Lagos — Former US President Bill Clinton and former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi A. Annan, have confirmed participation at the 14th Annual THISDAY Awards Festival of Ideas.

The Festival of Ideas aims to further good governance in Nigeria and throughout Africa by addressing current challenges. These include deepening democracy and democratic institutions; strengthening leadership; and addressing poverty. The conference will also focus on how to promote investment in Nigeria and in other African nations.

The event which takes place in Abuja, Nigeria on 14 January 2009, will be preceded by an awards ceremony where distinguished Nigerians will be honoured. Among them: Cardinal Francis Arinze, the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican; Chief Anthony Enahoro, the elder statesman who moved the motion for Nigeria's independence in 1952; and Supreme Court Justices, Chukwudifu Oputa and Kayode Eso.

THISDAY Awards honour those citizens and corporate leaders who personify integrity, hard work, innovation, sound corporate governance, excellence and corporate social responsibility.

President Clinton is not being paid for this speech. THISDAY is making significant contribution to the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) to support its work in Africa. CHAI works to expand access to high-quality HIV/AIDS care and treatment in the developing world.  Currently, 1.4 million people are benefiting from medicines purchased under CHAI agreements.