Speeches

Ambassador John Campbell
Remarks
The Inauguration of Shared Futures Program and the Commissioning of the Bauchi American Corner

April 5, 2006, 11:00 am
Bauchi

Protocols.

Ladies and Gentleman:

I am delighted to be here at the Iya Abubakar Community Resource Center in Bauchi for two very important events.

I am here today to inaugurate the US Government's "Shared Futures" program in Bauchi State and to commission the American Corner that will be housed in the Community Resource Center.

This Center, one of six in Nigeria, was a gift to the people of Bauchi from the American people.

The Iya Abubakar Community Resource Center was inaugurated by His Excellency, the Governor of Bauchi State and the former American Ambassador, Howard Jeter in 2003.

At the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Jeter noted that establishing the Center in Bauchi required cooperation and collaboration and a special commitment on the part of the Bauchi State Government and the American Government agencies contributing to the project.

This collaboration between the American people and the people of Bauchi State continued when His Excellency and I signed the Memorandum of Understanding to establish the American Corner on September 28, 2004.

And now, I have come here to continue this collaboration by joining His Excellency to commission the American Corner which will be housed here, in the Community Resource Center.

The collection of books and multimedia that make up the American Corner is a gift to the people of Bauchi from the people of the United States.

It represents our common quest for knowledge, for engagement with the peoples and cultures outside our local communities, for exploring new ways of thinking and perceiving and learning about others.

It represents an important theme from our history - access to education and knowledge for everyone: for men, for women, for children, for our elderly, for immigrants, for indigenes, for visitors and for our guests.

First Lady of the United States Laura Bush, herself a librarian, has this to say about libraries, "Libraries are community treasure chests, loaded with a wealth of information available to everyone equally."

Today the U.S. government has established over 200 American Corners around the world.

American Corners serve as a window into the richness and diversity of American life and culture, they build bridges of communication and understanding, and establish partnerships with libraries and educational institutions and the people they serve.

In this American Corner you can read about America, find out how to study in the US, watch videos about American history and culture, learn about famous American men and women, explore new ideas, find out about how our government works, how our laws are made and policies shaped, and even find a book to read to your brothers and sisters.

This American Corner will serve as common ground for Americans and Nigerians to engage, communicate, and learn from each other.

And, in addition to the books and other materials that are already here, I can tell you that very soon the center will receive even more books - books about how to study in the U.S., books to help non-governmental organizations prepare grant applications and books on HIV/AIDS awareness and education.

And now permit me to turn to our second - but equally important - event here today: The Shared Futures Initiative.

Shared Futures represents a partnership between the people of the United States, the National Center for Women Development in Abuja and the people of Nigeria.

It is my pleasure to speak to you about America's role in this partnership.

The Shared Futures initiative builds and enriches relationships between the United States and Muslim and disadvantaged communities around the world.

American embassies in 13 countries, including Nigeria, are implementing the program on their own or in conjunction with local non-government organizations - like the National Women's Center.

The goal of the program is to provide a better understanding of the United States and such American values as freedom, democracy, free enterprise and tolerance.

The broader mandate of the Shared Futures initiative is to improve the quality of life among the underprivileged populations in the thirteen participating countries.

In this era of globalization, it is important that the U.S. and its friends team up to promote activities that enhance youth, empower women and promote economic development.

There is an African proverb that says: "You can gain interest only on what you invest."

And so, Shared Futures has begun investing in the youth and women of Nigeria with the distribution of a total of 10,000 education kits and 1,500 sewing machines.

The education kits and sewing machines will go to deserving youth and women organizations in eleven selected states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Bauchi State is schedule to receive a total of 130 sewing machines and 900 education kits.

The opportunities which the donation of these education kits and sewing machines offer to citizens of Bauchi are phenomenal.

The educational kits contain all the basics for Nigeria's young students: a backpack, notebook, pens, pencils, a world map and this book on America, as well as many other items.

Improvements in student literacy in Nigeria are vital to the development of the nation and especially of the Northern region.

The sewing machines will come with all the necessities of an entrepreneurial tailor, for example, needles, tape measure, and scissors.

It is our hope that the sewing machines will -- with some creativity -- blossom into economically rewarding ventures for some of the recipients.

Nigerians are creative and talented; I know of many clothing establishments that had their genesis in small back-rooms with just a few sewing machines.

There is a Hausa proverb that goes: "God says, 'Get up, and then let me help you."

In America we have a similar saying: "God helps those that help themselves."

And so, for the United States, this gift reflects the desire to help others help themselves as so many enterprising Americans have done in the past.

You will note that each education kit and sewing machine comes with a label inscribed: "With the Friendship of the People of the United States of America."

That is precisely what this gesture is, an act of friendship and outreach to deserving and hard working Nigerians.

It is also our fond hope that we might have sown the seeds of economic self-sufficiency among the individuals who receive the sewing machines, thereby empowering them to enhance their own lives and that of their families.

And it is also our sincere hope that the distribution of the education kits will promote and encourage greater literacy among the children of Nigeria.

Your Excellency, I think there is no doubt that the Community Resource Center, the Shared Futures Program and the American Corner program represent a strong and growing partnership between the people of Bauchi and the American people.

I pledge to continue that partnership and to see the investments in the people of Bauchi grow and develop.

Thank you.

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