Speeches

Ambassador John Campbell
Remarks
Press Round Table

April 5, 2006, 2:30 p.m.
Bauchi

Protocols

It is a pleasure to be here today.

I have traveled to Bauchi to meet with His Excellency, the Governor of Bauchi State, to pay a courtesy call on His Royal Highness, the Emir of Bauchi and to highlight the strong partnership between the American people and the people of Bauchi State.

I have come to pay my respects as a friend and to listen to the people of Bauchi State.

Earlier today the Governor and I inaugurated our Shared Futures Program and commissioned an American Corner at the Iya Abubakar Community Resource Center.

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.

Shared Futures seeks to engage and cultivate relationships between the U.S. and selected disadvantaged groups in communities in twelve Nigerian states.

Through the Shared Futures initiative, Bauchi State is schedule to receive 130 sewing machines and 900 education kits.

A portion of which (40 sewing machines and 360 education kits) I was able to present this morning.

This morning, His Excellency and I also cut the ribbon for the American Corner which is comprised of a collection of books and multi-media materials about American society.

Tomorrow morning I will inspect the Yelwa Domiciliary Health Clinic that has been renovated by COMPASS (Community Participation for Action in the Social Sectors) with support from the American people.

America will soon extend its partnership with the people of Bauchi even further.

Soon our Humanitarian Assistance personnel will begin working closely with the community members in Bauchi on construction of boreholes and seed stores.

The US Humanitarian Assistance Program has already proven to make a difference in the lives of ordinary Nigerians by providing boreholes that facilitate access to clean water and seed stores that help to protect and promote agriculture.

From Katsina to Maiduguri, we are actively engaged in our Humanitarian Assistance efforts.

We are looking forward to the opportunity to work with the local Bauchi Community in the future as we continue to expand this program.

Before I entertain questions, I also want to briefly mention that during the past few years the U.S. Embassy has sent several citizens of Bauchi to the U.S. for specialized training.

This includes Mr. Malam Mohammed Ahmed Abdullahi, the Governor's Director of Press, who I am told is the longest serving officer in that position in Nigeria.

For the United States, these projects and programs reflect the strong and growing partnership between the people of Bauchi and the American people - that is, investing in our common future.

Thank you.

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