Letter to the Trustees of the Africa Centre 38 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8JT 25 March 2011

Dear Africa Centre Trustee We, the undersigned, understand that you are proposing to sell the 38 King Street premises and close down the Africa Centre as it presently exists. While we appreciate that you have done what you can to keep the Centre going, we believe exercising the option to sell this property held in trust is a mistake. Not all alternatives have been exhausted. There are other options that should be explored with wider consultation and support. The Centre has been a meeting place, a cultural beacon and an iconic landmark in the centre of London for more than 40 years. Given by the Catholic Church in perpetuity to the people of Africa, huge numbers of Africans and others interested in Africa have been to meetings and events there. These people are stakeholders too and they would like a say in its future. To simply decide to sell the building without consulting them would be a betrayal of your duty as a Trustee. Africa has recently risen up the international agenda. Although the economic recession has affected the western world, Africa is the fastest growing region on earth at the moment. Investors, new and old, are engaged with, and in, African countries as never before. In other ways too, in the arts music and literature, Africas importance is experiencing a renaissance. It would be ironic if, at the very moment the rest of the world takes Africa seriously, the Africa Centre closed. Furthermore the meetings and events programme has recently been revived thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of a few individuals and the numbers attending indicate the demand for African events in the centre of London is high and growing. Abandoning the Africa Centre now would be to lose a gilt edged opportunity, perhaps especially considering the upcoming platform offered by the 2012 Cultural Olympiad in London. A study three years ago indicated wide support for the Centre and concluded that raising money to revamp the building was feasible. We believe this is still the case and that not all possibilities for raising the necessary money have been explored. There are alternatives. While the ground floor and lower ground floor are available for functions, meetings and social events, the upper floors are now fully occupied by organisations involved in Africa, who bring in income and further the aims of the Centre. They have indicated they wish to be involved in the regeneration of the Africa Centre at King Street. We see no evidence that alternative ways forward have been fully explored, no discussions with those who use the Africa Centre have been held, no evidence that the price being offered is the best that can be realised and no plan to continue the Africa Centres mission at another home.

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We therefore call on you to meet with us, the undersigned, with a view to holding a Public Meeting before the end of April 2011 where supporters of the Africa Centre can, in collaboration with you, put forward alternative ideas for fulfilling the mission you have been entrusted with. Yours sincerely 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Mr Boko Inyundo, Trustee, Africa Centre Mr Nigel Watt, MBE, Former Director of the Africa Centre Professor Femi Osofisan, Writer and University Professor, Ibadan, Nigeria The Rt Hon The Lord Mark Malloch Brown, Former Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with responsibility for Africa & former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr Richard Dowden, Director, Royal African Society Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Former Secretary of State, Department for International Development Baroness Glenys Kinnock, former Africa Minister, Foreign & Commonwealth Office Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, Former Minister of State for Africa: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ms Hadeel Ibrahim, Executive Director, Mo Ibrahim Foundation Mr Harry Leventis, Trustee of the A G Leventis Foundation Sir Mervyn Brown, Patron, Britain-Nigeria Educational Trust; also High Commissioner Nigeria 1979-83 & High Commissioner Tanzania 1975-78 Dr. Mpalive Msiska, former Chair, Africa Centre Board of Trustees Mrs Sokari Douglas Camp, Sculptor Professor Michael Omolewa, Former Ambassador of Nigeria to UNESCO Mr Oladipo Agboluaje, Playwright Dr Titilola Banjoko, Director, Africa Recruit Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Nigeria Health Watch Mr William Wallis, Africa Editor, Financial Times Rt Hon. Prof. the Lord David Alton of Liverpool Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP, former leader, Liberal Democrats Emmanuel Adenyi Odekanyin, Cultural Administrator, Abuja, Nigeria D R Reeves MBE, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Britain-Nigeria Educational Trust Mr Gary Clark Esq., Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Britain Nigeria Educational Trust Mr Tim Cooke, Trustee, Britain Nigeria Educational Trust Elizabeth Oritsejolomi Dudley, Events Coordinator, Britain Nigeria Educational Trust Mr Jude Udo Ilo, Abuja, Nigeria Analyst, Open Society Initiative for West Africa Mr Dayo Johnson, Company Director, Nigeria Cleaning Service Ltd Ms Carole Enahoro, Writer. Author of Doing Dangerously Well Mr Onyekachi Wambu, Journalist Ms Josephine Osikena, Director, Foreign Policy Centre Mr Dudu Sarr, Music Promoter, Consultant, DJ Mr David Johnson, Managing Director, West African Banking Consultants Ltd

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33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74

Mr Biyi Bandele, Writer/ Director Ms Vuyiswa Joy, Broadcaster, Presenter, Writer Mr Peter Banner, Chairman, Business Council for Africa, West and South Mr Gordon Hutt, Vice-Chairman, Business Council for Africa, West and South Mr Hamish McGregor CEO, Business Council for Africa, West and South Dr Jonathan Lawley, Business Council for Africa, West and South (ex-Director Royal African Society) Dr Heather Deegan, Business Council for Africa, West and South(ex Chatham House) Ms Karen Sussex, Business Council for Africa, West and South Ms Samantha Callender, Business Council for Africa, West and South Mr John Rivett, Advisor, The Business Council For Africa Mr John Turnbull, Member, Business Council for Africa, West and South Merle Lipton, Member, Business Council for Africa, West and South Mr Dipo Salimonu, CEO Ateriba Mr Vava Tampa, Executive Director of Save the Congo Farouk Haruna, Membership and Events coordinator, Star 100 Mr Richard Tandoh, Chair, Star 100 UK, The Professional Ghanaian Network Rolake Akinola, Founding Director, VoxPerfect/VoxFrontier Consulting, Oil and Gas Specialist, Africa, Ecobank Capital Mr Mark Tilling, Operations Manager, Leventis Overseas Limited Dr. Allan Pamba MD, MPH, Director Public Engagement & Access Initiatives, Developing Countries & Market Access, Glaxosmithkline Dr. Jeremy William Oritsesaninomi Dudley, Senior Consultant, WRc plc (Water Research Council) Dr. Stefano Luzzatto, Research Scientist, Italy Mr Algy Cluff, Chairman, Cluff Gold Mr Pete Gardner, Finance Director, Cluff Gold Catherine Apthorpe, Chairman, Cluff Gold Mr Murray McCartney, Director, Weaver Press, Zimbabwe Mr Toyin Sule, Managing Director, Quick Auto, Lagos, Nigeria Mr Inua Ellams, poet Susana Edjang, Parliamentary Researcher and Adviser on Global Health & Climate Change, UK Parliament Ms Gail Mwamba, Managing Editor, Private Equity Africa Donald Dewale Omope, Online Magazine Editor, African Screens Dr Edward George, Ecobank Mr Ayodeji Osannimu, Managing Partner, OsanNimu 3D Branding & Packaging Design LLP Mr Dele Fatunla, Communications Officer, People Team, Diversity & Inclusion, Pearson PLC Dr Garth Glentworth, OBE, Senior Governance Adviser, Department for International Development David Brewin, Editor, Tanzanian Affairs Christian C Udechukwu, Managing Director, BusinessinAfrica Events (BIAE) Ltd Ms Carol Hatchett, International Placement Manager, VSO Gerry Coldham, International Sales Manager, Smith & Ousman Ltd, Commercial and Security Print Solutions Tim Forrester, International Sales Manager, Smith & Ousman Ltd, Commercial and Security Print Solutions Dr Philip Abiola, Femta Medical Ms Zoe Nadaud, Managing Director, The English Institute of Abidjan Sylviane Rano, Co-Founder and Director, Images of Black Women Film Festival Ltd

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75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122

Leonard William Cathan, Director, Geneva Wealth Capital Management Mr Toby Orr, Partner, Portland Dr. Allan Shelley, Former Senior Partner, Knight Frank & Chairman, West Africa Committee Claire Beston, Researcher: Ethiopia & Eritrea, Amnesty International Mr Arjan van der Waal, Amnesty International, Kampala, Uganda Ms Susan Upton, Coordinator, Pamoja West Africa Nick Lawton, Owner, Lawton Communications Group Ms Catherine Martin, Coordinator, APPG Climate Change Group, UK Parliament Mr James Birch, Coordinator APPG Agriculture and Food for Development, UK Parliament Ms Anne McCormick, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo Africa Ms Busola Osibogun, Director, BY Associates Mr Mark Alec, Business Development Director for Africa, Travelex Mr Arnold Lord, Director, DSV Air and Sea Limited Allan Kamau, Associate Publisher of Financial Times publication This is Africa Mr Charles de Chassiron, Diplomatic Consultant, Royal Garden Hotel Mr Charles Tilbury, FCMB UK Ltd Mrs Violet Diallo, Coordinator, GAP Mali Mrs Judith Polkinhorn, Executive Director, Mercy Ships UK Ltd Ms Jucilla Walters, Group Executive, TT Media Ltd Mr Clive Carpenter, Vice Chairman, Business Council for Africa Mr Sean ONeill, Ashford Labs Mr Julian Fisher, Director, Africa Integrity Services Mr Derek Fordham, Chairman, Alain Charles Publishing Ltd Mr Jonathan Barber, Consultant, The Facilities House Mr Harry Baker, Latterly United Africa Company Mr David Le Breton, Secretary/ Treasurer, Overseas Service Pensioners Association Mrs Miriam Johnson, Member Britain Nigeria-Educational Trust Mrs Frances Lord, Director, ALS Consultants Dr John Oxenham, Deputy Executive Chair, Council for Education in the Commonwealth Mr Malcolm Cutler, Managing Director, FSC Development Services Ltd Mr Windson Choy, Director, Beyond Networks Ltd Mr Andrew Holmes OBE, Chairman, Taymin Africa Ltd Brigadier Gerald Blakey, Senior Partner, Farrington Associates Mr Jamie Shearer, Accountant, Drum Resources Ltd Mr Ian Wright, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo Mrs Cara Hartley, Meckow Limited Mr Michael Sippitt, Chairman, Forbury Environmental Mr David Rintoul, Deputy Managing Partner, Clarkslegal LLP Mr Rocky Hitchcock, KK Security, Nairobi Mr Sonny Decker, Producer, Presenter Talking Africa, Bellsman Media Limited Ms Lola Oshin, Shipping Coordinator Mr John Small, Chief Executive, The Eastern Africa Association Sunny Lambe DipM, MBA, FCIM, PGCEFE, Chartered Marketer Managing Director, SAL Associates Ltd Mr Deva Ponnoosami, Marketing Director, Southern Marketing Services & Former Chair, Africa Centre Mr Bill Taylor, De La Rue International Professor Jeffry Blum, Visiting Lecturer in Africa Ms Rita Roberts, Consultant, Global Investment Solution Mr Michael Smethurst, Regional Manager, DRS Data services Limited

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123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172

Mr Craig Hitchcock, President and Chairman, Business Council for Africa - Cote d'Ivoire Hon Robert McFarlane, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America, Chairman/CEO McFarlane Associates Inc. Mr John Hollingworth, Brueni Gallery, SOAS, University of London Ms Annabel Fogden, London Chamber of Commerce Mrs Cheryl Nelson, Secretary, South African High Commission Mark Polack, Director, Smart Organic Solutions Ltd Mr. Yakub Ahmed, International Relations, British Institute of Technology & Ecommerce Dr Emma Crew, Visiting Reader, SOAS, University of London Dr Martin Orwin, Faculty of Languages and Cultures, SOAS, University of London Dr Hermione Harris, Research Associate, SOAS, University of London Mr Andr Chappatte, PhD Student, SOAS, University of London Professor Tervor H J Marchand, SOAS, University of London Dr John Campbell, SOAS, University of London Dr Lutz Marten, SOAS, University of London Dr Chege Githiora, SOAS, University of London Professor Richard Fardon, SOAS, University of London Ms Elsbeth Court, SOAS, University of London Ms Barbara Campbell, Chairman and CEO, Black Heritage Today Mr Kwaku Kwaku, Founder, Black Music Congress Ms Helen Mthiyane, Programme Manager, Khulisa UK David RLB LAMB, Chairman, Cheverell International Services Limited Mr Anthony Sawyerr, Director, Aerona (Air and Sea) Customs Clearing Agents Mr Alexander McGregor, Country Manager, International SOS Ms Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell, Executive Director, African Peoples Advocacy Mr Bob Auor, Executive Director, African Community Development Foundation (ACDF) Dr Anna Vanderpuye Owunne, Director, INGO UK ltd Mr Jonathan Price, Business Centre Capital Dr Tessa Watt, Director, Being Mindful (former Director of Africa Beyond) Mr Cheick O Kone, Logistician, M&S Mr Guy A Cissoko, Chef, Gordon Ramsay Stewart Baird, Partner, Glenshee Enterprises Ltd Ms Adeola Solanke, Spora Stories Ade Sofola, Programme Manager, Think Global Miss Christine Eyene, Art Critic, Independent Curator and Consultant Mr A Ofoegbu, Artist Mrs Karen Ditchfield, Director, Glasform Alexander Enahoro, Filmmaker Eric Acha, Executive Director, African Policy Forum Simon Fulford, Chief Executive, Khulisa UK Mr Jeremy Green, Head of Innovation, BMB Dr William Schrecck, Associate Professor, Sultan Qaboos University Ms Pauline Dodgson-Katiyo, Head of Humanities, Sheffield Hallam University Mr Dele Sikuade, Director, Chartermax Computing Ltd Mr Philip Eyre, Director, Astra Aviation Services Mr Paul Claque, Group Director, Gee and Garnham Ltd Ms Namvula Rennie, Events manager, musician, photographer Topher Campbell, Artistic Director The Red Room Film and Theatre Co Mr Mkoloma, Mahoganyblk Minna Salami, MsAfropolitan Ms Juliet Highet, Writer/Photographer

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173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180

Juwon Onungbe, self employed, Sole Trader Mr Kofi Allen, Visual Artist, Kofi Allen Ms Shirley May, Creative Director, Amazing Heights Ms Kadija George, Publisher, SABLE LitMag Robert Asare, Multimedia Artist Ms Eni Ilori, Student Kathleen McCreery, Freelance Writer, Director, Counsellor Renate Braimah, Africart TV

Signatures received from individuals at various trade bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations (including Business Council for Africa, Britain-Nigeria Educational Trust etc):
181 184 187 190 193 196 199 202 205 208 211 214 217 220 223 Mr Demola Sule Tom Mboya Ms Lucy Moore Mr Tom Townsend Mr Prince Tikare Ms Charmaine Jorsling Miss Temi Binitie Ms Gayola Sandy Ms Elizabeth Moloney Mrs Yanthy Clark Mr Dan Coberman Mr Jan Starren Mr Derek Smail Mrs Kim Callender Mr Shareef Maund 182 185 188 191 194 197 200 203 206 209 212 215 218 221 224 Miss Buki Sule Mr Luke Oritsesaninomi Jones Mr Hugo Tuoyo Jones Mrs Rubina Khan Mr Charles Abani Ms Jill Frankland Miss Sophia Mann Dr Mark Abani Mr John Taylor Dr Kachi Ozumba Mr David Shears Mr Mark Coleman Mr Richard Parrett Mr Wilfred Willey Miss Amy Harrison 183 186 189 192 195 198 201 204 207 210 213 216 219 222 225 Mr Folabi Oworu Mrs Omolara Sule Miss Abimbola Sule Mr Andrew Parsons Mrs Claire Whitehill Miss Ruth Hunter Miss Isabelle Djeni Mrs Chigozie Ozumba Mr Martin Paine Mr Martin White Mr David Robinson Ms Bukola Adisa Mr Ergin Rasit Mr David Kelly Mr John Flynn

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226 229 232 235 238 241 244 247 250 253 256 259 262 265 268 271 274 277 280 283 286 289

Mr Vincent Mitchell Mr Greg Abani Ms Rachel Bennett Ms Lauren Samuel Mr Daniel Bond Ms Kate Quince Ms Sara Al-Saman Mr Adam Singer Miss Maame Yaa Addai Mr Richard Kelsey Mr Ene Henshaw Mr Massimiliano Crisera Mr Gehan Fernando Mr Jesmond Blumenfeld Mrs Victoria Patricia Large Mr Paul Adams Dr Akanu Obasi Mr Michael Pinches Mr Tony CrowtherGreen Mr Deb Barua Reverend Rose Hudson Wilkin Dr Ike Anya

227 230 233 236 239 242 245 248 251 254 257 260 263 266 269 272 275 278 281 284 287 290

Mr Philip Egan Mr Eric Hardy-King Ms Audrey Cherryl Mogan Mr Michael Parsey Mr Brendan Rouse Mr Kevin Rafferty Mr Batanayi Katongera Mr John Tudgay Ms Aminata Diaby Messrs Edghurst Ltd Mr Edward Abrokwah Dr William Herbert Miss Kitty Llewellyn Mr and Mrs Oliyide Ayodele Miss Saira Sow Ms Christina Knutsson Rev David Peck, USA Dr Kaonen Adekola Mr Mark Steeves Shamsudeen Hassan Dr Chika Unigwe Dr Nnanna Igwe

228 231 234 237 240 243 246 249 252 255 258 261 264 267 270 273 276 279 282 285 288 291

Mr Simon Fisher Mrs Jayne Bond Mrs Pamela Hill Mr Rodney Little Mr David Marrone Ms B Morton Mr Jason Day Mr Paul Heathfield Mr Andrew Klucow Mr Edward Morgan Mr Tosin Coker Mr Panchen Large Mr Philip Fisher Elizabeth Ayodele Mr Rob Broad Dr E Kudzoe Ms Ifeyi JonesLecointe Mr Nana Adu Ampofo Mr Emmanuel Odogwu Mr Peter Henry Mr Daniel Mallo Mallow Ms Nana Ocran

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292 295 298 301 304 307 310 313 316 319 322 325 328 331 334 337 340 343 346 349 352

Ms Roanne Escobales Ms Linda Nyirenda Mr Fabrice Nze-Bekele Ms Lola Henry Ms A Quadri Mr Elliot Fox Mr Toby Oke Ms Ade Akinlaja Mrs Dahabo Isse Miss Charlotte FitzGerald Anonymous Anonymous Miss Amelia Ideh Ms Inja Vatne, International Development Miss Irenosen Okojie Mr Simon Murray Mr Chris Nyamoutet Ebele Ajogbe Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous

293 296 299 302 305 308 311 314 317 320 323 326 329 332 335 338 341 344 347 350 353

Mr Henry Abraham Temitope Olodo Dr Victor Doku Ms Soyini Grey Cllr. Gbola Adeleke Mr Christopher Atkinson Mrs J Umunna Ms Fidaa Mahmoud Ms Lee Daley Ms Missy Ince Anonymous Anonymous Mr Ben Waist Mr David Newell Mr Emmanuel Martyr, Trinidad and Tobago Ms Chizom Ekeh Valerie Synmoie Miss Agnes Kuye Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous

294 297 300 303 306 309 312 315 318 321 324 327 330 333 336 339 342 345 348 351 354

Mr Kees Maxey Ms Isabella Hessler Miss Adaugo Amajuoyi Ms Elsie Owusu Mr Chudi Okechukwu Ms Kapie Mzumara Ms Eahu Matenjwa Niall Peoples Mr Aide Omokhudu Mr Jon Daniel Anonymous Ms Kate Scanlan Mr Andrew Dayo Ms Gaylene Gould Christiane Ngono Mr Arinze Nwokolo Mr Augustine TogonuBickersteth Mr Mouctar Cisse Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous

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355 358 361 364 367 370 373 376 379 382 385 388 391 394 397 400 403 406 409 412 415

Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Doreene Blackstock Daddae Harvey Ms Morolayo Smith Ms Beaa Darko Anonymous Anonymous Miss Timeyin Olumide Mr Richard Okorie Mr Bode Bello Mr Sola Ogunnaike Mr Idowu Agbaje Mrs Barbara Murray Mr Tobi Adewale Mr Idahosa Osagie Edirin Omajajah Miss Muniq Bakaresaba Miss Jummy Sanyusi

356 359 362 365 368 371 374 377 380 383 386 389 392 395 398 401 404 407 410 413 416

Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Mr Lionel Orji Mr Ahmed Akasha Mr Brian Chikwaya Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Ms Jamie Oakes Miss Kafilat Suleimanoba Mr Isume Omokhudu Mr Tobi Mr Nazo Anya Mr Juwon Mr Robert Raikes Joy Onyejiako Tricia Wombell Ms Yaba Badoe Ms Christine Tamaklo

357 360 363 366 369 372 375 378 381 384 387 390 393 396 399 402 405 408 411 414 417

Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Kobina Graham Mr Tom McGlynn Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Mr Charlie Cowdrey Mr Garfield Robinison Mrs Caroline Bernard Moxey Mr Tony Humphries Mr Peter Childs Mr Michael Etherton Mr Ezekiel Dada Mr Taylor Mr Chidiebere Nweke Miss D W Depeazer Mr Tendai Huchu

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418 421 424 427 430 433 436 439 442 445 448 451 454

Dr Wendy Williams Ms Ida Ofori Mr Abdullahi Sada Miss Lisa Anderson Miss Cabrielle Smith Dr Silvia Onesti Ms. Naa Aku Addo Mrs Julia Day Mr Ollie Williams Ms Molara Solanke Simon Day Ayo Adeyinka Shaun Wallace

419 422 425 428 431 434 437 440 443 446 449 452 455

Mr Nii Ayikwei Parkes Ms Sharron Wallice Mr Di Wu Ms Moira Jenkins Ms Wendy Davies Ms Mahlet Mairegu Mr Emmanuel Odogwu Mr Gabriel Gbadamosi Ms Lorna Edwards Mr H O Nazareth Joanna Jones Paul Mack, Japan Rik Walton

420 423 426 429 432 435 438 441 444 447 450 453 456

Mr Kayode Odunsi Miss Amber Meikle Mr Matthew Baker Mr Jon Daniel Mr Clive Anderson Mr Edward Hill Miss Georgina Philip Mr Prescott Kaliati Mr Olukoye Akinkugbe Tim Hopkirk Doris Akinyooye Darius Wiench Ms Diana Bailey

COMMENTS: 25 March 2011: (i) Hon Robert McFarlane The Centre is doing vital work. Sale of the building would be extremely disruptive. I urge strongly that you reconsider (ii) Ms Rita Roberts No to Africa Centre sell. Now more than ever, Africa is on the spotlight and Africans in the UK and everyone with interests In Africa need a point of reference and the very crucial services been offered by Organisations operating in the Africa Centre Mr Deva Ponnoosami As a former Chairman of the Africa Centre, I am aware of the role that the Africa Centre in Central London has with personnel from the African Diaspora, locals and visitors and therefore propose that any actions to sell the building in Kings Street should be strongly objected to. During my Chairmanship the Board and I secured a grant of 3.5million from the Arts Council to re-furbish the Africa Centre and now cannot see any reasons as to why the building needs to be sold

(iii)

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(iv)

Mr Sonny Decker The Africa Centre needs to stay open for those in this country - Africans and nonAfricans, and those who come to this country who are passionate about Africa. It is a place to meet and do things African, debate Africa, and inform about Africa; it is a home away from home! Dr E Kudzoe An action to close the Africa centre at this juncture when there is even more promise and concrete signs of the emergence of continent is short-sighted. While focus is on the BRIC countries and in the middle of the biggest downturn endured by the Western world for decades, analysts have pointed to the emerging economies of Africa, which looked at together are likely to present their era of growth, cultural and social emergence that our connections from London will benefit Mr William Wallis If this sale goes ahead, London will be bereft of the one historic and central place at which Africans and Africa-philes have been meeting, eating, drinking, dancing and reading for generations. Creative thinking could save the Africa centre Prof Michael Omolewa Africa Centre is clearly a heritage site, having played a prominent role in the furtherance of African culture and tradition over the years. Its closure will be a loss to the promotion of African heritage in the UK and worldwide Mr & Mrs Oliyide Ayodele ( & Elizabeth Ayodele) We plead with you to reconsider closing down this centre which is a symbol for Africans in the centre of London the capital we were to have moved in recently to complement the occupancy along with our other fellow African countries and are still to settle in properly Mr Andrew Holmes OBE I believe it would be a huge mistake to lose such an asset at this stage of Africa's development Brigadier Gerald Blakey In view of the recent arrangements made with the British Council for Africa, the proposed sale is clearly in breach of trust Mr Malcolm Cutler To sell the Africa Centre without fully consulting all 'stakeholders' and exploring all other possibilities, is unethical, unprofessional and reflects poor business management Mr Jonathan Barber After so much work and goodwill has been invested in the Centre it would wrong to lose it - especially when Africa is at such a crucial stage in its development Mr Vincent Mitchell The African centre is there to educate, inspire people who have a keen interest in understanding Africa. So allow it to continue its great work for the people Mr David Le Breton OSPA represents several thousand former members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service, who worked in the former British colonies in Africa. They strongly support the moves to keep the Africa Centre open Mr Simon Fisher I would like to believe that we all can trust the trustees to faithfully represent the interests towards which they have been entrusted

(v)

(vi)

(vii)

(viii)

(ix)

(x)

(xi)

(xii)

(xiii)

(xiv)

(xv)

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(xvi)

Ms Audrey Cherryl Mogan In this economic climate though difficult financial decisions must be made, it is important that centres such as these are kept alive to foster community spirit and encourage citizen participation which truly are the building blocks of good society Sunny Lambe DipM, MBA, FCIM, PGCEFE I strongly believe with good leadership, innovation and a good vision for the future, the Africa Centre can be a very viable centre catering for the interests of her diverse stakeholders. Unfortunately, this has not been the case in the past. Please don`t rush into any decision to sell off our treasure which should be passed on from generation to generation Tony Crowther-Green I support the activities of BCA and am a member of that Group for West and Southern Africa. I would like to help retain the Africa Centre and would hope to see its work continue

(xvii)

(xvii)

(xviii) Mrs Julia Day The Times summed it up beautifully -'Skyscrapers in Addis Ababa, a 'new Manhattan' emerges on Victoria Island in Lagos. Film festivals in Mali, fashion shows in Jo'berg and concerts in Kinshasa. African art and novelists flourish'. Africa is changing and the Africa Centre in London has for the past 40 years promoted, supported and encouraged change. Supporters of the Centre are testimony to the tough times, it is only right that they remain together to witness and share in Africa's exciting future (xix) Ms Zo Nadaud, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Africa Please keep the building for the prospect offered in developing business and cultural relationships between British people and Africans. As a member of the BCA and a business person, I strongly believe in the soundness of this petition. Truly Mr Deb Barua Fully support your cause Mr Emmanuel Odogwu It's a disgrace to sell off this cultural landmark. Please reconsider! Mr A Ofoegbu An institution for African culture and anyone who has enjoyed what this continent has given and has yet to offer should remain accessible in the heart of London's West End

(xx) (xxi) (xxii)

(xxiii) Ms Gaylene Gould As Founder of the Underground Railroad network, a network of black UK artists and creative entrepreneurs, I strongly advise against this move to sell off the Africa Centre before a creative consultation process to review options. Having creative space in London, is much more lucrative in the long-run. Investment can always be drawn down to support its core aims - we don't doubt that. Letting it go will lead to a state of severe impoverishment (xxiv) Ms Ade Sofola It is really important that as the London becomes more diverse, the voice of the African Diaspora remains at the heart of the city. The building in Covent Garden has a great legacy and there has been much investment to improve it - surely it is madness to sell it now in the middle of its resurgence? (xxv) Miss Abimbola Sule We need the Africa Centre. Don't sell such an integral part of our history. We'll have nothing left!

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(xxvi) Ms Fidaa Mahmou Dear trustees, I think that giving out this place at the heart of London without having a clear and transparent plan for the activities of the Africa Centre will mean that it will basically cease to exist. I appeal to you to reconsider your decision and try to find other ways of saving this key place which has been promoting African and African issues, arts and culture for years (xxvii) Ms Ade Akinlaja I have been using the Africa Centre for several decades and find it a lifeline to African Resources, closing it with no plan for its future appears rather short sighted to me. The trustees need to balance the tangible and intangible cost-benefit when deciding (xxviii) Mrs Dahabo Isse The Centre is a meeting place and events for African people in London for more than 40 years. Some of these people are stakeholders and have a right to participate its consultation. I urge the centre should not be closed as the initial for its opening still there and demand is even more greater than before (xxix) Dr Nnanna Igwe Please am fully supportive of the fight against any planned sale house in which the African Centre London is located. Please help further the cause of Africa, explore better options. No ! No!! No to the planned sale of this property. God bless Africa Thanks Dr Igwe (xxx) Ms Nana Ocran The Africa Centre is a rare historical venue in London that holds stories and experiences of Africans who have lived or passed through this city. Despite its setbacks it is a living, breathing resource that is invaluable for those of us here now, and for generations of people (of all cultures) who will come after us

(xxxi) Mr Alexander McGregor, Doha, Qatar Africa as a continent has always suffered from under funding and a lack of overall respect; let's break the cycle and invest in the Africa centre which is a beacon of hope, cultural education and human unity (xxxii) Ms Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell Selling the Africa Centre would be a blow to many members of the African community (xxxiii) Mr Bob Awuor This is preposterous, to say the least! Kindly do not sell the only asset dedicated to serving Africans and African causes at the heart of Europe! Shame on you, African Centre Trustees, for even considering disposing of something which your predecessors never even thought of! We shall help mobilise the African Diaspora community in Europe to raise the requisite funds to save this vital asset and keep it within our community. Hope good sense prevails! (xxxiv) Mr Kees Maxey It would be a real tragedy to lose the Africa Centre - it has been a centre of African activity for decades (xxxv) Mr Temitope Olodo I believe it is imperative that Africa Centre is saved because Africa is a critical partner and British-African community in the UK need a place to meet, network and identify solutions to the challenges in the community

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(xxxvi) Mr Kofi Allen We Love the Africa Centre, for all that it stands for, not only for the indigenous people of Africa, but to also expand the wider implication of having a space where other cultures may come to integrate with the African / Diaspora culture! Without having a place to regard as a central point to engage so many topics, events, and practices significant to black culture, this would be a sad and crippling blow for those seeking to broaden their understanding about Africa culture (xxxvii) Jeremy Green It seems a great shame that all avenues have not been explored prior to reaching this outcome (xxxviii) Professor Richard Fardon Such an irrevocable step should have been the result of much wider consultation (xxxix) Professor, Trevor H J Marchand An important and historic resource that must be retained (xl) Mr Dayo Johnson, Ilupeju, Lagos, Nigeria When I schooled and worked in the UK, the Africa Centre was a place I took my European friends and business colleagues, to help them understand African Culture. It would be a terrible shame to let the place go. Please save the centre for Africans living abroad Miss Christine Eyene There is a vibrant African and Diaspora community in the UK and a number of arts professionals as never been consulted to explore further possibilities to revive the centre. My experience of the Africa Centre as member of staff from 2002 to 2004 is that it replicated all the signs of bad governance that characterise the African continent. But there is more to the art community and it is the Africa Centre's obligation to protect our cultural heritage in the UK Mr Kwaku Kwaku What a shame that in 2011 when we're marking as the UN's Year of People Of African Descent, an important centre for African people is not in the news for a positive reason, but rather because the Trustees are considering selling it! The pool of Trustees perhaps needs to be expanded to take in new members that can bring in new alternatives for saving African Centre Miss Amber Meikle, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Come on, you know better than this! Save the centre Dr. William Schrecck, Oman Having spent 10 years of my life teaching in 3 African countries, Botswana, Kenya and Nigeria, I know how vital The Africa Centre is to Africa, Africans and, in particular, the United Kingdom. The UK is the proud home to this world-renowned centre, a beacon of information and an international forum for open discussion. Where else could such an essential centre exist? Save it Ms Moira Jenkins I love the Africa centre! Mr Toyin Sule, Maidenhead Let us try to see if we can get an alternative first before selling the present site. What happens to the sales money when it is sold?

(xli)

(xlii)

(xliii) (xliv)

(xlv) (xlvi)

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(xlvii) Mr Juwon Ogungbe, London The Africa Centre is a hugely important part of the heritage of UK Africans (xlviii) Mr Nazo Anya The African Centre is the inscription of the African people on central London which provides a venue for Londoners and visitors to view Africa from different perspectives and to gain a better understanding of the Continent, thereby building bonds of friendship. Please do not let this vision die under your watch (xlix) (l) (li) Mr Ezekiel Dada, United States of America Pls reconsider and do the right thing Mr Russell Corn You would be failing in your duty to the founders to allow this to happen Mrs Shirley May I am told that I'm amongst the statistics that say I am less than 1% of this countrys population. Please DO NOT sell our heritage down the line. Money is not everything Ms Kadija George Art is the HeArt of a Nation Mr Robert Asare The Africa Centre is a beacon in an otherwise dark landscape for visible, authentic, African Art and Culture in Central London Ms Renate Braimah I second the petition and very much hope that the iconic Africa Centre can be saved Mr Shaun Wallace The above article says it all...

(lii) (liii)

(liv) (lv)

All those signing do so in a personal capacity. Appending employment details or membership of organisations does not, of course, imply that these employers or organisations necessarily endorse the sentiments of the above letter

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