By Elizabeth Ikegima
An international organisation dedicated to disseminating the principles of liberty and advocating for a freer society worldwide, Student For Liberty (SFL), played host to the 9th edition of its West Africa Regional Conference (WARC). The event took place on October 28, 2023, at the Barcelona Hotel Conference Hall in Abuja, Nigeria. This year’s conference centred on the theme “Activating Africa’s Prosperity.”
During the opening remarks, Eric Mobu, the Regional Coordinator of Students for Liberty Africa, extended a warm welcome to all participants and expressed his gratitude for their presence. He assured them of a rewarding experience, setting the tone for the event.
The opening remarks were followed by a lively speed networking session, with Ruth Bassey Okim and Nancy Ogechukwu as event anchors, facilitating participants’ interaction. Laughter, conversations, and new connections filled the atmosphere with excitement and anticipation.
The first speaking session, titled “Leadership Development in Africa: The Unseen Barriers,” featured Samuel Itodo, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa. Itodo began by outlining the challenges facing leadership development in Africa. He emphasised the influential role of social media as a tool for advocacy, underlining the importance of using it to promote freedom and liberty.
In his concluding remarks, Itodo stressed the need for generational solidarity, highlighting the significance of a unified student voice against political malpractices. He urged participants to raise their voices against political oppression and intimidation.
Following his lecture, SFL honoured Mr. Itodo with an award of excellence for his substantial contributions to the academic community. The award was presented by Anna Suberu, an Alumni Engagement Associate for SFL.
The first panel session of the conference, moderated by Abdulhamid Tahir, the founder and Climate Activist at CECCI, bore the title “New Strategies for Free Market Climate Policies and Innovation.” The panelists discussed how free market principles can be harnessed to create policies that foster innovation and economic growth while considering their environmental impact.
Another distinguished speaker at the conference was Linda Kavuka, the Director of African Programs at Student For Liberty, affectionately known as Mama Africa. She delivered a talk titled “Powering Trade through ACFTA: Examining Challenges and Opportunities.” The session provided an in-depth and engaging discussion, allowing participants to share their views on the topic.
Linda also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), an African Union programme aimed at enhancing intra-African trade. In conclusion, she encouraged participants to seize the meaningful opportunities within the free market.
The event welcomed attendees with disabilities, ensuring their representation.
In addition to the aforementioned key speakers and panelists, the event saw the participation of other notable figures, including First Baba Isa, the Head of Chambers and Principal Partner at FBI; Oluwadamilola Adepoju, the African Programs Associate at Student For Liberty; and Bayonle Fesobi, the Community Mobilizer at LOTF. These and many other distinguished speakers contributed to making the event a truly memorable one.
As the event concluded, participants were inspired to put the knowledge and insights gained into action within their lives and communities. The event also featured various awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations that have positively impacted their communities. These awards provided a fitting conclusion to a day honouring those who have made a difference in the world.
In an interview with Samson Itodo, he spoke about the conference’s purpose and its impact, especially on students, saying, “This conference aims to expose students to the value of democracy and what they can do to make democracy function. At its core are the values of citizenship, demonstrating how young people, particularly students, can contribute to development. I see this conference as one that will inspire students.”
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