St. John’s Forum, a Lagos-based good governance advocacy group, has announced a strong speaking panel for the inaugural edition of its Public Service Debates scheduled to hold on March 26 at Agip Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

The speakers include Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former External Affairs Minister, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN); Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu; and renowned Oxford University scholar, Dr. Abdu Raufu Mustapha.

The former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, will moderate the debate billed to start at 11:00am at Agip Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, with the motion: “Will Nigeria be better served by a parliamentary system of government?”

The debate, according to Adeoye Omotayo in a statement issued on behalf of the organisers, “is part of a Public Service Debate series designed to bring to the fore, critical issues that affects our society. The Forum’s aim is to promote and enhance public awareness, dialogue, and encourage participatory thought on matters of social and national importance.”

Omotayo announced that “the debate is open to the general public, and all are welcome to engage the key speakers.”

He explained that St. John’s Forum is apolitical, saying: “It is a platform committed to advancing dialogues that promote the common good in all aspects of our national life. Its activities will be of interest to all segments of the community – industry, commerce, the intelligentsia, the press, politicians, decision makers, and indeed ordinary Nigerians. The Forum believes that the coming together of such a diverse body of people with widely differing backgrounds and aspirations to debate a singular issue, must ultimately promote good.”