Speeches

Remarks By Ambassador John Campbell At Opening Of The American Corner At The Kano State Library Board

August 5, 2004

I am delighted to join you at this historic occasion. I would like to thank Deputy Governor Magaji Abdullahi who has enthusiastically welcomed the establishment of the American Corner in Kano. Earlier today, the Deputy Governor and I signed the Memorandum Of Understanding establishing the American Corner in Kano as a cooperative project between the United States and Kano State communities.

I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to Hajiya Balaraba Bello Usman, Education Commissioner and Alhaji Sanusi Nassarawa, former director of the Kano State Library Board and Azikiwe Fellow recipient whose beliefs in shared values and mutual understanding have made this project a reality. The establishment of the American Corner at the Kano State Library Board will further increase the speed of educational exchanges and cultural understanding, both of which slowed down after the closure of the former USIS office in Kano some twenty years ago.

As part of the Kano State Library, the American Corner will be free and open to everyone -- students, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, government officials, and ordinary citizens - anyone who wishes to learn more about the United States, study at U.S. universities, do business with American companies, or contact their colleagues and counterparts in the United States.

The selection of the Kano State Library is very appropriate. The Library plays a leading role in information dissemination and education. We hope the Corner might improve further the visibility of the library by offering the community stimulating and enjoyable programs that increase mutual understanding. Kano is also the home of Bayero University, an important institution charged with training Nigeria's future leaders. Our hope, of course, is that the American Corner will serve as an intellectual asset to the University and to all interested community groups, Americans and Nigerians alike.

We envision a close collaboration with the Kano State Library Board, and Nigerian culture as well as American culture will be on display. Embassy officials and other U.S. Government representatives will serve as speakers, guests, and participants at American Corner educational and cultural events. The American Corner will be a distribution site for public diplomacy materials and poster exhibits, and a venue for speakers and local alumni group meetings. Discussion groups, seminars, and meetings with American and Nigerian specialists should also be part of the regular activities.

The general public will have access to a wide range of information, including the use of CD-ROM and the Internet. They will not only have access for purposes of research but for purposes of action as well. Businessmen can use the American Corner to locate prospective clients and suppliers. NGO leaders can find colleagues in the United States with shared interests and shared challenges, and students can learn about opportunities for study in the United States.

In addition to the American Corner, the American Embassy has remained engaged with Kano, Kaduna and other northern communities to promote mutual understanding, especially amongst youth. On August 9, 2004 16 students from secondary schools in Kaduna and Sokoto states will depart Nigeria for Iowa, United States of America to begin the second cycle of the Youth Exchange Scheme (YES), being administered by the U.S. based Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS). The program is sponsored with a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State.

Last year 18 students were selected from each of the two states including six females and a physically challenged student. These students from diverse religious and socio economic backgrounds returned to Nigeria in June. Participants are expected to form peace clubs in their respective schools to promote religious pluralism and tolerance among Nigerian High School students.

The U.S. has encouraged communication with northern Nigerian opinion leaders. Most notably, in July 2004 the Institute for Islamic Legal Studies at the Ahmadu Bello University co-sponsored a conference on "Implementation of Shari'a in a Democracy" with the Washington-based Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy.

It is our hope that the American Corner will bolster our previous efforts to increase cooperation between people in Kano and neighboring states and the people of the United States. This is the third American Corner implemented in Nigeria, joining Ibadan and Jos. Over the next couple of years, six to seven more Corners are planned to open around the country, further developing a positive and informative relationship between Nigeria and the United States.

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the Kano community for this important achievement in our relationship.

Thank you.