Historically, the relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria has “been one of uneasy friendship,” but current relations are “more cordial and fruitful” than at any time since the late 1990s, said George A. Obiozor, ambassador from the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United States, during the inaugural speech for U.Va.’s new Ambassador Lecture Series. Obiozor’s talk on Feb. 22 focused on such topics as peacekeeping efforts in Africa, the war on terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and trade and oil production. Sponsored by U.Va.’s Diplomat Scholar Program, the Ambassador Lecture Series features international diplomats speaking to students and others in the U.Va. community about key political, economic, cultural and technological issues of global interest. Full story.

U.Va. News Services/Photo: Dan Addison

Biomedical ethicist John D. Arras and atmospheric scientist José D. Fuentes, both professors at the University of Virginia, are among 15 outstanding faculty members from Virginia’s public and private colleges and universities to receive the 2006 Outstanding Faculty Award administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The recipients were honored by Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Feb. 23 during a ceremony at the Library of Virginia in Richmond for their excellence in teaching, research, knowledge integration and public service. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the awards program, which is considered the commonwealth’s highest honor for faculty members. Recipients each receive $5,000 and a commemorative engraved award. Full story.

U.Va. News Services

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the University Baptist Church, 1223 West Main St., for Louisa Panou-Takahashi Welty, who died on Jan. 16 after a nine-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. She had served as the opera director and a voice instructor at U.Va. for the past nine years. She founded and served as artistic director of Operafestival di Roma, an award-winning opera training program for young singers in Rome, Italy. The service will celebrate Welty’s unique life and gifts with music presented by her former students, colleagues and friends. Following her wishes, an endowment fund for the Operafestival was created in her memory. To make a contribution, contact 984-4945 or operafest@aol.com.

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