Université Total, in partnership with DIG-Afrique and Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria on Friday, 7-Mar-2008, organised a Lecture by Nigeria's Nobel Literature Laureate, Wole Soyinka at the Tour Coupole Auditorium, Paris.

The lecture which was also interactive and entitled; Africa and the Margin of the World was attended by over 200 people from within and outside the company. Among those in attendance were; Mr. Francois Viaud, Senior Vice President (Human Resources) and member of the Management Committee; Mr. Jean Privey, E&P President (Africa); the Managing Director / Chief Executive of Elf Petroleum Nig. Ltd. (EPNL), Mr. Jacques Marraud des Grottes and the Executive Director, External Affairs, Mr. John Addeh.

The Managing Director / Chief Executive, Mr. Marraud des Grottes introduced the Nobel Laureate to the audience while Mr. John Addeh made presentations on Total-in-Africa Strategies.

Born 13-Jul-1934, Wole Soyinka was educated in Ibadan, Nigeria, and Leeds, England; where he obtained an Honours degree in Literature. Essentially a Playwright, Soyinka is also recognized as a prolific Essayist, Poet, Novelist and Theatre Director. He writes mainly in English, but his works are distinguished by their exploration of "the African world view, and are steeped in Yoruba mythology, imagery and dramatic idioms."

The slideshow below completes the story.