'There was a Country': Reflections from the Nigerian Diaspora

‘There was a Country’: Reflections from the Nigerian Diaspora DATE: Monday 10 December 2012 TIME: 6.00-9.00pm VENUE: Committee Room 8, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA (Please allow for at least 15 minutes to clear security when you arrive) Chinua Achebe’s recently published memoirs, There was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra, have controversially reopened discussions on Nigeria’s past – especially the events leading up to the first coup and the aftermath of the Biafran War. These events have had a profound impact on Nigeria and continue to critically impact developments across the country today. This event aims to bring Nigerians together to debate the key legacies from the coup and civil war in the context of Nigeria’s present realities and future trajectory, and hopes to explore: How the coup and war have  adversely affected peacebuilding and state-building across Nigeria (with reference to reconciliation, integration and equality)?  shaped the relationship between the Nigerian State and ordinary Nigerians?  influenced broader understanding of how to tackle the deep and growing levels of economic and social inequality polarising Nigeria?  affected access to justice, transparency and accountability as well as tackling state impunity in Nigeria?

Speakers:

CHAIR: CHI ONWURAH MP Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science & Digital Infrastructure

Donu Kogbara Print and broadcast journalist and Board Member, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority Dipo Salimonu Eirenicon Africa and founding partner of Ateriba Limited Onyekachi Wambu Director Policy and Engagement, African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) Dr Muhammad Jameel Yusha’u Senior Lecturer in Media and Politics, Northumbria University

There are a limited number of places so if you would like to attend, please RSVP by email to: [email protected]