Global thought leaders and professionals from across different sectors in Africa gathered at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, and on Airmeet, the HREA event’s virtual platform to share their insights on innovations shaping the world of work, with particular focus on ‘Borderless Work’

The 2-day HREA Work Festival 2021 which held from April 14 to 15 had leaders in technology, finance, healthcare, human resource, governance and social enterprise, among others, lead conversations around new trends in the world of work as can be witnessed in the different sectors of the economy globally. 

The event attracted over 5,000 participants from across industries that make up today’s global workforce, many seeking to build profitable connections and great businesses under a serene learning and exhibition environment.

Owing to Covid-19 protocols, a limited number of participants took part in the physical activities at the Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, while the vast majority of virtual participants were treated to what the organizers describe as “the best multi-platform technology experience in global conferencing” through the HREA dedicated AI-powered virtual conference hub.

Altogether, about 80 globally-renowned resource persons, assembled to showcase what the future of work in the global workplace looks like today and share deep insights on the bustling global market ecosystem. 

The lineup of some of the stellar speakers who spoke at the event includes Segun Ogunsanya, MD, Airtel Nigeria (who was represented by Mr. Victor Adebayo, Director, Human Resources, Administration, Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) and Security); Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe, Lead Faculty, Tekedia  Institute; Deborah Weinswig, CEO/Founder, Coresight Research; Uzoma Dozie, Founder, Sparkle; Adeolu Adewunmi-Zer, MD/CEO, Allianz Nigeria; Tim Salau, Mr. Future of Work; Hon. Alake Olatubosun, Special Adviser to Lagos State Government on Science and Innovation; Ibrahim Mohammed Jega, Co-Founder, Domineum Blockchain Solutions, Koromone Koroye – Group Managing Editor TechCabal, Erefa Fynecontry-Coker – Convener, HREA Work Festival 2021.

Some of the topics featured include: Future Fintech Disruption; Digital Product Design for Better Customer Experience; Digital Product Design for Better Customer Experience,

The learning team of the future – essential skills and responsibilities; Leading and succeeding in a borderless world; Speaking truth to power – how our everyday choices affect workplace culture; Effectively Supporting the Wellbeing of Employees Working Remotely; Business Modeling Fundamentals – Why Business Models Matter; Speed Networking; Financial wellbeing – Improving Financial Literacy and Employers Support; Future Proofing for Digital Disruption Vijak HaddadiFlorian Krueger; Recruitment Dive – Hiring in a borderless world; Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies for Business Planning and Decision-making;

Recruitment in the Pandemic has set the tone for Recruitment in the future; Collaborative working in a remote team; Future of Cryptocurrency: Adoption or Bust! 

Speaking about the impact of the sessions, the organizers, in a post-event statement, said, “the participants, no doubt, left with a far greater knowledge base”.

On the exhibition and startup village offerings at the HREA Work Festival 2021, they said “we are confident that our sponsors, exhibitors and startups are now strategically positioned for expanded market share, and an extended global network of partners, clients and investors”.

In a chat with Business Day Newspaper correspondent, founder of HREA and the convener HREA Work Festival 2021, Mrs. Erefa Fynecontry-Coker was excited about the impact of the speakers at the festival. She said, “I am so excited about successful participation of our stellar lineup of global speakers at this year’s event. We have been consistent in bringing some of the best minds shaping the world of work to our events. This year, I can say we assembled our best lineup yet. And the actual impact of their sessions are evidence enough. We are ever so grateful to them for partnering with us”.

Speaking further, she added that “The overall event lived up to the expectations of all participants. We delivered on our promise of an enthralling and impactful work festival. I am so proud of HREA team. The sessions, exhibition and startup innovation village were all a resounding success. Consistent with our objectives, we are changing the world of work one event at a time”.   

Fynecontry-Coker thanked the sponsors, exhibitors, delegates, volunteers and the organizing team. She said, “Every great social endeavor requires meaningful collaboration. I am glad the HREA Work Festival 2021 has seen such a collaboration. To all our sponsors, exhibitors, delegates, volunteers, and members of the organizing team, I can only say a big thank you. We did it together”.

She concluded by pledging to deliver a better and more impactful HREA Work Festival in 2022. 

“To continue to be relevant and deliver even great impact, we must maintain a path of continuous improvement. This is our pledge to the world of work”.

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