Speeches

Ambassador John Campbell
Remarks
Informal Dinner for Local Community Leaders and Embassy Grantees

April 4, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
Bauchi

Thank you all for joining me for dinner tonight.

Most of you have visited the U.S. on our international visitor programs.

I think these are wonderful programs and present people from all over the world an opportunity to visit the U.S. and study a particular issue in depth.

Our international visitor programs help explain our society and to provide a common ground for our societies.

I have come to Bauchi to inaugurate our Shared Futures Program, to Commission an American Corner, to inspect a USAID funded health facility, and to view several Bauchi State projects.

I met with the Governor earlier today and will also meet the Emir and other Bauchi State dignitaries.

Most importantly tonight, however, I have come to meet you, the community representatives and listen to your concerns that, I believe, should reflect the concerns of the people of Bauchi State.

There is an African proverb that goes: "Knowledge is the work of experience."

In this room we have much experience.

And so I hope that by interacting with each other we can each expand our knowledge.

Several of my embassy colleagues are here and I will ask them to introduce themselves and then, if you don't mind, I would like you to introduce yourselves to the group.

 

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