The National Think Tank for Nigeria requests the pleasure of your company at a public Lecture in honour of one of Nigeria's most distinguished academic and public servants, Prof. Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi CFR, who will be 70 on January 4, 2012. 

The Lecture will hold at 11 am, 15th December 2011.

Venue: Anambra/Borno Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja 

The Theme of the Keynote Lecture is: "Bolaji Akinyemi and International Balance of Power: The Case of Concert of Medium Powers", to be delivered by Prof Bola Akinterinwa, Director-General, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs. 

The Guest Lecturer, Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will deliver a lecture titled: "Harnessing Diaspora Economic Prospects for development and growth"

His Excellency Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Executive Governor, Edo State will Chair the event. 

We believe and expect that this august event will strengthen and reaffirm our hopes and aspirations for our fledgling democracy and strides at Nation-building. 

Accordingly, it is our wish that you accept this invitation as special guest at the Event.  

Signed : Prof. Steve Azaiki OON, National Coordinator

Two executive members of the National Think-Tank, were among eminent Nigerians that were given national honour by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

The Executive Chairman of the National Think-Tank and former External Affairs Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and the National Coordinator, Professor Steve Azaiki, were among those honoured by the president for the national awards.

Professor Akinyemi, while serving as a minister in Ibrahim Babangida’s military government, introduced the Technical Aid Corps Scheme with a view to restructuring Nigeria’s foreign assistance programme. While serving as the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, he conceived the idea of “Dialogue” as a diplomatic intervention to broaden Nigeria’s foreign policy consultation.

Professor Akinyemi was honoured with the Commander of Federal Republic [CFR] Award

Professor Azaiki, similarly, held many positions within the country and abroad. Starting out as a teacher in 1979, he rose through the ranks to become assistant chief agricultural development officer, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in 1989 and later became a visiting professor on conflict resolution at the University of Personnel Management and Administration, Kiev, Ukraine.

Professor Azaiki was awarded with the Officer of the Order of the Niger [OON]

There is a need for professionals at home and abroad to come together to provide a blue print for the sustainable development of our nation. It is important for a group to look at key issues of our nation and proffer solutions.

The mission of the National Thank Tank is to provide high-quality research and education in order to promote a prosperous, fair, and sustainable economy. The Institute stresses real world analysis and a concern for the living standards of working people, and it makes its findings accessible to the general public, the state, and policy makers.

The National Think Tank is an independent, nonpartisan organization with an emphasis on economics, foreign policy, and national defense-through scholarly research, open debate, public education and publications. The Think tank is dedicated to preserving and strengthening the foundations of freedom-limited government, private enterprise, vital cultural and political institutions, and a strong foreign policy.