WEF: Oxbridge Hosts Business Forum To Create Platform For Rhodes Scholarships For Nigerians

Lagos, Nigeria; May 6, 2014: As part of its activities pegged to the 2014 World Economic Forum for Africa holding in Abuja, the Oxford and Cambridge Club of Nigeria will on Wednesday May 7 hold its next Oxbridge Business Forum.

According to the statement from the Club, the Oxbridge Business Forum which serves as a unique business and networking opportunity for members and guests, will have as Chief host, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga. The Special Guest of Honour for event is Mr. Dominic Barton (Oxon), Chairman, WEF Abuja and Global Managing Director, McKinsey & Co., while the Guest Speaker is Mr. Charles Conn (Oxon), Warden of Rhodes House and CEO Rhodes Trust, Oxford.

At the Oxbridge Business Forum, which will feature its members, business leaders and international dignitaries, Charles Conn will speak on his campaign to establish two annual Rhodes Scholarship awards exclusively for Nigeria in perpetuity. The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting outstanding all‐round students at the University of Oxford, and providing transformative opportunities for exceptional young leaders in some countries including Nigeria.

The Rhodes Trust seeks to partner with contemporary Nigerian philanthropists who share the desire to help identify and develop young leaders for Nigeria's and indeed the world's future.

Rhodes's idea in founding the Scholarship was to develop outstanding leaders who would be motivated to fight “the world's fight” and to “esteem the performance of public duties as their highest aim”, and to promote international understanding and peace.

The forum has been scheduled to take place at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja.