[Intl-tobacco] Nigeria: BATN donates N2m to Osun Osogbo festival

[robert weissman]

http://www.tribune.com.ng/19072006/news/news9.html

BATN donates N2m to Osun Osogbo festival

By TUNDE OPALANA - 18.07.2006

IN furtherance of its Proudly Nigeria Initiative campaign, the British
American Tobacco Foundation yesterday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital,
donated N2million to the organising committee of the Osun Osogbo Festival.

According to the chairman, BATN Foundation, Chief Olu Akinkugbe, at the
formal presentation held at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba
Iyiola Matanmi, the Proudly Nigeria Initiative, flagged-off in 2002, was
as a result of BATN=92s observation of the rich culture of the Nigerian
people =93which is the richest and most diverse in Africa=94.

Believing that culture and tradition represent not only the pride of the
people, but also means of promoting socio-economic development through
tourism, he said the Proudly Nigeria Initiative campaign was launched
=93to coincide with Nigeria=92s drive for greater international visibility
and appreciation=94.

According to Chief Akinkugbe, BATN =93as an economic development partner
for Nigeria, we believe them by highlighting and celebrating the values
which the Federal Government=92s Heart of Africa campaign aims to project
the campaign designed to capture the enterprising spirit of the Nigerian
society while acknowledging the largely salient attributes that are
unique to the country=94.

Chief Akinkugbe said other private sector companies had started
emulating BATN=92s leadership.