2015 Election: West African Scholars Debate Campaign Funding In Lagos

THE Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP), a non-profit organisation, will, on Tuesday, January 27 hold a one-day symposium on campaign funding at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos.

    The symposium is the maiden edition of ASAP (West Africa Chapter) and is expected to bring together academics, human rights activists, development practitioners and public affairs commentators to debate the impact of political corruption on development in Nigeria. 

    According to Drs Ismail Ibraheem and Adepoju Tejumaiye of the Department of Mass Communication, UNILAG, the Co-Chairs of ASAP West Africa, in a statement, “the ASAP is a response to the unimaginable poverty plaguing Africa, particularly in the mid of abundant resources Africa possess.”

    The keynote speaker at the symposium is Akin Oyebode, a Professor of Law and Jurisprudence at the University of Lagos. Other notable speakers include: Professor Thomas Pogge of the University of Yale, Mr. Femi Falana, Dr. Femi Aribisala, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, Alhaji Lai Mohammed of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his counterpart at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Olisa Metu.

    The organisers said, “There is absolutely no reason why Africa should be wallowing in poverty. The problem of Africa includes bad leadership and corruption. ASAP West Africa, taking a cue from ASAP Global, is poised to engage stakeholders, including governments at all levels, in developmental issues on how to go about reducing or eliminating poverty in the lives of Africans.