Media Advisory: Boko Haram and the Nigerian elections topic at Rice’s Baker Institute March 25

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Boko Haram and the Nigerian elections topic at Rice’s Baker Institute March 25

HOUSTON – (March 19, 2015) – The Muslim militant group Boko Haram and its role in the 2015 Nigerian elections (slated for March 28) will be the topic of a presentation at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 25. Co-hosted by Rice’s Department of Religion and the U.S. Bilateral African Chamber of Commerce, the event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Credit: thinkstockphotos.com/Rice University

Who: Michael Nwankpa, a researcher at the University of Roehampton’s Crucible Centre for Human Rights Research in London and Baker Institute visiting scholar, will be the featured speaker.

David Cook, an associate professor of religion at Rice and Baker Institute Rice Scholar, will provide introductory remarks.

Elias Bongmba, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Chair in Christian Theology and professor of religion at Rice, will serve as moderator.

What: Presentation on “Boko Haram and the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria.”

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25. A reception will follow the presentation.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Kelly International Conference Facility, 6100 Main St.

On March 28, Nigerian voters will elect the next president and members of the National Assembly. This after the elections had been postponed for six weeks due to security concerns related to Boko Haram. This event will focus on the drivers of election violence in Nigeria, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency and the pivotal role it plays in the 2015 pre-election period, its potential impact on the outcome of the elections and its relevance postelection.

The public must register to attend this event at http://bakerinstitute.org/events/register/1711/?submit=RSVP.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media are advised to park in the Central Campus Garage.

Members of the news media who want to attend must RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

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