The United States Mission in Nigeria says it is committed to engaging Nigerian youth.
This is as it expressed delight over the opening of Awka’s “Window on America” at at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, a first in Anambra.
According to the Mission, the window will be a center for information and programming to engage, educate, and empower.
Speaking during the official launching of the study centre, the United States Consulate’s Public Affairs Officer, Mr Stephen Ibelli, said the programme aimed at connecting the students to self-help opportunities in America.
He explains that “Windows on America are free spaces that offer services to students to learn about how to study in the United States, as well as how to apply for scholarships to study abroad with the provision of free libraries, job creation, online courses and training on resume writing, jobs and interview skills among other benefits”.
According to Mr Ibelli, the hubs would be launched in Awka, Enugu and Benin City, with the Anambra hub designated at the Postgraduate Studies Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State.
He added that they would also launch the Morehouse College extension at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.
Mr Ibelli, who described Nigerians as one of the most dominant immigrant groups in the US, with thirteen thousand Nigerians studying in the US each year, said that both nations shared diverse cultural uniqueness.
On opportunities for Nigerians, especially students, in the United States, the United States’ Consulate Public Affairs Officer said that “the country offers a lot of opportunities for Nigerians, who wish to live or pursue their education abroad, with information available on Ng.usembassy.gov or Travel.state.gov.”
He also directed interested applicants to visit “Opportunity Funds” for scholarship opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between the American Embassy and the University, was signed in July 2020.
He added that the materialisation of the “Awka Window On America Was an eloquent testament of the mutual uncommon commitment from both the University and the Consulate-General, and by extension the United States Mission in Nigeria to forge an enduring collaboration between both parties.”
The Embassy is also training selected journalists on Peace Journalism in Awka
