US strengthens ties with learning materials
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
America has opened an American Corner in Ikeja equipped with learning tools for students, academics, journalists, entrepreneurs, and others to know more about the United States and strengthen ties between two countries separated by the Atlantic.
US Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard said Washington is committed to providing free educational information and programs to Nigerians to help develop their skills through a network of American Spaces in Nigeria.
She officiated at the launch together with Venture Garden Group (VGG) co-founders – Bunmi Akinyemiju and Kunmi Demuren – and Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Sustainable Development Goals Adviser Solape Hammond.
The ceremony was also attended by alumni of US government exchange programs, business, cultural, media, and political leaders.
Leonard applauded the the event as yet another example of the bourgeoning US-Nigeria bilateral relations, highlighting the broad range of programs at the American Corner.
“A significant aspect of U.S. foreign policy, and a cornerstone of my leadership of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, is investing in people.”
“The new American Corner Ikeja will function as a center where young people develop their ideas, as well as their leadership and entrepreneurship skills through programs and workshops,” she said.
She praised the partnership with VGG, which hosts the American Corner, saying: “Lagos is a city of industry, entrepreneurship, and learning. It is great that the American Corner will help bring the people of Nigeria and the United States closer.”
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Mutually beneficial partnership
Akinyemiju and Demuren both acknowledged that the partnership between the US Consulate General and VGG, a tech firm, is mutually beneficial.
“The American Corner Ikeja directly advances one of our commitments to add value to Nigeria’s efforts to develop and support an educational system that will unlock the expertise, innovative spirit, and entrepreneurial capacity of young Nigerians,” Akinyemiju said.
Demuren added: “We’re delighted that this new American Corner will offer even more opportunities to young people to discover the U.S. as they prepare for their futures.”
Hammond welcomed the American Corner Ikeja to the family of American Spaces in Nigeria.
“The American Corner Ikeja will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the Lagos State government particularly in broad areas of promoting education and technology learning,” she enthused.
Purpose of American Corner
American Corner imparts a welcoming and inspiring American-themed environment comprising a maker space, a tech area designed to promote digital skill building as well as a workshop space equipped with the latest laptops and tablets for learning.
Visitors can also learn about study in America through its comprehensive library collection of exam prep materials and information on colleges and universities in the US.
American Corner offers conversation clubs, discussion groups, virtual programs, film screenings on a wide range of topics as well as STEM learning activities such as robotics and drone technology.
American spaces are home to more than 9,000 US government alumni who program at the spaces to give back to their local communities.
Visitors to American Corner typically include students, teachers, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists, civic organisations, government officials, and community leaders.
There are 18 American Spaces in Nigeria. Their addresses and contact details can be found at https://ng.usembassy.gov/education-culture/american-corners/
