US awards Public Diplomacy grant to Nigerians

US awards Public Diplomacy grant to Nigerians

by Prisca Sam-Duru

US Consulate General, Lagos has awarded a United States public diplomacy grant in 2016, to a 23 Nigerian recipients.

U.S. Consul General F. John Bray who gave out the awards yesterday at the Consulate, Lagos, disclosed that the grant was given because the recipients are working to solve hugely important problems for their communities in southern Nigeria.

He said, “Our 23 small grant recipients have been through a very competitive selection process. With mentors from the U.S. Consulate, these outstanding young women and men design and work on projects that improve the health, economic empowerment, education, and good governance of their communities.”

Finally, we are also recognizing a unique award to the Co-Creation Hub. The Co-Creation Hub is a partner of the U.S. Mission to Nigeria to set up and operate a new Priority American Space at their business incubation facility in Yaba, Lagos.

This Priority American Space will, when ready, be a publicly accessible space for Nigerians to access a broad range of information and materials about the United States and our culture, take part in English language learning, learn about opportunities to study in the United States, and especially to participate in programs on technology and entrepreneurship.

All told – taking our small grants, CYFI Fellowship program, and Priority American Space awards together – the United States Consulate General in Lagos has awarded approximately 381,220 U.S. dollars in Department of State funds to thirty recipients in 2016.

Finally, let me note that, by making these awards, we seek to increase the capacity of non-governmental organizations and individuals to strengthen communities – bringing more opportunity to more Nigerians through creative projects that have lasting benefits in society.”

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