Bukola Olatunji
4 January 2009
Lagos — Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Mr Koichiro Matsuura, arrives Nigeria today on a four-day visit that will take him to Abuja, Lagos and Abeokuta.
It is the kick-off of what promises to be farewell visits to many countries for Matsuura, whose second term as Director-General of the UN agency expires in November. Among others, he is expected to pay a courtesy visit to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and meet with the First Lady, Turai, to discuss modalities for cooperation between his organisation and Turai's Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the promotion of dialogue among civilisations, active support for Africa and adoption of open and distance learning, to provide access to the excluded, Matsuura will receive a honorary doctor of letters degree of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) at its maiden convocation ceremony in Lagos, tomorrow.
Others to be honoured at the ceremony are the Senate President, Senator David Mark and former President Shehu Shagari.
He will also deliver a keynote address at the King's College, Lagos, to kick-off the centenary celebration of the College that was established in 1909; and visit the National Museum, as well as UNESCO's Category II Institute in Abeokuta.
The visit provides an opportunity for the country to present the request for another Category II Institute in Water Resources to be sited in Kaduna.
Matsuura is also expected to meet with the Minister of Education, Dr Sam Egwu, and other ministries relevant to the work of his organisation. They include, Science and Technology, Culture and Water Resources.
He leaves for Cameroon on Thursday.
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