Ify Onyekwere
The United States Embassy for Peace has marked a historic milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Joe Biden Mentorship Facility Abuja (JBMFA), aimed at fostering mentorship and youth empowerment. The event, held in Abuja on the 1oth of January 2025, attracted prominent organizations, including the Nigerian Youths in Politics, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Real Estate Developer Association, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), and the Nigeria Youth Organization (NYO), among others.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume CON who was ably represented by Dr. Maurice Eberibe, OON, Permanent Secretary GSO, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), emphasized the federal government’s commitment to strengthening socio-economic ties with the United States. In his speech, he highlighted the significance of President Tinubu’s doctrine of the “Four D’s”—Diplomacy, Democracy, Development, and Diaspora—as a strategy for value-driven international relations.
In his words, “The American public diplomacy facility named after President Joe Biden has provided a major boost to our national expatriate mentorship strategy. My office is committed to supporting this initiative to ensure its success and sustainability for the benefit of our citizens.”
Comrade Ayodele Olawande, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, represented by Comrade Dr. Duke Alamboye, President of NYO, described the mentorship facility as a significant step in advancing youth empowerment and international collaboration. He remarked, “The Joe Biden Mentorship Facility is not just an infrastructure; it symbolizes the breaking of new ground in diplomacy, education, and youth engagement. It will serve as a hub for young Nigerians to connect with experienced mentors and develop critical skills for navigating the modern world.”
The minister urged Nigerian youth to seize this opportunity, emphasizing its potential to create transformative outcomes in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Dr. Joy Asonye, President of the Female Journalists Network Nigeria (FFNN), underscored the importance of inclusive mentorship, particularly for women and young girls. She expressed optimism about the facility’s potential, saying, “My dream for this facility is that it becomes the go-to place for young people, especially women and the girl child. Mentorship is key to unlocking their potential and shaping their futures.”
The event also featured some more prominent speakers from organizations represented and remarks from Michael Omotayo Kehinde, Deputy Coordinator of YALI Network Abuja, who applauded the initiative for prioritizing youth inclusion as well as Mr. Daniel Black, National Head of YALI Network Nigeria, who highlighted the mentorship program’s potential to strengthen business relations between Nigeria and the United States, creating opportunities for Nigerian youth.
The Joe Biden Mentorship Facility Abuja is expected to serve as a catalyst for Nigeria’s socio-economic development, providing a platform for youth to connect with mentors, develop entrepreneurial skills, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress. With its foundation laid, the facility promises to redefine the future of mentorship, fostering a generation of leaders equipped to tackle the challenges of the modern world.
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