Aelex Report

#aelex2016
project report
ÆLEX
TH
11 ANNUAL LECTURE

#aelex2016
project report
Compiled by
Development Diaries LTD/GTE
7 Raymond Street, Off Commercial Avenue,
Sabo - Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
www.developmentdiaries.com

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
With an es mated popula on of 180 million people, Nigeria
is reckoned as Africa's biggest democracy, opera ng a
federal system of governance which recognises the Federal,
State and Local ers of government. This structure leaves
the most populous Black Country in the world with a
Federal Government at the centre, 36 State Governments
and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and 774 Local
Governments Areas across Nigeria.
According to
recent
sta s cs, only
three (Lagos,
Rivers and Akwa-Ibom)
out of Nigeria's 36
States are currently
economically viable and
are mee ng up with
their financial
obliga ons especially,
payment of wage bill.
Accordingly, over 90
percent of the States in
Nigeria can be deemed
insolvent and therefore
categorised as a failed
state.

From high worker
indebtedness to
widespread ci zens
complaints and protests,
there have been
fledging concerns on
the state of States in
Nigeria, demonstrated
through ques onable
thoughts on their
existence, framework
and effec veness in
delivering core
responsibili es and
qualita ve public
service delivery for the
growth and
development of the
country.
These, amongst many
concerns, informed the
choice of 'Making States
Work' as the topic of
th
discourse for the 11
AELEX Annual Lecture
held on November 9,
2016. For over a
decade, the AELEX
annual lecture has
evolved into a first-rate
pla orm for exploring
emerging issues of
socio-economic and
poli cal relevance in
Nigeria.
This year set out to
engage relevant
stakeholders on
a aining self-reliance,
effec veness and
sustainability for
Nigerian States.
This report
quintessen ally
highlights the series of

ac vi es, engagements
and deliverables
undertaken by
Development Diaries
LTD/GTE, culmina ng
in the success of the
event held at the
MUSON Centre, Marina
Lagos. The report also
documents various
successful elements of
the event, learning
outcomes from the
project and
opportuni es for
considera on in
subsequent edi ons.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Development Diaries LTD/GTE was contracted to
handle two aspects of the event;
Ÿ Digital Communica on
Ÿ Stage Design & Management
The table below highlights the services, ac vi es and
results from each of the two highlighted services;
S/N SERVICES/TASKS ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT ACHIEVED
1
Digital Communica ons:
Ÿ
Create online knowledge,
awareness and engagement
on #AELEX2016 through
robust media coverage and
circula on.
Ÿ
Ÿ
11 Publicity banners
designed
Pre & Neo Event social
media coverage (LinkedIn,
Facebook and Twi er)
Ÿ
9.7 million impressions;
816,768 Reach; Trends in
Nigeria, USA, Canada,
Malawi, Ghana, Turkey,
France and Germany.

S/N SERVICES/TASKS ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT ACHIEVED
Ÿ
Repor ng of engagements
and resolu ons from
previous edi ons of the
event.
Ÿ
Ÿ
Live Online Photo-Ops
Sponsored Ads on
Facebook and Twi er
Ÿ
Four publica ons of press
release on omojuwa.com,
naijanewshub.com,
thenewsguru.com x 2.
Ÿ
Capture event proceedings
in real me sequence
through s ll images.
Ÿ
Ÿ
Pre and Post Press releases
Photography
Ÿ
#AELEX2016 Photobook
(So & Hard copies)
2
Stage Design & Management
Ÿ
Ÿ
Stage design
Bucket seats
Ÿ
Ÿ
Approved design
implemented
Back up PAS provided
Ÿ
Monitor & Projector screen
provided

#AELEX2016:
EVENT REPORT

#AELEX2016:
EVENT REPORT
With the theme 'Making States Work', the 11th Annual
AELEX Lecture was held at the Agip Recital Hall of the
Muson Centre, Marina, Lagos on Wednesday, November 9,
2016.
The annual discussion
forum
played host to
diverse stakeholders
including Ex-
Ministers, Ex-
Governors, MDs/CEOs,
Legal prac oners,
Business Execu ves,
Students, et al.
Se ng off the event
with a iconic welcome
address was Mr.
Theophilus Emuwa
(Managing Partner,
AELEX), who welcomed
and appreciated the
audience for keeping
faith in the annual lecture
for over a decade.
He, however, clarified
that the gathering was
th
AELEX's 12 Anniverth
sary and 11 Annual
Lecture. He said the
annual lecture had
become a pla orm for
highligh ng topical
na onal issues of socioeconomic
and poli cal
relevance whilst forging
solid reasoning and

solu ons for Nigeria,
showcasing analy cal
strengths and weaknesses
of opposing
perspec ves on
Na onal issues. Mr.
Emuwa highlighted the
relevance of the topic
and panel of discussion,
given the current realies
of State management
in Nigeria. He
expressed confidence
that the panel would
proficiently engage the
topic of discourse for
be er na onal interest.
The panel discussions
started in earnest and
featued; Mr. Donald
Duke (CON), Former
Governor, Cross River
State; Mr. Peter Obi,
Former Governor,
Anambra State; Mr.
Aigboje Aig-
Imoukhuede, Council
President , Nigeria Stock
Exchange; Professor
Chidi Anselm Odinkalu,
Director, Africa Program,
Open Society
Jus ce Ini a ve and Mr.
Isaac Babatunde, Execuve
Director, Corporate
& Sub-Sovereign
Ra ngs, Agusto & Co.
Moderator of the panel
discussion, Mr. Donald
Duke started off by
congratula ng the
AELEX team for the
concept and con nuity
of the vision of an
annual lecture for over a
decade in spite of chal-

#AELEX2016:
EVENT REPORT
How can
we Make
States Work
in Nigeria?
lenges. He related some
of his personal experiences
in and out of
office as a Governor. He
also stressed the importance
of having a collecve
vision as a
state/na on, whilst
poin ng out the need
for leaders to be tenacious
with a vision that
surpasses all cri cisms
made by people.
Taking on the ques on
on “How can we Make
States Work in Nigeria?”, ,
Mr. Peter Obi said that
the vision of the leader
is expedient to the
development of the
state. According to him,
the vision must be clear,
that way, the leader can
drive the state to success.
The reason for
most failure is the
absence of a plan, he
added.
Using Anambra State as
a case study, Mr. Obi

Basically, the
assignments, at
that me, were to
alleviate poverty,
improve on health
standards as well
as educa on.
These gave birth
to the Anambra
State Integrated
Development
Strategy.
related his experiences
upon assump on as
Execu ve Governor. He
said there were no
structures at the me,
hence, he immediately
swung into ac on by
adop ng a clear vision
and developing a strategy
for execu ng each
goal in the stated vision.
“Basically, the assignments,
at that me, were
to alleviate poverty,
improve on health standards
as well as educaon.
These gave birth to
the Anambra State Integrated
Development
Strategy.”
One of the key points
he made was that governance
is just a PRO-
CESS; simply look at
achieving a goal, plan
properly, budget appropriately
and finally
deliver. He described
how his administra on
adopted a demand-

#AELEX2016:
EVENT REPORT
driven style of governance
as against the
supply-driven style.
This, he said was about
giving what is important
to those who required
it. He made references
to his school projects
and how funds were
used in the state.
Mr Obi stressed on the
need to improve on
prudency in governance
despite the exposure to
huge amounts of
money.
In his submission, Mr.
Aigboje Aig-
Imoukhuede, noted that
everything that goes
wrong in a State is
hinged on governance.
Governance, according
to him, “is a state of
dynamics that involves
agreeing on how
resources are allocated in
a state.” He gave a formula
that Bad Governance
equals
Weak/Poor/Unacceptab
le Outcomes and vice
versa.
He said there are basically
two problems in
Nigeria; “The electoral
processes and how states
are created,” making
reference to 1967 when
state crea on began in
Nigeria.
He opined that government
should go beyond
the state alloca on

amounts to have a
greater vision that is
beyond that limit. He
said it was expedient for
leaders to create an
enabling environment.
He pointed out that
only 6 States are economically
independent
in Nigeria; Lagos,
Kaduna, Kano, Rivers,
Oyo and the FCT. Mr
Aig-Imoukhuede also
revealed that 54% of
total output in Nigeria
comes from these
states likewise 30% of
na onal income. However,
most of the
na on's expenditures
are incurred by states
that are not significantly
contribu ng to the
na on's wealth.
With this thought from
Mr Aig-Imoukhuede, the
moderator added that
most states do not have
a global vision or SWOT
analysis and that it is
important that there is a
federal system that
unifies all Nigerian
States.
In addressing the queson
on how to establish
and sustain a longlas
ng rela onship
between the Federal
and State governments,
Professor Chidi
Odinkalu took the floor
as the third discussant,
no ng that the knowledge
of the legacy of
state crea on and

#AELEX2016:
EVENT REPORT
State crea on
in Nigeria lasted
from 1967 to 1996.
This somewhat
faulty founda onal
reason for state
crea on was
fundamental to
its failure. Possibly,
the reason 80%
of States are
currently in
debt.
governance in Nigeria
has not been well conveyed.
“There is a lack of
historical awareness
which ought to be taught
to the younger generaon,”
he said.
Odinkalu gave details of
the history of state
crea on from the postindependence
era.
Northern Nigeria occupies
79% of Nigeria's
territorial state and
according to him what
triggered state crea on,
in July 1967, was an
a empt to secure the
North central region.
“State crea on in Nigeria
lasted from 1967 to
1996. This somewhat
faulty founda onal
reason for state crea on
was fundamental to its
failure. Possibly, the reason
80% of States are
currently in debt.”

While rounding up,
Professor Odinkalu
submi ed that Nigeria
lacked four crucial
things: processes, management,
details and
priori es. He further
stated that States in
Nigeria were basically
irra onal and that
reflects in their decision
making. He bemoaned
the lack of con nuity in
vision and in office.
The fourth discussant,
Mr. Isaac Babatunde
treated the ques on,
“What are the horrors
experienced in the Stock
Exchange with connecon
to States?” He
began by iden fying
state sources of revenue
as being basically
from statutory allocaons.
This, he said,
formed 75% of each
state's total revenue.
However, he pointed
out that revenue in
many states had
dropped and they were
defaul ng in their
payroll obliga ons. He
considered the availability
of IGR (Internal Generated
Revenue); how
much of the total state's
revenue was from IGR
and how much of the
IGR was used to se le
debts. Babatunde also
said that some states
usually borrowed from
the Nigerian Stock
Exchange (NSE) to

#AELEX2016:
EVENT REPORT
se le their payroll
obliga ons.
Whilst using Lagos as a
case study, he listed
some effec ve measures
that the Lagos
State government had
in place which currently
aided its smooth running.
In terms of revenue,
he explained how
Lagos had widened the
tax net to accommodate
ar sans and smaller
entrepreneurs.
Babtunde also explained
that PPP (Public-Private
Partnership) was a best
prac ce model as visible
in waste management in
the state.
Three other areas which
he believed some states
could emulate Lagos in,
included property tax
inclusion in revenue,
blocking of financial
leakages as well as idenfying
and providing
specific needs of the
people. Towards expenditure,
he urged other
states to adopt the
Zero-base budge ng
system, like Lagos, as
this would ensure that
only necessary projects
are funded. In his conclusion,
Babatunde
advised that, like Lagos,
other states should
ensure that their Ministries,
Departments and
Agencies (MDAs) are
capable of selfsustenance.
He stressed

the importance of
proper record keeping
as well as a reduc on of
cost of governance; all
derived from the model
of governance prac ced
by Lagos state..
There were concluding
thoughts from all the
discussants and the
moderator, a er audience
contribu ons and
ques ons were entertained.
One of the crucial
issues raised during the
Q&A session was on
how to ensure public
office holders are held
accountable to the
ci zenry.
In his response, Mr.
Peter Obi said that the
quality of Nigerian leadership
is low, hence, he
urged government and
poli cal leaders to
create an enabling environment
for feedback.
He also pleaded that
ci zens learn to speak
out and shun sycophancy.
Mr. Duke, in his opinion,
said that the pa ern of
leadership in Nigeria is
simply a reflec on of
the Nigerian State and
who we are as Nigerians.
He also reiterated
that leaders should
provide a wide pla orm
where all types of quesons
can come in

#AELEX2016:
EVENT REPORT
bordering on state
issues.
Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede
emphasized the fact
that socie es are built
on the contribu ons of
every member. On the
opera onal style of
governments through
the Civil Service, Mr Obi
highlighted that States
require the best of
minds to drive essen al
developmental agenda.
He said that 16-17% of
corrup on cases in
Nigeria emanate from
the Civil Service, hence,
the need to engage
persons of high moral
standing, track record
and competence.
Also, there was emphasis
on the need to have
consequence structures
which will reward people
for good public
conduct as well as
shame and punish for
bad public behaviour.
This, everyone agreed
would foster an enviable
society in the longterm.
As expressed by a endees,
the #AELEX2016
lecture lived up to its
billing of s mula ng
healthy conversa ons
and thoughts on making
states work. According
to them, the lecture was
enlightening as they
look forward to the next
edi on with hopes that

the proffered solu ons
on making states work
would become effec ve
at various levels of the
society.
The lecture was
rounded off with a
convergence of thought
on the need for all state
and non-state actors to
be proac ve and posive
towards na onbuilding.
In a wi y yet pithy style,
the vote of thanks was
rendered, apprecia ng
all lecture par cipants,
discussants, partners
and team members for a
successful ou ng.
The #AELEX2016
Annual Lecture con n-
ued with a grand cocktail
session at the foyer
of the venue, providing
a endees with a networking
cum refreshment
opportunity.

SOCIAL MEDIA
REPORT FOR #AELEX2016
From the preevent
phase to
the neo and
post-event
phases, the official
hashtag of the 2016
Annual AELEX Lecture,
#AELEX2016, received
an overwhelming global
engagement through
social media (LinkedIn,
Facebook and Twi er)
ac vi es culmina ng in;
Ÿ 9.7 million impressions
[Number of
accounts that
received communicaons
with the
hashtag
#AELEX2016]
Ÿ 816,768 Reach [Total
persons that clicked
on the communicaons]
Ÿ #AELEX2016 had a
global presence,
touching base with
over 7 countries
including the USA,
Canada, Malawi,
Ghana, Turkey, France
and Germany
Ÿ The hashtag also
trended on Nigeria's
Twi er Timeline for
over two hours,
dus ng over 10 other
hashtags to comth
mence at the 10
posi on, moving up
th
to the 8 posi on of
the na onal trend list.

IMPRESSION
/ REACH
#AELEX2016
PREVIEW
ADVANCED FILTERS
372 113
POSTS
USERS
816,768
REACH
9,695,675
IMPRESSIONS
Timeline

GLOBAL
FOOTPRINT
Loca on
World
USA

NATIONAL
TREND ON TWITTER

PRE-EVENT
Promo ons received massive engagements across major social media
pla orms – LinkedIn, Twi er and Facebook.

NEO/POST EVENT
SOCIAL MEDIA PROMO

DESIGN
PROMOTIONAL BANNERS:

KEY
LEARNING POINTS
Ÿ Need for ins tu onal
memory for the project
to guide communica
on for future
events: As an agelong
event, there is
the need for living
memory of event
annual lecture event
through conscious
collec on of facts,
concepts, experiences
and know-how. This
feat transcends individuals
but with
organisa onal value
aiding ongoing transmission
of memories
between team members
and vendors and
ul mately serving as
a guide for communica
ons.
Ÿ Repor ng and documenta
on of outcomes:
Every event
presents unique perspec
ve on socioeconomic
and poli -
cal issues within Nigeria
and Africa, hence,
the need to explicitly
capture every proceeding
and event
outcome using innova
ve digital tools
and proficient personnel.
Achieving
this, creates easily
accessible track for
the annual lecture.
Ÿ ü Pay-it-forward
ini a ve to contribute
to the solu ons
proffered at the event
such as: publishing a

white paper, engaging
stakeholders and
offering exper se.
Ÿ ü Socio-poli cal
conversa ons are
be er projected and
engaged by ci zens in
real- me value, as
observed with the
level of interac on
with #AELEX2016
across various social
media pla orms,
hence, the need for
digital integra on into
all phases of future
lecture events.
Ÿ ü Delivering a sterling
digital media
campaign is requires
me and planning,
therefore, a clear-cut
communica on and
agreement should be
reached on promoons
and engagements.

LOOKING AHEAD
Undoubtedly,
#AELEX2016 has
achieved impressive
milestones both online
and offline, hence, the
need to consolidate the
gains of the event.
To this end, Development
Diaries LTD/GTE
proposes the following
Digital Services to further
establish your
brand as a tech-savvy
thought-leader in the
legal industry.
Ÿ E-Newsle er producon
and disseminaon
Ÿ Social Media Content/Management
Ÿ Online Reputa on
Management
We look forward to
discussing these opportuni
es with the relevant
team(s) and thank
the Annual Lecture
Team for the opportunity
to add value.

Development Diaries LTD/GTE
7 Raymond Street, Off Commercial Avenue,
Sabo - Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
Contact Team
Femi Aderibigbe
Project Lead
femi@developmentdiaries.com
+234 803 424 1889
Office Contact
info@developmentdiaries.com
+234 818 003 9899
Tayo Elegbede
Support/Feedback
tayojet@gmail.com
+234 706 331 0858
www.developmentdiaries.com