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 outstanding framework, mission, 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 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.