NAN-H-44
Summit
Yola, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Berlin-based Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) is to hold its first edition of African Cultural Diplomacy Summit in Abuja early 2017.
Mr Dickson Omoregie, Country Representative
of the institute, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the summit would hold from March 6 to March 9.
He said that the summit would have the theme: “ The Strength for Cultural Unity in the Midst of Security Challenges’’.
Omoregie said that the ongoing conflicts in the South-South Geopolitical Zone by the Niger Delta Avengers was threatening Nigeria’s peace.
He also identified insecurity in the North-East over the years as a threat to the country’s peaceful co-existence.
The country representative said that cooperation between Nigeria and other African countries was underlined by political, economic and cultural initiatives contributing to both sides.
“ Over the decade, the world has witnessed major positive developments in Africa that will continue to influence and speed up the modernisation process in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.
“It is with this important opportunity in mind that the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy has initiated the Abuja Cultural Diplomacy Summit 2017.
“This is in order to strengthen the economic and cultural bridges between all the different ethno-religious groups in Nigeria with the ultimate goal of fostering further cultural and business investment,’’ he said.
The country representative said that a number of important political, historic and cultural locations in Abuja would be visited by delegates to the summit.
“Speakers and delegates, during the conference, will include leading politicians, chief diplomats, leading governmental officials, senior academics, renowned authors, journalists, and celebrated artists.
“Participation for the conference is open to governmental and diplomatic officials, academics, artists, journalists, civil society practitioners among many others.’’
Omoregie said that the summit would also witness award presentation to personalities who contributed to the peaceful coexistence and unity of Nigeria as well as Nigerian cultural icons.
The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is a non-profit and non-political organisation that promotes peace and cultural advocacy globally. (NAN)
MK/BOLA/IGO
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(Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Ijeoma Popoola)