Tony Blair to be guest speaker at APC's seminar designed to prepare it for government

FORMER British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be the guest speaker at the All Progressives Congress' (APC) two-day policy dialogue taking place this week during which it will unveil its roadmap for the four years when it will be in government.

 

As part of a programme to prepare itself for government when it is sworn-in on May 29, the APC will be holding a seminar in Abuja over the next two days. Themed Implementing Change: From Vision to Reality, the policy dialogue is being organised by the Policy Research and Strategy Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

 

Former sports minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the deputy head of the directorate, said the president-elect Muhammadu Buhari would declare open the dialogue, which would be chaired by the vice president-elect Professor Yemi Osinbajo. Mr Blair and other speakers will provide their input designed to shed light on the way to actualise the policies of the incoming administration.

 

Mallam Abdullahi identified the core areas of focus in the two-day dialogue as the economy, governance, job creation and security. He added that topics for discussion include improving the national economy for shared prosperity, repositioning agriculture for job creation and economic prosperity, developing infrastructure for national development and achieving sustainable reforms on the oil/gas sector.

 

Other discussion topics include reducing inequality and achieving sustainable human development, achieving holistic and sustainable reforms in the education sector and developing and education system relevant to Nigeria’s developmental aspirations. Achieving qualitative and affordable healthcare is also a core area that will be looked at.

 

Mallam Abdullahi said: "Other areas will include achieving diversity and inclusion in public life, exploring sports, tourism and creative industry for job creation. We will also look at governance and improved efficiency in public service, tackling corruption in the public sector and foreign policy.”

 

Other speakers and discussants expected at the dialogue include Ifueko Omogui-Okauru, Dr Rilwan Babalola, Dr Tajudeen Umar, Professor Niyi Ayoola Daniels, Tunde Ahonsi, Major-General Ishola Williams, Professor Pai Obanya and Dr Ayo Teriba. Others will be Professor Bolaji Aluko, Professor Mohammed Tabia, General Abdulrahman Dambazzau, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Fola Arthur-Worrey, Bolanle Onagoruwa, Wale Fapounda and Professor Etannibi Alemika.