AMBASSADOR’S NOTES
Mission to Nigeria supported that
democratic spirit in the Nigerian
people during the recently concluded
2019 general elections. We provided
training, observation and
monitoring, and we worked with civil
society organizations to ensure
transparency and accountability for
acts of violence. As we often stated
during the campaign, we supported
the democratic process itself, not a
candidate or a party.
W. Stuart Symington
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria
Welcome to another edition of
Crossroads.
We share the conviction
of all those Nigerians who are
strong advocates of democracy and of
the freedom that democracy brings to
choose our own leaders. In this issue, we
will look at some of the ways the U.S.
CROSSROADS
is published quarterly by the Public
Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Nigeria
EDITORIAL TEAM
Aruna Amirthanayagam
(Counselor for Public Affairs)
Russell Brooks
(Public Affairs Officer, Lagos)
Glenn Guimond
(Press Attaché)
Olaoluwa Aworinde
(Editor & photographer)
Address all correspondence to:
The Editor, Crossroads Magazine
Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive,
Central Business Area, Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: (09) 461-4000. Fax: 09-461-4305
LAGOS OFFICE:
U.S. Consulate General, Public Affairs
2, Walter Carington Crescent, Lagos
Tel.: +234-703-150-4867/2444
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: nigeria.usembassy.gov
Follow us on:
On the cover page we celebrate the
heroic bravery of Abdullahi Abubakar,
a humble Imam serving and leading in
the hills of Plateau state. You will see
how the Imam’s actions saved the lives
of hundreds of his Christian neighbors.
The Imam’s selfless actions reflect his
vision that all of us are brethren. He
embodies the motto of the United
States, the idea at the heart of America:
Out of Many, One. That idea resonates
as strongly in Nigeria as any place on
earth. His life is an inspiration; his story
a perfect illustration of that undeniable
truth that we need to take care of all of
us and create paths forward for every
person, regardless of what we speak,
where we pray, what gender we are,
who we love, or how we make our
living.
We also highlight the events we
celebrated during Black History Month
in February, and Women’s History
Month in March. The United States
invest daily in building the human
capital of Nigeria, and no area
for investment is more vital than
health. Please look for information
inside on our support for the Nigeria
HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey
(NAIIS). That was the largest such
survey ever done anywhere in the
world. The results show the progress
made fighting this disease in many
places and the gaps where we need to
do more to end the HIV epidemic in
Nigeria.
These stories and more await you on
the following pages. Taken together,
I think they are vivid proof of our
success working together to make a
brighter future for all Nigerians, a
future Made in Nigeria and Made with
America.
Enjoy the read.
W. Stuart Symington
In This Issue...
Vol. 25 No. 1
An Election
Observer
Reports
The YALI
Contribution
Pg 12
Pg 4
Aspilos
Foundation
Nigerian
Democracy
Pg 6
Beyond Voting:
What Next? Pg 9
Pg 13
NAIIS
2018
Pg 14
Cover
Story Women’s
History Month
Pg 10 Pg 16
CROSSROADS | April/May 2019
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