Nigeria Has Made Progress in Ten Years - U.S. Chargè McCullough Abuja, October 7, 2009

Chargè McCullough speaking at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry meeting Oct. 7, 2009

While problems remain in energy, media independence and the criminality in the Niger Delta area, Nigeria has made improvements in the last ten years with several new institutions showing great potentials for national development according to U.S. Chargè d'Affaires Dundas McCullough.

"Even on corruption, there has been relative progress,... from a dead last in 2000 by Transparency International rankings to 121 out of 180 in 2008" said McCullough. The Embassy Chargè spoke yesterday at a Diplomatic Luncheon organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA) to sensitize members of the diplomatic community on the forth coming "Made-in-Nigeria Domestic Trade Fair” slated for Friday, October 9, in Abuja. Looking back as a returning diplomat to Nigeria, McCollough noted that major positive changes have taken place within the aviation industry, education, banking and monetary policy, the telecommunication sector while U.S. corporate giants like General Electric, Microsoft, Cisco, John Deere and IBM have dramatically increased their business presence in Nigeria, a sign McCollough attributed to the opportunities and potentials in Nigeria. McCollough is making his second tour to Nigeria as Chargè after a first tour as the U.S. Embassy Economic Counselor in 1998 in Lagos. The Heads of Mission from Spain, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, Brazil, Tanzania, Netherlands, and Ghana attended the meeting while South Africa, Jamaica, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea sent representatives.

Established in 1986, ABUCCIMA works to promote and protect the interest of commerce and industry within the Federal Capital Territory and to encourage greater understanding, cohesion and unity among businesses and business organizations. The agency is affiliated to the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.

U.S. Mission Nigeria and Jos Interfaith Communities Refurbish Dadin Kowa Peace Zone Recreation Center through Voluntary Service (Jos, October 17, 2009)

DCM Dundas McCullough and Mrs. Eunice Mailafiya cutting the ribbon to declare the refurbished Basketball Court Open. | FULL SIZE Volunteers from throughout the Jos interfaith community joined U.S. Mission personnel on Saturday, October 17 for an Interfaith Day of Service to clean up and refurbish the Dadin Kowa Peace Zone for recreational use by the youth of Jos.

The event, sponsored by the U.S. Mission, was attended by the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Mr. Dundas McCullough, and a Representative of the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Eunice Mailafiya.

During the five hours of activities, volunteers installed a volleyball net, replaced and repaired several basketball nets and rims, painted new lines on the courts and cleaned up the surrounding areas.

DCM McCullough said the work done demonstrated outstanding teamwork and team spirit. “This has been just one more example of how the partnership between Americans and Nigerians can produce positive results,” he stated.

The recreation center refurbishment showed how much volunteers coming together from different backgrounds, different countries, and different cultures, but with a common purpose and goal are able to accomplish by working together.

“There is a tremendous sense of satisfaction in volunteering, and contributing back to your community to create a space that you can enjoy with others,” DCM McCullough emphasized.

DCM McCullough also presented basketballs, volleyballs and soccer balls to representatives of the Peace Zones and Peace Clubs.

Responding to the gesture, Mrs. Eunice Mailafiya praised the U.S. Mission community service initiative and promised to help the youth in Jos and the environs to sustain the concept as a means of uniting ethnic groups to ensure peace in Plateau State.

This activity supports a USAID-funded Basketball for Peace program initiative. This program operates in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Rivers and Delta states by establishing “Peace Zones” and “Peace Clubs” as a means of reducing violence among youth and providing an alternative activity, namely basketball, as a way to attract and integrate youth from the community. Both Christian and Muslim youth participate in the program as well as staff from the state Ministry of Youth and Sports. Peace Clubs have been established in selected secondary schools near each Peace Zone (basketball court). Each Club has regular monthly meetings to organize activities to engage students and other youth and families living in the community. Schools host cultural events including drama skits, the writing of poems and peace songs for prizes, cultural dance, peace messages and slogans. These schools have become the center of events and are role models for other schools and youth in the area. Plateau state has seven Peace Zones with five located in the Capital city of Jos. The Plateau State Government has pledged to establish “Peace Clubs” in all the secondary schools in the State.