On 29 September 2003, Professor Michael Abiola Omolewa,
Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO
became the first West African to be elected President
of the General Conference of UNESCO. Since his election
at the 32nd Session, Ambassador Omolewa has worked hard
and travelled extensively to many countries around the
world in service to humanity within UNESCO's mission,
outstanding framework, vision and mandate.

The purpose of UNESCO - according to article one
of its constitution - is: "to contribute to peace and
security by promoting collaboration among the nations
through education, science and culture in order to
further universal respect for justice, for the rule of
law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms
which are affirmed for the peoples of the world without
distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the
Charter of the United Nations."

We commend Professor Omolewa for his service to the
people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to all
humankind.

On 29 September, 2003 - the day Ambassador Omolewa
of Nigeria was elected, UNESCO news read:

"September 29 - UNESCO's General Conference,
currently holding its 32nd session, has elected
Michael Abiola Omolewa, Ambassador and Permanent
Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, as its President
for the next two years. He replaces Ahmad Jalali
of Iran.

A graduate in African History (1964) and History
of Administration (1973) from the University of
Ibadan (Nigeria), Mr Omolewa has led a versatile
and distinguished academic and administrative
career, focused mainly on the development of
adult education both in Nigeria, at the country's
leading universities and various state education
authorities, as well as in the international arena.

Mr. Omolewa has served on UNESCO's Executive
Board since 1999. He is also the Vice-President
of UNESCO's International Bureau of Education
Geneva, Switzerland, a member of the Executive
Board of the International Standing Conference
on the History of Education (ISCHE) and a member
of the Government Advisory Council of the
International Baccalaureate Organization. He
is on the editorial boards of several leading
education journals, including the International
Journal of Higher Education, and has served as
a consultant to numerous international aid
agencies.

The General Conference, UNESCO's supreme
governing body, brings together all of the
Organization's Member States (currently 190)
every two years. It determines UNESCO's
Programme whose implementation is overseen by
the Executive Board. The 32nd session of the
General Conference opened today and will last
until October 17."

Read speeches and attended events of Nigeria's Ambassador Omolewa
as President of UNESCO General Conference

Below Nigeria's Ambassador Omolewa, President of UNESCO
General Conference meets late Pope John Paul II:

In unwavering promotion of global peace and all of other UNESCO ideals,
on Saturday 8 May, 2004, Nigeria's Ambassador Omolewa - as President of
UNESCO General Conference - led Ambassadors acredited to UNESCO
to meet the late Pope John Paul II. The following link is Pope John Paul
II's address to Ambassador Omolewa and the UNESCO Ambassadors in his
entourage:
Pope John Paul II's Address to Ambassador Omolewa, et al.