May/June 2018 A publication of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria CROSSROADS

THETHE INDISPUTABLEINDISPUTABLE POWERPOWER OFOF FILMFILM CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 1 Did you miss /usinnigeria

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/usembassynigeria /usmissionnigeria /usinnigeria flickr.com soundcloud.com medium.com AMBASSADOR’S NOTES the ways we are working together. At Nigerian’s resilience, diversity, warmth, the same time, it shows the power of imagination, and indomitable spirit. I people creating Intellectual Property heard Nigerians, from one end of the to enrich and transform our World. country to the other, describe those very traits as what they love about When ideas become intellectual Nigeria. Those ideas, that spirit is a property, they literally create new fi elds powerful base for sustained Nigerian from dreams and grow enterprises success as a united nation and as a that no walls can contain, creating leader as a global leader in the world of new jobs out of imagination and ideas. new opportunities at the speed of inspiration. It has long been said, You create opportunities at “buy land, they are not making any the speed of hope with ideas more of it.” The creators of intellectual that become industries and growth property build new worlds from ideas. that outpaces need and fear. My own Painters and poets, artists and fervent wish is that this year, many avatars lead us every day down paths of you will fi nd new ways to turn ideas W. Stuart Symington they have just, as Walt Disney said, into enterprise and that intellectual U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria “imagineered.” property will help create fi elds large enough for every Nigerian to fi nd I have now visited all 36 of Nigeria’s n behalf of all of my colleagues a place to prosper. We hope, too, as you states and know fi rst hand the wealth at the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, approach the 2019 election, that - in of your nation and the “WOW factor” Welcome to the latest edition of the world of electoral ideas - the pre- O of your natural beauty: your shores Crossroads! election speech, the partisan platforms, and rivers, mountains and plains, birds and the electoral process itself - those and animals, forests and fi elds. In This issue is special for two who seek to earn your vote will every state, I have met Nigerians who reasons. First, it celebrates the always show the utmost respect for are living proof that Nigeria’s greatest partnership between creative Nigerians Nigeria’s greatest asset, the Nigerian resource is the Nigerian people, not and Americans by describing some of people. oil or gas, soil or minerals, water or sunlight. I saw everywhere proof of W. Stuart Symington

is publishedCROSSROADS quarterly by the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Nigeria Vol. 24 No. 2 EDITORIAL TEAM In This Issue... Aruna Amirthanayagam (Counselor for Public Affairs) History Nigerian Darcy Zotter Months Media (Public Affairs Officer, Lagos) Russell Brooks Pgs 4 & 5 (Press Attaché) Pg 12 Olaoluwa Aworinde (Editor & photographer) Cover Story English Language Address all correspondence to: Education The Editor, Crossroads Magazine Pg 6 Pg 14 Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, National Emerging Central Business Area, Abuja, Nigeria Entrepreneurs Tel: (09) 461-4000. Fax: 09-461-4305 Parks

LAGOS OFFICE: Pg 10 Pg 16 U.S. Consulate General, Public Affairs 2, Walter Carington Crescent, Lagos Sports Love Tel.: +234-703-150-4867/2444 & Ashes Scholarships E-mail: [email protected] Pg 18 Website: nigeria.usembassy.gov Pg 11

CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 3 BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February 12-27 | Abuja February 16 | IMAX cinemas, Lekki, Lagos EDUSA School Readings U.S. Consulate Hosts Black In the month of February, as part of Panther Premiere the activities commemorating this In commemoration of Black History year’s African American History Month, the U.S. Consulate in Lagos Month, the Public Affairs Section of hosted a private screening of the block the U.S Embassy pioneered the book buster movie Black panther on 16 reading and donation series at Abuja February, 2018 at the IMAX cinemas, public and private primary schools. Lekki, Lagos. Dance performer Kaffy, visiting speaker Prof. Zizwe Children’s picture books based on The premiere was greatly attended by Poe, PAO Darcy Zotter, and a guest at the screening three notable African Americans that many, including diplomats, actors and shaped the course of history were read February 28 | Embassy, Abuja major producers in the Nigerian fi lm and donated to six primary schools industry. The movie showcased various Abuja American Center Marks within the FCT; the titles included A African fabrics, cultures and costumes Black History Month Picture Book of Martin Luther King which portrayed Africa in a positive On Wednesday, February 28, the Jr.; A Picture Book of Rosa Parks by light. American Center Abuja screened David A. Adler, and Preaching to the “Boycott” for an audience of over 50 Black Panther is an American Chickens: The Story of Young John people to conclude the 2018 Black superhero fi lm produced by Marvel Lewis by Jabari Asim. These readings History Month celebrations. The fi lm Studios and distributed by Walt Disney exposed the pupils to events in the Boycott was introduced by Information Studios Motion Pictures. history of African Americans with Offi cer Russell Brooks, who explained emphasis on the civil rights movement the signifi cance of non-violent actions for justice and equal rights for African- of African Americans in the U.S. civil February 16 | The Merit House, Abuja Americans. rights movement. Boycott is the true “A Raisin in the Sun” Brings Rare story of Rosa Parks (played by Iris Live Theater to Abuja Little-Thomas) which resulted in the The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, Embassy celebrated Black History Alabama. Following the screening, Month 2018 in partnership with there was an interactive session led my the Department of Theatre and two distinguished alumni of the Hubert Performing Arts of Ahmadu Bello Humphrey Fellowship Exchange University (ABU) Zaria, the largest Program – Dr. Victor Fodeke and Dr. university in sub-Saharan Africa. The Lani Stephens. The interactive session event included a lecture series and a was very participatory as the fi lm performance of Lorraine Hansberry’s truly resonated with the audience and classic play for a 300-person public marks a call to action for non-violent audience. In his opening remarks, approach to issues among Nigerian the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission youth. Staff and pupils of New Capital School, Abuja after Ambassador Symington read to the kids Aruna Amirthanayagam emphasized how Black History Month highlights February 28 | Silverbird cinemas, Six separate readings and donations the importance of American diversity Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja anchored by American offi cers as a source of the country’s strength. U.S. Embassy Hosts Black including the Ambassador and the The performance followed a series of Panther Premiere Acting DCM were held between round table discussions earlier in the February 12-27 at the following schools: week at the Ahmadu Bello and Bayero • New Capital Nursery and Primary Universities in northern Nigeria on the School, Asokoro theme: “Acknowledging our History: • Model Primary School, Asokoro Memory, Culture, and the Black Race.” • LEA Primary School Utako Visiting Michigan State University • Community Nursery & Primary fi lm professors Jeffrey C. Wray and School, Asokoro, Tama Hamilton-Wray presented on • Florence Ade Akodu International how the African American experience School Maitama, and had shaped contemporary American • Springsville School Garki theater and fi lm. Deputy Chief of Mission David Young with guests before the screening in Abuja Contributed by Katherine Suwa, Chibuike Ohieri, Sagir Ahmed and Olaoluwa Aworinde

4 CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

February 27 - March 2 | Lagos Affairs, with support from the Institute March 20 | U.S. Embassy, Abuja Kristina Wong’s Visits Lagos of International Education, which Northern Nigerian Senator The U.S. Consulate Lagos hosted empowers, connects and supports Speaks to Women on Education a renowned visiting American women leaders from Africa, Central as a Springboard performance artist and comedian, and South Asia, and the Middle EducationUSA Abuja organized Kristina Wong, from February 27 to East in STEM through mentorship a discussion with more than 90 March 4 as part of the Lagos Theatre and exchange. They represented young women and Senator Binta Festival. She is notable for her works organizations as diverse as Twitter, Masi Garba of northern Adamawa focusing on women and economic LinkedIn, Netfl ix, Mozilla, Autodesk, state, one of only six women in empowerment. WomenCollegeTech, Stanford Nigeria’s 109-member senate. Graduate School of Business, Juniper Wong conducted masterclasses for Senator Garba encouraged the Networks, as well as Fairrer Samani university students and recent performing arts students, faculty, and Group, Northgate Environmental theatrical directors at the University of graduates to aspire to positions of Management, Jessica Dickinson infl uence and create space for women Lagos, Lufodo Academy of Performing Goodman Consulting. Arts, and Pencil and Film Television in fi elds dominated by men. The Institute (PEFTI) Film Institute. The U.S. Consulate Lagos hosted a activity formed part of the Mission’s During her visit, she also performed series of events, the fi rst of which Women’s History Month programming her critically acclaimed Wong Street was held at Lonadek Inc.- a world and opened participants’ eyes to the Journal show on March 2, which was class and certifi ed engineering and Importance of a fi rm educational hosted by United States Consul General, information technology consulting foundation and the need for barrier- F. John Bray at Terra Kulture Arts and company focused on delivering value breaking women leaders. Cultural Centre, Lagos. through STEM related activities. U.S. Consul General F. John Bray, speaking at the event, called for the inclusive participation of women in STEM to engage local talents for economic growth and sustainability in the country. On the 22nd of March, the Embassy in Abuja in collaboration with Baze University hosted fi fty secondary school girls in a series of interactive Senator Binta Masi Garba speaks to the largely sessions. The girls were exposed female audience Kristina Wong performing at Terra Kulture in Lagos to activities such as loom coding, March 18-23 | Lagos, Abuja motherboard design, and basic website where 100 participants inclusive of development and how these tools could Techwomen alumni, the Techwomen Silicon Valley Women Tech contribute to economic development delegation, Nigerian private sector, civil Leaders Inspire Women & Girls in while having a social impact. As part society, university, and government STEM Fields of the events, Techwomen Impact representatives discussed pragmatic The U.S. Mission Nigeria hosted Day was hosted by Civic Innovation applications of new technologies. a 16-member delegation of senior Lab and dubbed Leading the Change: At a reception in his residence, women technology executives and Women in STEM Making Impact professionals from Silicon Valley, Ambassador Stuart Symington California who visited Lagos and Abuja encouraged 80 women who work from March 18-23 to mentor young in fi elds such as renewable energy, women and girls to spark their interest space technology, solar, and ICT to in Science, Technology, Engineering, take challenges to use their skills in and Mathematics (STEM) fi elds. Nigeria technology to solve social problems and and Egypt were selected this year to be contribute to economic growth. The part of the visiting country. visit inspired the STEM leaders of today and tomorrow through an exchange of The delegations are part of the experiences, challenges, and successes TechWomen program-an initiative in a fi eld where Nigerian women are of the U.S. Department of State’s The TechWomen delegation being received at the severely underrepresented. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), Lagos Contributed by Chibuike Ohieri, Grace Lamon and Shade Adebayo

CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 5 COVER STORY

THE INDISPUTABLE POWER OF FILM words by Bella Ndubuisi art by Ola Aworinde

6 CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 he Nigerian film industry Fall is for Film Festivals (Nollywood) is recognized as the second largest in the world in Four AFS documentary films featured terms of volume of production. A in the 2017 Abuja International Film major employer of labor, Nollywood Festival in October. The four titles: The contributed 2.3% to Nigeria’s GDP in IF project, Class Divide, Fastball, High 2016. While the industry has made School 9-1-1, which cut across sports, Ttremendous progress over the years, education, and citizen engagement, challenges like financing, lack of captured the theme of the festival: infrastructure, piracy and copyright Film as a Tool for National Security and violations among others, continue to Patriotism. U.S. independent filmmaker hinder the industry from competing Kathlyn Horan also hosted a two-day globally in terms of profitability. The masterclass workshop on commercial U.S. Mission to Nigeria in the last production and self-financing for couple of years has supported Nigeria’s nearly 200 filmmakers and film vibrant film community through enthusiasts. capacity building workshops. One of the vehicles it has used is the American Similarly, the Embassy supported Film Showcase (AFS). Now in its sixth the 2017 African International Film year (and second year in Nigeria), the Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos. Veteran AFS, a partnership between the U.S. American lighting designer Christian Department of State and the University Epps hosted a two-day masterclass of Southern California School of workshop on lighting design for Cinematic Arts (USC), is designed to industry professionals. Four AFS bring award-wining contemporary documentary films: She Started It, Class American documentaries, independent Divide and Dream, Girl were screened fiction films, and documentary know- at the festival, while a special screening how to audiences around the world. of The IF Project was hosted by U.S. Last year has been an exciting journey Consul General John Bray. learning about Nigeria’s film industry, We also supported the Tamerri forging collaborations through various Festival, Abuja’s most prominent interactions, and demonstrating the music, arts, and cultural festival, held power of film as a catalyst for social from November 30 - December 2, change. 2017. Following in the theme of the Hollywood Meets Nollywood festival “Earth Made,” the Embassy screened AFS short documentary film In late 2017 and early 2018, U.S. Smoke That Travels which explores Embassy Abuja invited three a personal story of preservation and filmmakers to Nigeria to participate in loss of culture as told by the Native a series of capacity building workshops American filmmaker Kayla Briët. and film screenings. Film producer Kathlyn Horan, Academy Award- Capacity Building Masterclass winning documentary film editor Doug Workshops Blush, and television screenwriter Last year, we rekindled our relationship and community organizer Angelina with the Nigerian Film Corporation, Burnett travelled to Nigeria in October, the regulatory body for filmmaking December, and March respectively in Nigeria and through this renewed hosting workshops, film screenings, partnership we are committed to and meeting with filmmakers in Abuja, building the capacity of students at Nasarawa, Jos, and Lagos.

CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 7 L-R: Co-founder of The IF Project Kim Bogucki, Counselor for Public Aff airs Deputy Chief of Mission David Young delivers remarks at the Aruna Amirthanayagam, president of the Abuja International Film Festival, screening of The IF Project at the Abuja International Film Festival Fidelis Duker, American fi lmmaker Kathlyn Horan and Mrs Temitope Duker 2017

Oscar award winning fi lm-maker Doug Blush (centre) with L-R: Afi e Braimoh, Operations Director of African International Film Festival participants in the masterclass he facilitated in Lagos (AFRIFF), fi lmmakers Damilola Sobowale, Joycee Awosika, Blessing Afi om, and Uche Jombo during a panel discussion at AFRIFF 2018

American television screenwriter Angelina Burnett Angelina Burnett with organisers and participants of the workshop speaking at a workshop hosted by Pencil Film and Television Institute (PEFTI), Lagos

8 CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 COVER STORY

the National Film Institute (NFI). In topical issues. This year, IICD has sure I continue to make fi lms that are December, the school hosted Oscar screened ten AFS documentary titles poignant and push boundaries. Alan Award-winning fi lmmaker Doug Blush covering topics on civil society, gender, Baker and his team were warm, for a two-day masterclass workshop technology, and environmental with fi lm students. In March, NFI protection. The fi lm club will continue also hosted television screenwriter to host interactive meet-ups of cinema The AFS Angelina Burnett. Through the lovers. mission’s partnerships with Nigerian Documentary counterparts, visiting U.S. fi lmmakers AFS Documentary Film Workshop Workshop... have had the pleasure of working with privately run fi lm academies including Last summer, U.S. Embassy Abuja was a Royal Arts Film Academy, Pencil nominated documentary fi lmmaker stimulating and Film Television Institute, and Ishaya Bako for the 10-day AFS the Lufodo Academy for Performing documentary fi lm workshop at the and Arts. Students at Plateau State University of Southern California in insightful Polytechnic, Jos and Baze University, Los Angeles, California. Ishaya Bako Abuja benefi tted from workshops and had this to say about this experience. experience. discussions as well. - Ishaya Bako “The AFS Documentary Workshop Abuja Film Club at the USC campus in the summer of 2017 was a stimulating and insightful In December 2017, the Embassy experience. Being among 11 other partnered with The International fi lmmakers from across the world, Institute for Creative Development taught by seasoned professionals in to launch the Abuja Film Club, a a city renowned for fi lmmaking was bi-weekly thematic fi lm screening inspiring and challenging: inspiring friendly and they made sure we made intended to spark discussion around to see how important and relevant the most of the workshop and our stay fi lm still is; challenging in making in LA.”

CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 9 FEATURE National Parks

by Katherine Katetzer-Hodson Nationalhe very fi rst national park playingTreasures a critical role in protecting Yankari and Cross River national park in the United States was both plant and wildlife. For example, are something of a hybrid, depending TYellowstone National Park, Kainji national park and Yankari Game on both state support and community found in the state of Wyoming. When Reserve are the only two places in involvement. Between them, they are President Ulysses S. Grant signed into Nigeria where lions still roam free, preserving the habitats of a host of law the Yellowstone National Park though their numbers are dwindling. animals, many endangered, including Protection Act, it established for the the Cross River gorilla. fi rst time that a piece of land was Gashaka Gumti is the largest national “dedicated and set apart as a public park park in Nigeria and stretches across Anywhere people and animals or pleasuring-ground for the benefi t Adamawa and Taraba states. At 6402 intersect; there is always a risk of and enjoyment of the people.” Since square kilometers, the park is home confrontation. National parks are just that time, over 57 additional parks have to a number of endangered animals. a part of the solution to protecting been preserved in the United States. What is unique about Gashaka Gumti wildlife across Nigeria. It also takes The parks not only provide people is that it is composed of fi ve different awareness. Many of these parks access to recreation and experience ecological zones, with everything offer community resources and nature, but also a place to protect from savannah to rainforest, and even opportunities to learn more about the the plant and animal life for future includes Nigeria’s highest peak. The unique aspects of their wildlife and generations. park is home to the largest population vegetation. In Abuja, the National of the most endangered chimpanzee Park Service also has a visitor center Nigeria’s own national and state park in the world. Known as the Elliot’s and museum dedicated to providing system plays a similar role across the chimpanzee, there are perhaps only information on the parks and their country. There are eight national 1,000 of them living in the park. diversity. parks spread across Nigeria: the Chad Basin; Cross River, Gashaka Gumti, Yankari Game Reserve is operated by The national parks of Nigeria are as Kainji, Kamuku, Okomu, Old Oyo, and the Bauchi state government and is diverse as the regions they occupy, and Yankari. Located in diverse geographic home to a wide range of mammals and they depend on everyone’s protection. locales, they represent very different over 350 species of birds. It is also home Seek out more information and ecological systems but with each to the largest population of African discover the treasure trove they hold. elephants in Nigeria, one of the largest populations across West Africa. Both

10 CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 EDUSA Sports Scholarships and The Unique Opportunities they Present by Malate-Ann Atajiri

he United States remains one of while his mum was a secondary school 1. Research your options - You need the top destinations for students teacher. Udoka’s basketball prowess to know at what level you want to Tseeking a world-class education. caught the attention of Basketball compete? There are Division I, II, and One of the reasons many chose to without Borders (BWB), the NBA and III schools. Full athletic scholarships study in the US is the availability FIBA’s global basketball development are common in Division I, partial of scholarships, however one often and community outreach program. scholarships in Division II, and no overlooked source of fi nancial BWB stages basketball camps in athletic scholarships for Division III. assistance is sports scholarships. 27 countries on all six continents. Through the program, Udoka got a 2. Start early - It is important to begin Many of us may know one or scholarship to attend Potters House early. Visit the NCAA website to two talented individuals who are Christian Academy where he started register and get started. exceptional in one sport or the other. playing organized basketball at the age Schools award merit-based scholarships of 13. Udoka excelled in the sport with 3. Record everything - If the coaches based on a student’s accomplishments ESPN ranking him 22nd overall for the cannot come to you, you have to fi nd whether in academics, athletics, or class of 2016 for high school basketball. a way to get to them. Take advantage arts. While some schools may consider Udoka had his pick of schools but of technology. Record your games and fi nancial need, with eventually selected the University of have them edited to let viewers know merit scholarships, Kansas. Udoka’s superb performance which player to watch. rewarding talent in the 2017-2018 season led the Kansas is the primary Jayhawks to the Final Four. Udoka 4. Don’t neglect academics - The goal. was also ranked the player of the term “student-athlete” is intentional. decade in college basketball at no. 1 People often forget that despite a Udoka out of 42,209 players. The future person’s fantastic talent, he/she still Azubuike was looks bright for Udoka, who recently needs to meet the school’s admission born in Lagos expressed his interest to enter the requirements. You are fi rst a student, Nigeria. His dad, NBA draft without an agent. then an athlete. There are course who was a police GPA and standardized test score offi cer, died when Recently, EducationUSA requirements that must be met to be Udoka was organized a program eligible to play college sports. only 10 on student-athlete years recruitment for 5. Professional affi liations - Being part old aspiring student- of professional organizations such athletes. Here as Nigerian football league, Nigerian are some useful basketball league, or even your state- tips for students level league adds credibility to your interested in talent. You need to develop a sports studying at a resume that goes beyond playing with U.S. school friends on the weekends or at the inter- on a sports house sports level. scholarship: For more information about studying in the United States contact EducationUSA via [email protected] or [email protected]

Uzoka Azubuike

CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 11 INFORMATION building The Benjamin Charles Williams of PeaceTech Lab speaks to skills of participants of the Confl ict Sensitive Reporting workshop Nigerian media David Ajikobi of Africa Check facilitating the training on Fact Checking in Lagos

Bill Hinchberger at the Channels Television offi ces in Abuja by Susan Dauda s part of efforts to build the country prepares for the 2019 general & Nafi sah Ahmad capacity of Nigerian media, the elections the trainings will support Public Affairs Section of the U.S. institutions involved in the elections to Embassy organized a series of promote fair, transparent, and peaceful workshops for journalists from processes. February to April 2018. With trainers drawn from within and During the election reporting workshop Aoutside the country, the Embassy the participants had the opportunity collaborated with organizations to interact with various stakeholders including Channels Television, Africa involved in the electoral process. Check and Code for Nigeria. Themes Representatives of the Independent for the workshops included data National Electoral Commission (INEC) journalism, fact checking, covering briefed them from a government communal violence, election coverage, standpoint, while members from the and advanced journalism. Information Open Society Initiative for West Africa Offi cer of the U.S. Embassy Russell (OSIWA) spoke from the civil society Brooks these trainings were meant viewpoint. to increase the capability of the media, transparency, democracy and The fact checking training was an good governance in Nigeria. As the opportunity to remind journalists about

12 CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 the importance of facts in their news reports. Conducted by David Ajikobi of Africa Check, they were trained on World Press how to check information they receive, to verify sources, distinguish fact Freedom Day 2018 from fake news, verify authenticity of websites and identify sources of Every year, the U.S. Mission to Nigeria celebrates World Press Freedom Day. This year, we hosted the visit of Paris-based journalist Linda Hervieux. She images. addressed journalists, journalism faculty, and students on topics ranging from At the confl ict sensitive reporting investigative journalism to the threat of Fake News during her week in Abuja. workshop, the participants were May 2 mainly drawn from the parts of L-R: Head of Nigeria that have witnessed the most Department, Mass serious confl icts in recent times, e.g. Communication, the Northeast and North-Central Baze University, states. The trainers from PeaceTech Dr Abiodun Lab emphasized that the media must Adeniyi, Managing Editor go beyond just reporting to investigate of Premium Times the underlying causes of confl ict. They Idris Akinbajo, were also encouraged to avoid bias and visiting speaker, dehumanizing people in their reports. Linda Hervieux, The focus of reporting here should be and Information Offi cer, U.S. about helping people understand the Embassy, Russell issues that drive confl ict which will Brooks during a enable them to take positive action. panel discussion in the embassy

The three-day data journalism training May 3 was conducted by representatives of Code for Nigeria. The journalists were given practical examples of how to access data sources and how to utilize the information to enrich their day to day or investigative reporting. Relating their personal experiences, the trainers demonstrated how a simple story can Linda Hervieux be turned into a compelling news item delivered a by adding relevant data, whether the lecture on ‘The stories concern budgets, elections, and Role of the health or education issues. Media in Keeping Government Accountable’ at American journalist and media trainer Nile University of Bill Hinchberger engaged senior Nigeria, Abuja journalists in an advanced journalism class. He reminded the participants May 5 that the motto of the Boy Scout “Be Prepared” should be that of every journalist. He took them through various aspects of journalism including ethics, covering beats, conducting At the 2018 interviews, writing and producing Press Freedom Awards of the stories. National Union of Journalists, U.S. Through the numerous trainings Ambassador W. the role of the media in promoting Stuart Symington democracy through fair and accurate reminded the reporting was highlighted while the media that truth and trust are need for journalists to maintain high critical elements ethical standards was emphasized. in a democracy

CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 13 ENGLISH LANGUAGE

American English Live Series: Rejuvenating English Language Education

Participating teachers display their certificates on completion of the English Language program by Fatima Umar nglish is Nigeria’s official Sadly, however, there is a high failure language and the primary rate in English at the secondary school language of instruction. As level. Among the reasons for this a result it is the country’s poor performance are lack of funding, most important medium of cultural bias, and high rates of child communication. English also labor to name a few. The English serves to unite Nigerian citizens teaching landscape is characterized by Ethroughout the country, who speak too few trained teachers, exponential more than 300 different languages, growth in enrollment rates, erratic because it is the lingua franca for government funding, lack of educated persons. infrastructure, economic hardship, and early marriage for girls. There

14 CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 are also more than 10 million out of school youth in Nigeria. Youth who American English LIVE! do not have suffi cient levels of English Creati ng and Adapti ng Materials language profi ciency are more likely to drop out of school, be unable to qualify for a Multi level Class for university, and consequently limit Every other week their future job prospects.

As part of its goal to improve English Language fl uency in Nigeria, the U.S Department of State promotes English language learning in all its facets via the Offi ce of English Language Programs. The Offi ce of English Language Programs in Washington, D.C provides programs, along with materials and resources, for English language teachers and learners. These programs are designed to provide practical and innovative ideas, methodologies and skills for teaching English based on current theory. The largest English program that Mission Nigeria implements is the American English Live Series (AELS), formerly Join us here: facebook.com/AmericanEnglishForEducators known as the American English Check the local time in your region here: bit.ly/ChecktheTime Webinar.

American English Live Series is a bi- weekly teacher training seminar for alumni teachers eagerly implement insight into the role as well as the professional development currently ideas and methods they learned in signifi cance of incorporating critical hosted through Facebook live on their classrooms and have reported thinking when teaching English. The the American English for Educators improvement in student engagement presenter maintained that authentic page. There are three six–part and learning behaviors. One of communication involves real-life series annually whose presenters the most popular topics covered in situations and language skills are are American TESOL professionals. the series was: Using Games in the needed to express opinions and make Topics include practical classroom Classroom to Build Vocabulary and logical arguments. These are a few teaching tips, teaching methodology Grammar Skills examples of the dynamic teaching and resources. Participants who practices that are encouraged in the attend four out of six webinar series This presentation highlighted the AELS and the innovative learning receive certifi cates of completion. U.S importance of grammar in language environment created for both teachers Embassy Abuja has collaborated with learning, but emphasized that the focus and students. government administrative structures of grammar instruction does not always such as the FCT senior and junior have to be directly on conventional Building the capacity of English secondary education boards to recruit teaching rules. Research shows teachers is crucial in the bid to curb motivated teachers into the program. that students enjoy varied methods the failure rates among secondary of learning English grammar and school students. The American English Over 400 English teachers across vocabulary. The games demonstrated Live Series has equipped hundreds of Nigeria have participated and in this session were designed to help teachers with effective methodologies benefi tted from the series since its students learn, review, and internalize to improve the English language inception in 2014. The American grammar and vocabulary by making classroom and to make learning an spaces have contributed to achieving personal connections and having fun. exciting experience for students. “The this large fi gure and have provided program has aided my content delivery the opportunity for a wide reach of Another exciting topic covered during and it has been very benefi cial for diverse audience through concurrent the series is Beyond Profi ciency: my students especially in the area of live sessions hosted at the American Nurturing Critical Thinking in resources and skills” said Christiana Oki Spaces in Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, the English Language Classroom. from Government Secondary School, Lagos, Jos, Calabar, and Ibadan. AELS This topic gave the teachers an Wuse Zone 4. Abuja.

CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 15 LAGOS

noted the U.S. Department of State supports entrepreneurs all over the world through training and mentoring, Empowering while also working with governments to create enabling environments and entrepreneurial cultures. Emerging “There is growing evidence that entrepreneurs the world over are the drivers of job growth. The U.S. government is firmly convinced U.S.Entrepreneurs Consulate, FSD Academy Train Entrepreneurs that in addition to creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities, by Temitayo Famutimi Leading business leaders including entrepreneurship contributes to ollowing the successes Sahara Group co-founder Tonye political stability and a vibrant civil recorded during the first edition Cole, Emzor Pharmaceutical CEO society,” Consul General Bray added. of the U.S. Consulate General Stella Okoli, Andela co-founder Iyin F Following the opening session the Lagos’ Conference for Emerging Aboyeji, award-winning designer emerging entrepreneurs were divided Entrepreneurs, the second edition was Zizi Cardow, and senior executives of into four sectorial areas, which held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State prominent commercial banks mentored they selected when they applied to April 10-11, 2018. The Consulate, in and trained the participating young participate in the conference. The collaboration with a leading vocational entrepreneurs. areas were: energy, information and training and entrepreneurship institute communication technology, food Field of Skills and Dreams (FSD), hosted U.S. Consul General F. John Bray processing and agriculture, and fashion. about 100 budding entrepreneurs, declared the workshop open and was joined by Rivers State Deputy selected from the Niger Delta and On the second day, immediate past Governor Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Eastern states. Vice-Chancellor of the University of and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Port Harcourt, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, Participants learned how to transform of the University of Port Harcourt, co-led a session on the Value Chain in their ideas into practical business Professor Regina Enyidia-Ogali. In the Energy Sector for participants in plans, manage business risks, navigate his welcome remarks, Consul General the newly introduced energy group. difficult moments, seek capital, and Bray explained that one of U.S. Mission Participants later came together to develop partnerships to help their Nigeria’s primary goals is to support learn from representatives from the businesses grow. Nigeria’s economic development. He Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, Diamond Bank, Access Bank, and Fidelity Bank about the various options for obtaining funding for start-ups.

A representative from the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service also gave a comprehensive presentation on how the participants could access international commercial opportunities. Management expert and CEO Centre for Values in Leadership, Professor Pat Utomi, gave an inspiring lecture on Leadership Excellence in Venturing. He also spoke extensively on the benefits of delayed gratification in business.

Follow on events include a “stock taking meeting” with participants to be hosted by the Public Affairs Section in U.S. Consul General Bray delivers the welcome Lagos and monitoring by the program address while the mentors and young implementing partner throughout the entrepreneurs pay rapt attention coming year. 16 CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 USAID US-Supported Drama Sends

‘InNigerians Love and Ashes’ brings Messageplight of the Northeast ofinto the Unity mainstream

The cast and crew of “In Love and Ashes” take a bow at the gala launch of the mini-series in Lagos

Watershed Entertainment, touches by Zack Taylor agos – As a long-time friend and ally of Nigeria, the United States is always on universal themes such as the social looking for creative ways to promote and emotional challenges of marriage, social cohesion and national unity. the status of girls and women, the rise of poverty and hardship A new and inspired effort by the fomenting radicalization, the influence U.S. Agency for International of political “godfathers,” insurgency, LDevelopment (USAID) unveiled at and the hardships of life for the the end of March taps into the vast internally displaced. platform of Nigeria’s entertainment industry with support for a new Set in restive Maiduguri, In Love television drama that tells a story and Ashes sends the message that underrepresented by “Nollywood” – the love conquers hate and draws the struggle to live, love, and survive in the moral conclusion that to overcome embattled Northeast. extremism, all Nigerians must rise above ethnic and religious differences Over the course of eight episodes, and jointly work to achieve lasting a new series, “In Love and Ashes,” peace and reconciliation. The story of A village scene from the USAID-supported supported by USAID and the 2Baba hope in the face of disaster, the series mini-series Foundation and produced by unfolds as a bittersweet tale about

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Ambassador Symington (right) greets musician and philanthropist Innocent “2Baba” Idibia at the launch along with U.S. Consul General F. John Bray (second left) and USAID Mission Director Stephen M. Haykin (second right) the social, humanitarian and moral “In Love and Ashes” touches on other For its soundtrack, In Love and Ashes challenges that bedevil communities in kinds of prejudice as well. It tells the harnessed the star power of Innocent the northeast whose inhabitants have story of Maryam, a northeastern “2Baba” Idibia, who contributed the experienced violent extremism. woman who struggles to pursue a series’ soundtrack, produced by career as a photographer against her NowMuzik. A video directed by award- “We’re here today to make sure family’s wish that she get married as winning Unlimited LA-featured clips this message gets out, to make sure soon as she is of age. Nafisat Abdullahi, teased the series with a montage of this story becomes your story,” U.S. who plays Maryam, said with a shrug clips interspersed with the musician- Ambassador W. Stuart Symington said that as a Hausa woman herself, she can entrepreneur’s performance of the at a gala launch of the series running relate. track. on two national networks beginning in the month of April. “It’s a universal We also meet Mallam Laminu, a At the launch, 2Baba spoke with story about love bringing people hard-working taxi driver who wants disarming frankness about the need together.” nothing more than to provide his son a for north and south to come together. good education and raise a responsible “This is a beautiful movement,” he said. In Love and Ashes stars Charles citizen. “Unfortunately for Laminu, “I hope as Nigerians we can get in the Etubiebi as Emeka, a Lagos-based the boy’s mind was not in studies,” said spirit and wake up from our slumber. humanitarian assistance administrator Tijani Faraga, who plays Laminu. “But We have to stop being naïve. We have who makes the 750-mile trip to check the temptation of most of the youth in to stop being ignorant... We must be the accounts of its Maiduguri office – a terrorist haven is to join the dreaded geared toward creative peace.” not knowing what he will encounter in Boko Haram group. Eventually he lost the remote corner of his own country. his only son. Unfortunately that is In his remarks, Ambassador Symington What he finds are people in whom he what many parents in these areas face likened Nigeria to a giant heart, recognizes a common human spirit as today.” divided into three chambers by the they struggle to make the best of their mighty rivers that run through it. The lives under the untenable stress of For producer Ishaku Dashon, the story Ambassador’s intuition, honed through conflict, violence, and deprivation. sends a core message that through all a long diplomatic career in Africa, tells the violence, hardship and death, these him that despite the vast distances and “Everybody knows what the characters share the common Nigerian cultures that constitute the country, insurgency did to the Northeast,” series qualities of strength and resilience. Nigerians are – and will continue to be director Ali Mustapha explained. “But it “Despite the tragedy, they are able to – one people. also addresses the issue of prejudice.” find hope, and find love,” he said. 18 CROSSROADS | May/June 2018 WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY March 22, 2018

U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission David J. Young addresses staff at the 2018 World TB Day commemoration A staff member of USAID answers a question about tuberculosis at the World TB event

by Zack Taylor o mark World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24, a week- long series of activities were kicked off on March 19 with free Tscreenings at Utako Motor Park in Abuja, where hundreds of people gather daily for transport to various destinations outside the capital.

To mark World TB Day on March 24, an interagency team at the U.S. Mission to Nigeria organized an event to build awareness among the staff about the disease, featuring remarks from Mission leadership, the Embassy medical officer, a theatrical sketch, and a visit from the U.S.-supported ‘Wellness on Wheels’ truck that brings fast TB diagnosis to communities across the country.

Hosted by the USAID-supported Challenge TB project, more than 200 screenings were conducted from the ‘Wellness on Wheels’ truck equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment and an x-ray machine.

During the week, a USAID representative was interviewed on local A theatrical troupe performs a skit on TB radio and television stations to raise awareness of TB. awareness, prevention, and treatment

U.S. Embassy Regional Medical Officer Dr. Dawn The USAID-supported ‘Wellness on Wheels’ Osterholt makes a presentation on TB to Embassy staff truck stopped by the Embassy on World TB Day Find Your Dream U.S. School For Free!

The U.S. Embassy’s EducationUSA Advising Center assists high-achieving low income students access Opportunity Grants which help cover the upfront costs of applying to school in the U.S.

To learn more about the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program and how you can apply, please visit http://bit.ly/edusaofp before June 30

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