January 18, 2000
LAGOS, Nigeria (PANA) - The Nigerian government has taken over the 500-million naira (about 5 million US-dollar) Foundation for Peace, set up by the military ruler Gen. Sani Abacha.
Integration and Co-operation in Africa minister Jerry Gana, whose ministry has inherited the foundation in Abuja, the federal capital, said it would now be known as the Institute for Conflict Resolution in Africa.
Gana, speaking after receiving the handing over note from the foundation's director Idi Faruk, said the complex would now serve as "centre for excellence in peace studies and research in conflict resolution."
"You do not need to pack and go. We will maintain this place well so that the whole of Africa will benefit from the visions of setting it up," the minister assured the more than 40 apprehensive workers of the computerised foundation, opened in November 1997 by Abacha.
Gana said a new director-general would be appointed to head the institute.
Faruk told journalists later that dwindling finances necessitated the handing over.
He denied that the Abacha government funded the foundation, saying that it had been sustained mainly by government agencies and other donations.
Abacha's iron-fist rule of almost five years ended with his sudden death on 8 June, 1998.
His son, Mohammed, is currently standing trial along with officials of the old regime for alleged atrocities committed during his father's reign.
Millions of dollars of alleged stolen wealth have also been recovered from officials of the old regime, while the present government of President Olusegun Obasanjo has intensified efforts to retrieve millions of dollars stashed away in foreign banks.