PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

American Corner Kano Celebrates African American History Month

Date: February 13, 2008
Venue: Kano

Ambassador Robin Sanders in a group photo with representative of Emir of Kano and other participants | Full size

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Robin Reneé Sanders delivered the keynote address at an American Corner Kano sponsored event celebrating African American History Month, a U.S. month long event that celebrates the achievements of African Americans. 

This year's theme, "Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism," honors an educator who taught his fellow citizens about the traditions and contributions of African Americans.

Ambassador Sanders noted that, “Carter Woodson devoted his life to empowering and educating others, and to teaching African Americans about their own history.”

Other speakers at the event included Counselor for Public Affairs Atim E. George, who spoke about Multiculturalism and Citizen Driven Development, and Dr. Abu Mohammed, Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science at Bayero University, and a Fulbright scholar, who spoke about “Multiculturalism in Kano.”  The program moderator was Malam Shehu Abdullahi, Member, American Corner Advisory Board.

Following the speakers the U.S. Embassy donated several sets of books to educational institutions in Kano.  Two sets of Scholastic Press books on African American biography and secondary level reference were donated to Government Girls Secondary School - Dale LGA and the Government Girls Junior Arabic Secondary School – Hotoro.  

Additional sets were donated to Kano State Polytechnic, the Girls Science and Technical College, Kano, Hagagawa Model Primary School, and the American Corner Kano.

The latter book donations were made possible by a grant from the John T. and Catherine D. MacArthur Foundation to the U.S. Embassy to pay for a sea container of over 25,000 volumes from the Sabre Foundation, a Boston, Massachusetts-based book donation foundation.  The books will be distributed to 12 American Corners in Nigeria and to an additional 27 beneficiary libraries including the three invited schools and the Kano State Library. 

The U.S. Embassy’s implementing partner in the book distribution program is the Kano- based Northern Book Trust, whose executive director is Sanusi Nasarawa.     

The event was attended by numerous notable and distinguished guests including representatives from the Emir of Kano, local government officials, representatives of the business and NGO community and many accomplished educators.