Prosper Okoye
A group of prominent Nigerian public figures, Mahmud Jega, human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu and former aviation minister Osita Chidoka, will take part in an online forum this week to mark the 70th birthday of the political economist Professor Pat Utomi.
The event, which will be held on Thursday on X, will focus on leadership and governance in Africa, using Professor Utomi’s career as a lens to examine ethics, democracy and public service.
Professor Utomi, who chairs the editorial board of the business and governance platform Prime Business Africa, has for decades been a leading voice on economic reform, political accountability and values-driven leadership in Nigeria.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMarcel Mbamalu, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Prime Business Africa, said Professor Utomi’s influence extended well beyond academia.
“Professor Utomi has dedicated decades to advancing principled leadership and inclusive development,” he said. “As our Editorial Board Chairman, his guidance has been invaluable in shaping our coverage and in promoting values-driven journalism.”
Other speakers at the forum include the academics Biodun Adeniyi and Bongo Adi, as well as policy analysts Okey Okechukwu and Baba Yusuf.
The session will be moderated by the journalist and culture critic Jahman Anikulapo, with audience members able to join through a live question-and-answer segment.
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Organisers say the webinar is intended not only as a birthday tribute but also as a wider discussion about the leadership Africa needs at a time of political and economic strain.
The event, titled Leadership and Governance in Africa: Lessons from a Lifetime of Service, will begin at 7pm West Africa Time on 5 February.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
