The BBC World Service has said its flagship debate programme, World Questions, is coming to Lagos on February 4. It has been hosting debates across the world and explained that ‘BBC World Questions’ is an hour-long programme at which the public is free to question politicians, leaders and opinion formers face to face.
“The debates are led entirely by these questions from the audience who are able to have their points heard around the world,” said a spokesperson for the BBC.
The BBC’s Toyosi Ogunseye will be joined by a panel of leading politicians and opinion formers for a public debate in Lagos. The panel will include: Hadiza Bala Usman – Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Osita Chidoka – Former Minister for Aviation, Joe Igbokwe – APC Spokesperson for Lagos State and Aisha Yesufu – Human Rights Activist
Stephen Titherington, Senior Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service English said: “This is a programme where Nigerian people question the country’s leading political thinkers, and with a leading BBC journalist who is herself Nigerian in the chair. This is the perfect chance for the world to understand what matters most to one of the world’s most rapidly changing countries.”
Lucy Pearson, Director of the British Council in Nigeria, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the BBC World Service in bringing World Questions to Lagos. This programme generates space for open and independent debates, which supports our work to promote cultural relations among people worldwide. We believe that connecting people both in Nigeria and globally makes a powerful and lasting contribution to a more open and connected world.”