US embassy cable - 02ABUJA601

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000601 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
INFO NSC WASHDC 
AID WASHDC 
ECOWAS COLLECTIVE 
 
 
STATE FOR AF/W AND AF/RA 
NSC FOR FRASER 
AFR/SD/EDDI  FOR DR. SARAH MOTEN 
AFR/DAA FOR KEITH BROWN 
 
 
E.O. 12958 :  N/A 
TAGS: EAID, SCUL, KDEM, NI 
SUBJECT:  NIGERIA: INAUGURAL CEREMONY FOR EDDI 
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER IN ABUJA 
 
 
1. A highly successful inaugural ceremony for 
the first of six EDDI Community Resource Centers 
CRC) was held on Tuesday, February 19, at the 
National Center for Women's Development in Abuja. 
Ambassador Jeter gave the opening address, in which 
he explained the genesis of the Community Resource 
Center Initiative and our hope for what it will 
mean for Nigeria's future information technology 
development, distance learning, and greater 
opportunities for the physically challenged. 
The Director General of the National Center for 
Women Development welcomed the gathering of over 
two hundred guests. 
 
 
2. President Obasanjo's keynote address was delivered 
by the Minister of Science and Technology, 
Professor Turner Isoun.  Professor Isoun noted the 
President's gratitude for this assistance to 
Nigeria and for the sizeable stake EDDI has devoted 
to Nigeria. He called the decision to name the 
center after Chief Justice Ige "highly thoughtful, 
visionary and commendable." The First Lady, Stella 
Obasanjo, who attended as the special guest of 
honor, welcomed the initiative.  Dr. Sarah Moten, 
EDDI Coordinator, spoke about EDDI activities in 
Nigeria and said that this outreach represented our 
belief in being inclusive and engaging all segments 
of Nigerian society. Dr. Moten also noted that 
Nigeria is blessed with tremendous opportunities 
and that the U.S. is prepared to help ensure a 
strong, united and vibrant Nigeria. 
 
 
3. Following the program, the officials present 
presided at a ribbon-cutting and commissioning 
ceremony at the entrance of the Community Resource 
Center.  The Center is named the Chief Bola Ige 
Information Technology Center, in honor of the 
contributions to law, education and development of 
the late Minister for Justice, who was assassinated 
on December 23, 2001.  The ribbon-cutters were the 
First Lady, Professor Isoun as the President's 
representative, Ambassador Jeter, Dr. Sarah Moten, 
and Ige's widow, Justice Atinuke Ige. 
 
 
4. This group was then led on a special tour of the 
facility, which includes a specially equipped room 
for the physically challenged.  In tribute to the 
First Lady's work on behalf of these disadvantaged 
persons,the room is being called "The Stella 
Obasanjo Enabling Technologies Room".  The First 
Lady was visibly moved by the gesture and impressed 
by the fact that persons with disabilities, 
including one who was severely vision impaired, 
were actually using the equipment. 
 
 
5. Other services demonstrated included independent 
computer learning, classroom computer instruction, 
Internet use, and video-conferencing.  As part of 
the program, a special video conferencing session 
was arranged between the Minister of Education and 
Minister of Science and Technology and the 
President and academic leaders of North Carolina 
Central University. 
 
 
6. The CRC opening received highly favorable media 
coverage.  The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) 
broadcast a 30-minute documentary on the 
commissioning of the center on Wednesday, February 
20.  The station also carried a three-minute report 
of the event in each of the three segments of its 
news broadcasts.  Minaj Broadcasting International 
(MBI) carried a two-minute report on the center, 
saying "The United States of America has taken the 
initiative in honoring Nigeria's former Justice 
Minister and Attorney General, the late Chief Bola 
Ige." Most of Nigeria's major dailies and radio 
stations also reported on the inauguration. 
 
 
7. The Ambassador wrote to several members of Congress 
and Department officials informing them of the 
planned opening of the CRC. JC Watts of Oklahoma, 
John Lewis of Georgia and William Jefferson of 
Louisiana - sent letters of congratulations to the 
Embassy for the launch of the first CRC, and 
offered strong support for EDDI programs in 
Nigeria. 
 
 
JETER