By Martin Paul
Abuja
The American University of Nigeria president and members of the Adamawa Peace Initiative (API) met with members of the U.S. Congress and government officials to discuss the precarious situation in Nigeria’s northeast.
A statement by the office of Communications & Public Relations, stated the delegation was in Washington, DC last week at the invitation of members of the House of Representatives Black Caucus, including Sheila Jackson Lee, Karen Bass and Frederica Wilson. University and API officials also met with Congressman Steve Chabot.
The University’s President Margee Ensign said that while members of Congress were aware of the Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists, there was less awareness about the immediate and long-term humanitarian and other needs of the region, especially, food security.
“We came to Washington to share the story of people who have suffered a lot and will need help from the international community to rebuild their lives,” Ensign said.
“The people we met are very interested in the model and the programs we’ve developed to feed displaced people, promote food security, prevent young people from joining radical groups, and educating out of school children.”
Congresswoman, Bass, welcomed the group telling them that one of the main reasons she serves in Congress was to help Africa, especially Nigeria, thrive.
An official, representing the main U.S. development assistance agency said his agency was especially pleased with the support provided to a university pilot programme that taught reading and writing to more than 20,000 out-of-school children using tablet computers and radio broadcasts.
The U.S. government has so far provided more humanitarian assistance to Nigeria than any other country.
