This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

060755Z Feb 06

UNCLAS LAGOS 000159 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR PA/OBS/BS, GSANTULLI 
AF/PDPA FOR PZABRISKIE, JRAVIN 
ABUJA FOR CPAO AND IO 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KPAO OPRC OIIP CVIS
SUBJECT: TV CO-OP PROPOSAL 
 
REF: (A) STATE 210798 
 
     (B) E-MAIL EXCHANGES SANTULLI/OMOTUNDE 
 
¶1.  Summary:  This cable is in response to the Department's 
FY06 TV Co-op recruitment efforts.  PAS Lagos would like to 
propose a TV co-op on "Youth Development as a Cornerstone to 
Sustainable National Development." This co-op would be led 
by one of Nigeria's most respected, independent producers, 
Ms. Funmi Iyanda.  Her production company is affiliated with 
the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the largest TV 
network in Nigeria, Silverbird Television, a Lagos based 
independent TV station with Africa's largest youth audience 
and African Independent Television (AIT), a popular Nigerian 
private TV station with international satellite capability. 
Using a satellite subscription service, AIT broadcasts to 
the entire African continent.  Funmi Iyanda's company also 
produces programs for London's BEN TV. Focusing on the 18 to 
35 year old demographic, Ms. Iyanda's production company 
works to foster critical awareness and develop skills for 
self-improvement and employment. End Summary. 
 
¶2.  The involvement of youth in criminal activities in 
Nigeria is endemic and has become a major issue in the 
country's national debate on the democratic dispensation. 
These armies of unemployed and under-employed youth 
constitute a growing threat to Nigeria's political 
stability. Unemployed youth are vulnerable to manipulation 
by criminal elements such as political godfathers and 
gangsters.  In the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, for 
example, restive youth have been implicated in destabilizing 
practice of kidnapping.  Indeed, the recent kidnapping of 
four foreign oil workers - including one American - was 
directly linked to disaffected young people. 
 
¶3.  A TV co-op on "Youth Development as a Cornerstone to 
Sustainable National Development" advances our Mission 
Performance Plan (MPP) goals of: (1) strengthening 
democratic practices, (2) fostering mutual understanding and 
(3) preventing, mitigating and resolving conflict.  If 
approved, this Co-op will afford the producer an opportunity 
to examine what Americans are doing in this vital area. 
What institutions and practices are Americans pursuing in 
their quest to groom the next generation of healthy, 
educated and civic-minded citizens?  The target audience 
would be people between the of ages 18 and 35, particularly 
those who are still in school.  The idea is to create 
awareness and expose them to critical life skills that will 
stir them away from drug abuse, prostitution, and political 
extremists. 
 
¶4. Funmi Iyanda Productions runs a high profile morning talk 
show on NTA three times a week.  In addition, she hosts 
weekly shows on Silverbird and AIT, the two independent TV 
operators noted above. Her talk shows seek to foster and 
inspire positive change using strong, credible role models 
and uplifting messages.  Generally referred to as "Nigeria's 
Oprah", the woman behind the Funmi Iyanda's Productions 
seeks our support to produce a series of documentaries to 
fulfill the main thrust of the TV co-op and advance the MPP 
goals of strengthening democratic practices, fostering 
mutual understanding and preventing, mitigating and 
resolving conflict. 
 
¶5.  We propose a three-member TV crew for the two week Co- 
op. 
 
¶6.  PAS Broadcast Media Specialist, Mrs. Oyejoke Omotunde is 
the Mission point of contact (e-ail:omotundejo@state.gov 
telephone numbers: office-234-9-263-3713 ext. 155; mobile 
234-803-825-5021.  Please include PAO Lagos Atim Eneida 
George (e-mail GeorgeAE@state.gov on subsequent cables and e- 
mail exchanges).  We look forward to your favorable reply. 
 
BROWNE