FULBRIGHT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000025 SIPDIS SECSTATE FOR ECA/A/E/AF (EBerelson, WBell, AMartin) INFO AF/PD (AAmirthanayagam); Abuja for CPAO, CAO, CAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL NI SUBJECT: FULBRIGHT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA SUCCESSFULLY INAUGURATES BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE ¶1. SUMMARY: The 3rd annual conference of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria (FAAN) was held from November 25-28 at Nsukka, home of the first indigenous Nigerian university. The three-day program with the theme "Globalization and Development In Nigeria" included addresses by the CPAO and a current U.S. senior Fulbright scholar; a message read from DAS- Academic Programs Thomas A. Farrell; and the inauguration of the newly-formed Board of Trustees, an innovative idea to enhance interest and planning activities of FAAN. After a relatively unsuccessful 2001 conference, FAAN proved to PAS this year that it was capable of organizing a productive conference, and PAS was proud to have sponsored this year's successful event. ¶2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: The conference began with a PAS courtesy call on the Chairman of the conference and host Vice-Chancellor, former Fulbright Professor Ginigeme Mbanefoh who also delivered the welcome address that preceded an inspiring keynote address by Professor Elizabeth U. Anyakoha, a renowned UNN lecturer on vocational education. The CPAO read a congratulatory message from DAS-Academic Programs Thomas A. Farrell and delivered remarks on finding one's niche in a globalized world. Duly registered as a corporate body, a Board of Trustees for FAAN was inaugurated as part of the opening ceremonies. The new FAAN Board is composed of many of Nigeria's world class scholars, including the first and only female Vice Chancellor as well as several other VCs. Papers on sub- themes related to the central theme of `Globalization and Development in Nigeria' were presented, discussed and defended. There was a consensus that liberal democratization is an essential ingredient, as well as national security, good governance, and observance of the rule of law, for globalization and development in Nigeria. Finally, a new National Executive Board was elected for a two-year term, and it was decided to hold the 2003 conference at the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS),a prominent public think- tank in Jos. The presence of Dr. Jean Borgatti, current U.S. Fulbright senior scholar of Art History at the University of Benin, gave a fresh and aesthetic insight into the topics at hand. She also suggested creating a FAAN website on which all the papers could be placed for other Fulbrighters and the general public to read, and she offered to help create the web-site for the Association. Another new development was the decision to publish a journal of all papers presented at the conference. Many far-reaching innovations and recommendations were brought up in the course of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the second day of the conference, such as the introduction of the Fulbright conference journal to the GON through the Federal Ministry of Education. At the end of the conference, a communiqu was issued to all participants about the highlights of the discussions, and this communiqu will be forwarded to Education committees in government circles as well as all Vice- Chancellors of Nigerian universities. FAAN hopes to eventually become self-funded and be an important voice in government decision-making processes in the educational sector. ¶3. BACKGROUND: FAAN is one of Nigeria's newest academic associations though the large Nigerian Fulbright academic exchange program dates back to the early 1970s. Inaugurated in 2000, the Association is now fully registered with the Corporate Affairs s Commission as a corporate body with a Constitution and a National Executive Council (NEC). Although FAAN had a rocky start, enthusiasm of the National Executive is high, and this year's conference has been a positive force for reinvigorating the organization. In his presidential address, Professor G. M. Babatunde, outgoing FAAN President and new FAAN Board member, praised the timeliness of the conference theme and encouraged members to consider how to make FAAN relevant to the Nigerian university system and an audible voice in government policy-making. ¶4. Result/Impact: Excellent. The selection of the theme "Globalization and Development in Nigeria" was timely, relevant, and thought-provoking. It will form the basis for much of FAAN's future planning and activities. ¶5. Date: November 25-28, 2002 FY 2003, First Quarter ¶6. MPP Umbrella Theme: Strengthening Economic Growth ¶7. Audience Reached: Despite being held during Ramadan, 70 Fulbright alumni and participants from as far as Bayero University in Kano State attended. Others, university students, Trustees of the Board and other guest participants who are interested in the Fulbright program, were greatly influenced by the extensive deliberations by academics and researchers, Vice- Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans and lecturers alike who were at the conference. The Fulbright scholars will incorporate the knowledge gained from these papers in their lectures to varying student populations in their respective institutions. The FAAN National Executive has also commenced plans to publish a journal of all papers presented at the 3rd annual conference for future reference purposes at universities throughout the country. In addition, the conference attracted a total of twenty new subscribers to the Embassy's Crossroads newsletter. A full report of the FAAN conference will be published in the next edition of the Crossroads, providing information on FAAN to the 6,000 subscribers. Finally, the planned FAAN web-site will facilitate communication and unity among Fulbright alumni across the nation. ¶8. Non-USG Funding: FAAN had a total sum of over Naira 400,000.00 (approximately USD 3,000.00) in its bank account, which was used to commence planning activities for this year's conference. The money represented annual dues paid by alumni over the past two years as well as minor cash donations. ¶9. Quality of U.S. Support: Excellent. FAAN is especially grateful to ECA/A/E/AF for securing the DAS's special message, which clearly touched the participants. PAS would also appreciate receiving information on alternate sources of funding to augment PAS funds. HINSON-JONES