Nigeria: Establishing a culture of coexistence and mutual understanding

The Fountain

Nov 18, 2011

A two-day International Conference on "Establishing a Culture of Coexistence and Mutual Understanding: Exploring the Fethullah Gülen's Thought and Action," was held November 18-19, 2011 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Nigeria. This Conference is a joint partnership between UFUK Dialogue Foundation, The Fountain Magazine, and Nigerian partners including the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission and 6 federal universities in Nigeria, namely: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bayero University, Kano; Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola; and, the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

Over 1150 participants registered for the conference. There were participants from other African countries including Benin Republic, Togo, Cameroon, Gabon, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea and South Africa. Many distinguished Nigerians attended the Conference that include Honorable Ministers, Members of the National Assembly, Presidential Advisers, Vice Chancellors of Federal and State Universities, Emirs and Chiefs, Judges, Islamic Scholars, Christian Clerics, Members of the Academia and Students. Similarly, participants were also drawn from the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the organized private sector. Foreign dignitaries that included Ambassadors, officials from ECOWAS and other members of the Diplomatic Corp also graced the Conference. 

The Conference had 6 Panels and consisting of 22 presentations. Speakers were drawn from eleven countries, including Nigeria, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Russia, Jordan, Turkey, Albania, South Africa, Republic of Ireland and the United States of America.