PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Lagos Consul General Tours Niger Delta Region

Date: Sept 5 - 7, 2007
Venue: Calabar

Acting Consul General Ambassador Donald McConnell Commissions a palm oil mill funded by the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Project in Akwa Ibom State  | Full size

The Acting Consul General, Ambassador Donald McConnell, visited the American Corner in Calabar, Cross River State to participate in a program to mark “Women’s Equality Day.”  Speaking to more than 50 women, students, government officials and leaders of NGOs, the Acting CG outlined US support for women’s development and leadership in Nigeria, including areas such as education, politics, business, health and legal rights.  He noted the strong partnerships between our countries and said, “Women’s participation and empowerment at all levels of society will be key to moving Nigeria forward.”  Ambassador McConnell and the PAO participated in a 40-minute television interview with Cross Rivers Broadcast Corporation (CRBC), where they articulated US development efforts in the region and visa policy, among other topics.
 
Ambassador McConnell also commissioned a bore-hole and palm oil mill in a small village in Akwa Ibom state as part of the Ambassador’s Self-Help project.  He closed the tour of the region by visiting the Urban Secondary School in Imo State.  Several hundred students and teachers greeted the Ambassador with a cultural program and remarks about the importance of education.  Ambassador McConnell donated three computers, more than 100 books and a photocopier to the school.