By Eric Elezuo

Africans of different creed and status defied the heavy downpour in Lagos, Nigeria, on Thursday to grace the 64th birthday celebration of foremost journalist, Aare Dele Momodu, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Victoria Island, Lagos.

The momentous gathering of prolific Nigerians and diplomatic citizens, was also an opportunity to debut the Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture Series, where the issue of Nigeria’s electricity crisis was in the front burner. The Lecture, which was themed The Politics of Energy and the Way Forward, was taken by a former Minister of Science and Technology, and Power, Prof Bartholomew Nnaji. He was assisted by the intellectual community comprising former governors of Anambra, Cross River and Kano states in the person’s of Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. Donald Duke and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso among others.

The who’s who of the Nigeria’s political terrain, traditional institutions and entrepreneurial investments, started arriving the venue as early as 10am amid a torrential downpour, which rendered connecting roads unusable. But men, women, family members, colleagues, media organisations and the general public, all maneuvered their way to the venue for the love of one man, who has given so much for the unity and progress of the Nigerian nation, and to a great extent the African continent.

Anchored by another veteran journalist, who is Arise News presenter, Dr. Reuben Abati, the show lived up to expectations, providing insights and solutions to the perennial challenges of power in Nigeria.

Kickstarting the intelligent discourse, as the lecture was nicknamed, the man of the moment, whose impact goes before him in the areas of mentorship, humanitarian display and classic exposure of budding talents, Chief (Dr.) Dele Momodu, took the centre stage for a welcome address that spoke volumes and set the stage for the immaculate words that proceded from the oratorial abilities of guests invited.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Ovation Media Group, the pivot through which the evergreen Ovation Magazine, the world famous The Boss Newspaper and the must-watch Ovation Television, revolve, took the guests on a trip down memory lane, revealing the circumstances that gave birth to the Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture Series, with its inaugural edition on his 64th birthday.

Noting that the nation had become a laughing stock as its power sector has consistently been on a reverse gear, and every other thing, a heap of infrastructure decay, Momodu informed that rebuilding the sector for maximum efficiency is possible. He described the NIIA structure as Nigeria’s own Chatham House, lamenting that it had been abandoned.

“This is the bastion of Intellectual diplomacy, and home…,” Momodu said of the NIIA.

He expressed his appreciation to all the notable guests, who have come from across Africa, to fashion a permanent solution to the perennial power crisis, including the former President of Ghana, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, who served as the Chairmanof the occasion; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; former governors of Anambra, Cross River, and Kano states, Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. Donald Duke and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Eghosa Osaghae; and a former Minister of Power, Prof Bartholomew Nnaji, who was the guest lecturer among many others.

“I can’t thank you all enough for this massive show of love, and pray that God will visit each of us as we contribute to this rewarding discourse,” Momodu said.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the event, former President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr John Dramani Mahama, lauded the efforts of Dele Momodu, who he described as a loyal friend, and the Nigerian nation, and invited Nigerian industrialists to consider investing in Ghana’s energy sector.

In his major lecture, which kicked off shortly after, the guests lecturer, Prof Nnaji, reminded the audience that Nigeria possesses all it takes to achieve a vibrant energy and power sector, adding that the President Bola Tinubu government must, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on the power sector to enable a smooth and immediate restoration of the good old days.

The Chairman, Geometric Power Limited, who just commissioned a power station in Aba, Abia State, noted that a state of emergency needs to be declared in the gas sector as this declaration will save the power sector and allow the government and other stakeholders to address fundamental issues in the sector in a robust manner.

“The issues will include how to strike a healthy balance between producing gas for export and gas for domestic consumption. Gas is equally needed in both markets.

“There is not enough natural gas or even liquefied petroleum gas used in the kitchen. Even the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company, a major foreign exchange earner that also has a guaranteed market, has been operating at 60% capacity on account of insufficient gas supply.

“The petroleum companies supplying gas to power-generating companies are in a tighter position. Because they are performing sub-optimally, there are now longer periods of electricity blackouts throughout the country. This is despite the spirited efforts of the NNPCL, the Ministry of Power and the Presidency,” he said.

A roll call of notable dignitaries that attended the event revealed the following: Ex-President John Mahama, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. Donald Duke, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Mr. Stanley Uzochukwu, AIG Tunji Alapini (Retd), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Mrs Bimbo Oloyede, Ms Maureen Chigbo, Mr. Olumide Akpata, Prince Bisi Olatilo, Mr. Nasir Ramon, Dr. Reuben Abati, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanni; Ms Tundun Abiola, Mr. Leke Alder, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Mr. Ralph Lewu, Prince Femi Tejuosho, Mrs Agnes Shobanjo, Opeyemi Oretuyi, Erelu Olajumoke Fadeyi, Dozy Mmobosi, Mr. Lai Oriowo, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Ichie Azuh Arinze, Mr. Michael Effiong, Mr. Bayo Fatusin, Dr. Stephen Akintayo and Dr. Sani Saidu Baba…