On Saturday October 14, 2017 the Annual TEDx Ikeja, an independent TED-like events held its third series in Lagos which I attended through a friend's invitation. TEDx Ikeja was launched in the year 2015 and has emerged as a meeting point for town and gown where various speakers that have accomplished feats in their chosen career come to share their experiences and practical life lessons with attendees.
Apart from other attractions of an usual TEDx events, I had a few Takeaways from the event that Nigerians can learn from.
My first take away from the event was their ability to keep to time. Timing has been a major issue with programmes and events in Nigeria, these ugly development has made its way into corporate events where company executives and other individuals are present including government events that Governors and other personalities are expected to attend.
Early 2017, i was invited for a dinner at Oriental Hotel Lekki by a friend, despite being a dinner that had the presence of Bank Executives and Federal Ministers, the cocktail slated for 6pm didn't start until 8pm and it affected the whole event.
It took an uninspiring dimension when a Federal Minister arrived in the course of the event, his presence disrupted the event for more than ten minutes. This was an individual coming behind schedule. For TEDx Ikeja all speakers arrived before 10am and the Program started at 10am prompt. African time syndrome failed to make its way into TEDx Ikeja.
Another take away from TEDx Ikeja was absence of Prayers either at the beginning nor at the end of the program. When the time ticked 10.00am, the anchor came on stage to introduce himself and called on the curator of TEDx Ikeja Demola Adeshola for his opening speech. Demola came on stage, made his speech and left, then speakers came one after the other.
In a sharp contrast to other events in Nigeria, the first ten to fifteen minutes is dedicated to opening prayers and some will spend more time arguing over who is fit to lead the prayers and who is not, after which they will move on to whether the prayers should be Christian or Muslim or both. By the time they are done, fifteen minutes has gone down the drain. The same fifteen minutes a speaker uses for his presentation at TEDx Ikeja??
I'm not against Nigerians praying at events and meetings but it has played little or no role at our events. At National Assembly where budget are allegedly padded and where they end up boxing each other, they pray. At companies Boardroom meetings where shareholders funds are looted they pray. At government offices where tax payers money are mismanaged they pray before and after work. Why can't we do away with Prayers at our events? To those who believed that prayers are needed for smooth running of event, there was no prayer at TEDx Ikeja and it was a successful program.
Next take away for me was absence of protocol and "high table". Protocol and high table is another syndrome that has made its way into Nigeria events that is absent in other parts of the world. Protocols which includes introduction of guest and other paparazzi was absent at TEDx Ikeja. Every one was seated and the Program commenced without creation of "scene" by any individual with unnecessary protocol.
Several times we've watched events on TV like UNGA meetings, IMF meetings, World Bank meetings. These events are devoid of protocols and "high-table" syndrome despite the presence of world decision makers. Here in Nigeria, some individuals will fight the MC for not adding Chief or Doctor as the case may be to their Name. This high table syndrome nearly marred the burial of the late Ooni of Ife in the year 2015.
There was a fierce confrontation between the Vice President protocol team and the event organizers over the arrangement of chairs for the high table, it took the intervention of some well meaning Nigerians before the issue was resolved. This needless confrontation can be avoided with a simple front row seat arrangement which was what TEDx Ikeja did.
TEDx Ikeja has come and gone but the lessons are indelible for appropriate event planning in Nigeria.
Adesina Tosin Nathaniel
Lagos