Three Nigerians, 117 other Africans to meet Obama

Written by The Punch Thursday, 29 July 2010

Three Nigerians and 117 other African youths have been selected to participate in the 2010 President Barrack Obama’s forum with young African leaders in Washington DC, United States of America.

Public Diplomacy Officer in the US Embassy, Mr. Edwin Flynn, disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Also, an American-based Nigerian news agency, Empowered Newswire, quoted the Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Prof. Ade Adefuye, as confirming the first ever town hall meeting between Obama and the young Africans.

The Nigerian delegates are Mr. Taiwo Awole, Ms. Ruth Audu and Mr. Bako Kantiok, all representing various civil society organisations.

Flynn said the event slated for August 3 - 5, would provide a platform for discussion on youth empowerment, good governance and economic opportunities for participants from more than 40 sub-Saharan African countries.

He said that Obama would also host a town hall meeting in the White House with the young leaders to discuss their vision for transforming their societies over the next 50 years.

“In addition to the town hall meeting, small group discussions on transparency and accountability, job creation and entrepreneurship and rights to advocacy would be addressed,” Flynn said.

According to him, the participants will also have an opportunity to meet with grass roots service organisations to share experiences and strategies.

In their remarks, the delegates said that they envisioned Nigeria in the next 50 years as a nation that would encourage youth participation in governance, and also create job opportunities and wealth for its youths.

Audu, the only female participant, said that she would impart to other youths the ideas and strategies learnt from the forum, as well as engage “like minds” in the issue of change and good governace.

NAN reports that a follow-up to the forum, featuring live broadcast speeches by American leaders, would hold simultaneously at different locations across Africa in 2011.