WHY ?
UBIFRANCE organized on 14 December 2006, a seminar « NIGERIA, the awakening of the African giant », in which several experts presented their knowledge of that country, under the leadership of Alain Frossard at the time Head of Economic Missions Nigeria. Ms. Egnell, for its part, a strong experience of over thirty years, outlined a psychological portrait of the Nigerian business environment. Among the ten operations, the Master Boedels, lawyer at the Paris bar, was particularly positive and encouraging. A few weeks later, Ms. Egnell sought to meet him and they exchanged enthusiastically about their experiences in Nigeria. Ms. Egnell had arrived there in February 1973, in the ELF baggage, Master Boedels had worked as an attachement for the Cultural Embassy of France in 1968, weaving for four years, ties with Nigerian students of generations , friendships and a network that followed to this day. Their admiration for this great country and its people, we would like to share it with more. It is valued in economic terms, as we explained Alain Frossard, and rich potential. UBIFRANCE, the FNCC work to know. But few jurisdictions have supported the mission to know and share, in the cultural and friendly angle, French and Nigerian. Nigerian residing in France are not welcome in the French families, French resident in Nigeria tend to keep to themselves today. This was less the case in the 70s.
WHAT?
We thought it might be useful to create an association whose purpose is the promotion of cultural and scientific activities between France and Nigeria. It would bring together people who, because of their cross experiences in these two countries are keen to work for the reconciliation of France and Nigeria mainly in the cultural and human fields. If France is already well known in Nigeria, in particular through the Cultural Action Service and the wide network of the French Alliance, Nigeria and its 140 million inhabitants are unknown to the French public. Therefore, initially, the action of the association resolutely turn to the French public in order to offer a better understanding of this great country and its rich cultural heritage.
WHO ?
But if all the French must be concerned by the action of the association, it should be able to rely in particular on the following audiences:
– The French professionals working relationship with Nigeria. Networking with other professionals for an informal exchange of good practices and local inserts them is useful.
– The « Elders » Nigerian They want both to benefit from their past experiences and to be kept informed of the progress of the country Conferences, exhibitions, readings that the association will organize them will also, on those occasions to meet other « elders ».
– Nigerians in France, which themselves include two target categories:
** Nigerian professional short stay in France, they deserve to be better received, especially their spouses and children often very isolated.
** Nigerian students in France They better meetings with French professionals working in Nigeria.
With them making new friends, hiking, visits, trips to the mountains or the countryside, mixing French and English conversation, should allow a better mutual understanding of the two countries.
HOW?
The association will organize all types of actions that can contribute to weave these human, cultural and professional by any means of communication
– Films, popular science lectures concerning Nigeria in its African context (history, economics, politics, geology, ….), Also allowing meetings between professionals and scientists;
– Supports the promotion of Nigerian artists (promoting in forms to define, fashion shows, concerts, exhibitions, theater … ..), numerous meetings between « ancients » and « newcomers » among french and Nigerians;
– A newsletter, books, direct assistance to Nigerian literature in developing the text translation Action unsung authors in France.
– Networks of experts, drawn in part from the « Ancients »
– Conversation classes, …