Former president Goodluck Jonathan has been chosen to succeed former U.S. president Bill Clinton as the keynote speaker at a popular U.S. event.
Goodluck Jonathan
The immediate past Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has been chosen to present the keynote address at the 2016 Hope Global Forums conference, billed to hold in the second week of January in Atlanta, United States, U.S.
Last year at the 2015 edition of the event which attracted over 3, 000 leaders from 40 countries, former U.S President, Bill Clinton had performed a role similar to the one expected of Jonathan.
The Hope Global Forum is an annual event that convenes thousands of thought leaders, business professionals and public policy officials from many countries to brainstorm on ways of advancing the social and economic well-being of all people around the world.
Daily Sun reports that the letter of invitation, detailing Jonathan for the assignment, was jointly signed by Operation Hope chief executive: John Hope Bryant, the group’s spokesman, Andrew Young, and the Mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed.
The trio urged the former president to lend his support to an entrepreneurship mentoring programme, by sharing his experience in office with a wider global audience.
The invitation letter reads in part: “As someone recognised for his leadership and vision in Nigeria and abroad, we are personally requesting your attendance. It is important for us that your influential voice and perspective be included as we drive a global conversation.
“We invite you to join Fortune 500 CEO’s, private investors, financial leaders and government officials to connect and collaborate on this vision.
“With the theme ‘Reimagining the Global Economy: Inclusive Economics’, the annual meeting is set against the backdrop of the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend and gathers leaders from government, community and the private sector to outline a vision for the modern global; economy; A vision where the undeserved, working poor and struggling middle class are viewed as untapped assets for economic growth, entrepreneurship and job creation.
“The powerful history of Atlanta as the ‘Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement’ serves as a catalyst for our gathering, highlighting the unfinished work of economic self-reliance launched by Dr. King prior to his death. We will honour that legacy with a series of activities for our guests, including ‘white glove’ viewing of Dr. King’s papers.”