GEP speaker series on ‘Life without Oil’ to attract economic experts
With growing concern over Nigeria’s continuous dependence on oil, key stakeholders of the public and private sectors are set to take a critical look at the topic of ‘LIFE WITHOUT OIL,’ as some of the best minds in key industries will be coming together at a ‘Speaker Series’ to confer on this all-consuming subject.
The event which will take place at the Agip Recital Hall of the MUSON Centre is organised by foremost commercial law firm George Etomi & Partners (GE&P) in commemoration of its 30th Anniversary.
Scheduled for the 28th of February, 2014 the event will highlight some salient issues surrounding the growth of the nation and the possibility of a diversified economy. ‘Can Nigeria survive without oil?’ ‘”Are we preparing for this reality?’ and ‘where is our next big break coming from?’ These and several other critical questions will be thrown up for discussion at this event.
Presenting a paper as keynote speaker at the lecture, is the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN alongside a highly incisive Panel of experts put together to discuss this hot topic.
This includes Founder and Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, as well as Former Director General of the Budget Office and Founder Agusto & Co, Mr. Bode Agusto amongst others.
The theme of the lecture is believed to be well-timed; given the central role oil has played in the economic life of this country with all of its negative import. It is also believed that the one way to deal with the massive unemployment ravaging the country is for Nigeria as a country to start looking at life without oil.
In the same vein, discussions are expected to be as rich as the line-up of discussants; throwing up some of the most vital issues surrounding this topic
Atedo Peterside, is the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), and also a member of the National Economic Management Team. Odein Ajumogobia has served both as Nigeria’s Minister for State for Petroleum and Minister of Foreign Affairs; while Professor Yinka Omorogbe, who has served as Company Secretary and Legal Adviser of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has written on a wide range of subjects including, ‘moving Beyond the Carbon Economy: Energy Law in Transition,’ ‘The Legal Framework for Economic Integration In the ECOWAS Region: An Analysis of the Trade,’ The Question of Ownership of Natural Gas in Nigeria,’ ‘Economic integration And African National Development.’
Established in 1984, GE&P has grown its services over the years to include Energy and Natural Resources Law, Telecommunications, Aviation, Construction, Environmental Law, Project Finance, Banking, Capital Markets and Government Regulatory Liaison, and has worked with numerous multinational oil companies.
A trailblazer and renowned for his service-oriented values the firm’s Principal Partner, George Etomi who was also the Pioneer Chair of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL), continues to take giant strides towards the advancement of the legal profession and the development of the nation. Under his guidance, the SBL opened new frontiers in corporate Commercial law in Nigeria, making specialisation a key focus and defining factor in the legal industry.
At the event which is strictly by invitation, Etomi will present a book ‘An Introduction to Commercial Law’ to participants. The 600-page text gives a panoramic view of commercial law in Nigeria and is highly recommended for students and practitioners alike.
By: Theodora Kio-Lawson