May 12Perspective and Access — My fellowship ExperienceBy Ebere Okonkwo Since the end of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, some words stand out for me: First, PERSPECTIVE. The fellowship played a vital role in reshaping my thought processes and ideals. My perspectives and the lenses with which I view life, in general, have become clearer and less biased. …Yali3 min readYali3 min read
May 5World IP Day 2023: From a Shy Stammering Singer to an IP Expert.by Juliana Owajimam Oboh-Joseph Growing up, I was an incredibly shy girl due to my stammering. The only thing I knew I was good at was singing, and I thought that was all I would do when I grew up. After law school, I signed a music contract as a jazz singer that didn’t…Intellectual Property3 min readIntellectual Property3 min read
Jan 18Promoting Social Change Through the Arts: My IVLP ExperienceBy Osaze Efe Being selected to be part of the 2022 International Visitors Leadership Program on promoting social change through arts is an opportunity I will always be grateful for, as it marks a high point in my career. The program afforded me the rare chance to sit in the…Art3 min readArt3 min read
Nov 30, 2022Cynthia’s Story: From Suicide Attempts to Becoming a PMTCT Mentor MotherCynthia Uche Goyko is a 37-year-old Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Mentor Mother who first learned of her HIV status in 2009 while receiving antenatal care for her first pregnancy at a private clinic. Narrating her ordeal, Cynthia revealed that knowing her HIV status led her into depression, and she…Born Hiv Free4 min readBorn Hiv Free4 min read
Dec 23, 2021An Unforgettable 2021Op-ed by Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard — As we prepare to transition to 2022, we are grateful for the friendships, strengthened partnerships, and progress accomplished toward U.S. and Nigerian goals this past year. On behalf of the entire U.S. Mission, I extend our warmest wishes for a healthy, peaceful, and joyous holiday season. At the outset of…Usinnigeria5 min readUsinnigeria5 min read
Apr 25, 2021Eliminating Malaria in Nigeria:Five ways the USAID’s ‘President’s Malaria Initiative for States’ is Making a Difference An estimated 76 percent of Nigeria’s population are at risk of malaria by living in high transmission areas. Nigeria accounts for 27 percent of malaria cases worldwide and the highest number of deaths (24 percent) due to malaria in 2019 (World Malaria Report, 2020). The U.S. President's Malaria Initiative for…Malaria5 min readMalaria5 min read
Dec 23, 2020Looking Back on 2020 with a Sense of Optimism Toward 2021By Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard I was proud to arrive in Nigeria and begin my third ambassadorial posting last November. 2020 will long be remembered as the year of the pandemic COVID-19, and we will look back and honor the lives of the more than 1.5 million people worldwide who…Usnigeria4 min readUsnigeria4 min read
Dec 1, 2020Strong Partnerships help in the fight against COVID-19 and HIV/AIDSEvery year on December 1 we commemorate World AIDS Day. This year, the U.S. Mission recognizes and honors those we have lost to HIV/AIDS and the resiliency of those who fight for epidemic control in Nigeria. The PEPFAR Nigeria World AIDS Day 2020 theme is ‘Resiliency in HIV Programming in…World Aids Day2 min readWorld Aids Day2 min read
Oct 16, 2020Binta Yahaya Benefits from Improved Maize Seed Varieties and other Farm InputsBinta Yahaya, a mother of four, is a maize smallholder farmer from Kaduna State. She has been growing maize for over 25 years using traditional farming methods. For several years, Binta and her neighbors complained that farming was not profitable. They also bought farm inputs such as maize seeds from…Cultivating Hope2 min readCultivating Hope2 min read
Oct 9, 2020USG Exchange Alumnus Awarded Best Teacher in Ogun StateOgun State by Governor Dapo Abiodun awarded Mandela Washington Fellowship alumnus, Ayodele Odeogbola overall Best Teacher as part of events to celebrate this year’s World Teachers Day. Along with the prestigious award, the governor awarded Ayodele a two- bedroom house. Reflecting back on the importance of the fellowship, Ayodele noted…World Teachers Day2 min readWorld Teachers Day2 min read
