The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: #FrontierDiscourse2021 #PacesetterFrontier #FrankNwekeII

  • Nigeria Faces Danger of Creeping Towards a One-Party State- Oseloka H. Obaze

    Nigeria Faces Danger of Creeping Towards a One-Party State- Oseloka H. Obaze

    Nigeria Faces Danger of Creeping Towards a One-Party State- Oseloka H. Obaze

    Oseloka Henry Obaze, the immediate-past Secretary to the Government of Anambra State and the 2017 Governorship Candidate of the PDP, has warned that Nigeria faces the danger of creeping towards a one-party state.

    Obaze made this remarks in Enugu on Saturday, November 13, 2021, when he presented a keynote speech at the maiden edition of the “Frontier Discourse” – An Annual Public Lecture Series and Awards of the The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine.

    Speaking on the topic “Mental Power at the Mercy of Political Will: Nigerian Politics and its Conscious Play to Ignorance”, the former United Nations Diplomat said those in power and those seeking public offices in Nigeria ought to be asking some heady questions.

    According to him, Nigeria faces the “danger of creeping towards a one-party state.” He argued that “Nigeria is too diverse – religiously, geographically and linguistically to be run on a one party basis,” warning that those who fancy the idea of a one-party state now will soon regret it.

    Obaze, who was also honoured with the “Frontier Person” award during the event, added that the failure to restructure Nigeria is not the only area in which the political elite have succeeded in hoodwinking the nation.

    He maintained that “Nigeria continues to fail in its collective effort to tackle several notable national questions germane to her nation building and overall advancement.”

    According to him, “power in Nigeria is now possessive, and is underpinned by the winner-take-all mindset. Those who wield power tend to use it to cancel the aspirations, needs and rights of others.

    “Nothing can justify the divisive public comments of some public officials aimed at cancel culture. The vexatious scope & chilling effect of the acrimony elicited by the restructuring debate & nationalist agitations notwithstanding, certain vituperations are simply unacceptable.”

    The event had the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the Chief Guest of Honor and a recipient of the 2020 Governor of the Year in Peace and Welfare Award, represented by his Special Adviser on Information, Hon. Steve Oruruo.

    The event was chaired by Former Minister for Information, Frank Nweke II. Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu was a Discussant at the Public Lecture, as well as a Special Guest of Honor. Other dignitaries present included Former Governor of Enugu State & Former National Chairman of PDP, His Excellency, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo who was also a Special Guest of Honor. Others are HRH, Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Eze Barr. Igwesi O. Igwesi, HRH Igwe Abel Nwobodo & HRH Igwe Greg Ugwu.

    Also, His Grace, Most Revd. Dr. E. O. Chukwuma, Rt. Hon. Chief USA Igwesi, Dr. Barr. Ben Nwoye, Immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Enugu State, Captains of Industries, Representatives of Student, Youth & Religious institutions and Heads of Academic institutions were among the many dignitaries that graced the occasion.

  • Former Minister for Information, Frank Nweke II to Chair the Frontier Discourse Annual Public Lecture Series and Awards

    Former Minister for Information, Frank Nweke II to Chair the Frontier Discourse Annual Public Lecture Series and Awards

    As the November 13, 2021 date of The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine’s Annual Public Lecture Series and Awards dubbed Frontier Discourse gets closer, a former Minister for Information, Frank Nweke II will Chair the auspicious event.

     

    Frank Nweke II, also known as Okeifufe, has more than 15 years proven leadership experience at both State and Federal government levels and well over 20 years of same in the private sector of the economy. An expert in the administration of human resources, and brand strategist per excellence in both the public and private sector, he has built a strong foundation in public administration and public management over time, from high-level leadership roles in the public service as well as from education at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, the Aspen Institute, Colorado and University of Maiduguri.

     

    Frank has remained above board in all the private and public sector roles that he has occupied, and is today, regarded as one of the few highly respected public servants in Nigeria. The recognition of his intellect, dedication to duty and personal integrity as the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Enugu State from 2001-2003 led to his appointment in 2003 as a Federal Minster by President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Intergovernmental Affairs, Special Duties and Youth Affairs portfolio, making him one of the youngest members of the Nigerian Federal Cabinet in which he served. He was to be later appointed as a Minister for Information and Communications in 2005. Prior to being the Chief of Staff to the Governor he was the Resident Consultant on Economic Affairs. He currently sits on the boards of some of Nigeria’s leading companies for the similar considerations.

    In February, 2009, Frank was appointed the Director-General of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), with a long list of achievements credited to him. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group was founded in 1996 as a platform for public-private sector cooperation on Nigeria’s economic development.

    Frank has to his compliments two Masters degree, Masters in Public Policy and Administration and Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and University of Maiduguri, Nigeria respectively. His first degree was in Zoology from University of Maiduguri where he graduated with a second class upper division in 1989.

     

    In 2020, he was elected as the President of Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria (HKSAAN).

    Other key players in the Frontier Discourse are His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Governor of Enugu State as the Chief Guest of Honor, Mr. Oseloka Obaze as the Keynote Speaker, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Fmr. Deputy President of the Senate and Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone as the Special Guest of Honor and one of the Discussants, including Hon. Steve Oruruo. Others are HRH Igwe Kenneth Orizu III (Obi of Otolo & Igwe of Nnewi), HRH Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu (Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council) and HRH Eze Igwesi O. Igwesi (Eze Obuoffia & Igwe Omuoha) as the Royal Fathers of the Day and His Grace, the Most Revd. E.O Chukwuma as the Spiritual Father of the Day. His Excellency, Fmr. Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo is also tipped to be one of the Special Guests of Honor.