American Citizens Helping the Enugu Community

June 18 late evening: I had the opportunity to meet with a group of great American citizens living in Enugu, including our longest serving American warden. (Wardens help the U.S. Mission keep in touch with all Americans living in a particular community overseas, really providing a contribution to the American people.) . Most of them had attended or worked at a wide range of U.S universities -- from a couple who had taught at Clemson to those who went to the University of Maryland. Their professions ranged from a medical doctor working with our PEPFAR HIV/AIDS program, a retired librarian, and a businessman to a microbiologist and Catholic sister. We made sure that those who were not registered with us registered, and we had a good time. It was an interesting group and we talked about a variety of things including re-establishing an American Corner in Enugu with a Foundation of one of the couples at the gathering, with the possibility of the retired librarian serving as coordinator. We all got so excited we ran off to see the location in the middle of the night. It was great -- a perfect two-story modern building, computer and Wi-Fi ready, right in the center of town between all the Enugu universities. I am already dreaming of commissioning the Corner. Now I just have to convince my librarian. :)

Am Now the Mother of Ebonyi

June 18, 2009 afternoon: Late this afternoon, I was made a Chief today for the fourth time while serving in Nigeria. This time it was in Ebonyi State following my meeting with the Governor of the state, and during my meeting with his dynamic wife and the council of traditional rulers. I am now also Ndeoma of Ebonyi, mother of Ebonyi, in recognition of the support the American people have provided to the state in health. The USG, through USAID and an implementing partner, has provided resources, equipment and training to a clinic that was built and supplied by the First Lady of Ebonyi. I had an opportunity to visit the clinic and see the operating rooms for VVF repair. The First Lady has done a magnificent job as she allows women from other states to benefit from the clinic, and the head (and at one time only) surgeon should be commended for doing nearly 15 VVF surgeries a day. All in all it has been a busy couple of days covering all this while answering emails, clearing thank you letters for those who had participated in the June 9-10 agricultural event, and approving cables back to Washington on top of monitoring events in the Niger Delta. I must say the Blackberry (r) is a wonderful thing.

A Handshake with the Nigerian President and Meetings with Governors

May 22-23 had me traveling to Imo and Abia states in southeastern Nigeria following my second visit to Rivers State in the Niger Delta. Not only did I have fruitful discussions with both Governors, but I visited a school and presented school supplies to the most gifted students of the Orlu secondary school and also visited a potential site for our next American Corner. On May 25 I had the singular honor to be with the President of Nigeria and a U.S. Company to sign an agreement on U.S. investment.

Ambassador Sanders' Remarks at the MOU Signing Ceremony of American Corner at the Ovie Brume Youth Center, Lagos

Remarks

MOU Signing, American Corner at the Ovie Brume Youth Center

U.S. Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders
Ovie Brume Youth Center
Lagos, Nigeria
December 3, 2008

It is a pleasure to be here at the Ovie Brume Youth Center not only to celebrate the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding to establish the newest American Corner, the first of its kind in Lagos. We have several of these in other states around Nigeria but none here in Lagos until today. Under the U.S. Mission's framework for partnership with the people of Nigeria and particularly their desire for better educational development, I wanted to make sure we had an American corner in Lagos.

This signing provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of education as an investment in people. The U.S. Government policy is to spend millions of dollars on education, and training of both students and teachers, and providing books and other resources. The American Corner Lagos is part of this contribution. In American Corner Lagos a partnership between the U.S. Mission in Nigeria and the Ovia Brume Youth Centre you will find the literature of America’s best writers. You will find information about American society culture politics history and business and U.S. elections. You can find out how to study in the U.S. and how to apply for a visa. You have free access to the Internet.

This American Corner is not a cyber center. But it is a center for resources for students of all ages for journalists, academics, businesses, civic organizations, teachers, government officials, military, clergy, and traditional rulers. Whether the challenge is transforming conflict into dialogue conducting medical research on issues like HIV/AIDS halting the trafficking of persons or designing an efficient energy grid -- which are all policies addressed by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria -- the materials found in American Corners will help you address these issues and conduct research on almost any other issues.

The U.S. Government through our Fulbright program sponsors several Nigerian and American scholars to conduct research at institutions in the U.S. and Nigeria. One of our Fulbright scholars Dr. Cliff Missen developed software known as an e-Granary which places thousands of resource materials on a single server. The U.S Mission is installing these e-Granary software systems in our American Corners throughout Nigeria as a tool to increase the ability to conduct research for free. We are excited that this American Corner Lagos will be using this e-Granary system to provide the highest quality of service to youth students and scholars in the area.

By signing this memorandum of understanding we are committing to work together to enhance education in Nigeria. While the U.S. Mission to Nigeria is committed to supporting you in this endeavor it is up to the students, businesses, journalists, and academics to be interactive with the resources available at American Corner Lagos. It can provide the best possible service for access to information that you deem important for your future or the future of your business. Education is something the U.S. government spends a lot of money on in Nigeria. We want the best for Nigerian education and the best American Corner Lagos for you. So today I say welcome to American Corner
Lagos.

Thank you.