German Institute To Hold Abuja Cultural Diplomacy Summit In 2017

Dan Garba

The Berlin based Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) is to hold its first edition of African cultural diplomacy summit in Abuja in early 2017, an official has said.

Mr Dickson Omorigie, Country Representative of the institute said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the summit would hold between March 6th to 9th in 2017.

According to him, the ongoing conflicts in the South of Nigeria by the Niger Delta Avengers, the insecurity that the North East has faced over the last couple of years and a growing political and economic instability of global magnitude create an imminent threat for peaceful co – existence of the Nigerian state of about One Hundred and Eighty Million people with over Five Hundred multi ethnic languages spoken across its borders and Known to be the most populous black nation in the world.

He also said that the successful cooperation between Nigeria and African Countries from the North to the South is underlined by many political, economic and cultural initiatives that are contributing to both sides.

“ Over the course of the last decade, the world has witnessed major positive developments in Africa that will continue to influence and speed up the modernization process in Africa and Nigeria, on the other hand, has the unique knowledge, recourses and capabilities to positively influence and contribute to this important historic phenomenon against all these rising challenges.

“It is with this important opportunity in mind, that the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy has initiated the Abuja Cultural Diplomacy Summit 2017 with the theme “the strength for cultural unity in the midst of security challenges’’

The Strength for Cultural Unity in the Midst of Security Challenges 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, business, investment and togetherness exchange between all Nigerians” Omorigie said.

He said that the summit would take place in Abuja, Nigeria at a number of important political, historic, and cultural locations across the city including: The Banquet Hall -Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Naf Centre, International Conference Centre (ICC) among others.

“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, private sector representatives, young professionals as well as other interested individuals from across the world’’ He said.

The country representative said that the summit would also witness award presentation on personalities who have contributed to the peaceful coexistence and the unity in Nigeria as well as other cultural icons in Nigeria.