DATE=3/26/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287989

TITLE=NIGERIA / MEETING (S)

BYLINE=LUIS RAMIREZ

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Leaders and officials of several African nations are meeting in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, for talks about ways to promote economic development on the continent. V-O-A's Luis Ramirez reports from our West Africa bureau in Abidjan.

TEXT: The meeting in Abuja brings together representatives of nations that make up the initiative known as the New Partnership for Africa's Development. They include nations of both Sub-Saharan Africa as well as northern Africa.

Following the opening ceremony, hosted by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, leaders began work that includes discussion about a plan to bring Africa out of poverty and underdevelopment.

At the end of the summit, representatives are expected to approve a document containing a number of proposals to stimulate economic growth and promote good governance.

The Abuja meeting follows a U-N summit on poverty in Monterrey, Mexico, at which world leaders decided that aid should be increased for nations that carry out substantial economic and political reforms. (SIGNED)

NEB/LR/JWH/RAE