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U.S. Embassy, Lagos, others pledge to invest more in youths, science, tech
•Ambassador Leonard opens American Corner
By Our Reporter On Mar 7, 2022
•Ambassador Leonard
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United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard has pledged her country’s commitment to providing free educational information and programmess to Nigerians
She said a significant aspect of America’s foreign policy and a cornerstone of her leadership of the Mission in Nigeria is investing in people to help develop their skills through its network of American Spaces in Nigeria.
The American envoy spoke at the launch of the new American Corner, Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend as the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state was always open to innovations that had to do with improving education and providing technology opportunities for people.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Solape Hammond, noted that the strong interface of education and technology is a critical cornerstone of the state’s development and was firmly anchored on partnerships.
The facility is an addition to the 19 American spaces in the country, with other locations in Abeokuta, Ibadan, Uyo, Jos, Kano, Calabar and others.
The ceremony was attended by alumni of U.S. government exchange programmes, business, cultural, media and political leaders.
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The ambassador said the U.S. government was committed to providing free educational information and programmes to Nigerians to help develop their skills through its network of American spaces in the country.
A significant aspect of US foreign policy, and a cornerstone of my leadership of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, is investing in people.
“The new American Corner Ikeja will function as a centre where young people develop their ideas as well as their leadership and entrepreneurship skills through programmes and workshops,” Ambassador Leonard said.
Ambassador Leonard, who praised the partnership with Venture Garden Group, which hosts the new American Corner, said:”Lagos is a city of industry, entrepreneurship, and learning. It is great that the American Corner will help bring the people of Nigeria and the United States closer.”
Sanwo-Olu, while hailing the opening of the corner, said the U.S. government had played a pivotal role in the growth and development of many aspects of the nation’s economy.
“In recent years, American spaces have been used more strategically in global interest to inform, empower and inspire positive action for generations of young people and professionals around the world,” he said.
According to him, the new space will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the Lagos state government, particularly in broad areas of promoting education and technology learning.
Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Venture Garden Group (VGG), Bunmi Akinyemiju, said the U.S. Consulate’s partnership with the tech group had been mutually beneficial.
“The American Corner directly advances one of our commitments to add value to Nigeria’s efforts to develop and support an educational system that will unlock the expertise, innovative spirit, and entrepreneurial capacity of young Nigerians.”
