**Shina Peller, Samson Itodo, others to speak at LGI 2nd anniversary virtual lecture**

 *Shina Peller, Samson Itodo, others to speak at LGI 2nd anniversary virtual lecture*

In celebration of its 2nd anniversary, Lead Generation Initiative (LGI), a non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit organization, has perfected plan to hold a virtual programme themed: Engaging for Credible Election: Role of the Youth and Technology; Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

The programme, which is scheduled to hold via Zoom platform on Friday 21st January 2022 at 10.30am, is aimed at opening the ears, eyes and minds of the Nigerian youth to the strengths and opportunities, as well as weaknesses and threats that lie ahead of 2023 general election, and how they can play their roles meaningfully.

In making the event engaging and impactful, notable and successful personalities from different spheres whose wealth of experience and versatility remain unquestionable have been pencilled as guest speakers to do justice to the topic under discussion.

On the list of the confirmed guest speakers are the founder of LGI himself, Hon. Shina Peller who is member of the House of Representatives from Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Samson Itodo, the Executive Director of YIAGA AFRICA, Ibrahim Hussain Abdulkarim, Convener We2gedaNG

Others are Ibijoke Faborode, Co-founder/Executive Director ElectHER, Mr. Ahmad Olanrewaju, Principal System Analyst, University of Ibadan and Engineer Kazeem Sulaiman (FNSE), Head of Regional Support and Network Assurance, Airtel.

The event will be anchored by Mayor Isaac Brown 

OAP & Anchor,

Fresh FM Political Circuit/Situation Room.

It would be recalled that since last two years ago that LGI has been in existence, it has carried out a series of life-changing programmes. One of such was the first Get Involved Leadership Training (GILT) which was held in Ibadan, Oyo State from 3rd September to 6th September, 2020. 

Another was the second edition of GILT which took place in Osogbo, Osun State from 6th to 9th, October 2020. The third and fourth programmes are Bauchi and Gombe GILT events which took place from 26th November to 29th November 2020 in both states.

In the same vein, on 21st January 2021, Lead Generation Initiative held another programme when the Board of Trustees and management team successfully did its official unveiling in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja where prominent personalities like Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani, immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and others were in attendance.

On March 8, 2021, LGI held its 6th programme - a virtual conference as part of its own activities to mark 2021 International Women's Day with the theme, #ChooseToChallenge. Topping the list of the Speakers at the virtual event were Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Education Minister and Senior Economic Adviser for Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative and Mrs. Tara Fela-Durotoye, founder House of Tara.

The seventh programme was GILT event held in Minna, Niger State from 23rd March to 26th March 2021, where about 150 youths from each of the 25 local government areas of Niger state were adequately trained on leadership and governance.

Moreover, on Friday, 14th May 2021, LGI held a National Security and Peace Symposium to mark 45th birthday of its founder, Hon. Shina Peller. The event, held at International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan in Ibadan, had in attendance Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman Governors' Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who chaired the occasion. The theme of the event was National Security and Peace: Role of Government, Citizens and Institutions. Professor Isaac Olawale Albert was the keynote lecturer.

LGI's 9th programme was GILT event held in Ilorin, Kwara State from 18th of May to 22nd of May 2021. More than fifty young Nigerians drawn from the sixteen local areas of Kwara State were practically trained on public advocacy, civic engagement, strategic communication, effective leadership and governance.

Another was a virtual event tagged, People's Panel: Democracy Day Conversation, held on June 12 to mark Nigeria's 22nd Democracy Day anniversary. The lead discussant at the panel was Professor Tunde Oseni, an associate professor of Comparative Politics at Lead City University Ibadan, who is also the Director General, Centre for Corporate Governance and International Politics.

Other panelists were Barrister Edem Ossai, Civic Leader and Public Interest Lawyer, Hafsat Shinkafi (Founder and Executive Director, I AM Change Initiative), Barrister Abiola Abdulkareem (Founder, Jagunlabi Foundation) and others.

Also, the North East Zonal Get Involved Leadership Summit was held on 19th October 2021 in Yola, Adamawa state where over 500 youths were trained on leadership, community organizing and active citizenship.

Stanley Ekpa Stanley

National Secretary

Lead Generation Initiative.

20th January 2022.