REMEMBERING DR. RALPH J. BUNCHE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 LAGOS 001504 SIPDIS STATE PLS PASS TO AF/PD, AF/W, ECA/A/E/AF, AFSI/EX ABUJA FOR CPAO,CAO ACCRA PLS PASS TO REAC KETEKU AID PLS PASS TO SARAH MOTEN AFR/SD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL NI SUBJECT: REMEMBERING DR. RALPH J. BUNCHE ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: In a fitting tribute to the late Dr. Ralph Johnson Bunche, Nobel Peace Prize winner and distinguished African-American diplomat, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, recently concluded our yearlong program commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth. Initiated in 2003, the program reached over 1,400 Nigerians in 4 states We employed this program to advance two key Mission Performance Plan (MPP) goals - promoting democratic practices and institutions and encouraging peaceful conflict resolution. Kudos for our colleagues in the Graphics Department of the Shultz Center; they provided an excellent Bunche exhibit which we incorporated into our successful outreach efforts. Please visit our website at http://nigeria.usembassy.gov for additional program coverage. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Joining people the world over, our yearlong Bunche tribute recognized the life and legacy of a great American statesman. As part of this initiative, PAS Lagos organized 4 events to pay homage to the life, work, vision, and times of Bunche. These events took place at the following locations: A) IWO: at Bowen University (7/24/03) B) LAGOS: at Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (10/30/2003) C) ENUGU: at Community Resource Center (2/20/04) D) ABEOKUTA: at Southwest Resource Center (6/30/04). ¶3. (U) A summary of the full program follows. A) IWO: BOWEN UNIVERSITY, JULY 30, 2003 On Thursday July 24, 2003, the first PAS Lagos centenary celebration of Bunche, drew an audience of over 800 people to Bowen University, one of Nigeria's crop of new private institutions. The audience included a high-level delegation of Nigerian public officials, Vice Chancellors, Rectors, faculty, students, from surrounding institutions in southwest Nigeria, to the semi-rural town of Iwo, Osun State. Held in a predominantly Muslim area, the event also hosted the traditional Muslim leader of the town, the Oluwo of Iwo, and his council members. The program included a screening of the documentary film Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey. We commissioned a paper by Professor Alaba Ogunsanwo of the Political Science Department, University of Lagos. Ogunsanwo focused on Bunche's exemplary life of public service; the Lagos PAO offered remarks on Bunche's legacy from the American perspective. COMMENT: Within Nigeria's growing democracy, private universities are seen as representing a renaissance of quality education in the country. PAS Lagos is enthusiastic about collaborative events with private universities in Nigeria, which are a critical component of our strategy to advance US interests in Nigeria particularly in supporting the democratic dispensation. B) LAGOS: NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, OCTOBER 24, 2003 Held on United Nations Day at the prestigious Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA),our second program reached Nigerians from all walks of life - the diplomatic corps, academics, civic and business leaders, among others. The program also featured a roundtable discussion Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu chaired the discussion and former Minister of Education, Professor Babs Fafunwa, was our keynote speaker. Professor Fafunwa served with Dr. Bunche at the United Nations. In an effort to reach younger, wider audiences in Nigeria, more than 100 students attended the program from 7 Lagos area schools. Underscoring the importance of the tribute, Dr. Joy U. Ogwu, NIIA Director-General flew in from the UN General Assembly to participate in the program. Mr. Finjap Njinga, Director of the United Nations Information Center, Lagos, read a statement commemorating the work of Bunche by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan. The panel presentation paid tribute to the late Dr. Bunche's legacy as an international diplomat and statesman, and included first-hand stories of work with Bunche while he was at the United Nations. Specifically, Bunche was noted for his tireless work on behalf of negotiating an armistice agreement between Israel and four Arab neighbors, in addition to his promotion of decolonization on the African continent in the 1950s and 1960s. RESULTS: The event drew 500 people, a large diverse audience of diplomats, educators, local government officials and students -- many of who had not heard of Dr. Bunche prior to the event. Numerous local media outlets were present, which resulted in coverage in Lagos-area newspapers and on Lagos-area radio stations.. The CG, PAO and CAO each received comments from participants, inquiring about Bunche, his legacy, and most importantly his role in shaping international policy in Sub-Saharan Africa. ENUGU: COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER, FEBRUARY 20, 2004 Representatives from the Lagos PAS provided a presentation at the Enugu Community Resource Center (CRC) celebrating the life and contributions of Dr. Bunche. The program included a PowerPoint presentation on prominent African Americans, a documentary on the career and life of Dr. Bunche, a poster show of Dr. Bunche, a robust question and answer session, and a closing reception. Approximately 60 contacts, including prominent Nigerian author Cyprian Ekwensi and former governor of Enugu State Chief C. C. Onoh, were in attendance. RESULTS: PAS used its convening power to draw prominent individuals to the program. In so doing, we helped to put the Enugu Community Resource Center on the map. Several of our contacts marveled at the USG-supplied technology center and promised to return to the Enugu CRC. During a fascinating question and answer session, issues discussed included the current state of Nigeria's educational system, approaches to reversing Nigeria's brain-drain, ways in which to strengthen the Nigerian film industry, and how Enugu can benefit from future U.S. programming. Participants were most appreciative of our efforts and urged us to provide additional programs to Enugu State. D) ABEOKUTA: SOUTHWEST RESOURCE CENTER, JUNE 30, 2004 On Wednesday, June 30, the Abeokuta Southwest Resource Center (SRC),in collaboration with PAS hosted the final commemorative program to honor the life and times of Dr. Bunche. Over 100 guests filled the center's auditorium to participate in the program, the final PAS tribute to this remarkable man. The program honored Bunche with an educational poster show, the screening of the documentary about his life and work. Center Director Tunde Kuku and Lagos PAO offered brief remarks. The Anthill Arts Foundation of Lagos provided a colorful display of artwork to honor Bunche. This artwork was also done to mark the recent observance of the International Day of the African Child. RESULTS: Guests commented on the educational nature of the program, and requested additional programs be hosted by the Abeokuta SRC. Program participants included the Honorable Commissioner for Information, Ogun State, Mr. Miran Malaolu, as well as assembled dignitaries from local colleges and universities. Media presence was also strong, and included reporters from This Day, New Age, Punch, Vanguard, NTA, O.G.T.V, Daily Independent, Comet, Champion Newspapers, Ogun State Broadcasting, National Interest Newspapers, Tribune, and Daily Times. ¶4. (U) COMMENT: The yearlong Bunche program reached diverse Nigerian audiences, in a number of different geographical locations and in unique settings: A) We reached over 1,400 total participants including Christians, Muslims and traditional practitioners. B) Strong media coverage attained. C) Target audiences included youth groups, secondary and university students, school administrators, civic leaders, local government officials and well-known cultural icons. D) Events planned in 4 different cities across Nigeria's south/east and south/west geopolitical zones. E) The Enugu CRC and Abeokuta SRC are both planned to become American Corners networks in Nigeria in FY 2005. In addition, we have provided the CRC Enugu with a collection of educational advising texts; we plan to furnish the Southwest Resource Center in Abeokuta with a set as well. Through working with both groups, PAS Lagos established broad relationships that will in turn enhance future programs. ¶5. (U) COMMENT: We are particularly appreciative of the support we received from the Shultz Center's Graphics Department; they developed a poster exhibit featuring Dr. Bunche and readily shared their files with us. We were able to incorporate their work into our outreach efforts. ¶6. (U) CONCLUSION: The PAS Lagos Ralph J. Bunche year- long commemorative program was highly successful at achieving its core objective of educating Nigerians about he life and times, social and political impact of the famous African-American statesman. In addition, audience participation and interest was lively at each event, and PAS Lagos was able to distribute a large amount of information packets about Bunche. Moreover, we advanced our MPP goals in the area of strengthening democratic practices and institutions and supporting peaceful conflict resolution through this innovative program. The program underscored the positive role of African-Americans in U.S. diplomacy, and also provided Nigerians with vital information about U.S. efforts in support of African independence. BROWNE