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CROSSROADS
February 2023 A publication of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria
Transparency Inclusion Coverage Security
Civil Society Peaceful Transition Voter
Democracy CivicDutyRights Mid-Term
Justice INEC Observers Ballot Box
Electoral Act Press Freedom National
Congress Certificate of Return Tribunal
Commission Elections Representation
Accessibility Integrity Declaration
Representative People With Disabilities
Independent House of Assembly Rally
Local Government Debates Reporting
Integrity,
Polling Unit Due Process Candidate
Inclusion,
Gubernatorial Rule of Empowerment...
Law Observers
ctions
The 2023Senate Campaign
Manifesto Accreditation
Ele
Investigative Journalism Federal Agenda
BV AS Results Transmission Capital
Presidential Grassroots Party Chairman
Due Process Press Freedom Debates
Peaceful Transition Certificate of Return
CROSSROADS | February 2023 1
AMBASSADOR’S NOTES
think can address society’s needs and and how that is stimulating similar
lead us into the future. In this special positive decisions by other U.S. and
Crossroads edition, we focus on the international museums. Also, we
upcoming general elections across have updates from the U.S. Centers
Nigeria, which will select continued or for Disease Control (CDC) and the
new leadership at the local, state, and President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS
national levels. We offer perspectives Relief (PEPFAR), describing Nigeria’s
on inclusivity, including of women progress against Covid-19 and HIV/
and persons with disabilities, in the AIDS, respectively.
electoral process. We discuss election
integrity and the challenge of fake Most recently, in December, President
news. These are areas where the U.S. Biden hosted President Buhari and 44
Mission to Nigeria has worked hard other leaders at the U.S.-Africa Leaders
to complement the efforts of Nigerian Summit in Washington D.C. – you can
officials and Nigeria’s lively news read about their meeting and more.
media. We also take a look at elections
Finally, I would like to note that this
in my country, the United States,
Mary Beth Leonard with a contribution from a Nigerian
is our first digital-only edition of the
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria magazine. Please be sure to subscribe
journalist who visited Washington, DC,
by joining our mailing list, and please
and Atlanta, Georgia, to observe our
give us feedback on your experience
Welcome to another edition of November 2022 midterm elections.
reading Crossroads virtually. We’d
Crossroads.
In other bilateral news, we are pleased really like to hear from you!
Elections are a critical part of the to share with you details about the
Please enjoy the read.
democratic process – they are our Smithsonian’s recent voluntary return
chance to choose the leaders who we of several Benin bronzes to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard
CROSSROADS
is published periodically by the
U.S. Mission in Nigeria
In This Issue... Vol. 26 No. 2
EDITORIAL TEAM
Adnan Siddiqi
African Beating
Counselor for Public Affairs
Joseph Kruzich Leaders Fake News
Public Affairs Officer, Lagos
Robert Gabor
Summit Pg 12
Pg 4
Press Attaché
Olaoluwa Aworinde
Editor & photographer Returning African
Benin Bronzes Leaders
Address all correspondence to:
The Editor, Crossroads Magazine
Summit
Pg 7 Pg 13
U.S. Embassy, Public Affairs Section
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive,
Central Business Area, Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: (09) 461-4000
Election Nigerian
or Reporting American
U.S. Consulate General, Workshops Reps
Public Affairs Section Pg 8 Pg 16
2, Walter Carington Crescent, Lagos
Tel.: +234-703-150-4867/2444
Women’s PEPFAR
E-mail: crossroads@state.gov Empowerment News
Website: ng.usembassy.gov
Pg 17
Follow @USinNigeria on: Pg 10
2 CROSSROADS | February 2023
Inclusive Elections
for All
With Nigeria in the midst of campaign season
and calls for greater inclusivity a recurrent
theme in the media, Abuja received a timely
visit on October 4-7 from President Biden’s
Special Advisor for International Disability
Rights Sara Minkara (SAIDR) and Acting
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy,
Human Rights, and Labor Lisa Peterson. The
two U.S. officials met with Nigerian government
officials, civil society organizations, Christian
and Muslim religious leaders, women activists,
and persons with disabilities. Both Minkara
(who is herself visually impaired) and Peterson
spoke of the need to not just take incremental
steps to accommodate individual disabilities, but
SAIDR Sara Minkara (fourth from left) and Acting Assistant Secretary
to go much further, focusing on inclusivity as an
Lisa Peterson (third from left) meet with Nigerian civil society groups
issue that impacts on everyone. advocating for greater inclusion for Persons with Disabilities
Sara Minkara, Lisa Peterson, and Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard
(second left) meet with Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Sara Minkara meets with the Senior Special Assistant to
Ngige to discuss employment issues faced by Persons with Disabilities President Buhari on Disabilities Matters, Dr. Samuel Ankeli
Lisa Peterson receives a token from Chairman of
the Independent National Electoral Commission Sara Minkara (third from left), Lisa Peterson (third from right), and other U.S. government
(INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu officials meet with Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu (center) and other INEC officials
Washington
President Joseph Biden hosted 45 U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth
African heads of state and the head Leonard noted that the summit helped
of the African Union in Washington, deepen U.S.-Nigeria bilateral ties on
Summit
D.C. for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit multiple levels. “We appreciated not
(U.S.-ALS) from December 13-15. The only the Nigerian government’s robust
historic summit expanded vital political, participation in the summit, but also
Deepens U.S.
economic, and strategic partnerships, as hearing the views of stakeholders in
well as people-to-people dialogue, based Nigeria’s promising future, including
on mutual interests and shared values independent voices from the private
Partnerships
in Africa. sector, civil society, young people,
women, and all those who are working
President Biden invited President to build a strong and inclusive
with African
Buhari, along with four other African democracy.”
leaders whose countries will hold
elections in 2023, to a discussion More broadly, the summit allowed the
Democracies
on the challenges of fostering U.S. government and the American
responsible and peaceful transfers people to publicly express their
of power. All participants reaffirmed profound interest in engaging with
their commitment to free, fair, and Africans on multiple levels. As
transparent elections conducted by Secretary of State Antony Blinken
By Robert Gabor competent, independent, and impartial noted during his trip to Nigeria in
U.S. Embassy Press Attaché national electoral bodies, as stipulated 2021, Africa’s demographic growth
in the African Charter on Democracy, and economic potential will shape not
Elections, and Governance. just the future of its people, it will also
shape the world.
President Buhari spoke inspiringly about
clean energy and regional security. For more information about U.S.
His public remarks reflected the spirit priorities in working with Nigeria and
of the Summit – the belief that robust other partners in Africa, I urge you all
U.S.-African partnerships are vital to to read the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-
improving health systems, creating Saharan Africa.
economic opportunity, addressing
the climate crisis, expanding energy https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-
access, revitalizing democracies, and content/uploads/2022/08/U.S.-Strategy-
strengthening the international order. Toward-Sub-Saharan-Africa-FINAL.pdf
4 CROSSROADS | February 2023
Tony Elumelu, Nigerian economist, philanthropist and
founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, delivers U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken
remarks at a reception for African innovators meet Leaders of African countries preparing for National elections
U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken participate in the U.S.-Africa
Summit Leaders Session on partnering on the African Union’s Agenda 2063 in Washington, D.C.
Secretary Blinken congratulates Innovation First Place Winner - U.S. President Joe Biden receives Nigerian
Healthbotics Limited of Nigeria at a reception for African innovators President Muhammadu Buhari in the Oval office
CROSSROADS | February 2023 5
POLITICAL
Promoting
The following are excerpts from a say they are. The second feature will
November 17, 2022 speech in Abuja by protect the integrity of the electronic
U.S. Embassy Political Counselor Rolf transmission of results from individual
Electoral
Olson, addressing distinguished alumni polling stations. This kind of photo
of the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship image-based system will help ensure
Program. that the announced results reflect the
actual results as recorded on voting
Integrity in
National elections are coming in results sheets.
Nigeria in a few weeks’ time. In my
country, we too have had recent But these legal and technical
elections, a mid-term election that developments alone cannot ensure a
Nigeria
resulted in a new Congress and at successful election. It is also essential
least eight Americans of Nigerian that candidates and their parties
descent getting elected to various state and supporters refrain from brash
government positions. predictions of victory that suggest
The Prospects and
defeat is only possible if there is fraud.
Let me preface my comments by stating There is no true democratic election in
one very important point: The United which the outcome is foretold.
the Challenges States does not support any individual
candidate or party in Nigeria’s election Before I became a diplomat I used
cycle (or for that matter, in any other to work in American politics in
upcoming election). Our interest is in Washington, and I have witnessed
supporting credible and transparent numerous elections in which a
elections that reflect the will of particular candidate seemed certain
Nigerian voters, in a process that is to win, based on some combination of
conducted peacefully. Full stop. various factors – a majority of voters
of the same party in the district, city,
It is appropriate to recognize how or state; polling data that appeared to
quickly and effectively Nigeria has show a very large, insurmountable lead
become a democracy. In just 23 years over the opponent; or the fact that the
since democracy was restored, Nigeria candidate was the incumbent, who
has successfully reached and passed had been elected to that same office,
several major milestones. For example, possibly several times. But in some
term limits at all levels of government cases, the very unexpected happens.
have become a routine part of Nigeria’s
governing structure, without any That is democracy. Candidates and
fuss or controversy. They help ensure parties that seek to run for public office
a fundamental characteristic of must accept one fundamental truth –
successful democracies: the regular losing is always possible. If you are not
rotation of power. willing to accept the possibility that you
might be defeated, then you should not
There are other reasons to be hopeful be running for office in the first place.
about the elections in February
and March. One is the enactment That is why we in the U.S. Embassy
earlier this year of the Electoral Act look to all Nigerians to reject the use
Amendment Law. We commend the of violence and inflammatory rhetoric
National Assembly for having passed before, during, and after election day.
it and President Buhari for having When we say “all” Nigerians we mean
signed it. As politicians and civil society all: politicians, candidates, students,
organizations across the spectrum have leaders of religious, traditional,
noted, this new law helps enshrine a community, youth, and business
number of important steps in ensuring organizations and entities – everyone
that elections in Nigeria genuinely has a role to play in this effort.
reflect the will of the people.
Ultimately the success of the 2023
Two features of Nigeria’s current elections will depend on people,
electoral system constitute significant especially the million-plus Nigerians
steps forward technologically. First who will be actively engaged in
is the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation facilitating or carrying out the
System, or “BVAS” which confirms that elections. We look forward to a
the individual standing at the polling successful, peaceful process that
unit attempting to vote is who they reflects the will of the Nigerian people.
6 CROSSROADS | February 2023
CULTURAL
American
Museums
Lead the Way
in Returning
Benin Bronzes
By Julia McKay
& Blessing Abbah
O
n October 11, 2022, the the Rhode Island School of Design. My and other West African nations reflect
Smithsonian Institution’s mutual agreement, nine of the bronzes the importance of the United States
National Museum of African whose ownership has been transferred taking the first step.
Art and the National Gallery to Nigeria will remain in Washington,
of Art hosted a historic event in D.C. on loan to the National Gallery of Looking ahead, the return of
Washington, D.C. which no doubt Art. these Benin Bronzes presents new
touched the hearts of millions not opportunities for Nigeria and the U.S.
only in Nigeria but across Africa The official transfer of ownership to collaborate on a deeper and broader
and the world. On that day, and in comes less than a year after level by encouraging public and private
the presence of dozens of Nigerian the January 2022 signing of a cultural institution partnerships and
and American officials, media, and Memorandum of Understanding further promoting joint exhibitions.
historic preservation stakeholders, between the Governments of Nigeria Such collaboration may include
the United States celebrated a signing and the United States in Abuja, which museum staff capacity-building, the
agreement that transferred ownership provides an umbrella for collaborative exchange of cultural materials for
of 29 Benin bronzes formerly with the efforts to take place in order to stem scientific, cultural, and educational
Smithsonian to the government and illegal or undocumented exports and purposes, and long-term loans of such
people of Nigeria. Just nine days later, protect Nigeria’s cultural property. materials to augment American and
on October 20, the agreement was While presenting the Benin bronzes international public awareness of
put into action as personnel from the on October 11, the Secretary of the Nigeria’s cultural traditions. Protecting,
National Commission for Museum and Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch said, “Not preserving and publicizing Africa’s rich
Monuments (NCMM) received crates only was returning ownership of these history, cultural diversity, and artistic
carrying a total of 22 Benin Bronzes at magnificent artifacts to their rightful achievements is a goal that resonates
Abuja airport, and we were thrilled to home the right thing to do, but it also with Americans from every age and
be on hand to capture the moment. demonstrates how we all benefit from background, and our Embassy is
cultural institutions making ethical committed to it.
Of the 22 priceless works of art that choices.”
have so far been shipped to Nigeria, 20 Julia McKay is the U.S. Mission Cultural
came from the Smithsonian’s National Recent decisions by other countries Affairs Officer and Blessing Abbah is a
Museum of African Art, one from the and museums to begin returning some Cultural Affairs Assistant. Both work of
National Gallery of Art, and one from artifacts in their possession to Nigeria the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
CROSSROADS | February 2023 7
ELECTION REPORTING
Ensuring Quality, Ethics and Entegrity
in Media Reporting By Aishah Gambari
Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard delivers Standing from left: Jeanne Clark, former Press Attaché, US Embassy, Abuja; Tony Akiotu, MD/CEO, DAAR
opening remarks and addresses participants Communications; David Mark, Editor, Washington Examiner and Lead Trainer; Mustapha Isa, President,
of the workshop in Abuja Nigeria Guild of Editors, Festus Okoye, National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, INEC
and other members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors at the training session in Abuja
Uncovering Good reporters know they exercise
huge responsibility when they cover
At a workshop opening ceremony at
the American Corner in Ibadan, U.S.
Truth, Reporters
elections and electoral processes. Consul General Will Stevens lauded
Getting the facts right is a duty to participants for being an integral part
society, and requires both integrity of a vibrant democracy and wanting
Are Integral
and training. To ensure greater to uncover truth, check abuse and
precision and accuracy in reporting, my demand transparency through their
colleagues and I in the Public Affairs reporting. He noted the need for
to a Vibrant
Section of U.S. Consulate Lagos were journalists to establish reliable fact-
delighted to organize workshops in four checking procedures that can verify the
southern cities recently in partnership authenticity of sources and photos, and
Democracy with the West Africa Broadcast and
Media Academy (WABMA).
that can identify online sites that are
untrustworthy.
By Adejumobi Adegbite Our training in Lagos, Ibadan, Port
Harcourt and Enugu had two key
components: a political journalism
“Practical training...
workshop focusing on writing for 100
reporters and political editors from
offered in this
radio, TV, newspapers, and online
media; and a second workshop for 50 workshop can help
photojournalists and video journalists
interested in innovative visual election- reduce the spread of
related storytelling.
misinformation”
8 CROSSROADS | February 2023
A s part of the U.S. Mission
Nigeria’s activities to
promote press freedom
and independence, I was
pleased to join our Embassy’s Press
Unit to help fund and organize capacity
United States Ambassador to Nigeria,
Mary Beth Leonard, and former U.S.
Embassy Press Attache Jeanne Clark
spoke to Town Hall participants and
urged them to counter propaganda
and disinformation through rigorous,
comparative analysis of the U.S. and
Nigerian elections and why journalists
have to remain objective in election
reporting.
Participants agreed that the Nigeria
building workshops recently for editors unbiased fact-checking. Ambassador Guild of Editors should set up a
in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Yola, Port Leonard noted: “Our hope is that this media monitoring platform to assess
Harcourt and Enugu. forum will lead to serve to further media reporting of the process. They
discussions on media literacy, building also agreed to create a forum for
The three-day event in each city for solutions, and contributing to a engagement with political party leaders
350 members of the Editors’ Guild democracy that is accountable to its and administrators, candidates, election
started with Town Hall meetings where people. Democracy’s greatest strength managers, security agencies, civil
stakeholders -- including labor unions, is its ability to improve upon and society leaders and the Nigerian public
pro-media rights organizations, senior reinvent itself. When citizens believe in for insights on their preparations and
lawyers, faith groups, students, and democracy, they will want to be a part to assess how processes to faithfully
civil society groups – traded ideas and of that system and will defend it.” report their activities are evolving.
concerns on how best to safeguard
democracy and ensure quality, ethics David Mark, a seasoned American Aishah Gambari is the Public Affairs
and integrity in media reporting. political journalist, was the lead trainer. Section Information Specialist of the U.S.
An editor with the Washington Embassy, Abuja
Examiner, Mr. Mark presented a
US Consul General,
Will Stevens and Joe “Practical training helps reduce the
Kruzich of the U.S. spread of misinformation in the
Consulate General, build-up to the upcoming election,” CG
Lagos with panelists Stevens said. He highlighted the U.S.
at the workshop government’s commitment to freedom
of the press, and to initiatives that
empower journalists with skills on
election reporting, noting journalists
play an indispensable role in ensuring
a free and fair democratic electoral
process.
For years, the U.S. Mission has
promoted programs and exchanges
for hundreds of Nigerian journalists
on topics ranging from fact checking,
ethics, and investigative reporting to
specialized coverage of health, defense
and national security issues. 2023 will
be no different.
Workshop Adejumobi Adegbite is the Public Affairs
participants during Section Information Assistant of the U.S.
the Lagos sessions Consulate General, Lagos
CROSSROADS | February 2023 9
FEATURE
Towards
Gender Parity
and Women’s
Empowerment By Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard
10 CROSSROADS | February 2023“ We will continue to support Persons with Disabilities
and other marginalized groups to participate
in the polity and in gov ernanc e.”
A
s the U.S. Ambassador to the Electoral Engagement for Democracy Against Persons Prohibition Act at
Federal Republic of Nigeria, a activities, tracks, documents, and the state level. With new guidelines
leader, and a woman, gender responds to incidents of violence and data, local non-governmental
equality and women’s empowerment against women in politics and during organizations and traditional
are causes that are near and dear to elections. The campaign also includes a institutions can help end harmful
me. They are also priorities for the U.S. component to strengthen the capacity norms and practices and institute
government at home and around the of women groups, advocating for referral linkages between communities,
world. laws and policies that provide better health facilities, and government
protection for women. parastatals. The localized work will be
Unfortunately, women’s participation by Nigerians, for Nigerians.
in politics remains far lower than it The U.S. Mission to Nigeria also
should be. Nigerian women and girls promotes an enabling environment Inclusivity applies equally to those
often face greater barriers in politics, for women’s economic success, and we who are disabled. We will continue
peace building, and governance. They address structural and social challenges to support Persons with Disabilities
may be reluctant to speak up, or they that hold women back, empowering (PWDs) and other marginalized
are quickly shut down when they do women through programs that leverage groups to participate in government
raise their voices. The result is that their skills and realize their full and governance. Unfortunately,
their viewpoints are often not reflected potential. Across the world, nations many PWDs are often ignored or
in important decision making. The that have gender parity achieve greater excluded from social, economic, and
United States is not immune to this. economic and developmental growth, political affairs. We strongly support
and have higher rates of literacy than the Discrimination Against Persons
Nigeria’s representation of women nations that do not empower women. with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act
in state and national government Fundamentally, we see it as our duty which President Buhari signed into
stands at only 4.5 percent in elective – and the world’s duty – to seek a law on January 23, 2019. Through its
office at the state and national level just and equitable society – one that Sustaining Electoral Engagement for
according to the Women Trust Fund. ensures women and girls have real Democracy (SEED) activities, USAID
The 2023 elections are a key turning opportunities to not just participate, but supported the Access Nigeria campaign,
point for women to vote, run for office, also to lead. which advocates for the inclusion of
join a campaign or serve in the next PWDs in Nigeria’s electoral process.
administration. This campaign season As Nigeria pursues a more inclusive
presents an opportunity to demand political landscape, my U.S. Mission, There is hope ahead as we await the
that candidates prioritize policies through USAID programs, is equalizing results of the Nigerian Presidential
and legislation that benefit everyone, access to health care, agriculture, Elections. We share the same goals as
including women and girls. education, economic empowerment, the Government of Nigeria’s strategy
political participation, and to support women, and the U.S. will
One of the reasons why women peacebuilding. USAID is strengthening continue to focus on women’s economic
may not choose to run for office is multi-sectoral partnerships and empowerment and greater income
the fear of violence. During the Kogi collaborating with the Ministry of equality among genders. Human-
gubernatorial elections in 2019, for Women Affairs, the Ministry of centered policies boost productivity
example, an opposition party woman Health, and the Primary Health and can bring real change to the lives
leader was burnt alive in her house. Care Development Agency to help of women. The U.S. government will
To mitigate the dangers faced by implement gender-based policies and continue to strongly support Nigeria’s
women candidates, the U.S. Agency for regulations. economic prosperity and well-being,
International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Nigerian
is supporting a campaign called “Stop Legal reforms will be a key step. We government, businesses, and civil
Violence Against Women in Politics.” look forward to the implementation of society.
The campaign, part of our Sustaining the Child Rights Act and the Violence
CROSSROADS | February 2023 11ELECTION REPORTING
Overcoming Election-Related
&
Di
Disinfo on
rmati
By Robert Gabor
The following are excerpts from a also enables and allows online Editors by inviting U.S. media experts
September 6, 2022 speech that U.S. and traditional media to advance and facilitating town hall meetings and
Embassy Press Attaché Robert Gabor erroneous news, disinformation and workshops in six cities -- Lagos, Kano,
delivered at a Nigerian Fact-Checkers misinformation. Yola, Abuja, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.
Coalition Conference on “Curbing We also engaged with journalists,
Information Disorder.” President Biden spoke about this content creators, and activists from
challenge in his January 2021 Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Zamfara and
The United States and Nigeria are inaugural address to the American Katsina on how to identify, investigate,
both large and diverse democracies, people, warning: “There is truth and and report misinformation.
with open media debate and active there are lies. Lies told for power
public participation in all aspects of
civic life. Thus, it is not surprising
and for profit. And each of us has a
duty and responsibility, as citizens, as
“each of us
that our countries face common
challenges, including the challenge that
Americans, and especially as leaders […] has a duty and
to defend the truth and to defeat the
disinformation and misinformation lies.” responsibility... to
pose to our institutions and public
discourse. Modern communications While President Biden was referring in defend the truth
technology networks
people together,
his speech to recent events in American
politics, all citizens of democracies,
and to defeat the
but that same
technology
including Nigerians, have the duty
and responsibility to promote truth in
lies.”
reporting. Nigeria’s wide-open media While some cynics claim we live in a
environment, the upcoming national “post-fact world,” research and practice
election, and its growing security demonstrate that this is a myth.
concerns have created, unfortunately, Several large studies by universities
fertile ground for the spread of across the world have found that, when
disinformation. misled audiences are provided with
facts that correct the record, those
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is same audiences have, more often than
supporting Nigerian efforts to address not, changed their views. The take-
this challenge in the lead up to the away from such studies is that, while
2023 elections. We collaborated with people like to feel they are right, they
the West Africa Broadcast and Media do not like to be manipulated – they
Academy and the Enugu literacy want the truth. You, the members of
Society to launch “Project Fact Check the Nigerian Fact-Checkers Coalition,
Nigeria,” to train more than 170 radio are committed to that end. We
hosts, producers, and reporters on fact- commend your work and look forward
checking. Over a six-month span, we to further collaboration with you in the
also partnered with the Nigeria Guild of future.
12 CROSSROADS | February 2023The 2022 U.S.
Mid-Term Elections:
The Lessons
For Nigeria
n By Alex Ogbodo
The recent mid-term elections in
tough hurdles they faced during the
process out of which they just emerged.
Alex Ogbodo of Dream FM Enugu speaks with Nick Jacobs,
Information Officer, Washington DC Board of Elections
Politicians being able to campaign on
Election Day is also very exciting, as
this might afford candidates a last-
November 2022 offered American A second lesson learned was that minute opportunity to sway undecided
voters another opportunity to choose campaigns are issue-based. The voters. But here in Nigeria it is against
their elected officials for the U.S. American electorate always looks the law, as campaigns must cease 24
Senate, House of Representatives, out for candidates who are talking hours before polling opens. It will be
governorships, and city and district about their needs and concerns, like interesting to see if Nigeria will ever
elections. the economy, inflation, jobs, abortion consider Election Day campaigning.
rights etc. Even though candidates can
For someone like me who benefited lose elections for other reasons, most The early voting process and the
from a firsthand feel and on-the- win or lose depending on where they mail-in votes system are innovative,
ground view of the way Americans stand on certain issues and if they are showcasing the efficiency of the
prosecute their elections, I deduced a consistent. American postal system. The ease of
number of lessons from the process. voting early brings to the fore how the
A third thing I noticed is that process is structured to audit itself.
U.S. politicians campaign as though U.S. former presidents are not
their lives depend on it. Even before apolitical. It was fascinating to see Having personally seen firsthand
candidates emerge as nominees from former presidents Clinton, Obama the intricate but efficient American
their own political party, they go and Trump campaigning for their electoral system, I think Nigeria could
through a grueling debating process. party’s candidates. In Nigeria former be the biggest winner if it considers the
The candidates I interviewed from presidents appear to be apolitical for potential gains that can be made.
Washington DC to Maryland to reasons that may be political. Their
Georgia all showed how ready they all seeming indifference to the platforms Alex Ogbodo is Head of News and Lead
were for political office because of the that made them presidents is less than Political Anchor, Dream FM Enugu
way they managed and overcame the gratifying.
Alex Ogbodo and Clement Ohenzuwa of AIT interview report
from Montgomery County, Maryland at the early voting center Alex reporting from Fulton County, Georgia during an election press briefing
CROSSROADS | February 2023 13HEALTH
Strengthening Nigeria’s Public
Health Emergency Preparedness
and Response By Halilu Usman and
Victoria Carter
U.S. Consul General Will Stevens and U.S. CDC Country Director Dr. Mary Boyd with PHEM PC graduates in September 2022
A
s COVID-19 continues to impact In response to the growing need for U.S. Consul General Will Stevens said
communities across the country, trained public health response staff, “The U.S. Government is committed to
Nigerians also face ongoing the CDC team collaborated with the promoting the health and wellbeing
threats to public health posed by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to of Nigerians through initiatives and
diseases like mpox, Ebola, and cholera. host Nigeria’s second Public Health training that increase disease prevention,
Effective public health emergency Emergency Management Professional detection, and response.” He underscored
preparedness and response are critical Certification Program (PHEM PC) in the U.S. Government’s prioritization of
to protecting the country’s well-being Lagos in September 2022. PHEM public health emergency management
and future. PC is part of the U.S. Government’s as Nigeria works towards Global
support for pandemic preparedness Health Security Agenda 2024 goals
“The devastating impact of the in Nigeria and around the world. It and strengthens emergency response,
COVID-19 pandemic illustrates now provides emergency managers, incident workforce development, disease
more than ever the importance of managers, state epidemiologists, first surveillance, and laboratory capacity.
ensuring public health systems can responders, watch managers, and other
adequately detect, prevent, respond to, public health experts with specialized With each graduating class, PHEM PC
and recover from health emergencies, training in public health emergency helps build workforce capacity across
particularly those whose scale, timing, management and operations and builds Nigeria, thereby preventing illness and
or unpredictability threatens to skills in crisis and emergency risk saving lives.
overwhelm routine capabilities” said Dr. communication.
Mary Boyd, the U.S. Centers for Disease Halilu Usman and Victoria Carter are the
Control and Prevention (CDC) Nigeria Speaking to the 25 state epidemiologists CDC Nigeria Communication Specialist and
Country Director. graduating from the two-week, Senior Advisor for Policy, Partnerships, and
intermediate level certificate program, Communication respectively.
14 CROSSROADS | February 2023EXCHANGES
Alumni Seminar Examines How
Youth Can Defend Democracy
By Timi Olagunju
2015 MWF alumnus Timi Olagunju
representing Nigeria at the Alumni
Thematic International Exchange
Seminars (Alumni TIES) last November
N
ovember 13, 2022 was a rights space, and how it intersects The AlumniTIES seminar featured
memorable day for me. That with my earlier attempt to run for a sessions on digital democracy,
day, I arrived in Philadelphia, Federal House of Representative seat especially how technological advances
Pennsylvania, along with several in Ibadan North in the 2019 elections. combine with underlying social,
other Mandela Washington Fellowship The sharing of experiences during economic, and political conditions to
alumni from Africa, to attend a very this panel also helped me envision produce new platforms for democratic
timely #AlumniTIES event entitled additional programmatic ideas for the engagement. I was struck by Stanford
‘Youth and Opportunity: Defending Youth in Motion Fellowship which I University’s projects and the plethora
Democracy and Advancing Human oversee to help young activists begin of evidence-based research that relates
Rights.” to play a role in policy-influencing and to decoding digital democracy in Africa.
governance across Africa.
During the Program, there was a Our seminar included exchange alumni
session on Defending Democracy I enjoyed interacting with Andrew from 43 countries. I was impressed by
Together, and our collective capacity Goretsky of the Anti-Defamation the satiric and impactful work of Adil
to, first, identify gaps in democracy League of Philadelphia who spoke Zakenov, founder of ‘Le Shapalaque
and then, to find country-specific about his life-long work tracking Comics.’ He uses simple cartoons and
ways to fill those gaps by leveraging and tackling disinformation, animation to drive citizen-focused
partnerships. Our group discussed how misinformation, hate speech and messages on democratic events and
young people can engage in governance rhetoric. I found the League’s work culture in Kazakhstan. I enjoyed
and participate in the political and extremely useful, as we need similar interacting with him and with all the
decision-making processes. This session tools and strategies for tackling international alumni who attended.
was very instructive for me, as it spoke disinformation and misinformation as
to my work in the civic and human Nigeria’s election draws near.
CROSSROADS | February 2023 15Nigerian -Americans R E P R E S E N T I N G
By Ola Aworinde. Editor, Crossroads
It is not uncommon to hear the saying
“Anywhere you go, you’re bound to
find a Nigerian” and there are few
places where this is more true than
in the United States. These eight State
Representatives were voted into office
in the mid-term elections of November
Gabe Okoye Segun Adeyina
8, 2022, across three states and they
all have one thing in common... Their
proud Nigerian heritage.
Gabe Okoye was elected as a Georgia Segun Adeyina was elected as a Georgia
State Representative under the platform State Representative under the platform
of the Democratic Party. of the Democratic Party.
Carol Kazeem
Oye Owolewa Solomon Adesanya
Carol Kazeem was elected as a
Pennsylvania State Representative Oye Owolewa was elected as the Solomon Adesanya was elected as a
under the platform of the Democratic shadow representative of the United Georgia State Representative under the
Party. States House of Representatives from platform of the Democratic Party.
the District of Columbia. As a shadow
congressperson, Owolewa is tasked with
lobbying for D.C. statehood.
Esther Agbaje Tish Naghise
Phil Olaleye
Esther Agbaje was re-elected as a Tish Naghise was elected as a Georgia
Minnesota State Representative under State Representative under the platform
the platform of the Democratic Party. of the Democratic Party.
Phil Olaleye was elected as a Georgia
State Representative under the platform
of the Democratic Party.
16 CROSSROADS | February 2023PEPFAR NEWS
PEPFAR News
Cynthias
’ Story From Thoughts of Suicide to
Helping Other Mothers with HIV
Describing her success in persuading
HIV-positive mothers to take life-
saving, antiretroviral drugs, Cynthia
notes, “I have become a major source of
support for them. We meet and share
our fears and I listen. They open up to
By Naomi Oboyi and Dr. Yusuf Ahmed
me about their fears, things that they
C
can’t tell their own family members.
ynthia Uche Goyko is a 37-year- child who turned They trust me and I always listen to
old Preventing Mother To Child out to be HIV-free. them and provide support, the same
Transmission (PMTCT) Mentor Recalling that day way counselors helped me out during
Mother in Nigeria who first learned of 13 years ago, she my suicide attempt. I tell them I have
her HIV status in 2009 while receiving says: “When we three kids, and all of them are HIV-
antenatal care for her first pregnancy carried out the free. I sometimes show them pictures
at a private clinic. test for my of my kids so they can see how
healthy they look. From there, they
Narrating her ordeal, Cynthia revealed get encouraged to start taking their
that knowing her HIV status led her drugs.”
into depression, and she almost took
her life. She said, “I just wanted to Reflecting on how she has benefitted
abort the pregnancy and end it all - I from her job, Cynthia notes, “I was
tried committing suicide.” After much so grateful for this opportunity.
persuasion from her husband and the Being a mentor-mother has really
doctor over the course of five days, she improved my livelihood, I get paid
finally agreed to visit a facility where every month, I have attended several
she could access quality HIV care, the training programs, I can even provide
Defence Headquarters Medical Centre HIV Testing Services. I have attended
in Abuja. This marked a turning point PMTCT trainings, I have been trained
Cynthia
in Cynthia’s life. Uche Goyko in HTS counseling, I have even
been trained in EID (Early Infant
At the facility, she was directed to Diagnosis) testing which I had no plan
the PMTCT Section, where she met baby and it came out negative, I was so
happy. That was the happiest day of my of doing before. I have done so many
dedicated counselors who provided other trainings and they have greatly
compassionate care and support. life.”
improved my life and my career.”
Cynthia noted, “Apart from the
Fast forward to the present, and
treatment, they talked to me and This 37-year-old woman is one of the
Cynthia is now a proud mother of three
counseled me on what I can do many Nigerian mothers who have
HIV-free children and has also become
concerning my baby, how I’ll be benefitted from the PMTCT program
a PMTCT Mentor Mother who counsels
taking my drugs, how my baby will and its focus on helping women
other HIV mothers. She shares her
be protected. At first, I was so afraid, who are medically ill-informed, and
own initial ordeal and ultimately
even when I visit the facility to get feel somewhat confused and adrift.
positive experience as a teaching and
my antiretroviral drugs, I’ll always be After visiting the clinic, they emerge
counseling tool.
afraid of people seeing me and what more motivated, self-confident, and
they would say. When the counselor determined to live their best lives.
On why she chose in 2017 to become
heard of my suicide attempts, she took a Mentor Mother, Cynthia says, “Most
her time to always visit me. She was Naomi Oboyi is the Communications
people were still trying to hide and
very helpful and supportive.” Specialist for the Walter Reed Program-
cover themselves, but I reminded
myself that this program has really Nigeria while Dr. Yusuf Ahmed is the
Cynthia recovered from her depression Prevention Team Lead for the Walter
helped me, I can also help other people
and went on to give birth to her first Reed Program-Nigeria
instead of hiding.”
PEPFAR or the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is the largest effort by any nation to combat a single disease. Since inception in
2014, PEPFAR has prevented millions of Nigerians from being infected by HIV and dying from AIDS. PEPFAR has also helped to mitigate the
impact of HIV/AIDS for vulnerable households and children, who, due to their socio-economic circumstances are at greater risk of HIV infection.
Areas of support include, food and nutrition, protection, health, psychosocial, caregivers’ practices, education and livelihood
CROSSROADS assistance
| February 2023among
17
others. In 2018 alone, more than 1.2 million orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria received care and support services under PEPFAR.PEPFAR Nigeria World AIDS Day 2022
Progress Card
2022 Putting Ourselves load. All these achievements are
possible due to the strong partnership
to the Test:
among stakeholders, the engagement
An HIV Timeline of civil society and the continuous
Achieving Equity
involvement of beneficiaries.
June 13, 2022 The theme for this year’s World Aids
Amb. Dr. John N. Nkengasong was to End HIV by Delmy Vasquez
Day, “Putting Ourselves to the Test:
Achieving Equity to End HIV”, should
officially sworn in as U.S. Global be our guide as we move forward in
AIDS Coordinator December 1, 2022 marked another this fight, putting our true effort into
and Special year of the ongoing fight against the achieving the common goal of ending
HIV/AIDs epidemic. Governments, HIV/AIDS as a global health threat by
Representative private institutions, civil society, and 2030.
for Health individuals around the world continue
Diplomacy to devote enormous time, effort and Achieving 95-95-95, not leaving
(S/GAC). resources to provide those with HIV/ anyone behind and ensuring that
AIDS access to treatment and care, as marginalized and disadvantaged
well as comprehensive access to HIV individuals have access to HIV testing
September 22, 2022 prevention. The U.S. Government, and diagnosis opportunities are all
through PEPFAR and during critical components of the effort.
Amb. Dr. John N. Nkengasong nearly two decades of bipartisan PEPFAR’s work through its partners
shared five strategic pillars and Congressional support, has invested and beneficiaries provides a platform
three enablers for reimagining millions of dollars in the global HIV/
AIDS fight. The total U.S. commitment
to erase barriers to quality HIV service
access, fight against stigma and
PEPFAR to the global AIDS response has discrimination, gender-based violence,
reached over $100 billion, the largest harmful policies, and discriminatory
November 2, 2022 by any nation to address a single legislation that further marginalize
disease in history. individuals – including the LGBTQI+
National HIV Alignment 2.0 was community, people who use drugs, sex
launched, as a continuation of In Nigeria, PEPFAR has disbursed over workers, racial and ethnic minorities,
Alignment 1.0; a commitment $7 billion dollars’ worth of assistance and women and girls – and threaten
among Nigeria government, since 2004, and our efforts have the human rights and dignity of all.
yielded tangible results. The number
PEPFAR Nigeria, Global Fund and of newly infected adults and children As current U.S. Global AIDS
key players to unify resources went down, for example, from over Coordinator and PEPFAR chief Dr.
and work, push for government 200,000 annually in the mid-1990’s John Nkengasong sums up: “We
ownership and sustainability. to 110,000 in 2019 to 74,000 in 2021. cannot be defeated by the HIV
Out of 1.9 million people living with pandemic, we have to win this,
HIV, 90% are currently receiving we’ve invested so much, and we are
Antiretroviral Treatment (ART). beginning to project our eyes and to
5-Year Strategy look at 2030.“
This year, we celebrate Nigeria’s
On December 1, 2022, PEPFAR exceptional progress. Proving to Delmy Vasquez is an Administrative
released its five-year strategy to be a regional leader in HIV/AIDS Assistant with PEPFAR Nigeria
guide the United States’ contribution programming,
to the United Nations Sustainable Nigeria today is
Development Goal of ending the global on the cusp of HIV
AIDS pandemic as a public health epidemic control
threat by 2030. Its guide, Fulfilling and is approaching
America’s Promise to End the HIV/ the global “95-95-95”
AIDS Pandemic by 2030, focuses on goals: 95% of people
five strategic pillars: support health with HIV know their
equity for priority populations, HIV status, 95% of
sustaining the response, public health those with diagnosed
systems and security, transformative HIV infection are
partnerships, and following the accessing ART,
science; and is steered by three and 95% of those
enablers: community leadership, receiving ART U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission, David Greene takes
innovation and leading with data. have achieved an part in World AIDS Day 2022 activities in Abuja
undetectable viralAmerican Spaces
American Spaces provide access to general, substantive,
accurate and free information about the United States to
interested parties. Materials in the American Corners cover
American Centers
a wide range of subjects pertaining to the United States, For all inquiries:
such as government policy, educational institutions, and ABUJA
American society and culture. Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy
Free, open access is provided to all materials. Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive Central District Area, Abuja, Nigeria
Telephone: 09-461-4000 Fax: 09-461-4011
Presently there are 19 American Spaces in Nigeria. 2 E-Mail: ircabuja@state.gov
American Centers are located at the Embassy, Abuja and
LAGOS
Consulate General, Lagos respectively, 10 American Spaces Public Affairs Section, U.S. Consulate General
and 7 Windows on America spread across the country. Visit 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria
us at one of the following Spaces to learn more! Telephone: 01-460-3400 Fax: 01-261-2218
E-mail: wyllagos@state.gov
To register as a member, please visit:
American Corners http://bit.ly/acregistration
ABUJA LAGOS
The City Library
FCT Education Resource Victoria Island Windows On America
Centre 29, Gafar Animashaun Street
No. 2 Gwani Street (off Ajose Adeogun St.) Abeokuta Window on Lekki Window on America
Wuse Zone 4, Abuja Victoria Island, Lagos America Slum2School Innovation
Youth Development Centre Hub, Plot 13
BAUCHI Ikeja Olusegun Obasanjo Babatope Bejide Crescent,
Professor Iya Abubakar Venture Garden Group Presidential Library Off Fola Osibo
Community Resource Center Compound, (Former Concord Presidential Boulevard, Lekki phase 1, Lagos State
C/o Bauchi State Library Press, Near Toll Gate), Abeokuta, Ogun State
Complex 42 Local Airport Road, Ikeja, Osogbo Window on
Abdulkadir Ahmed Road Lagos Awka Window on America America
GRA, Bauchi Center for Migration Studies Osun State University
MAIDUGURI Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital
CALABAR University of Maiduguri Awka, Anambra State Idi-seke, Osogbo, Osun State
Cross River State IT Village Library, PMB 1069
37 Ekpo Archibong Road Maiduguri Benin City Window on Uyo Window on America
Calabar America University Library,
PORT HARCOURT Igbinedion University, University of Uyo,
IBADAN Donald E. U. Ekong Library Okada Permanent Site, Nwaniba
Library and Resource Center, University of Port Harcourt Glass House, No. 102 Road
Leventis Building Port Harcourt Airport Road Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
54, Magazine Road Benin City, Edo State
For even more info,
Jericho, Ibadan SOKOTO scan using your
Usmanu Danfodiyo Enugu Window on America phone camera
KANO University City Campus 19A Nnamdi Azikiwe Drive
Kano State Library Board Sultan Abubarka Road University of Nigeria Enugu
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