AMBASSADOR’S NOTES
In this issue, we describe some of the
ways we’ve partnered with Nigerians
to achieve that goal. We have engaged
with the Nigerian government, key
election stakeholders, political leaders,
civil society representatives, and
members of the voting public. Our
only candidate is the process itself.
Our goal is your goal: a process that
is transparent, credible, free, fair, and
peaceful. Elections that reflect the true
will of the Nigerian people.
W. Stuart Symington
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria
Welcome to another edition of
Crossroads.
As the people of Nigeria approach
their general elections next year, all
of us at the U.S. Mission look forward
to witnessing an electoral process
that surpasses the success of the
2015 elections, which were widely
considered peaceful, free, and fair.
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:
The recent visit to Nigeria of Assistant
Secretary of State for African
Affairs, Tibor Nagy, highlighted our
commitment. During his two-day
visit, he met with the chairman of
the Independent National Electoral
Commission, the Sultan of Sokoto,
and the leadership of Nigeria’s most
prominent political parties, among
others. The key message he shared
with everyone he met is that, as I
said above, America favors only one
candidate in these elections – and
In This Issue...
Cover story
Pg 4
There are many stakeholders in this
election. The most important are the
voters themselves. Every eligible voter,
registered with INEC and in possession
of a Permanent Voters Card, has a
responsibility to peacefully ensure
that their vote is cast, counted, and
collated. When you do this, along with
every other citizen in your community
and across the country, no bad actors
will hijack the process and steal your
future. In doing this, you will act as
responsible custodians of Nigeria’s
future, and that will ensure a more free
and prosperous world, benefitting all
of us.
Enjoy the read.
W. Stuart Symington
Vol. 22 No. 4
Rooting For
Nigerians
Pg 10
Osun
Elections
Pg 7
Not Too
Young
To Run
Pg 13
The YALI
ATS
Pg 8
Makoko
Pg 14
Refreshed &
Prepared
Pg 9
that is the electoral process. No
individual ambition, no political party’s
aspirations, are worth more than the
right of citizens to freely choose who
will represent them.
The
Citizen’s
Platform
Pg 18
CROSSROADS | December 2018/January 2019
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