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British Council votes �4.5m to tackle poverty, others in Africa
From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja
AS part of its contributions to the development of Africa, the British Council is planning to spend �4.5 million to better the lot of the people through a new Pan-African initiative known as Inter-Action.
The initiative was designed to support African leaders as they move to tackle poverty, weak economies and myriad of other problems facing the continent.
The Regional Director of the British Council in West Africa, Mr. John Richards, broke the news yesterday while briefing the press in Abuja on the forthcoming maiden networking event of Inter-Action which will feature an international conference with a broad theme: Strengthening African Democracy.
Richards said the multi-sectoral exchanges of ideas and synergies of scholars and resource persons from both the United Kingdom and the 19 sub-Saharan African countries where the council has stations will help in the realisation of the goals of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).
According to him, informed pronouncements will in the end be made on issues that include:
- Africa and the G8 and the commission for Africa, the role of the media
- Peace, security and reconciliation, the rule of law and institution building; and
- The role of business, organised crime, corruption and transparency.
The Deputy Director, British Council Nigeria, Mr. Peter Brown, who was also on hand yesterday, gave further insights into the political and economic significance of the first Pan-African conference in Abuja. He also said that 46 of the 60 participants supported by the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London will come from Nigeria.
They include Prof. Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School.
"They would also have built firm relationships with other future leaders from across Africa, thereby laying the foundation for future co-operation and progress on the continent," Brown said.
Supported by Mr. Kayode Sanni, the country co-ordinator for Inter-Action, Brown said: "The conference will bring together a diverse range of Africa's actual and emerging leaders in the fields of business, politics, the media, academia and civil society.
"They will address issues on the agenda frankly and share experiences...the best of minds will be here including the British Council's deputy chair Gerard Lemos"
The next Pan-African networking event will be hosted by Kenya in February 2005 and will focus on releasing Africa's creativity.
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