Akeem Lasisi
Many Nigerians rose to celebrate with the British Council recently, when it began the celebration to its 75th anniversary. The institution responsible for the advancement of the UK’s socio-cultural diplomacy has a lot to showcase in terms of achievements and many people and organisations are very eager to attest to this.
Be it in education, democratic development, arts and culture, health or other vital areas of life, the Council has made a huge impact. For one, it has helped in the discovery and development of new talents, many of whom have become notable in various areas of life. It was thus not surprising that one of the highlights of the celebration held in Lagos was the presentation of a new set of bright minds who have benefited from the intervention and capacity building offered by the BC.
Speaking at the event, the Country Director Nigeria and Director West Africa, British Council, Lucy Pearson, expressed delight at the landmark attainment.
She said, “I am excited that we are finally here launching the 75th anniversary celebration events. 75 years for the British Council means a lot to us and we are delighted you are joining us to be a part of this great milestone.
“The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. In Nigeria, though our programmes, we have created life changing opportunities for millions of people and last year alone we touched the lives of over 50 million Nigerians.
“To say I am immensely proud of what we are privileged to do what we do is an understatement. Having been in Nigeria for over 5 years, I have met many amazing people and seen what I would like to call the true Nigerian spirit.This anniversary celebration will be used as a platform to showcase this Nigerian spirit – the creativity and passion, resilience and innovation, energy and entrepreneurship – and tell the many inspiring stories through the eyes of the participants of our programmes. These qualities have been exhibited by the people who we have worked with us across our programmes in the last 75 years. Do permit me to give you a flavour.”
She gave the example of Nasir Yammama, who grew up in a farming community and observed the challenges faced in meeting the food security demand. Nasir set out to solve this challenge.
Pearson added, “He is the founder of Verdant, an Agric-tech social enterprise that supports small holder rural farmers to use their mobile phones for sustainable farming and improved production. Nasir applied for the British Council’s enterprise challenge in 2014 and won the competition getting as part of his prize an opportunity to be mentored by business magnate, Sir Richard Branson. In less than a year, his enterprise grew from 50 farmers in Katsina, his home state, to 25,000 farmers. Nasir has also gained several recognitions, featuring in Forbes 30 under 30 list of 2017 and in the same year the prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award in England.”
Her next example is Itoro Eze Anaba, a lawyer who had been actively involved in the promotion and protection of women’s rights in Nigeria. In 2000, she travelled across Nigeria in a bid to lobby the Domestic Violence Bill’s passage into the law.
“It was during this travel she came across a young girl who told her a story about her abuse,” she aded. “She was touched by the girl’s story and this experience, but felt powerless to do anything. In 2003, the British Council sponsored her on a trip to Manchester to attend a seminar on Violence Against Women.
“It was on this trip that she paid a visit to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, a place where survivors could receive professional and timely support to overcome the trauma of rape and sexual assault. Having been confronted with this issue just before leaving for the trip, she made up her mind to open the centre. In 2013, the Mirabel Centre was open. To date the centre has provided services to over 6,000 clients from different parts of Lagos State. The Mirabel Centre has been set up to provide free medical and psychosocial support to survivors of rape and sexual assault. This has led to the establishment of 11 additional Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) nationwide.”
While spoken word poet, Efe, was also celebrated as one of the big examples, Pearson further shared the story of Doofan Kwaghool, an artist and art teacher. She was a participant at the British Council’s Go Woman Go! Project which was a collaboration between British Artist Laura Aldridge and women in Abuja. According to the BC Director, the programme helped rekindle her love for textile and crafts. She was taught new methods, expanded her network and generated a new source of income.
“Today, she wears and sells her tie and dye fabric and offers training to people who are interested in the craft. These are only 3 of the millions of examples that have been part of the British Council’s story do far in Nigeria.
“Thanks to you, Nigeria, we are here creating opportunities, facilitating networks and connections, supporting resilient communities and providing opportunities for better livelihood outcomes for young people. We thank you for your trust and your friendship and look forward to the next 75 years together,” she enthused.
In his goodwill message, Deputy Head of Mission, British High Commission, Peter Thomas stressed the gains that the British Council’s adventures in the country have inspired. Among others who congratulated and commended the Council, representative of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mrs Abosede Adelaja, recalled how it has partnered the government in projects that impacted well on participants and the people in general.
