The Renewed Hope Global Town Hall Virtual Conference commenced its 2025 series with an exceptional opening session on Saturday, marking a milestone in its mission to inform, educate, and engage Nigerians at home and abroad. With a dynamic roster of participants and an intellectually stimulating presentation by Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the event set a new benchmark for future conferences.
In his message preceding the session, Chairman and Chief Host, Amb. Joseph Kolawole Adebola Esq., predicted a remarkable beginning for the year, and the event delivered beyond expectations. Anchored on meticulous statistical analysis, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran captivated attendees with an hour-long presentation supported by extensive data and PowerPoint slides. He detailed critical indices such as Nigeria’s population, estimated at 216–220 million, and the unemployment rate, now recorded at approximately 4.1%, inclusive of the informal sector. The engaging session left participants, including prominent VVIPs, enthralled and better informed.
The event drew an impressive array of dignitaries, including:
Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, FNIPR, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Director-General, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, DG/CEO, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Ambassador Alistair Soyode, CEO, BEN TV, UK
The participation of Hon. Babatunde Ogala SAN, FNIM, Fbr, FIMC, Senior Legal Counsel to President Tinubu, added further gravitas to the conference. In his remarks, he lauded Prince Adeniran’s presentation, describing it as a masterclass that “sent him back to school.” He also commended the conference organizers for their commitment to countering misinformation and fostering direct engagement with Nigerians globally.
A standout moment came from Engr. Bola Babarinde, former Chairman of APC South Africa Chapter, who raised concerns about Nigeria’s unemployment challenges and the difficulties faced by the diaspora in engaging with policymakers. He introduced an ambitious proposal aimed at creating 20 million jobs within 24 months, provided the necessary support is secured. Responding to his inquiry, Prince Adeniran reiterated the 4.1% unemployment rate, underscoring the inclusion of informal sector statistics while noting challenges in developing effective employment generation strategies.
The conference was met with widespread acclaim, with participants and social media followers praising the quality of the discussions and the relevance of the data shared. Attendees described the session as a transformative experience, setting a high standard for subsequent events in the series.
The event’s success also highlighted the pivotal role of media partners, including BEN TV UK, The Reflectors Newspaper, Nigeria, and Parrot Reporters Media Limited, South Africa, in amplifying the reach and impact of the conference.
In his closing remarks, Amb. Joseph Kolawole Adebola Esq. reiterated the importance of patience, perseverance, patriotism, and prayers for the success of the current administration. He assured Nigerians that the government’s innovative reforms, though challenging, are necessary steps towards achieving national greatness.
The virtual conference will take a brief hiatus before returning with another prominent guest, promising to maintain its tradition of insightful engagement. Participants and followers are encouraged to stay tuned for updates and share upcoming announcements widely.
