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Ambassador Campbell Flags Off Book Donation Program in KanoOn June 2, 2007, US Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell initiated a large US book donation program to60 schools in Northern Nigeria. The ceremony took place at the Dala Government Girls Secondary School,Kano. Accompanying the US Ambassador were the Office of Defense Cooperation Chief, Lt. Col. Luis Perozoand the Embassy Information Resource Officer Henry Mendelsohn. Below are photos taken by Crossroads EditorIdika U. Onyukwu at the book donation ceremony.Ambassador Campbell is greeted by the District Head of Dala HisRoyal Highness Aminu Ado Bayero.Excited Permanent Secretary of Kano State Ministry of Educationheartily shakes Ambassador Campbell for the book donation.District Head of Dala His Royal Highness Aminu Ado Bayeroreceiving the US Government for the book donation.Ambassador Campbell in a group photo with staff and studentsof Government Girls Secondary School, Dala, Kano.Ambassador Campbell is dressed in a typical traditional Kanoattire in appreciation for the US Mission efforts to Kano State.Ambassador Campbell briefs the press immediately after flaggingoff the book donation program in Kano.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 2

US - Nigeria Educational and Cultural Exchangesthe school would release students 10minutes early on the final day so thatthey could say goodbye to him.Sandra Longpoe’s classmates inGuthrie Center also wished her well,but only after helping her to raisenearly $500 to support an orphanagein her home state.Many students participated insports and speech contests. A fewmade the National Honor Society.But most struggled to adjust to a newculture and to succeed in a radicallydifferent educational system.Now, about the challenge forIowans: Iowa Resource forInternational Service, or IRIS, anAmes-based nonprofit organization,has brought 75 African students toIowa over the past four years. Apioneer in the YES project, it is oneof only four organizations nationallyto manage an exchange and the onlyorganization that focuses on sub-Saharan Africa. The State Departmentwould like us to expand our effortsby bringing an additional 50 studentsfrom Nigeria and Tanzania nextschool year. We have traveled to thetwo countries and selected students,Thirty Nigerian Students fromfive states in northern Nigeriawill participate in the fifthsession of the Youth Exchange andStudy (YES) program in the UnitedStates. The students, six from eachstate—Bauchi, Kaduna, Plateau,Sokoto and Taraba— departedNigeria on August 6, 2007 for a year’sstudy in various secondary schools inthe state of Iowa.At a pre-departure orientationprogram organized by the CulturalAffairs Section of the U.S. Embassyin Abuja on Thursday, July 19, thestudents were advised to be positive,and maintain an open mind that wouldenable them to interact with theirbut finding host families has been achallenge.Still, we believe Iowans willvolunteer if they know about theprogram and the opportunities that itprovides for African students andour own young people to learn aboutthe world outside their owncommunities.This year, those opportunitiesincluded joining Iowa students in theWorld Food Prize Youth Institute, aGlobal Leadership Conference, andthe Capitol Youth Project. Just asimportant, they visited elementaryschools, service clubs, and churchgroups to speak about Nigeria andIslam. They have already begun tochange the world.Unlike participants of traditionalexchange programs, the students willcontinue their activities after returningto their home countries. IowaResource for International Servicedesigned this program using a stateto-statemodel, allowing ourorganization to work with alumni formany years after they leave Iowa.Students have formed peace clubs,completed environmental projects,and taught conflict-resolution skillsto their classmates. They’re also settingup computer-training centers in areaswhere computers are scarce. Best ofall, Christian and Muslim alumni areworking together.These students are in the UnitedStates not through their parents’wealth, but on scholarships providedby the Bureau of Educational andCultural Affairs of our StateDepartment. YES is a bipartisaneffort developed by Senetors TedKennedy and Richard Lugar as aresponse to the 9/11 attacks. Theybelieved that young people must playa greater role in promotinginternational understanding,democracy, and peace.We agree and we hope thatIowans will be willing to help them.Since the students will arrive in Iowain August, IRIS desperately needs tofind hosts soon.Robert Anderson of Ames, a formerlieutenant governor of Iowa, isfounder and president of IowaResource for International Service.http://nigeria.usembassy.govBe Positive and Maintain an OpenMind, Nigerian Students AdvisedSome of the thirty-six YES students listen to pieces of advise during a pre-departureorientation organized by the Cultural Section of the US Embassy, Abuja.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 5

US - Nigeria Educational and Cultural Exchangeshost communities.In his remarks to the students andaccompanying teachers, US EmbassyCultural Attaché Mr. HenryMendelsohn said, “Four YES alumnihave secured admission to UScolleges. Many of them have alsocompleted the secondary certificateexam with excellent results and arestudying in Nigerian universities.”Mr. Mendelsohn said that lifewill never be the same again for allthe YES alumni. “They have becomerole models within theircommunities, represented theirfamilies, schools, and country'screditably in the US, and gainedexposure that will help themthroughout their lives,” heemphasized. Alumni students whoshared their American experiencesThe YES program wasintroduced by the USDepartment of State in 2003to promote mutual understandingbetween United States and the Muslimworld.The program targets secondary schoolstudents in their fourth year and whoare from predominantly Muslimcountries all over the world.The programs aims at helping thestudents become more familiar withlife, culture and education in theUnited States.Selected students spend oneacademic year in a US high school, anequivalent of Nigeria’s seniorsecondary school under the care ofhost families in four major cities inIowa, United States.The USG funding amounts ofthe programs is over $10 millionappropriated by the US Congress in2003.Dr. Sai'du Yakubu, IRIS NigeriaCountry Director.The YES ProgramNigeria is among the 13 countriesworldwide participating on theprogram with Sokoto State as one ofthe pioneer States. The other state isKaduna.The program was expanded toPlateau and Taraba States in 2005and to Bauchi in 2006.The current group now going tothe US on August 5 consists of 16girls and 14 boys, and has 6 studentsfrom each of the five states..76 Nigerian secondary schoolstudents have participated in theprogram since inception in 2003.Sokoto State Government hasbeen of tremendous financial andmoral support to the programespecially at inception when manyparents and religious leaders were verysuspicious of its mission. TheGovernor enlisted his son into theprogram in 2003 and his administrationhas been making financial contributionto support local travels of the stateagreed with Mr. Mendelsohn, as theirstay in America has changed theirperspectives on life, and given themthe opportunity to share Nigeria’sstory with America.Embassy Summer Intern, BrookeDeKoninck, asked the students tounderstand and adhere to the valuethat Americans attach to time, honesty,communication, competitiveness,and energy.This year’s group is comprised of18 Muslims and 12 Christians; 16females and 14 males.Administrators of the programhave maintained a balanced mix ofChristian - Muslim and female-malestudents.So far, 76 Nigerian high schoolstudents and 8 teachers haveparticipated in the program.delegates to Lagos and Abuja.Results: Most of the participants onthe YES program came back withimproved speaking and writing skills.Four of them have secured admissionin US institutions to pursue theirundergraduate studies. Several ofthem are undergoing anundergraduate studies in Nigerianuniversities.They have better understandingof the US culture and society.They try to replicate some of thepositive values they imbibe duringtheir stay, such as promotion ofreligious tolerance, peace amongdiverse religious groups, andvoluntary service to communities.One of the alumni of the YESprogram, Abdulhafeez Lawal, wasselected by ECA as Alumni of themonth in February of 2006.The Nigeria YES alumni won a DisneyAward for Global Youth Leadershipin 2006.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 6

US - Nigeria Educational and Cultural ExchangesMemoirs: The America I SawTemitope Morenike Ojo is financially disadvantaged, but academically gifted. She attended Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja,on full scholarship following her execellent performance at the National Common Extrance Examination in 1998. Shecaptures the whole essence of the United States Students Achievers Program. Morenike is presently a Pre-Med, yeartwostudent of Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts. In this narrative, she recounts her first American experience.The voice of the flight attendantbooms over the speakers as itheralds the arrival of flightNWL5102 from Amsterdam intoDetroit Airport, Chicago. For manyaboard the airplane, it was a normalroute to end the long summer; but tome, it marked the beginning of a newlife, a new phase, a new beginning. AsI stepped out of the plane, I realizedthat I was entirely on my own withthe responsibility of my future in myhands. It was pretty scary, but anintriguing sensation.My first glimpse of America wason the television back home inNigeria; however, now that I wasstanding on American soil, it wasnothing like Hollywood movieswhere only famous superstars arefeatured. What I was experiencingwere very normal people hurrying tocatch their flights and running to meettheir families after being away for awhile. As I waited for my connectingflight to the international airportwhere my college classmates expectedto pick me up, I acquainted myselfwith the environment around me. Atfirst, I was so wary and skepticalabout everyone that passed aroundme and had the notion that everyonewas giving me a look over. Aftercareful observation, I noticed that noone was concerned about mypresence. Everyone was going abouttheir own business, bringing back asense of confidence, which was whenI really held on firmly to the reality ofbeing the master of my existence. Inmy mind, I convinced myself of notonly surviving, but also triumphing inmy new world.After I arrived at Bradley airportin Connecticut, I collected my luggageand searched for people from myAt the signing ceremony of Microsoft grant of $90,000 to six CommunityResource Centers, (L-R) Tunde Kuku (Abeokuta), Obo Ukpabio (Calabar),Okey Ikpe (Microsoft Public Sector Manager), Judith Azionu (Enugu), andMamman Danka (Kaduna), share a happy moment.Morenike Ojo (right) with a classmate at Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts.college, but saw no one. I got College, I looked out of the windowconcerned and asked the information and noticed a good mix of modernpersonnel to make an announcement. structures and old buildings. It lookedAs the announcement rang over the like a travel back in time; only therespeakers, the doors facing me burst were paved highways and travelopen. I saw a trolley being pushed routes and people in modern dress.towards me by a lady wearing a smile My college is located in South Hadley,and an orange t-shirt with “Welcome a small rural town with a large expanseto MHC” written on it. She was here of land compared to the smallwith some college students to take population. We traveled past farmsme and other new international with grazing animals, solitary houses,students to Mount Holyoke College, public establishments, convenienceMassachusetts. I felt a sudden rush of stores, and shopping malls. I wasrelief and safety that brought me to jolted out of my reverie whenthe brink of tears. The welcome crew someone beside me exclaimed, “Wewas very friendly and engaged us in are here!” There stood Mountconversation. The array of new Holyoke College in the early dusk ofstudents was very diverse. They were Friday, the 1 st of September 2006from France, Nepal, England, Spain, looking like a benevolent motherIndia, Ghana, and other nations of welcoming her children into her safethe world. Our group could pass for haven. As we drove through the gatesa UN gathering, save for our attire, and towards the campus center, Iand confused, and tired looks. looked at the features of this 170 yearAs we drove to Mount Holyoke old institution, as I savored the ideaCROSSROADS July/August 2007 7

US - Nigeria Educational and Cultural Exchangesof making this place home for four could write a world history book,years.experienced unpredictable weather,Four months and ten pounds later, and had headaches over meals that II have completed a semester of could not relish. I have explored aIntegrated Biology and Chemistry wonderful community that exudes160, Anthropology 105, and World hospitality and love from theRegional Geography 105. I joined welcoming century-old buildings tothe varsity track and field team, the friendly faces of professors, staff,clashed with a different culture, made and students I encounter daily. Thewonderful friends whose origins college workload is challenging butU.S. Embassy Country Public Affairs Officer Atim George gives a pep-talk tostudents going for studies in the US during a pre-departure orientation session.The US Student Achievers Program (USAP)The United States StudentsAchievers Program (USAP),was established in 2004 bythe Embassy Educational AdvisingCenter to ensure that all talented students,regardless of economic background,have equal access to informationabout merit-based internationalstudent financial aid and the admissionsprocess to colleges and universitiesin the United States. These studentsnormally require complete financialassistance to cover the cost oftuition, books, meals etc. In its firstyear (2004) USAP sponsored five Nigerianstudents, most of whom receivedfull finding to various US universities.USAP recruits students throughoutNorthern Nigeria on therecommendation of their headmasterswho require an extensive applicationprocess similar to that of highly selectivecolleges in the United States.This year, more than 100 “O level”students from all parts of NorthernNigeria applied, and the EAC will selectten students who will enroll in fall 2007.USAP students reflect the best ofNigerian youth, based on academicpotential, leadership roles, communityservice and extracurricular activities.They aspire to broaden their horizonsand return home to Nigeria.. Their onlybarrier to higher educational opportunitiesis finance.The Educational Advising Center(EAC) works closely with USAP studentsto assist them at every step of thecollege selection, application, and orientationprocesses.http://nigeria.usembassy.govenjoyable, as there are fun ways tolearn and study in the classrooms.Also, the self-sufficiency of MountHolyoke College assures me ofreceiving a fulfilling and top-notcheducation, as well as mapping out aterrific path for my future with thehelp of a selfless faculty.I would be insincere if I say I donot miss my home back in Nigeria;however, I can confidently say that Ihave found a place where I know thatall I have to offer as a human being canbe cultivated and nurtured to reality, areality that will affect the whole worldaround me in a positive way. Columbuscalled it the New World. Century-oldimmigrants have called it the “Land ofthe Free.” I call the United States ofAmerica my Land of Accomplishments,a place where my efforts will yieldfruits that will awe the world.http://nigeria.usembassy.govThree Beneficiaries of UThe Educational Advising Center (EAC), US Consulate GeneralLagos on July 31, 2007 presentedthree Nigerian students whoare beneficiaries of the United StatesAchievers Programs (USAP) at apress briefing in Lagos. The threestudents received four year scholarshipsto study in the United States aspart of the USAP program.Public Diplomacy Officer MaryLou Johnson-Pizarro, and EducationAdvisor Ifeanyi Olagbaju explainedthe objectives of the USAP,launched last year at the EAC-Lagosadvising center. The EAC works withten intellectually-talented, but economicallydisadvantaged Nigerianstudents each year to assist themthrough the application process tosecure admission and scholarshipsfor colleges and universities in theUnited States. USAP works closelywith students to increase their chancesof admission and receivingscholarships.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 8

US - Nigeria Educational and Cultural ExchangesStaff of the US Agency for International Development, the National Institutes for Health, the Centers for Disease Controland Prevention, and the Department for Defense pose with their award certificates with US Ambassador John Campbell.PEPFAR Nigeria Wins Global Award on HIV/AIDSBy Idika U. OnyukwuEditor CrossroadsICampbell was the special guest atn one of his last acts as USAmbassador to Nigeria, Johnan award ceremony to honor five USAgencies – the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, the UnitedStates Agency for InternationalDevelopment, Department ofDefense, National Institutes forHealth, and the Public Affairs Sectionfor their contributions in checkingthe spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.The Spirit of PEPFAR (President’sEmergency Plan for Aids Relief)Award is an exceptional recognitionand the most coveted award given bythe office of the US Global AIDSCoordinator. It honors country teamsthat have exemplified the precepts ofthe spirit of PEPFAR. This year,PEPFAR Nigeria was selected as oneof the best teams.In his opening statement,Ambassador Campbell said PEPFARNigeria has made significantcontributions to Nigeria’s responseFunding PEPFAR Nigeria:Nigeria is a priority country for the USGovernment which is presently the largestHIV/AIDS donor in the country. HIV/AIDS funding increased from a modest$2.7 million in FY 1999 to $25.5 millionin 2003. With the advent of PresidentBush’s Global HIV/AIDS Initiative(GHAI) in 2004, the US government(USG) funding has increasedtremendously as follows:* $26 Million for COP 2004 withthe USAID portion at $13Million* $79 Million for COP 2005 withUSAID portion at $48 Million* $163 Million for COP 2006with USAID portion at $68Million* $305 Million for COP 2007with USAID portion at $137Million.to the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS. “Since its inception in 2004,evidence show that Nigeria’s PEPFARefforts are paying off – prevalencerates in this country are holding stable,and every day we are getting moreand more people the treatment theyneed,” Ambassador Campbell said.Ambassador Campbell, assistedby Acting Mission Director of USAIDLatanya Mapp Frett, presentedcertificates to employees of the fiveagencies that won the Spirit ofPEPFAR Award. The award wasoriginally given to the Nigeria team inRwanda.The award citation acknowledgedPEPFAR Nigeria’s effectiveness inworking to achieve Emergency Plangoals, supporting sustainable andinnovative programs, cooperatingacross agencies, engaging newpartners, coordinating the efforts ofall stakeholders, and communicatingthese efforts to the Nigerian public.http://nigeria.usembassy.govCROSSROADS July/August 2007 9

“US - Nigeria Bilateral RelationsUS Boost Seed Storage in Garkoand Darki Communities in KanoSgovernment, and represents aNorthern Nigeria have been vulnerableto economic hardships in the past, whichresults from timing fluctuationsbetween harvest cycles and marketcycles. Because of this, the need tosecure seed storage, crop managementeducation, and facilities is criticalThe seed storage project willprovide safe and secure seed storagewith educational facilities to 5communities throughout Kano andKaduna States Nigeria, and will providekey infrastructure to support the selfupportfor education is a highpriority for the Americansignificant aspect of our foreignassistance around the world,” said USAmbassador John Campbell duringthe flag-off ceremony for a large USbook donation program to 60 schoolsin Northern Nigeria. The ceremonytook place at the Dala GovernmentGirls School, Kano, on Saturday June2.On Sunday, June 3 AmbassadorCampbell commissioned USconstructed seed storage facilities atGarko LGA and Darki LGA, KanoState.BooksThe donation of school books wasthe first in a series of donations to 60secondary schools in Northern Nigeria.The donations will take place over thenext several months.Each set of books consists of 198titles and focuses on:* The African American Experience.This collection contains books focusingon the African American experience,intended for students in grades 4-9. Asecond set contains biographies of keyAfrican Americans in US History andare appropriate for grades 4-9.* Secondary Ambassador Collection.This collection contains over 100 booksand items for teachers and is acombination of US History,geography, biographies, science, fictionand sports. The books are appropriatefor grades 5 and above.The books are published byScholastic Press in the United Statesand are all in English. Scholastic, theglobal children’s publishing, educationand media company, has a corporatemission supported through all of itsdivisions of helping children aroundGov't Girls Secondary Dalla Gets Essential BooksUS Ambassador John Campbell accompanied by the Chairman of Garko LocalCovernment Council, proceed to the venue of the book donation, on June 2.the world to read and learn. Itrecognizes that literacy is thecornerstone of a child’s intellectual,personal, and cultural growth for over85 years. Scholastic has created qualityproducts and services that educate,entertain and motivate children, andare designed to help enlarge theirunderstanding of the world aroundthem.The books will be donated toschools in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi,Gombe, Niger, Borno, Sokoto, andMaiduguri. Altogetherthe donation willinclude 11,880 booksand weigh over 2 and ½tons.Seed StorageFacilitiesNorthern Nigeriahas an extremely aridclimate that providesinhospitable environsfor the growth of crops.Communities inAmbassador Campbell is greeted by the DistrictHead of Dala, His Royal Highness Aminu Ado Bayero.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 10

Ambassador Campbell comments as he unviels the plaque for the Darko Seed Storagefacility in Kano. Left is the Chairman of Garko Local Government Council.sufficiency of communities in NorthernNigeria.This is a joint project with Kanoand Kaduna State Governments andUS Office of Defense Cooperation,the United States Agency forInternational Development,International Institute of TropicalAgriculture (IITA), and United StatesDepartment of State.Sites have been provided by IITAthrough de-confliction with theindividual Local GovernmentAuthorities and were deemedappropriate for the construction ofthe seed storage facilities.Seed storage facilitiescommissioned during AmbassadorCampbell’s Kano trip included:* Darki, Wudil Local GovernmentArea (LGA) Kano State, Nigeria* Garko, Garko LGA Kano State,Nigeria.To be commissioned at a laterdate:* Sarina, Garko LGA Kano State,NigeriaSome of the processed and packaged seed grains that will be stored at the Darko SeedStorage facility in Kano. A greater quantity of unprocessed grains will also be stored.* Yarumfa, Giwa LGA KadunaState, Nigeria* Zaria, Zaria LGA Kaduna State,NigeriaThe Humanitarian Assistance (HA)Program is a stand-alone projectsponsored by The US EuropeanCommand (EUCOM). The primaryobjectives of this program are to:strengthen international relationships,improve infrastructure for the hostnation and ameliorate significantsuffering.http://nigeria.usembassy.govThe Ambassador SpecialSelf-Help ProgramThe Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Programprovides small grants tocommunity development activities inNigeria. It is designed to helpcommunities help themselves. Underthis program, projects must originatein the community and the communitymust make significant contributionsto the success of the project, such asland, labor, money, materials,ongoing supervision, and otherresources. Currently, the Americancontribution to any one project rangesfrom USD$3,000 to $USD10,000.Smaller requests are also welcome.All funds under the SSH Programare disbursed in Naira.Project Selection CriteriaThe SSH Program assists in improvingthe economic and social conditionsof a community. Self-Help projectproposals selected for fundinggenerally incorporate the followingcriteria:* Respond to the initiative andaspirations of the local community,* Involve a significant localcontribution in cash, labor ormaterial,* Be maintained and operated by thelocal community,* Improve basic economic or socialconditions in the community,* Be completed within 6 months andnot require additional funds tomaintain, and* Have visible benefits for thecommunity and be self-sustaining.These criteria should be used as aguideline for SSH applicants.Send project applications andinquiries for the Ambassador’s SpecialSelf-Help Program to the followingaddress:Special Self-help CoordinatorUnited States Consulate General2 Walter Carrington CrescentVictoria Island, P.O. Box 554Lagos, NigeriaEmail: lagossh@state.govCROSSROADS July/August 2007 11

Photo left; The traditional ruler of Birnin-Kebbi commissions the Rikoto Area Zuru Grinding Mill project.Right; A recipient of the Ambassador's Special Self-Help project happily pose with her grinding machine.Ambassador's Self-Help ProjectLigthens the Burden of Kebbi Womenn June 27, 2007, the USEmbassy commissioned agrinding machine project Oand donated sewing machines to theKebbi Alliance for Positive People(KAPOP), as part of theAmbassador’s Special Self-HelpProgram.The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund provides small grants tocommunity development organizationsthroughout Nigeria for a varietyof important projects, such as thegrinding mills and sewing institutefounded by KAPOP under the leadershipof Peter Dondondo.The Ambassador’s Self-HelpProjects originate in the local communitywho contribute land, labor,money, materials, and other resourcesto the success of the projects.The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund is designed to help peoplehelp themselves by supportingprojects that work to improve economicand social conditions.Through this program, theAmerican Embassy in Nigeria haspartnered with numerous communitydevelopment organizationsthroughout the country to install foodprocessing equipment, construct livestockshelters, and build boreholesamong other projects.KAPOP’s grinding mill projecthelps women increase the productivityof milling "fura," a staple dietfood, which is usually producedthrough a very labor intensive process,but can now be done by machineand in their homes. These grindingmills will improve the quality oflife for the community by generatingincome to support the women whohave benefited from them, as well astheir families.The Ambassador’s Special SelfhelpProgram also contributed, inconjunction with the British HighCommission and the Anglican Churchof Nigeria, to the establishment ofthe Desete Tailoring Institute in Zuru.The building houses twelve sewingmachines, and employs two male,and two female trainers.Many members of the communityhave committed themselves tothe success of these projects, contributingtheir time and hard work tomake these development plans a reality.The American Embassy thanksyou all for your efforts.The traditional ruler of Birnin-Kebbi poses with some of the donated items.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 12

ConsularNew Visa Revalidation Process AnnouncedTo better serve visa applicants,the U.S. Embassy in Abujahas modified the current visarevalidation program to anappointment-based system and hasestablished a new student visaappointment system. The final dayfor the current revalidation walk-inprogram is Thursday, June 28, 2007.Beginning Wednesday, June 27 th ,visa applicants who qualify for therevalidation program may send an e-mail to one of two newly-createdaddresses requesting an interviewappointment. Within 3 business days,applicants will receive an e-mailresponse from the Embassy AbujaOon August 29, 2005, a vastcoastline of towns andcommunities was virtually destroyed.One of America’s great cities wassubmerged; and many lives lost inone of the worst natural disasters inAmerica’s history. On this NationalDay of Remembrance of HurricaneKatrina August 29, we honor thosewho did not survive the fury of thestorm and those who continue to puttheir lives back together in itsaftermath. We also remember theheroism of ordinary citizens whotouched our hearts with their braveryand compassion and moved ourwhole Nation to action.Consular Section with their interviewdate.Applicants who wish to renewtheir full validity, multiple-entry, nonimmigrantvisa that is either still validor expired within the last 12 monthsshould send their appointmentrequesttoAbujaVisaRenewals@state.gov. Therequest must include the applicant’sfull name as it appears on their visaand the red visa number located inthe lower right-hand corner of thevisa.Student visa applicants shouldsend their appointment request toAbujaStudentVisas@state.gov. TheUS Gov't Donates Vehicles to ECOWASOn August 9, at the EconomicCommunity for West AfricanStates (ECOWAS) Secretariat Abuja,US Charge d’ Affaires Robert Gribbinpresented vehicles valued at over$85,000 USD to the Commission’sPresident Dr. Mohammed IbnChambas. The vehicles boldlyemblazed with ECOWAS standbyforce insignia and logo, include a 15passenger Toyota bus, a cargo vanand a motorcycle, yet to be delivered,Remembering Hurricane Katrinaconfigured for courier and escort duty.The donation will assist the ECOWASStandby Force to address its greatestlogistical challenge to deploy promptlyin the event of a regional crisis.In handing over the keys of thevehicles which were provided by theUS Department of State Africa Bureauand the Africa ContingencyOperations Training and AssistanceProgram (ACOTA), Charge Gribbinsaid the gift is the direct result of therequest must include the student’s fullname as it appears in their passportand the SEVIS number, found ontheir I-20 form. Continuing studentsmay use either e-mail address torequest a visa appointment.Any visa applicant that has alreadysecured a visa appointment on-linewill not be affected by these changesand should honor their existingappointment date.Please visit the Embassy’s websiteat http://nigeria.usembassy.gov foradditional information andinstructions on the new visarevalidation and student visaappointment programs.Embassy Abuja Looses StaffJulius Igochevery successful 2006 ACOTA-ECOWAS multinational commandpost exercise during which ECOWAScommanders and staff madesignificant progress in establishing abrigade-size peace keeping force.The US Charge d’ Affaires RobertGribbin also said ECOWAS isglobally acknowledged as one of thefirst regional economic communitieson the continent to fulfill itscommitment to the African Unionthrough its standby force.On July 17, the management andstaff of the US Embassy, Abujalost a vibrant colleague Mr. Julius Igocheto the cold hands of death. Describedas quiet, reliable and always willing tohelp, Mr. Igoche died while playing agame of soccer at a local pitch inAbuja. He joined the US Embassy,Abuja on April 23, 2000 and workedin the Information Section of the PublicAffairs Section of the Embassy. Mr.Igoche was buried in his home townEtokwu-Uko, Olamaboro LGA, KogiState on Saturday, July 21. He is survivedby a son and wife, Mrs. DorcasIgoche.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 13

US Embassy Hosts InternationalDiscussion on Judicial Corruption(L-r), US Embassy Country Public Affairs Officer Atim George, Justice Ishaq Bello, JusticeBinta Nyanko and Charge Robert Gribbin at the international conference through DVC.Federal Judge Diane Wooddiscussed Judicial Corruptionwith a panel of Nigerian legalpractitioners and journalists on July26 in Abuja. The event was a DigitalVideo Conference (DVC) organizedby the Embassy's Public AffairsSection in Abuja and linked fromAfrican Regional Service, Paris. Twoeminent Jurists, Justices Ishaq UsmanBello and Binta Nyako of the FederalCapital Territory (FCT) High Court,Abuja, provided informedperspectives on the subject, since theyare currently adjudicating a spate ofhigh profile corruption casesinvolving former state governors andother high ranking governmentofficials.Drawing upon her wideexperience as a judge of the UnitedStates Court of Appeal for theSeventh Circuit, Judge Wooddiscussed the twin problem of judicialcorruption and independence of theJudiciary in the United States. Shesuggested that a strict code of conductfor US judges makes it difficult forthem to compromise their integrity.This code forces judges to surrendera great deal of their privacy by makingpublic their family records, financialtransactions, and any form of financialinvolvement including financialholdings, such as stocks. Thesedocuments, including pro-bono cases,are posted on the Internet for publicconsumption. This ensures thatlitigants are safeguarded from judgespresiding over cases in which theyhave a special interest.Justice Bello, the designated anticorruptionjudge of the FCT and alsothe Head of the Criminal TrialDivision of the FCT Judiciary, saidpreventing corruption within theNigerian legal system was like theproverbial saying of “trying to preventa goat from not eating yam.” He did,however, remark that with theestablishment of the IndependentCorrupt Practices Commission(ICPC) and the Economic andFinancial Crimes Commission(EFCC), things have changed. Hementioned that former governorswho misused their offices arecurrently facing charges of corruptionand misapplication of public funds.To sustain the fight against corruptionand shield judges from corruptinfluences, Judges Bello suggested thatjudges should enjoy betterwelfare packages. He alsoadvised that society musthave an attitudinal changetowards the giving andreceiving of bribes since thelegal system is a directproduct of the society.The new Charged’Affaires Robert Gribbinwho was attending his firstDVC program, opened theprogram and welcomed theparticipants.Responding to JusticeBello’s presentation on thework being done by theNigerian Judiciary againstcorruption, Judge Woodsaid governors abusing their officeswere not unique to Nigeria. She citeda former governor of Illinois andmedia mogul Conrad Black who wererecently sent to prison for corruptpractices while in office. Judge Woodsaid this was possible because the USJudicial Code of Conduct is effective.Among other things, the Code ofConduct for the US Judiciary protectsjudges from powerful people andfrom undue influences which ensurethat judgments are neither predetermined,nor that they go to thehighest bidder.At the questions and answersession, participants raised the ethicaland moral question problems whichmight confront US Judges, many ofwhom are elected rather thanappointed.More than 45 participants includingmembers of the National Assembly,the Nigerian Bar Association led by itsAbuja Branch Chairman BarristerMuyiwa Akinboro, and the Federationof Women Lawyers Abuja ChapterChairperson Chinelo Iriele attended theDCV dialogue. Embassy CountryPublic Affairs Officer Atim Georgemoderated the event.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 14

President Bush RededicatesIslamic CenterOn June 27, 2007, PresidentGeorge Bush rededicated theIslamic Center ofWashington on its 50th anniversary,a place where he last spoke the weekafter September 11, 2001. ThePresident underscored the messageof respect and inclusion, a messagethat President Dwight D. Eisenhoweralso expressed when he dedicatedthe Center fifty years ago. Hereaffirmed support for thewonderful diversity of faith thatenriches America and reaffirmed thecountry’s determination to standtogether in pursuit of freedom andpeace.In reinforcing the importance ofAmerica’s relationship with theIslamic world, the Presidentannounced the appointment of aspecial envoy to the Organization ofIslamic Conference, as ademonstration of respect for OICmember states and the importanceof a high-level dialogue. This is thefirst time that a US President hasmade an appointment to the OIC.The special envoy will be named inthe coming weeks.OIC is a leading voice for thediverse Muslim states of the world;moreover, the OIC Secretary GeneralIhsanoglu (Ih-saan-oh-loo) is a strongvoice of reason and tolerance.President Bush said: “Today wegather, with friendship and respect,to reaffirm that pledge – and to renewour determination to stand togetherin pursuit of freedom and peace. Wecome to express our appreciation fora faith that has enriched civilizationfor centuries. We come in celebrationof America’s diversity of faith andour unity as free people. And wehold in our hearts the ancient wisdomof the great Muslim poet, Rumi: ‘Thelamps are different, but the light isthe same.’”While emphasizing the America’sdeep respect for Islam and all peopleof faith, President Bush called for“men and women of conscience” tostand together and condemn violentextremists who “seek to use religionas a path to power and a means ofU.S. President George W. Bush (R) speaks, as Directorof the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. AbdullahKhouj watches, during the rededication ceremonyon June 27, 2007. Photo credit: REUTERS/LarryDowningdomination.”It is worthy to note that theUnited States is a diverse, inclusivesociety where people can live andworship as they choose withoutintimidation and suspicion. Freedomof religion is the first protectionoffered in America’s Bill of Rights.“This is the promise of ourConstitution, the calling of ourconscience, and a source of ourstrength,” President Bush said in hisspeech.America has a long history ofsupport to Muslim communitiesacross the globe, particularly in timesof war and natural disaster. Americanshave come to the aid of victims ofdevastating earthquakes in Pakistanand Iran, and Tsunami victims inIndonesia and Malaysia. The US hasalso defended Muslims in Bosnia andKosovo, and today confrontsgenocide in Sudan. “Americans of allbeliefs have undertaken these effortsout of compassion, conviction, andconscience,” Bush said.http://nigeria.usembassy.govCROSSROADS July/August 2007 15

US Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation Chief, Colonel Luis Perozo presents the Major Haydon Best PerformingStudents Award to Master Princewill Ezeaja. At right is Head Teacher of St Therese's School, Rev Ssiter Tina Nwosu.Winners of Major Haydon BestPerforming Students Award Emergef it were possible to see the otherside of life after death, late MajorJoe Haydon would have been a Ivery happy man on July 28th as theSt. Therese’s Catholic Nursery andPrimary School Bwari, Abuja,immortalized his memory with aprestigious award. The BestPerforming Students Award wasnamed at the St. Therese’s 7thGraduation and Prize Giving Day.The former US Embassy Office ofDefense Cooperation (ODC) Chiefwas among the passengers whoperished in the Bellview Airlineaccident on October 23, 2005. MajorHaydon was instrumental in securingfunds to build a three-storeyclassroom block at St. Theresa’swhich was commissioned on January28, 2005 by the Office of DefenseCooperation Humanitarian AssistanceProgram. Most of the 2007 graduatingclass spent their final year in the newclassroom built by ODC.Lieutenant Colonel Perozo, Chief,Office of Defense Cooperation,represented US Embassy ChargeRobert Gribbin. The ODC chiefexpressed the gratitude of the Embassycommunity for the very special waythe school has honored one of itsfallen heroes, “It is a kind gesturewhich speaks volumes of the warmthhe must have felt as he worked withmembers of the Bwari community asChief of the Office of DefenseCooperation,” Colonel Perozo said.The HA Program provided $238,000for the construction projects and alsoprovided furniture and equipmentthrough the Excess Property Program.The new classroom was built as acomplimentary project to the MaternityHospital built in 2001 and dedicatedby former US Ambassador HowardExcited pupils of ST. Therese's Catholicat the school's graduation ceremony.Jeter.St. Theresa’s Catholic Nursery andPrimary School Bwari serves thechildren of the community regardlessof faith or ethnicity. Head Teacher,Reverend Sister Tina Nwosu, said theschool has been permitted toimplement the Universal BasicEducation program by the FederalMinistry of Education and the presentgraduates will begin their JuniorSecondary School session inSeptember.Since the school opened, enrollmenthas expanded from one hundred andfifteen to four hundred students. Thestaff has also grown from twelve tothirty four. Facilities at St. Theresa’sCatholic Nursery and Primary Schoolinclude science and home economicslaboratories, a research library, and tencomputers for student use.Colonel Perozo presented prizesto ten students including, PrincewillEzeja who won the Major HaydonBest Performing Students Award,which will now become an annualevent.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 16

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush BoostsHealth, Education in AfricaUunderscores US Generosity with a Personal touchBy Lea TerhuneUSINFO Staff WriterWinding up an eventful tripto Africa, U.S. First LadyLaura Bush voicedsupport and promised more aid fornations struggling with HIV/AIDSand malaria, and to those striving toraise literacy levels. She completedher five-day tour in Mali June 29,after visits to Senegal, Mozambiqueand Zambia.In Zambia, U.S. Global AIDSCoordinator Mark Dybul, whoaccompanied Bush on her trip,announced that U.S. aid to thatcountry would be increased by $266million over five years.“We need broader efforts to fightthe AIDS pandemic and to preventnew infections, especially in Africawhere there are 70 percent of AIDSorphans,” he told journalists inLusaka on June 28. The money willcome from the President’s EmergencyPlan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).Dybul added that Zambiaoriginally was slated to receive $534million in the first four years of thePEPFAR program; however, thatamount will be increased to $800million.Laura Bush toured Zambianprojects funded by PEPFAR, thePresident’s Malaria Initiative (PMI),the U.S. Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID), and anumbrella group of companies calledthe Global Business Coalition. Thatorganization works with governmentand nongovernmental organizationsto implement aid programs. The FirstLady announced that 500,000mosquito nets would be distributedto protect people from malaria, adisease that often takes a greater tollFirst Lady Laura Bush meets Ambassador Girls’ scholarship winners at GrandMedine Primary School in Dakar, Senegal, June 26. President Bush’s AfricaEducation Initiative is working to provide 550,000 scholarships to girlsthroughout Africa by 2010. (© White House photo)than AIDS in Zambia, according tothe Zambia Malaria Foundation.At Lusaka’s Regiment BasicSchool, Bush and her daughter, JennaBush, inaugurated a PlayPump, acombination merry-go-round andwater pump which harnesses youngexuberance to provide a reliablesource of clean water. It frees thechildren from having to bring waterfrom home each day.The two projects are examples ofthe public-private partnerships theBush administration has promoted inthe developing world. The mosquitonet distribution project draws inentities as diverse as the Coca-ColaCompany, Johnson & Johnson, theCase Foundation, and the NationalBasketball Association, whoseNBACares foundation is a partner inNothing But Nets, a grassrootscampaign to prevent malaria deathsin Africa.A message the First Lady repeatedthroughout her tour of Africa wasthe importance of faith-based groups.“Religious institutions bring apersonal healing touch to the fightagainst AIDS,” she told a gatheringat the Mutata Memorial Center. Thecenter, through a network ofvolunteers, provides home-based carefor those infected with HIV/AIDSfor orphans and vulnerable children.It educates about HIV/AIDStransmission and protection, and issupported by RAPIDS, a consortiumof organizations including WorldVision, the Salvation Army, Africare,Catholic Relief Services, and thePopulation Council.Her trip began in Senegal, whereshe and Jenna visited Fann Hospitalin Dakar with Senegal’s First Lady,Viviane Wade. The hospital treatspeople living with AIDS, bolsteringtheir nutrition. Steve Bolinger starteda garden at the hospital when he wasin the Peace Corps, and remainedafterward to found Development inGardening (DIG), a nongovernmentalCROSSROADS July/August 2007 17

organization that helps HIV/AIDSvictims maintain an exceptional qualityof life. Both hospital and gardenprograms are funded partially byUSAID.Bush told reporters on the flightto Senegal that it is important forAfrica that the cooperation betweenthe United States government andAfrican governments “on theground” be effective and try “tostretch the money the furthest so thatthe most people get help.”At the African EducationInitiative (AEI) scholarship awardsceremony at Dakar’s Grand MedinePrimary School, the First Lady wasjoined by Grammy-winningSenegalese musician YoussouN’Dour, also a U.N. goodwillambassador and advocate forimprovement of African health.“An investment in education, nomatter how significant, is always worthit,” former educator Laura Bush toldthe audience. Adding education helpsgovernments fulfill their obligationsto their citizens. In this endeavor shesaid, “The American people are proudto partner with you.”The AEI helped provide nearlyhalf a million books to children inSenegal. Bush said that over thesummer, AEI will deliver another800,000 textbooks to Senegalesechildren. “Educated citizens will keepthemselves in better health, and passtheir knowledge along to theircommunities and to their children,”she said.A highlight of her trip toMozambique was the announcementthat $507 million would be givenfrom the US-funded MillenniumChallenge Corporation to help buildinfrastructure and tackle malaria.While in Maputo, the First Ladytoured facilities of members of theInter-Religious Campaign AgainstMalaria in Mozambique. A pediatrichospital and a women’s supportgroup, Positive Tea, were among herstops. Promotion of malaria sprayingPix left, samples of Arabic manuscriptat the National Archives Kaduna.Right, guest speaker at the KadunaProfessor Shehu Galadnchi making hiscontributions.First lady Laura Bush chats with children at Flame center in Lusaka, ZambiaJune 28. She also toured an AIDS treatment center and launched an antimalariacampaign in Zambia as she highlights U.S. - funded efforts to combatdisease in that southern African nation. (© AP Images)and handing out insecticide-treatedmosquito nets was part of herprogram.Women’s empowerment wasanother focus of the First Lady’sAfrica tour. She participated in aroundtable on the subject inMozambique, and visited twofacilities in Zambia, Flame andWORTH, that work with vulnerablechildren, single mothers, widows,and the elderly to give them moreoptions in life. WORTH offersmicrocredit schemes that financesmall business ventures.Bush expressed admiration forthe dedicated caregivers, many ofwhom are volunteers who go out tothe sick and educate people aboutHIV/AIDS, a disease which stillcarries a heavy stigma in Africa.Her final stop was Bamako, Mali,where she visited an AEI-fundedschool and highlighted MillenniumChallenge Corporation compactwith the government that aims toreduce poverty through a five-year,$460.8 million economicdevelopment program.Ambassador Girls' ScholarshipProgram (Fact Sheet)* The Ambassadors Girls’ ScholarshipProgram (AGSP) provides 550,000scholarships to school children, mostlygirls, in sub-Saharan Africa.* The objective of AGSP is to supportretention of girls in school. Forty countriesincluding Nigeria, currently participate inthe program and 120,000 scholarshipshave already been awarded to girl scholarsin Africa.* In Nigeria, AGSP is implemented inall six geo-political zones in13 states:Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Gombe,Imo, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger,Ogun, Sokoto, and the FCT. Thescholarship in Nigeria includes tuition fees,textbooks, school supplies, uniforms, PTAlevies and food items.* When US First Lady Laura Bush visitedNigeria in January 2006, she met withseveral AGSP scholars at the Model Schoolin Abuja.* US Agency for InternationalDevelopment supports AGSP throughthe Africa Education InitiativeAmbassadors Girls Scholarship Program.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 18

Two Communities in Kano Receive Seed Storage FacilitiesMost parts of Northern Nigeria experience extreme arid climate that provides an inhospitable environment for thegrowth and storage of crops. The need for secure seed storage, crop management education, and facilities is high.Communities in these areas have been vulnerable to economic hardships resulting from timing fluctuationsbetween harvest cycles and market cycles. Part of that challenge was addressed on June 3, when US Ambassador JohnCampbell commissioned seed storage facilities in two communities - Darko and Darki in Kano State. The project was ajoint partnership between the Kano, Kaduna State Governments, the US Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC), the UnitedStates Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), andUnited States Department of State. Photos were taken by Crossroads Editor Idika U. Onyukwu.Ambassador Cmpbell hands over the keys to the Garko seedstorage facility to Hajia Tabawa Dahiru ChairpersonCowpea Farmers Association, Garko, Kano.Local leaders pose with Ambassador Campbell after thecommissioning of Garko seed storage facility in Kano, June 3Ambassador Campbell making his remarks at thecommissioning of Darko Seed Storage facility in Kano.Ambassador Campbell presents keys to Darki Seed Storagefacility to the leader of the Farmers Association.Excited ODC Chief Lt. Col. Luis Perozo joins traditional dancersat the commissioning of Darki seed storage facility, KanoAmbassador Campbell acknowledges greetings fromvillagers who watched proceedings from the top of a tree.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 19

AugustCalendar of Events2007Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat5 6 7M e d i aBriefing12InternationalYouth Day19 2026Women’sEquality Day(Lagos)13 14MediaBriefing(Lagos)21MediaBriefing(Lagos)Happy July FourthA Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, in Abuja,highlighted the celebration marking the 231 st Independence Dayanniversary of the United States of America. US AmbassadorJohn Campbell led the “Yankee Doodle” parade with puppy MissPixie. Left is Embassy Community Liaison Officer Michelle Ward.Photo by Idika Onyukwu27 28Media Briefing(Lagos)1Study in theU.S. classes(Abuja &Lagos)8Study in theU.S. classes(Abuja &Lagos)15Study in theU.S. classes(Abuja &Lagos)22Study in theU.S. classes(Abuja &Lagos)29Remembranceof HurricaneKatrina2MediaBriefing(Abuja)9MediaBriefing(Abuja)16MediaBriefing(Abuja)23MediaBriefing(Abuja)30MediaBriefing(Abuja)Please note that ALL events on this calendar are STRICTLY by invitation. For enquiries please call 09-461-4373 or 01-263-3395.CROSSROADS July/August 2007 20310174111824 2531