The Coca-Cola Company

Company Sponsors Vital Voices Global Partnership For Women Event

May 12, 2006 edition

Representatives from The Coca-Cola Company honored Her Excellency Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,the Nigerian Minister of Finance, at an April 27 luncheon in Washington, D.C.

Later that evening, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, who was in Washington for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, received the Economic Opportunity Award from the Vital Voices Global Partnership for Women at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Coca-Cola Company served as a primary sponsor of the ceremony.

Irene Ubah, director of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Nigeria and Equatorial Africa, and Janet Howard, vice president of International Relations, The Coca-Cola Company, hosted the luncheon. Guests included the Honorable Jendayi Frazer, assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Africa, and Dr. Cindy Courville, senior director for African Affairs for the White House National Security Council, plus various corporate representatives, heads of non-government organizations (NGOs) and World Bank officials. Ubah introduced Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, drawing applause for her passionate remarks.

"Coca-Cola Nigeria and Equatorial Africa, and I personally, feel honored to be associated with this event," said Ubah. "We feel honored, because we realize that what the honorable minister is doing is re-branding Nigeria. She is effectively doing all that is needed to see that 'brand Nigeria' is a healthy brand and in so doing, she is attracting new respect and appreciation for the brand. With this can only come even greater success -- for the country and its citizenry, for investors, for the region and for the entire international community associated with Nigeria."

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala heads the Presidential Economic team responsible for implementing sweeping economic and social reforms in Nigeria, including championing government transparency, improving the management of public finances and reforming the public sector.

"In 2005, the (Nigerian) economy grew at a rate of 6 percent," added Ubah. "This year, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is targeting a growth rate of 10 percent! And the reason she can aim so boldly is the renewed confidence in Nigeria by the international community and by investors such as The Coca-Cola Company...."

The Vital Voices Global Partnership for Women envisions a world of peace, justice and economic opportunity, where the voice of every woman is heard and respected. Vital Voices invests in women who are leading social, economic and political progress in their countries through development and training initiatives and a global professional network. The organization connects women leaders around the world through best-practice sharing, innovative partnerships and professional support that help women achieve economic independence, civic leadership opportunities and full protection of their human and political rights.