Abuja Consular Section Closure Wednesday, August 12, 2009

For administrative reasons, the Consular Section at Embassy Abuja will be closed on Wednesday, 12 August 2009.  Consulate Lagos will remain open for business as usual. The Embassy regrets any inconvenience.

U.S. Mission Partners Nigeria’s Ministry of Information and Communications on Use of New Media to Promote Democracy and Governance
(Abuja: Tuesday, July 28, 2009)

Ambassador Sanders making remarks at the media workshop for journalists and Information Officers in Abuja. | FULL SIZE

“One of the Pillars of Democracy is that of an informed citizenry,” says Ambassador Sanders on Monday, July 27th, 2009, at the opening of a three day workshop for twenty five Nigerian information professionals and journalists from all the regions of the country on use of the new media for open flow of information. 

U.S. target of opportunity speaker and Library Consultant Dr. Barbara Jones is facilitating the training workshop organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications in partnership with the U.S. Mission in Nigeria. 

Ambassador Sanders said that governing justly and democratically requires that citizens be informed about their government, encourage trust, combat corruption and ensure the rule of law.  “And new technologies help us achieve these goals,” ... (more)

U.S. Ambassador Swears in New USAID Mission Director for Nigeria
(Abuja: Friday, July 24, 2009)

Ambassador Sanders swears in Dr. Ray Kirkland as new USAID Nigeria Mission Director. | FULL SIZE

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Robin Renée Sanders administered the oath of office Friday, July 24 to Dr. Ray Kirkland as the Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nigeria. Kirkland is a career member of the USAID Senior Foreign Service and previously served as Mission Director for USAID’s Regional Services Center in Budapest, Hungary (covering Europe and Eurasia) and in Tanzania. Since July 2008, he has served as the AFRICOM Director of Programs.... (more)

BlogIT-rrs 

Town Hall, Memorial, Farewell Lunch and International Meet and Greet 

Posted June 23, 2009 3:01 PM

June 23, 2009: Today was a mix of several emotions as I held my second community-wide town hall meeting, said farewell to a colleague, remembered the life of a fallen member of our local guard force, and sought to provide a friendly venue for members of the expatriate community to come together to have a non-policy night in order to get to know each other better.  As for the town hall meeting, it was an opportunity for me to thank the many staff members who are leaving this summer, welcome the newcomers, and highlight in broad terms the vision and focus of the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, and have my management, community liaison, and security officers brief the Mission community on efforts to improve customer service to residential homes, emphasize what is on tap for community activities for the summer, and reinforce the importance of personal security.  The latter point on personal security was particularly noteworthy as we would all move after the town hall session to the outside grassy knoll area of the U.S. Embassy Compound to hold a memorial service for a fallen member of our broader community – the guard force – who had been shot and killed on June 11, 2009, in the execution of his duties. ...(more)

U.S. Embassy Gives Nigeria’s YES Participants Tips on Studying in the U.S.
(Abuja: Tuesday, July 21, 2009)

CPAO Atim George interacts with YES students during the Pre-departure session. | FULL SIZE

Thirty high school students and one teacher selected for this year’s Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program from Nigeria, attended a pre-departure briefing organized by the U.S. Embassy, Abuja. The YES Nigeria program now includes participants from the following 8 states: Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto and Taraba. The orientation was organized in order to provide the students with an understanding of the culture and complexity of the United States... (more)

U.S. Fulbright Scholar Basinski Shares Research Finding on Street Trading with Lagos Audience
(Lagos: July 21, 2009)

Sean Basinski speaking on Street trading in Lagos. | FULL SIZE

U.S. Consulate General Public Affairs Section on July 16 hosted a presentation by Sean Basinski, a U.S. Fulbright Scholar and New York attorney, on the results of his seven-month research project on street trading and the informal economy in Lagos. The presentation was done in collaboration with Lagos-based CLEEN Foundation.

Mr. Basinski highlighted the impact of urbanization in Lagos and the attendant challenges of street trading which he said has brought heavy cost to vendors, most... (more)

US Partners Nigeria to Strengthen Consumer Protection
(Abuja, July 17, 2009)

(From left) Jessica Gray, Walter Pflaumer, Professor John Akanya, and Mrs. Ify Umenyi  | Full size

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in partnership with the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in Nigeria has held a two-day technical seminar in Abuja to strengthen consumer protection.  Similar seminar will be held in Lagos on Wednesday, July 15th.  U.S. Speakers Deon Woods Bell and Jessica Gray from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are conducting the workshops in collaboration with their Nigerian counterparts from the Consumer protection Council (CPC).  Over 100 participants attended the Abuja program from July 13th – 14th, 2009. (more)

Warden Message: Travel Safety in Nigeria
(July 13, 2009)

The following message is being issued jointly by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and
U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for U.S. citizens in Nigeria.

This warden message is being issued to warn all U.S. citizens of the continuing risks of travel in southern and southeastern Nigeria.  On June 29, 2009, a U.S. citizen was kidnapped from a vehicle on the Izombe-Owerri road in Imo State.  The U.S. Government worked with appropriate Nigerian authorities to ensure the individual’s welfare, who, fortunately, was released unharmed several days later. (more)