August/September 2017 A publication of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria CROSSROADS Out of Many, One CROSSROADS | August/September 2017 1 EVENTS 2017 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS June 28 & 29, 2017 Ambassador W. Stuart Symington, Ambassador Vivian Okeke of the Ministry of Foreign Shuga Band brings the MOTOWN sound to Lagos Affairs and DCM David J. Young stand at attention for the Star Spangled Banner in Abuja Consul General John Bray welcomes the Alaafi n of Oyo, His Imperial Management Offi cer Will Steuer with artist and philanthropist Majesty Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, to the Lagos celebration Nike Okundaye-Davies and her European interns in Lagos The U.S. Marine Security Guard Attachment 2017 Arts Envoy Andy Allo and of the U.S. Embassy, Abuja present the colors her band light up the Abuja stage AMBASSADOR’S NOTES there is nothing more important in good governance and accountability. a diverse country than appreciating our diff erences and embracing all A people’s culture and heritage those in our nation with heartfelt should never be allowed to fade aff ection and a shared commitment away. All of us at our U.S. Mission in to our common future, regardless Nigeria are proud that investments of race, creed, heritage, or religion. from our Ambassador’s Fund for Rich cultural diversity is something Cultural Preservation are being used America shares with Nigeria and to help keep the symbols of Nigeria’s in this issue, we emphasize the rich history and culture alive. For necessity of working together for the example, the National Museum in Jos, good of all and of remaining united in Plateau State, is currently undergoing the face of violence or calls intended a facelift on several fronts thanks to pull us apart. to our eff orts. I can’t wait to see the outcome. More importantly, I cannot Also in this issue, we reminisce wait till many of you have the chance on World Press Freedom Day and to see the great cultural works in the events we held in Lagos and that special place. As you read about W. Stuart Symington Abuja. The events provided fora for what is there, I hope you will be as U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria healthy discussions of the important impressed as I am. relationship between Nigerians and their media representatives. You As always, please let us know what ear CROSSROADS Readers, will also note that the U.S. Embassy you think of this issue on any of our has partnered with leading local various online platforms. I appreciate Looking back over our media organizations to enhance your feedback. own history, we are their capacity to serve the needs of Dconstantly reminded that Nigerians and contribute to fostering W. Stuart Symington Vol. 23 No. 1 is publishedCROSSROADS quarterly by the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Nigeria In This Issue... EDITORIAL TEAM Aruna Amirthanayagam (Counselor for Public Affairs) Cover Story Nuggets Darcy Zotter (Public Affairs Officer, Lagos) Pg 4 Russell Brooks Pg 13 (Press Attaché) Olaoluwa Aworinde (Editor, Crossroads & photographer) Press Cultural Sani Mohammed Freedom Preservation (Editor, Magama) Address all correspondence to: Pg 6 Pg 14 The Editor, Public Affairs Section U.S. Embassy Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Summer Farmer/ Business Area, Abuja, Nigeria Interns Herder Tel: (09) 461-4000. Fax: 09-461-4305 Conflict Pg 8 Pg 16 LAGOS OFFICE: U.S. Consulate General, Public Affairs 2, Walter Carington Crescent, Lagos In Our Short Student Tel.: +234-703-150-4867/2444 Woods Story Visas E-mail: [email protected] Pg 9 Pg 18 Website: ng.usembassy.gov CROSSROADS | August/September 2017 3 COVER STORY Outby Sani Mohammed ofMany,Many, bout sixteen years ago, The triumph of the American invariable reply, from more than former U.S. Secretary of experience owes its success to a thousand Nigerians, is “I like AState Colin Powell said at many factors. Among them is, of the Nigerian people.” I like our an Iftaar event in Washington, course, the vision of the nation’s diversity, our resilience, our “America is a nation of nations, founding fathers who established energy, our warmth, our spirit, our made up of people from every a government of, by and for food…” land, of every race and practicing the people. They also provided every faith. Our diversity is not a a constitution that guaranteed He reminded the guests that, source of weakness; it is a source certain freedoms including freedom “throughout the history of the of strength, it is a source of our of speech, freedom of assembly United States, the diversity we success.” and freedom of religion. prize, and share with Nigerians, has been a source of tension and, The people of the United States America’s founders established at times, even a challenge to our represent an array of ethnic, a society that would embrace union. George Washington warned cultural and religious backgrounds, diversity and celebrate the that those who sought to weaken all of whom help to make up the diff erences that various cultures and defeat us would fi rst attack our complex picture of what it means would bring to the United States. unity of government, and Abraham to be an American. The United Most importantly, Americans share Lincoln made preserving the union States is often characterized as core values, represented within his life’s work.” a nation of immigrants. Its rich the Constitution, that the American heritage - often referred to as a mosaic, no matter their religion or The Ambassador cited some of the “melting pot” - is in part due to ethnicity, all share. This is the glue diffi culties the United States has successive waves of immigrants that has led to the success of the faced in order to preserve its union from around the world. The American experiment. and credited its success to the United States has welcomed more resilience of leaders and citizens immigrants than any other country These values which have committed to ensuring justice for -- more than 50 million in all -- and contributed so much to the fabric all. today welcomes almost 700,000 and strength within America, also persons a year. Americans have inform America’s eff orts to fi nd Most of all, Ambassador Symington of necessity placed great value on common ground with peoples and believes that Nigeria is capable diversity. America’s ethnic groups cultures in other lands. of facing and overcoming the celebrate their heritage, and same challenges. “Today, Nigeria the children of immigrants often The 241st U.S. Independence is fortunate to have such leaders grow up retaining the languages, anniversary celebration in Abuja and citizens. Together they are traditions and cultures of their was an occasion to underscore dedicated to keeping Nigeria parents and grandparents. how much Americans share with united and just and to ensuring Nigerians. every Nigerian is heard and taken This form of cultural enrichment into account and treated fairly. thrives in America. However, Ambassador W. Stuart Symington This is crucial; every one of you is doubts have been expressed since reminded the assembled guests crucial. Together those Nigerians the founding of the United States that, like the United States, will overpower any call to divide concerning whether a nation Nigeria is a wonderful nation this Nation.” composed of such varied people whose diff erences and diversity can succeed. Americans believe are sources of strength and a Thank you Mr. Ambassador. that their experience answers this reason for pride. He recalled Refl ecting the diversity of question with a resounding yes. that, “Whenever I meet a Nigerian, Nigerians, let me say both Amen I ask, “What do you like the and Inshallah most about your country?” The 4 CROSSROADS | August/September 2017 Out ofMany, One isiting Arts Envoy Andy Allo joined Nigerian artists VJessica Bongos and The Isomers on stage at the Abuja Sheraton’s Ladi Kwali Conference Center for a night of incredible music on June 30. The Out of Many, One concert highlighted the diversity that is a hallmark of both Nigeria and the United States. A capacity crowd of more than 500 guests enjoyed the unique sound of Andy Allo and her band. The artists Andy Allo, Suzanne Mikula, Jacob Moses, Justin Smolian and Mathias Kuenzli hail from diff erent parts of the United States from Massachusetts to California. Mathias was actually born in Switzerland, and Andy and Suzanne were also born abroad in Cameroon. The group truly represented the theme of the concert as they made the audience sing, laugh, and dance. In addition, jazz songstress Jessica Bongos added her soulful tunes while The Isomers shook the crowd with their brand of afro- alternative rock. Out of Many, One, a collaboration between the U.S. Embassy and Play Network Nigeria, produced a night to be remembered. CROSSROADS | August/September 2017 5 PRESS RELATIONS Building Institutions and Support for Press Freedom by Susan Dauda & Temitayo Famutimi Consul General F. John Bray gives the keynote L-R: Sec Gen of NUJ Shuaibu Leman, DG FRCN Mansur Liman, address during the event at the Lagos Consulate Editor-in-chief Daily Trust Manir Dan Ali during the fi rst Abuja event he 3rd Day of May, designated Activities began with the screening They emphasized truth, accuracy and by the United Nations of the iconic American fi lm All the impartiality as basic principles that Scientifi c and Cultural President’s Men at Kaduna State underpin the practice of journalism. Organization (UNESCO) as University on May 1. This was World Press Freedom Day, followed on the 3rd of May by a panel Also on the 3rd of May, a web chat on helps highlight the importance discussion on journalistic ethics at the threats faced by the press was hosted of the fundamental principles Embassy.