The need to dissect the current economic challenges of Enugu state and come up with realistic strategies of diversifying the economy of the state in order to bolster the self-sustainability programmes of the state, is the main thrust of this edition of The Starlite Newspapers Annual Awards and Lecture Series coming up on the 11 of September 2021.

The event, which is the brainchild of the leading Newspaper in the South East of Nigeria, The Starlite Newspapers based in Enugu state, was conceptualized to serve as a reward mechanism for leading political and private sector players.

Coming at a period of global economic recessions, which has been felt across all the states of the federation, occasioned by the aftereffect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to find better ways of weaning Enugu state and indeed other states, from the federation account, the organizers of The Starlite Awards and Lecture Series are of the belief that ideas that’ll be delivered at this forum will go a long way in defining clear paths for economic recovery for the state.

The Publisher and Editor-in-chief of The Starlite Newspapers, Mr. Harrison Ogara, who made the assertion recently in an interaction with select media in Enugu, described the event as “a conflagration of ideas that will move the state to unprecedented levels”.

He explained that this year’s event, which is the second for the publication, “is meant to go beyond the normal handing over of plaques, but academic and scholarly exhortation that’ll make a deep impact on the political class that’ll grace the event”.

His words: “We decided to use this edition to make a statement that will be imbibed by the political class; a statement that will be used as template for Enugu State and other states on how to change the narrative of economic growth that goes beyond sharing monthly allocations in Abuja”.

Based on the fact that the event will be graced by the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano and Governor of Kogi State, Dr. Yahaya Bello, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama and a host of other leaders and captains of industry, The Starlite Awards and Lecture Series will have in audience, those that’ll play key roles in this quest for a paradigm shift in economic growth.

According to Chief Ogara, “to ensure that the message is adequately passed, some of the best heads in the academia and technocrats have been assembled to do justice to the event with the theme: Economic Diversification and Self-Sustainability options for Enugu State”.

To that end the Lecture Series will be anchored by the erudite Professor of Political Science and expert in Public Administration and Local Government administration, Prof. Tony Onyishi of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

A former economic adviser to the President/Chairman, National Economic Planning Commission and an economic expert, Prof. Osita Ogbu will also serve as the Chairman of the event with the mandate to steer the discussion along the path of the event’s theme.

This epoch-making event, which will be held at the Princess Alexandria Unity Hall & Theatre of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, will serve as an avenue to recognize and reward individuals, brands, companies and government agencies for their leadership roles in the private and public sectors. This year’s event is in collaboration with Lagos-based Events and Publicity Management outfit Private Media Mart Limited.

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