By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), Mrs Alero Ayida-Otobo, says former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, and other prominent politicians will grace second convocation of the institution.

Ayida-Otobo, who said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu on Thursday, also announced other activities lined up for the ceremony.

She said that the former Minister and frontline politician, other politicians, erudite scholars and technocrats would deliver addresses and other lectures meant to give perspective to the Nigerian political discourse.

The SPPG CEO also said that the second convocation ceremony of the institution would be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

According to her, the inaugural convocation ceremony took place last January, virtually and physically, at the Executive Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Ayida-Otobo explained that in the second convocation, however, there would be an alumni association launch on October 6 at Grand Pela Hotels and Suites, Abuja; Solidarity Walk on October 7 from Unity Fountain; and Graduation Dinner on October 8 at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.

“The school aims to transform politics in Africa as part of the values of the #FixPolitics Initiative.

“The institute intends to create a massive base of a new value-based and disruptive-thinking political class with the knowledge and skills to effectively lead.

“It is also guided by values such as accountability, respect and tolerance; stewardship and responsibility, social justice and inclusiveness, ethical leadership, a moral compass founded on integrity and honesty, as well as adherence to the rule of law.

“Built on the #FixPolitics mission, SPPG is essential to achieving the group’s goals to elevate the ‘Office of the Citizen’ to its proper position in the society and create a political class of servant-leaders.

“The school intends to draw in, nurture and produce a new generation of political leaders who will pay attention to and serve a new class of informed citizens.

“It also aims to produce 21st century politicians, who will be renowned for their values-driven personalities,” the CEO explained.

Ayida-Otobo said that despite its wealth of human and natural resources, Africa continues to lag behind other regions of the world in the most objective and measurable indicators of human and economic development.

The statement added that the Convener of #FixPolitics and Founder of SPPG, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, said that three work study groups, with ethical and mission-driven Nigerians at their core, were established in 2020 to establish a top-notch learning institution.

“The institution is aimed at developing fresh perspectives on enhancing Nigeria’s value systems, empowering the electorate and changing the country’s political, constitutional and electoral landscape,” Ezekwesili said.

The former Minister described the school as a setting where people are educated to become dignified, responsible leaders who do not put their own interests ahead of the good of the community.

“We are training a cadre of leaders on our continent that are going to have dignity in themselves and a sense of value, where they are not subordinating the public good for self-interest.

“We are addressing the mindset shift. That is the kind of curriculum we are delivering,” she added.

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