreneurs, economists, and diplomats such as Carlos Elizondo, Eduardo Lopez, Enrique Penalosa, Rueben Aguilar, Blanca Avelino, and the President of Mexico, H.E Felipe Calderon Hinojosa and others were featured prominently.
Global authorities such as Soumitra Dutta of INSEAD, David Beker of Merill
Lynch, Alberto Padilla of CNN en Espanol, Janice Perlman of the Mega Cities
project among other several distinguished fellows, were among the guest speakers .
The Economist China Summit 2010, also featured a robust selection of Chinese entrepreneurs, politicians, intellectuals and academics, residents and people in the Diaspora. Notable Chinese speakers were Shen Mingguo, who is China's chief economist for Citigroup, Xiao Geng, a Colombia University Professor, Alex NG of Bnp Paribas, Mao Yushi of Beijing Institute of Economics, Annie Wu of the Chinese People’s
Political Consultative conference, and many others featured prominently alongside international figures as former UK Deputy Prime Ministers Hon Lord Prescott, Michael Koenig of Bayer, Christophe Bezu of Adidas, Christopher Ong of DHL, Donald Clark of George Washington University Law School to mention few .
Among the selected speakers, The Economist Magazine appointed Xu Sitao as the lead discussant.
The planned Economist conference in Nigeria contrasts sharply with the mentioned cases of Mexico and China. Most of the discussants are little known foreigners who lack expertise on Nigeria's economic, political and social issues, and in that regard, their viewpoints will, for the most, part tilt towards the judgmental, rather than scholarly.
In a country comprised of intellectuals, entrepreneurs, scientists, economists, social critics, and insightful political analysts, The Economist
Group has chosen to convene a summit where most of the lead discussants will be presented as “experts” in the affairs of a nation that, truth be told, they hardly know beyond the best five star hotels they lodge in during the few times they have visited.
What in-depth insight, for instance, does Oliver August, The Economist
magazine’s Africa correspondent and the major discussant in the planned summit have to bring to Nigeria? This German born journalist has only recently been redeployed to the African desk, having worked for most of his life in his native Europe, and as a war correspondent in the Middle East. His two published books make no mention of Africa as a continent, not to talk of the perils that the inhabitants of the sub-region face. What significant point of view then, does Oliver August posses of the Nigerian polity, to qualify him as an “expert speaker… (to) critically examine the government’s reform program…?”
Scrolling through the list of confirmed speakers, Oliver August’s name dominates,with a mention made of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an invited – and therefore, unconfirmed – guest. Aliko Dangote, Chimamanda Adichie and Kase Lawal’s name are sprinkled to confer legitimacy.
Perhaps, due to the poor number of sufficiently informed speakers, the topics
to be covered bear close resemblance with what can be found on the agenda of an “Introduction to Nigerian Political Economy” seminar organized for freshmen in a Nigerian University. For $1,800 guests will sit to topics such as “Making sense of Nigeria’s Economic Prospects,” “The Nation’s Finances” and “Spotlight on Nigeria’s Film Industry.” Compare the elementary agenda of Nigeria’s proposed summit with such hardcore, concrete topics as addressed in China and in Mexico; “Who dares win: understanding China’s dynamic private sector”; “Will Urbanization in China be a Positive Experience?”; “Priorities for Mexico’s Growing Cities,” and “Disruptive Ideas from the Emerging World and others.”
While it may be opined that China and Mexico might be much bigger economies and that the comparison with Nigeria lacks fairness, it should be clear that the need for the experience of respected intellectuals and successful entrepreneurs in any society transcends size. Nigeria has thousands of intellectuals and corporate executives whose distinct experiences - just as their Chinese counterparts - are desperately needed, if more of their countrymen are to move from economic lack and cluelessness to advancement. How about Jim Ovia, Fola Adeola, Okonjo Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, and so many other entrepreneurs, corporate executives and publishers who have achieved highly in their individual endeavors? How about the foreigners? Why not bring the highly achieving foreigners as was done in other conferences?
The proposed Economist magazine’s overpriced and sub-standard Nigeria Summit is only a symptom of an underlying problem of perception. China matters, Mexico matters; organize a world class summit that would integrate their people with other global leaders. Also, take time to consult and brainstorm with the necessary authorities to come up with an appropriate agenda that will appeal to and attract registrants. Nigeria? Send a couple of free-hands – such as Oliver August - down there to conduct a talk-shop; don’t forget to add one or two Nigerians.
It is understandable that for the most part, Nigerian businesses and entrepreneurs use such platforms as presented by The Economist for networking purposes. This results in a tendency to overlook the judgmental, often derogatory, even shallow presentations. For such people who the proposed summit means much to, it is advisable that they write to the Economist Group and insist on getting their money’s worth out of the proposed summit.
As Nigerians, we must continue to civilly insist on being treated with the respect we deserve as human beings, more especially when such services are paid for. While we continue to build up our nation, we must not wait until we “get there” to be accorded our due respect as equal participants in the global political, social and economic sphere.
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