GUARDIAN

Thursday, March 9, 2000
Mazrui to deliver FSDH lecture on economic reforms

AGAINST the backdrop of increasing calls for private sector participation
and contribution to discourse, policy and strategy for economic development
and political reforms in Nigeria, First Securities Discount House (FSDH)
will holder first annual seminar on March 21, 2000. The seminar is expected
to generate participants' interest in relevant socio-economic policy
framework and reforms.

Professor Ali Mazrui, the renowned African scholar and teacher, shall
present the seminar paper titled Economic Development and Political Reform
in an Emerging Democracy: The Nigerian Case at an event that is the first
among a series planned to hold annually.

Mazrui is widely consulted globally on issues relating to constitutional
change, education reforms and socio-political engineering. He is also an
outstanding authority on socio-political economy and the politics of
development in nations whose potential for greater productivity is mostly
underutilized.

He has served as special adviser to the World Bank and was a member of the
Group of Eminent Persons appointed in 1992 by the Organisation of African
Unity. Prof. Mazrui also served as expert adviser to the United Nations
Commission on Transnational Corporations.

He is currently the Albert Schweitzer Professor in the Humanities and
director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton
University, State University of New York. Mazrui has published over 20 books
and has research interest in African International Relations, Political
Values, Language and Governance in Africa. He is also well remembered for
his documentary film titled 'The Africans: A Triple Heritage.'

Analysts contend that the FSDH initiative could not have come at a better
time. Against the backdrop of the Obasanjo administration's pledge and
commitment to socio-economic transformation, the seminar is envisaged to set
a trend among key players in the organized private sector (OPS).

This implies a challenge to other key players in the OPS to honestly,
rigorously and consistently pursue thoughts and initiative that shall ensure
not only economic growth, but distributive equity, social justice and
economic welfare for all citizens.

Mazrui is expected in Nigeria on March 19. He will address the press on
March 20 while the seminar will take place on March 21 at the auditorium of
the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos.

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