Big Ideas Platform fixes date for 2024 edition, reminisces on 2023

Big Ideas Platform fixes date for 2024 edition, reminisces on 2023

The Big Ideas Platform (BIP) has fixed May 25 for the year 2024 edition of its event, aimed at fostering development across Africa.

In a statement made available to NATIONAL PERISCOPE on Sunday, the group, while giving a recap of the maiden edition that took place in June, 2023, invited stakeholders and urged them to expect more in its next edition.

According to the statement, a leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public interest advocate, Toyosi Akerele, will be coming on board as the guest speaker.

“Big Ideas Platform 2024 is here:

Building on the success of #BIP2023, the focus of this year’s event is on information technology and behavioral change. Scheduled for May 25, 2024, coinciding with Africa Day, the event will run from 9:00 AM to 12 PM WAT (GMT+1) at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center in Abuja, with virtual participation via Zoom.

“We are honored to announce Toyosi Akerele, a leading AI in public interest advocate, as a guest speaker at the Big Ideas Platform 2024.

“Join us at #BIP2024:

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with a diverse audience of policymakers, industry leaders, youth, schools, and community representatives. Register now for #BIP2024 on our website:https://thesppg.org/bip2024,” the statement read in part.

Highlighting #BIP2023, the statement noted that the event brought together five dynamic voices from Africa, each presenting bold solutions to enhance the quality of life in African communities.

“The School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), in collaboration with the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, proudly debuted the Big Ideas Platform (#BIP2023) on June 16, 2023. Under the overarching theme of “Reawakening the African Renaissance: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Development,” this event marked a significant milestone in fostering intellectual exchange and innovation across the continent.

“#BIP2023 brought together five dynamic voices from Africa, each presenting bold solutions to enhance the quality of life in African communities. This pan-African intellectual convergence served as a vibrant marketplace of ideas, igniting discussions and paving the way for transformative change.”

Highlights from #BIP2023:

Amal Hassan, Founder/CEO of Outsource Global, emphasized the significance of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) as a pivotal economic catalyst. She underscored BPO’s role in generating millions of jobs in India and highlighted Nigeria’s potential to replicate this success.

 With robust infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a constant influx of graduates with diverse skill sets, Hassan suggested that Nigeria has the capacity to harness BPO opportunities, cater to global demands while retaining her youths.

Adetola Onayemi, CEO of Norebase, highlighted the stark disparity between Africa’s population share of 15% and its GDP contribution of only 3% globally.

He emphasized the urgent need for strategies to bolster Africa’s GDP and advocated for initiatives that not only foster continental prosperity but also contribute to the growth of global GDP, hence his big idea on Borderless Business

Ijeoma Akwiwu, Co-founder/COO of Pivo Africa, presented her big idea of building an end-to-end financial operating system for Africa’s supply chain. Reflecting on the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Akwiwu underscored its profound impact on individuals and businesses, highlighting the urgent need for resilient financial systems capable of mitigating disruptions, hence her big idea.

Hamzat Lawal, Founder of CODE and Follow the Money, addressed the concept of “Factivism,” combining activism with data-driven facts. Lawal recounted the tragic narrative of lead poisoning in Zamfara, where 700 children lost their lives and 1500 were left sick. He detailed how the #SaveBadega campaign, rooted in factivism, garnered significant attention and spurred governmental action in response to the urgent crisis.

Samson Ogbole, Farmer at Soilless Farm Lab, spoke on “Soilless Farming” for sustainable agriculture. Drawing attention to the aging demographic of Nigerian farmers, with an average age of approximately 60 years, Ogbole highlighted the concerning lack of interest among young people in agricultural pursuits. He emphasized the urgency of involving youths in agriculture to address the imminent challenge of an aging farming population and the adoption of soilless farming to ensure food security for the future.

These discussions offered invaluable insights into critical themes, fostering a sense of shared purpose in addressing Africa’s challenges.

The Big Ideas Platform connect ideas and uptakers by offering a platform to less subscribed but powerful voices and ideas across diversities, leading exceptional
solutions that can take us to an African renaissance.