CALL FOR PARTICIPATION:
1st Eburu Adekunle Annual Symposium on Innovation In City Governance and Monarchy. December 20, 2017
Convener: HRM Oba (Prof.) Adekunle Adeogun-Okunoye. Eburu of Iba and Founder, CERACODE
Chairman and Keynote Address: Hon. Bisi Odewumi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs
Moderator: Alhaji Oluwadare, PS, Min. of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
Panelists: Oluwo of Iwo, Akirun of Ikirun, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oloba-Ile of Oba-Ile, Owaloja of Kajola Ajaba, , Olororuwo of Ororuwo, Olowu of Owu-kuta.
Guest Speakers:
Hon. Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
Hon. Omowaiye Oluremi, Hon. Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovations
Theme: Kings and Ruling in the 21st Century Knowledge Era
Eburu Adekunle Annual symposium on Innovation in City Governance and Monarchy is an annual symposium that brings together stakeholders of the traditional city governance system in Africa, with the aim of meeting the challenges of accommodating and responding to a rapidly changing needs of the community and simultaneously exemplifying good governance despite meagre resources and lack of constitutional power. At the turn of the century, innovation has become an important focus for communities around the world, with greater pressure on community leaders especially the kings (in Nigeria context) to do more with less, and expanding community expectations.
There are challenges to create new services that have value for citizens in terms of the social and political outcomes they produce. This symposium brings together kings and city governance experts sharing their experiences on innovation in city governance. The discussion shall be guided by the structure, networks and leadership framework of city governance. This symposium provides ethnographic approach to recent thinking on the importance of creating and sustaining a culture of innovation within city government.
Without active and meaningful commitment of a king and an environment within which traditional chiefs, palace staffs and other major stakeholders feel comfortable exploring new ideas and pushing boundaries, no innovative endeavor has much chance of coming to fruition. However, not all communities are comfortable with innovation, its inherent risk of failure, and the changes that could result. Those leaders who see the value in promoting new ideas may not have the tools and competencies to actively promote an innovative culture within their community. Innovation in city governance is even more challenging considering that technologies, democracy, demography and changing geo-politics are in a constant state of flux. Whereas, city governments must prepare their palaces to proactively anticipate and effectively respond to the many challenges that they face. They must create a sustainable culture of innovation to achieve lasting and meaningful change within. Key pieces towards achieving this relate to community stakeholders motivation and engagement, tolerance for risk, bridging citizens boundaries, and swift response to community pressures. How the contemporary city governments, headed by the kings are addressing these issues shall be discussed at the symposium.
The symposium will address how does a community ensure that its palace chiefs, senior administrators, managers and other stakeholders are able to champion innovation in moving from traditional city governance to new designs and alternate ways of working? It creates a forum to share how do leader’s best prepare themselves and equip their citizens to embrace innovation? The symposium explores how leaders develop the skills and competencies to act as innovation champions, and identifies some of the tools available for managing risk while enabling risk-taking. It will outlines the impetus for investing sufficient resources in innovation and identifies programmes for attracting and training the next generation of innovative community leaders.
The panelists will use theories, case studies and best practices to discuss the significant challenges of community leaders and how they employed innovative leadership to find solutions. They will share their experiences on how they created and sustaining a culture of innovation to establish an environment whereby citizens feel not only safe, but also compelled to be innovative. How is the new knowledge era affecting the roles of a king in fostering social cohesion; inculcating egalitarianism, democratization and progressive norms and values which enhance sociocultural development?
The 2017 symposium, to be held in Iba, State of Osun, Nigeria at the Leadership and Governance in Rural Affairs Unit on 20th December, 2017, is in the process of receiving nominations for prospective participants.
We look forward to receiving your nomination.
Direct all enquiries to:
Mr. Tayo Sanusi – 08135447083
Mr. Seun Owojori – 07068846135
