International Conference on the Nigerian Elections

The Westin Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
December 11, 2009

Program

8:00 am

  • Welcome by President Ruth J. Simmons [Video]

8:15 am

  • Opening Remarks John Stremlau, Vice President, Peace Programs, the Carter Center [Video]

8:30 am–10:00 am

  • Nigeria at Fifty: Problems, Prospects, Pathologies [Video]
    • Abiola Francis Irele, Visiting Professor of African and African American Studies and of Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
    • Richard Dowden, Executive Director, Royal Africa Society, London
    • Richard Joseph, John Evans Professor of Political Science, Northwestern University
    • Jean Herskovits, Professor of History, State University of New York at Purchase
    • Ibrahim Auwalu, Nigerian Consul General, New York
  • Moderator: Obiora Udechukwu, Dana Professor of International studies and the Arts, St. Lawrence University

10:15 am–12:15 pm

  • The Nigerian State and U.S. Strategic Interests [Video]
    • Eric Silla, Special Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
    • Chukwuemeua Ihedioha, Chief Whip, House of Representatives, National Assembly
    • Herman J. Cohen, Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
    • Princeton N. Lyman, Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and South Africa
    • Emeka Izeze, Managing Director of the Guardian Newspapers, Nigeria
    • Walter Carrington, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria
  • Moderator: Edmond J. Keller, Chair and Professor of Political Science, Director of the Globalization Research Center–Africa, UCLA

12:15 pm–1:15 pm

  • Lunch Break (not part of colloquium)

1:15 pm–1:30 pm

  • Keynote Speaker [Video]
    • Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State, Nigeria

1:30 pm–3:00 pm

  • The Anambra Elections in 2010: An Ominous Sign for Nigeria? [Video]
    • Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Ikemba Nnewi; Leader, All Progressives Grand Alliance
      [read his statement (PDF)]
    • Wole Soyinka, Writer, Nobel Laureate for Literature
    • Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State, Nigeria
    • Chinua Achebe, David and Marianna Fisher University Professor, Brown University
  • Moderator: Okey Ndibe, Allan K. Smith Visiting Assistant Professor, Trinity College

3:15 pm–4:45 pm

  • Monitoring Nigerian Elections: Lessons Learned, Problems Ahead [Video]
    • Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (2006–2007)
    • John Campbell, Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria
    • Richard Cockett, Africa Editor, The Economist, London
    • Ben Obi, Senator, Anambra State, Nigeria
    • Elizabeth Donnelly, Africa Programme Manager, Chatham House, London
    • Omoyele Sowore, Publisher, Sahara Reports
  • Moderator: Darren Kew, Associate Professor, McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies, UMass-Boston

5:00–6:30 pm

  • Nigeria Elections in 2010, 2011, and Beyond: Strategies for Free and Fair Polls [Video]
    • John Della Volpe, Director of Polling, Institute of Politics, Harvard University
    • Eric Guttschuss, Nigeria Researcher, Human Rights Watch
    • Ken Nnamani, Former Senate President, Nigeria
    • Larry Esin, National Chairman, Progressive Peoples Alliance
    • Musa Adar, Chair, Committee on Electoral Matters, Nigeria
    • Gemima Neves, Senior Program Manager, Central and West Africa, National Democratic Institute
  • Moderator: Sonala Olumhense, Journalist and Columnist, Nigeria