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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUJA #2270/01 3231529
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181529Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4483
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0280
RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 0155
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0390

UNCLAS ABUJA 002270 
 
DEPT FOR AF/PDPA C. ANYASO, D. WHITMAN, S. LISENBY 
DEPT FOR AF T. DOUGHERTY 
DEPT FOR AF/W A. SILSKI 
DEPT FOR AF/Ex FOR V. REYNOLDS 
DEPT FOR IIP/G/AF D. WHARTON, S. DOMOWITZ, A. MURPHY 
DEPT FOR ECA FOR R. RUTH 
DEPT FOR R FOR R.REYNOLDS 
PARIS FOR ARS L. COWHER 
 
CORRECTED COPY OF ABUJA 2252 -- TEXT REMOVED PARA 3. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO SCUL KDEM ECON EFIN NI
SUBJECT: PD OCTOBER ROUND-UP - MISSION NIGERIA PROGRAMS SUPPORT 
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, PEACE AND SECURITY, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC 
GROWTH, DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE 
 
¶1. Summary:  In the month of October, public diplomacy activities of 
the U.S. Mission to Nigeria supported each of the four pillars of 
the U.S. - Nigeria Framework for Partnership: Governing Justly and 
Democratically, Investing in People, Economic Trade and Growth, and 
Peace and Security.  Headlines from this month's activities include: 
 
 
-- A Roundtable Discussion on U.S. Electoral Process 
with Nigerian Women in Politics 
-- Policy Remarks on U.S. Elections to Students, Politicians and 
Civil Society Members in Yola by Ambassador Sanders 
-- Political Counselor leads discussion of "The American 
Presidential Election Process" at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 
-- Information Resource Center Conducts Workshop on Web Publishing 
and Information Research for Librarians 
-- American Corners Commemorate World Teachers Day with Programs on 
Literacy and HIV/AIDS 
-- USTDA Grant Supports Development of Hydroelectric Power in 
Northern Nigeria 
-- Lagos Chapter IVLP Alumni hosts lecture on the 2008 U.S. 
presidential election 
-- U.S. Expert lectures on ADR 
-- Embassy Educational Advising Center Abuja hosts Amherst College 
Recruiter on Education USA 
-- U.S. Embassy's Educational Advising Center 10th annual College 
and Career fair 
-- Educational Opportunities Beckons as U.S. Embassy's Educational 
Advising Center Holds Graduate Fair 
-- Mission Announces New Visa Appointment System 
-- U.S. Government Donates Utility Vehicles to the Nigerian Army 
-- United States Diplomats Donate N 412,000 in Medical Supplies to 
Local Clinic 
-- SIFE Nigeria Concludes Skills workshops in Niger and Kaduna 
States 
-- U.S. Mission Public Affairs Engages Adamawa State Media and 
Cultural Institutions 
-- U.S. Volvis Program Alumni Sensitizes Nigerian Public on 
Environmental Awareness 
 
The mission's web site (http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/) features 
reports of these and other events and remains a major source of 
information used by journalists and the Nigerian public. End 
Summary. 
 
A Roundtable Discussion on U.S. Electoral Process with Nigerian 
Women in Politics 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶2. U.S. Ambassador Robin Sanders led three distinguished women 
politicians -- Honorable Beni Lar, House of Representatives Chair on 
Women Affairs and Social Development; Hajiya Inna Ciroma, Peoples 
Democratic Party (PDP) National Women Leader and Hajiya Bilkisu 
Yusuf, a journalist -- at a roundtable discussion held at the 
International Press Center, Abuja on the U.S. electoral process and 
its implications for the status of women in politics. Three of the 
speakers recently returned from their participation in the U.S. 
National Democratic Party Convention in Denver[DWR1]. The roundtable 
dialogue was organized by the U.S. Mission, Nigeria in collaboration 
with the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National 
Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Ministry of Information and 
Communication. 
 
¶3.  The speakers identified major obstacles that hinder Nigerian 
women from politics, including gender inequality in the composition 
of party executive offices, lack of finance, an uneven playing field 
during the candidate selection process and political violence. 
Ambassador Sanders recommended women candidates prepare early for 
their pursuit of political office and advised that women should 
effectively mobilize and engage the people at the grassroots. 
 
¶4.  Positive media coverage included reports from Africa's largest 
TV network - The Nigerian Television Authority (60 million viewers) 
and Radio Nigeria (65 million listeners). Several major newspapers 
covered the event, including the Guardian (90,000 readers), Daily 
Trust (45,000 readers), New Nigerian 45,000 readers), and Leadership 
(45,000 readers). 
 
Ambassador Sanders delivers Policy 
 
 
Remarks on U.S. Elections to Students, 
Politicians and Civil Society Members in Yola 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  As part of the U.S. Mission's national program of events on the 
2008 U.S. Elections, Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders delivered a 
policy speech at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola on 
October 17 to an enthusiastic audience of over 850 students, faculty 
members, journalists and civil society leaders. 
 
¶6.  Dignitaries who attended the event organized by the AUN and the 
Public Affairs Section included the Vice Chancellor, Federal 
University of Technology Yola Professor Abdullahi Ribadu and his 
senior faculty, the AUN President Dr. Michael Smith, AUN's Board 
member Professor Samuel Aleyideino and the Academic Vice President 
Professor Jim Garofalo and other senior faculty of the university. 
 
¶7.  Ambassador Sanders spoke on "What Democracies do for Their 
People: Strong Institutions and Smooth Transitions," and highlighted 
the benefits and challenges of democracy. She also underscored the 
importance of the U.S. commitment to support democracy and good 
governance in Nigeria. She noted that the U.S. Mission is hosting 
election night events in Abuja and Lagos featuring U.S. election 
coverage, information and programs on the U.S. election process. 
 
¶8.  Positive media coverage included reports from The Nigerian 
Television Authority (60 million viewers) and Radio Nigeria (65 
million listeners). Several major newspapers reported the event 
including the Guardian (90,000 circulation), Daily Trust (45,000 
circulation), New Nigerian 45,000 circulation), and Leadership 
(45,000 circulation). 
 
Political Counselor leads discussion of "The American Presidential 
Election Process" at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶9.  Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer lectured on "The American 
Presidential Election Process" at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), 
Zaria on October 17 as part of the Mission's program of democracy 
outreach events leading up the 2008 U.S. Elections. He discussed the 
primary election process, including the use of party caucuses, and 
spoke extensively on the structure and role of the Electoral 
College.  Pflaumer also took several questions from the packed 
audience of students and senior faculty.  Pflaumer's visit included 
a courtesy call on University Vice Chancellor Professor Shehu Usman 
Abdullahi and an exchange of views on the U.S. political process 
with the faculty of the Political Science Department. 
 
¶10.  In nearby Kaduna on October 16 Pflaumer met with media 
representatives as well as leaders and activists from NGOs dealing 
with democracy, human rights, and election monitoring for a 
scene-setter briefing at the Arewa House to share information about 
the ABU lecture and to listen to the group's questions on the 2008 
U.S. elections. The meeting included a lively discussion of the U.S. 
election process. 
 
¶11.  Many of the participants at both programs said the lecture and 
discussions gave them a better understanding of the U.S. Electoral 
College and the conduct of elections in the United States. Positive 
media reports included Leadership newspaper (40,000 circulation), 
Daily Trust (35,000 circulation), New Nigerian (35,000 circulation), 
and electronic media reports from NTA Kaduna (30 million viewers) 
and Voice of Nigeria (20 million listeners). 
 
Lagos Chapter IVLP Alumni hosts lecture 
on the 2008 U.S. presidential election 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶12.  U.S. Mission Consul General Donna Blair was the keynote speaker 
at a lecture on the 2008 U.S. elections organized by the Lagos 
Chapter of the IVLP Alumni.  The lecture focused on how alumni can 
build on their U.S. exchange experiences to foster economic 
development and sustainable democratic governance in Nigeria. Event 
Chairperson and a 2007 presidential aspirant, Professor Pat Utomi, 
Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel,  Mr. Kofo-Abayomi (representing 
the Lagos State Governor) and guest lecturer Prof. Bola Akinterinwa 
of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs all spoke on the 
2008 U.S. elections and their significance for Nigeria. 
 
 
 
¶14.  The theme of the lecture was "The U.S. Presidential Election 
System: Lessons for Nigeria," and took place in Ikoyi, Lagos. It 
attracted notable personalities such as former Nigerian Ambassador 
to the U.S.(2003-07), Prof. George Obiozor, several representatives 
of the Lagos State judiciary, politicians, and alumni of other 
USG-funded exchange programs. 
 
¶18.  The lecture was well attended with considerable interaction 
between the audience and speakers.  The event received wide media 
coverage in both the electronic and print media: Channels TV (over 
10 million viewers), Silverbird Television (over 5 million viewers), 
Guardian newspaper (over 90,000) and Vanguard newspaper (80,000 
thousand readers). 
 
U.S. Expert lectures on 
Alternative Dispute Resolution 
------------------------------ 
 
¶15.  Dr. Fellina Nwadike, a U.S.-based peace building and conflict 
resolution expert, is conducting training sessions in Nigeria on 
peace building mechanisms and conflict resolution.  Her program is 
funded by a six-week grant under the Fulbright Specialists Program. 
Dr. Nwadike is Associate Professor of Speech Communication at Coppin 
State University in Baltimore, 
 
¶16.  While in Abuja and Sokoto, Professor Nwadike will train 
lawyers, judges, magistrates, and law students on alternative 
dispute resolution methodologies and best practices.  In addition, 
she will provide training on effective communication and listening 
skills, which are essential in the mediation process.  These 
training sessions are conducted in collaboration with Settlement 
House, a dispute resolution center in Abuja, and the Usmanu 
Danfodiyo University Center for Peace Studies in Sokoto. 
 
Information Resource Center Conducts Workshop on Web Publishing and 
Information Research for Librarians 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶17.  At the invitation of the Information Technology Section (ITS) 
of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), U.S. Mission Nigeria 
Information Resource Officer Linda Parker and IRC 
Specialist/Webmaster Samuel Eyitayo were lead facilitators at the 
annual Library and Information Technology Today (LITT 2008) workshop 
in Zaria, Kaduna State.  The workshop attracted 49 professional 
participants from 26 Nigerian states. Eyitayo pioneered the LITT 
program when he served as the chair of ITS. 
 
¶18.  The Embassy played a crucial role in formulating the curriculum 
as well as identifying resource persons. The workshop was conducted 
in the laboratory of the University library. Parker and Eyitayo led 
the training under the theme "Basics of Web Development for Library 
and Information Centers," using practical demonstration and hands-on 
activities to enhance the participants learning. This training will 
assist many libraries and information centers in their efforts to 
provide web-based services. 
 
¶19.  Several participants discussed the impact of the workshop in 
the NLA's blog (http://blog.nla-ng.org). For example, The Sun 
newspaper librarian Leo Nwokoji wrote: "before this workshop, I had 
thought that the marriage between I.T. and library practice was mere 
conviviality. I have come to realize that it is for better and for 
worse. I have cleared the phobia. I am readily equipped to speak the 
language of web developers at least at the basic level."  Another 
participant writes "LITT 2008, in my opinion, the workshop is 
enriched and indicates an improvement on LITT 2007. The practical 
session is encouraging and has given participants a good start to 
developing websites..."  Some participants said the hands-on 
approach to the training gave them the knowledge to create a blog 
either for their institution or themselves.  Further stories on the 
workshop on NLA website: http://www.nla-ng.org. 
 
U.S. Mission Commemorates World Teachers 
Day with Program on Literacy and HIV/AIDS 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶20.  The U.S. Mission in Nigeria commemorated the 2008 World 
Teachers Day in Lagos with a program entitled "Literacy is for the 
 
 
Living".  The program highlighted the highly positive U.S. 
partnership against AIDS and emphasized that because of PEPFAR, 
People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) have been given new leases on 
life and are facing the future without fear and with confidence. 
Society for Health and the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) 
collaborated with the Public Affairs Section (PAS) to implement this 
program.  The 50 participants (15 more than were expected) included 
several Lagos State education permanent secretaries, the Senior 
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor and the CEO of LSACA, as 
well as principals of both private and public schools and directors 
of education. 
 
¶21.  Victor Omoshehin, a PLWHA, held the audience spell-bound with 
the story of how he had considered suicide upon learning that he was 
HIV-positive and how his life was turned around when he came in 
contact with PEPFAR.  He was lucky to have family support, and with 
the help of PEPFAR, he learned to live positively.  He is currently 
the National Coordinator of the Association of Positive Youths 
Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (APYIN).  Many principals were keen 
to have him speak to their students. 
 
¶22.  Grass-roots and community sub-partner Ms. Simisola Agada 
discussed her training by SFH under the auspices of PEPFAR.  She 
currently leads an organization called Youth Health Concept and 
works.  She is involved in awareness programs and carries out 
voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. 
 
¶23.  At the end of the program, participants agreed to step up 
actions to combat HIV/AIDS in their various schools.  All 30 of the 
participants that completed program evaluation surveys said they 
were satisfied (53%) or very satisfied (47%) with the program.  The 
Society for Family Health provided free VCT services at the end of 
the program; several participants availed themselves of the service. 
 
 
¶24.  The event received both electronic and print media coverage 
from NTA (60 million viewers), The Guardian, (90,000 in circulation) 
This Day (90,000 circulation), New Age Newspapers (45,000 
circulation) and The Nation (40,000 circulation). 
 
USTDA Feasibility Study Grant Supports 
Development of Hydroelectric Power in Northern Nigeria 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶25.  On October 17, Ambassador Sanders and the Governor of Adamawa 
State, Murtala Nyako (Admiral Retired), signed a grant to support 
the development of a hydroelectric power project in the state.  The 
$467,000 grant awarded through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency 
(USTDA) will fund a feasibility study of a proposed 35 megawatt (MW) 
hydroelectric power plant at the existing Kiri Dam site, located on 
the Gongola River in Adamawa State.  The hydroelectric power study, 
the first of its kind in the country, will develop a template for 
power plant project feasibility evaluations in Nigeria. 
 
¶26.  Currently, Adamawa State relies on the national grid as its 
main source of power, but the national grid configuration makes for 
a fragile delivery system and often leaves the state's capital city 
Yola and surrounding areas vulnerable to power outages. 
Diesel-fueled backup generators are used sporadically in Yola, but 
fuel supplies can be prohibitively expensive for many residents and 
businesses.  The development of a hydroelectric power plant at the 
Kiri Dam would provide an additional, reliable source of power for 
the state. 
 
Embassy Educational Advising Center Abuja hosts 
Amherst College Recruiter on Education USA 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶27. The Education Advising Center (EAC) in Abuja hosted Eli 
Bromberg, Assistant Director of Admissions, Amherst College, 
Massachusetts for discussions at several very competitive high 
schools within the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. 
 
¶28.  Three hundred and fifty students and guidance counselors from 
Loyola Jesuit College, African International College, Cherry Field 
College, and the American International School Abuja benefited from 
the visit. The advising center also organized a one day colloquium 
and workshop for EAC members and the general public that focused 
 
 
specifically on admissions processes and financial aid opportunities 
at liberal arts colleges in the United States. 
 
¶29.  By the end of the outreach sessions participants received 
accurate, first-hand information on studying in the U.S., including 
financial aid for international students. Several of the 
participants said that the exercise was enriching, rewarding and 
educational. 
U.S. Embassy's Educational Advising Center 
Holds 10th Annual College and Career Fair 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶30.  Ten recruiters, professors and alumni from U.S. universities 
attended this year's 10th annual College and Career fair organized 
by the Educational Advising Center.  The recruiters were available 
throughout the one-day event to provide information on admissions 
and the financial aid process for their respective institutions. 
Among the schools represented were Harvard Law School, North 
Carolina Central University, Loyola University Chicago and 
Pennsylvania State University. 
 
¶31.  More than 1400 students representing over 30 secondary schools, 
their principals, guidance counselors and members of the public 
participated in the undergraduate fair. In addition to the U.S. 
institutions, Nigerian educational partners, fair sponsors and 
educational testing institutions were represented. 
 
¶32.  The Educational Advising Center's annual College and Career 
Fairs have directly contributed to an increase in highly qualified 
Nigerian students studying in the U.S. The fairs also provide an 
opportunity to disseminate information on U.S. education to a wide 
audience. For fall 2008, the Educational Advising Center attracted 
over 1.51 million U.S. dollars in scholarship funding for its 
student members. 
 
Educational Opportunities Beckons at 
Educational Advising Center's Graduate Fair 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶33.  Ambassador Sanders gave the keynote remarks at the second 
annual Graduate Student Fair organized by the Educational Advising 
Center (EAC), Abuja, which was co-sponsored by several prominent 
Nigerian companies. The Graduate Student Fair attracted over eighty 
participants including U.S. university representatives, alumni, Ford 
Foundation Fellows, dignitaries from Nigerian academia, fair 
sponsors, professionals from financial institutions and prospective 
graduate students. Among the dignitaries were the Vice Chancellor, 
University of Abuja, the representative of the Minister for 
Education, and representatives from the Petroleum Technology 
Development Fund and Educational Trust Fund. 
 
¶34.  The Graduate Student Fair is organized to bridge the disparity 
between the number of undergraduate students and graduate students 
seeking to study in the U.S. The percentage of graduate 
student-members of the advising center has doubled since the first 
Graduate Student Fair in 2007. The EAC also attracted full and 
partial scholarships for its graduate members from institutions like 
Harvard School of Public Health, Tulane University Freeman School of 
Business and Brandeis University. 
 
¶35.  This year's Graduate Student Fair received wide coverage from 
the radio, print and television. Positive media reports included 
Leadership newspaper (40,000 circulation), Daily Trust (35,000 
circulation), New Nigerian (35,000 circulation), and a report from 
NTA (60 million viewers). 
 
 
Mission Announces New Visa Appointment System 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶36.  The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Mission, Nigeria 
facilitated an opportunity for members of the media to inspect the 
newly instituted improvements in the processing of nonimmigrant visa 
applications.  From October 29, the U.S. Embassy Mission is 
partnering with VFS Global on a one-year pilot program to provide 
more convenient, secure, and user-friendly services to those 
applying for U.S. visas in Abuja and Lagos. VFS manages the on-line 
 
 
visa appointment system, operates a visa information call center, 
and handles return of passports with issued visas.  The system is 
expected to provide improved customer service and convenience. 
 
The new visa improvements made front page news in many Nigerian 
dailies and prime time in many electronic media outlets: the 
Guardian Newspaper (circulation  90,000), "New Age" (circulation 
45,000,000), This Day Newspaper (circulation 90,000), Punch 
(circulation 95,000), NTA (Africa's largest TV network - over 100 
million viewers), Channels TV (5 Million viewers), AIT (100 million 
viewers), Radio Nigeria (more than 30 million listeners), and Rhythm 
93.7 FM radio among others. 
 
 
U.S. Government Donates Utility 
Vehicles to the Nigerian Army 
------------------------------- 
 
¶37.  The U.S. Government funded African Contingency Operations 
Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program on October 24 donated one 
ambulance and five utility vehicles to the Nigerian Armed Forces 
Peacekeeping Training and Operations Center in Jaji, Kaduna State. 
 
¶38.  The vehicles, which total approximately $400,000 USD, will be 
used to support the logistical and administrative requirements of 
the training center. This will include transporting personnel and 
equipment to and from the various training areas and base camps. The 
ambulance will provide the center with the ability to respond 
quickly to any medical emergency. 
 
¶39.  Positive media reports include Leadership newspaper (45,000 
circulation), Nigerian Tribune (30,000 circulation) and African 
Independent Television (100 million viewers). 
 
United States Diplomats Donate US$ 3,500 
In Medical Supplies to Local Clinic 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶40.  In keeping with U.S. Mission Nigeria's theme of investing in 
people, a group of American volunteers from the U.S. Consulate 
General Lagos delivered US$ 3,500 worth of medical supplies to the 
Ife Oluwa Maternity Clinic, Orphanage, and School in Lekki, Lagos, 
on Monday, October 13th.  The group spent the day talking with the 
expectant mothers, holding babies, and playing with the school 
children.  The occasion was the first opportunity for some mission 
members to visit a medical clinic or school in Nigeria and they 
found the experience life changing.  One volunteer remarked, "It is 
so inspiring to see so many babies and children full of joy despite 
the hardships that they face every day." 
 
¶41.  Mama Theresa Marquis, the founder and owner of Ife Oluwa, was 
pleased to host the group and receive the donations, which included 
two hospital beds, an infant bed, portable sonogram machine, 
instrument trolley, and surgical equipment.  Recent renovations to 
the clinic have created a surgical floor to begin performing 
Cesarean sections. 
 
¶42.  The donations were funded by the U.S.-based J. Kirby Simon 
Foundation, which provides funding to U.S. diplomats interested in 
investing in local communities.  It marks the first grant from the 
foundation to the U.S. Consulate General Lagos.  Consulate 
volunteers plan to continue their outreach in upcoming months to 
organizations including Ife Oluwa and the Pacelli School for the 
Blind and Visually Impaired. 
 
SIFE Nigeria Concludes Skills 
Workshops in Niger and Kaduna State 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶43.  More than 400 unemployed youths from Minna in Niger State and 
Zaria in Kaduna State received training in catering, computer 
repair, hair styling, phone repair, farming, screen printing, and 
tailoring from the Nigeria chapter of Students in Free Enterprise 
(SIFE).  The effort was a six-month skills training program followed 
with an award and grant to participants.  The US$59,000 grant for 
the program was made possible by a special supplemental budget 
allocation from the U.S. Department State. 
 
 
Public Affairs Engages Adamawa State Media 
And Cultural Institutions during Annual Offsite 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶44.  The U.S. Mission Nigeria Public Affairs Section held its annual 
planning meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, from 
October 14 - 18.  The choice of Yola was strategic in the Mission's 
outreach effort to partner with Nigerian communities across the 
country.  PAS previously held similar events in Ibadan and Lagos in 
the South West and Kaduna in the North Central geopolitical zones. 
 
¶45.  Highlights of the institutional visits included meeting with 
alumni of the Mission's high profile International Visitors 
Leadership Program who are now making a difference by driving the 
change and creativity in their fields of endeavor such as FRCN's 
affiliate in Yola. 
 
¶46.  The team also visited the Fombina Palace Museum which had 
benefited from training on manuscripts preservation under the 
Ambassador's Special Fund for Cultural Preservation Project as well 
as the Federal University of Technology Yola which had benefited 
from on campus HIV/AIDS awareness campaign under the U.S. 
President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). 
 
¶47.  Secondary school students in Yola also benefited from 
educational advising sessions especially those who intend study in 
America. 
 
U.S. Volvis Program Alumni Sensitizes 
Nigerian Public on Environmental Awareness 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶48.  On October 21, U.S. Mission Public Affairs Counselor and the 
ESTH officer attended a reception to honor members of the Nigerian 
3rd Expedition Across the Sahara Desert undertaken to raise 
awareness against desert encroachment and global warming.  The event 
was jointly organized by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the 
Environment and private partners, including Exxon Mobil.  The 
highpoint of the event was a photo exhibition and a brief clip from 
an upcoming documentary on the expedition. 
 
¶49.  Newton Jibunoh, captain of the expedition and a recent 
participant of the US Voluntary Visitor program, characterized 
desertification and global warming as real threats to Nigeria, the 
surrounding countries, and the world and encouraged collective 
action by all.  He thanked the USG for its support and encouraged 
young Nigerians to join in the fight against global warming. 
 
 
SANDERS