US Mission reopens facility to deepen its toes in Nigeria
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
America after the Donald Trump pariah years is pursuing with passion its relationship with Africa’s most populous nation, with sights on mutual benefits, by opening another American Corner in Ibadan, two weeks after the one in Ikeja.
The refurbished American Corner in Ibadan was reopened on Monday, joining an array of incentives the United States has offered for Nigeria’s friendship in recent months, which includes STEM workshops and TechWomen mentorship in Lagos.
Besides, Kimberly-Clark, a diaper manufacturer based in Texas, opened two weeks ago a $100 million plant in Lagos that has capacity to create 6,000 jobs – 1,000 direct and 5,000 indirect.
The factory, located in the Ikorodu area of the state, has the potential to scale over the next three to five years of operation, according to the company.
All of these efforts are being coordinated by US Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, who is always present at the events.
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Washington’s commitment to expanding engagement
Leonard reiterated at the reopening of the American Corner in Ibadan that Washington is committed to expanding its engagement, educational outreach, and empowerment of Nigerians through its network of American Spaces in Nigeria.
The ceremony was attended by Oyo State government officials, US Government Exchange Alumni, American Fulbright scholars, teachers, and students.
The US Consulate reimagined, refreshed, and reconfigured the centre to better serve local communities, in collaboration with the Initiative for Information Arts and Culture Development in Nigeria (IIACDN), hosts of the American Corner.
The Corner has cutting edge digital conferencing facility, modern furniture, internet connectivity, a large open space for events, a seminar room, and a secretariat for the Oyo chapter of the US Government Exchange Alumni Association (USGEAA).
Leonard expressed delight that the revitalised American Corner will offer even more opportunities to residents of Ibadan and beyond to discover the US as they prepare for their futures.
She explained that the American Corner will continue to serve as a venue for young people to develop their ideas, as well as their leadership and entrepreneurship skills through programs and workshops designed for them, often led by the USGEAA.
“To the emerging leaders, this Corner is designed to help you gain skills and broaden your contact with Americans. Please take advantage of all that this space has to offer,” she stressed
Providing accurate information
The EducationUSA Advising Center hosted at the American Corner offers accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive information about US educational institutions as well as guidance to prospective students on how best to access those opportunities.
American Corner staff will also host specific programs to highlight aspects of American culture, through movie screenings, book discussion clubs, digital video conferences, speaker events on a wide range of topics, the US Mission explained.
And there will be STEM learning activities such as robotics and drone technology.
Visitors to the American Corner typically include students, teachers, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists, civic organisations, government officials, community leaders, and many others.
There are 18 American Spaces in Nigeria.
Their addresses and contact details can be found here.