Ambassador Sanders' Remarks at the U.S. National Day Reception, Abuja 2009

Remarks

U.S. Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders

U.S. National Day Reception, Abuja
“My Country that Is!”

(As prepared for delivery)

For Immediate Release Abuja, Nigeria February 20, 2009

“My Country Tis of Thee.” My Country that is! I chose this song -- that was so wonderfully song by Nigeria’s incomparable Onyeka Onwenu, and our fabulous American Grammy award-winning artist Chris Thomas King -- to highlight this American national day because it not only speaks to our shared values with our friends in Nigeria, but it is a phrase that can be and should be on the minds, reflective of the spirit, of all global citizens who care about what their country does, whether it is respected internationally and how each and every one of us feels about our nation, our values, our home.

One needs to be able to follow the phrase "my country that is," with "it is fair," "it is generous," "it is diverse" -- all while striving to improve democracy with every step, with every generation, with every person.

We all know that it is our values as people that define us as a nation … freedom … liberty … justice and democratic principles. These are the values that are core to the American people, values that inspire us, that emotionally move us. They are also universal values as they go to the essence of the rights in a democracy. We must never forget this.

America must continue to reaffirm “the greatness of our nation,” by also understanding “that greatness is not a given” but that it must be earned. We want to encourage our friends here in Nigeria to reaffirm their enduring spirit for democracy, choosing a history free of corruption with the noble ideas that I have heard and seen as I travel through this great nation. We want, as Americans, to be partners with you on this voyage.

Together, we can reach all Nigerians yearning to be free of hunger and of want; helping those who desire education, jobs, and a better future for their children, peace and dignity for their families.

We are here to support, not to lead, YOUR efforts to move Nigeria forward -- not backward -- but forward in having peace and development in the Niger Delta, better fighting corruption and improving governance, instituting electoral reform and balancing political differences with the more humble values of respect for diversity and humankind.

On the 20th of January 2009, America and the world witnessed a unique transition; not only a transition of power, but a rebirth, once again, in American values -- emulated by and in the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America. We are as our President said on that day and in that moment a nation (and I would add a world) of “Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus,” and so many other religions. Today, I would like to say that we must remember that the world is shaped by every language and every culture, drawn from every corner of this Earth. And, in this regard “As the world grows smaller,” said President Obama, “. . . America must play its role in [ensuring a] new era of peace.”

America and Nigeria -- we are old, old friends. And, these are the messages that we share with our old friend this evening. The partnership between the American people and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will remain high even through these cloudy financial times.
Our American National activities in northern Nigeria this week and in southern Nigeria next week underscore what we are doing to help in sectors from agriculture, to HIV/AIDS, to community development, capacity building, and humanitarian projects, to spurring more two-way trade between our two great nations.

To my dedicated staff at the U.S. Mission to Nigeria and their families, proud Americans today on this Two Hundred and Thirty-Third celebration of America’s independence, I want to thank you as Team Nigeria for helping me build mutual understanding with our old, old friend.

So I close this evening by noting that I believe that at last, we as a global family are on the right path at the right time and for the right reasons -- At last. I Thank You.
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Ambassador Sanders' Remarks at The Handover Ceremony of Bicycles to Nigeria Police Force at Police College, Kaduna

Remarks of Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders

Handover Ceremony of Bicycles to Nigeria Police Force at Police College, Kaduna

(As prepared for delivery)
February 18, 2009
Abuja, Nigeria

All other protocols duly observed

We are here today as part of our two week American National activities supporting Nigeria and Nigerians in many ways including this community policing project which began more than four years ago. As demonstrated by our investment in this community policing project the people and government of the United States are committed to partnering with the government of Nigeria in its efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Nation's law enforcement agencies for the benefit of its citizens.

The police force exists to serve and protect its citizens and it must therefore be a good friend to its citizens. While trends and patterns of crime may change over time the need for strong cooperation between the police and citizens in catching and prosecuting criminals does not change. Bicycle patrols as part of community policing are one such way in which police and citizens can effectively work together. Police bicycling community patrols have been used in other parts of the world including the United States with huge success. We anticipate similar success in Nigeria particularly in rural areas where communities are often hindered by a lack of resources to purchase fuel for vehicles.

As you know high crime rates in certain communities can be curbed if illicit activities are properly recorded and handled to develop the required intelligence needed to apprehend the perpetrators. This intelligence can also be used to prevent larger crises such as communal clashes by providing swift and accurate response and intelligence on suspected friction before it escalates. The United States Government through the U.S. Mission in Nigeria hopes that this community policing program can be of assistance to Nigerians in this area.

I commend the Nigerian Police force and the people of Kaduna State for partnering with my government on this project. By handing over this equipment we are showing our faith in the Nigerian Police Force to continue working as our partner to achieve our shared goals of peace and security for the citizens of Nigeria a fundamental component of a true democracy.
Thank you.

Ambassador Sanders' Goodwill Message Delivered during the People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Support Day

Goodwill Message

Ambassador Sanders participation in
“People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Support Day at Defense Health Club”

Abuja, Nigeria
February 17, 2009, 10-11:00 a.m.

All Other Protocols Duly Observed

It is my pleasure to be here today and present the Defense Health Club with this equipment purchased by the people and government of the United States. As we celebrate our two-week activities to underscore the U.S.-Nigeria partnership, we are also proud to celebrate the fact that our close partnership with the Nigerian Ministry of Defense has increased access to HIV/AIDS services for thousands of Nigerians, both military and civilian. Over the past three years and in partnership with the Nigerian Ministry of Defense, the U.S. Government's Department of Defense HIV Program has provided over $33 million dollars to combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as part of the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief, also known as PEPFAR.

Until recently, many of our friends living with HIV/AIDS wondered whether prevention or treatment could ever succeed in environments where resources, assistance, and care were limited, and where having HIV was considered a death sentence. For the past three years, the partnership has provided renovations, equipment, training, and HIV/AIDS treatment through the staff of the Defense Headquarters Medical Centre.

Here at the Defense Health Club, you are providing psycho-social support and prevention efforts which are so critical to the “complete” approach to treatment. You are reaching out to those who are vulnerable to this terrible disease. With the equipment donated by the American people, those living with HIV/AIDS are now empowered to generate income. With an emphasis on emotional, physical, and financial support, you are helping vulnerable people transition back into society. While the Military partnership can provide funds, only the people can turn these funds into results. At the Defense Health Club, you are leading that effort with the strength of your members.

I commend the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, the Commander of Mogadishu Barracks, Commander Defense Headquarters Medical Centre, members of the Defense Health Club and all members of the community for your efforts in supporting this joint program. Activities like this transcend individual nations and people and turn the world into a single community.

Thank you

Ambassador Sanders' Remarks at the Launch of a Campaign to Save Lives in Cross River State

Remarks of the U.S. Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders at the

Launch of a Campaign to Save Lives in Cross River State

December 11, 2008
Abuja, Nigeria

All protocols duly observed.

This is my second trip to Calabar and to Cross River State, the land of peace and tourism. Today, I am here for the children because they are the future of Nigeria. It is critical that we all support children's health issues, and certainly preventable ones like measles, polio and malaria. This flag off ceremony of the Integrated Measles Campaign is just one step in achieving the elimination of all preventative childhood diseases.

This Campaign is a shining example of how the government and people of the United States of America, through the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, are partnering with the government of Cross River State, as well as international partners such as the High Commission of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross, to invest in the people of this great state by providing access to quality health care services. This is a goal we all share.

Despite the existence of an effective vaccine against measles, the disease has continued to be one of the most devastating causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. The World Health Assembly has the goal of reaching a 95% reduction in mortality by 2010. For Nigeria, an Integrated Measles Campaign was recommended to achieve this target. And this campaign is targeted to reach all children under the age of five. It will deliver vaccines against measles and polio, and provide a Vitamin A supplement.

To support the Government of Nigeria’s initiative- and Cross River State’s commitment- to reducing child morbidity and mortality, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross, is also taking this opportunity to provide 116,000 long-lasting insecticide treated nets to all children under five years of age, in all 18 local government areas in Cross River State.

I want to talk a bit about malaria today as well. In Nigeria, malaria is responsible for the death of more than 300,000 children under five each year, and it accounts for over ten percent of all maternal deaths in this country. It is estimated that economic and social advancement, as well as approximately $1.2 billion dollars, are lost every year to malaria through the loss of productivity and costs related to treatment.

The challenge of reducing child morbidity and morality is enormous, which is why we have formed public-public and public-private partnerships with the government of Cross River State and several non-governmental organizations. Together we will use proven strategies to effectively deliver immunizations and insecticide treated nets to the people of Cross River State.

The U.S. Government is committed to investing in the people of Nigeria, and of Cross River State, and I assure you that we will follow your state's leadership towards supporting improved and accessible health care services for the people of this great state. I am happy to be a part of this flag-off event, officially launching the second phase of a nationwide initiative to combat measles and malaria in 17 southern and middle belt states. I commend you for your efforts, and I am confident that you will achieve your goal of access to quality health care services for the people of Cross River State. Congratulations and best of luck with this exciting initiative. Thank you.

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.