U.S. AMBASSADOR SANDERS LISTENS TO IMAMS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS VIEWS ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S CAIRO SPEECH DURING ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION IN MAIDUGURI
(Maiduguri: Wednesday, July 1, 2009)

U.S. Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders today in Maiduguri met with prominent Islamic Imams and Scholars at Government House in Borno State to reaffirm President Obama’s promise of a New Beginning by listening to and learning from Borno religious leaders' about their concerns. Expressing her appreciation for the opportunity to exchange views with such prominent Islamic leaders, she said that President Obama has committed Americans to do better at listening, without arrogance or malice. Most of all, she said, it is important that “we have mutual understanding for each other so that your nation and my nation – Muslim and Christian Nigerians, as well as Muslims all over the world, and Americans – can live as part of human kind in harmony, and in peace and prosperity.”

Later, in a major policy speech at the International Conference Center in Borno before a distinguished audience of religious, government, civil society, and young people, Ambassador Sanders highlighted America’s partnership with Nigeria.  “My government and the people of America are committed to work together with you and your government under the U.S.-Nigeria Framework for Partnership, which is synergistic with the goals of the Nigerian people to strengthen democracy and governance – by protecting human rights, especially the rights of women, supporting religious freedom, addressing corruption, and promoting economic, health and educational development. We particularly note the recent announcement on amnesty for the Niger Delta and are encouraged by these steps,” she said. 

The Ambassador also spoke of President Obama’s recent call for a New Beginning for America and the American people not only with Muslim and Christian Nigerians, but all Nigerians and with all diverse people of the world, saying that a key priority of the Obama Administration is “remembering to listen and learn; and that is why I am here today to listen to you and learn from you.”

Her remarks culminated in a three-day visit to Gombe, Yobe and Borno States during which she had courtesy calls with the Governors of Gombe, Yobe, and Borno States, and called on HRH Alh. (Dr.) Usman Shehu Abubakar – The Emir of Gombe and His Eminence, Alh. Abba Kyari Umar Garbai – the Shehu of Borno.  She also visited Gombe State University and an HIV/AIDS clinic at Gombe State Specialist Hospital supported by the U.S. Government through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and called on the University of Maiduguri, where there is also an American Corner.