On Saturday, U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and Co-founders of Venture Garden Group (VGG) ––Bunmi Akinyemiju and Kunmi Demuren–– officiated the commissioning of the new American Corner in Ikeja and were joined by Solape Hammond, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals.
Ambassador Leonard hailed the opening as yet another example of the bourgeoning U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relations, noting the broad range of programs that take place at the American Corner.
“A significant aspect of U.S. foreign policy, and a cornerstone of my leadership of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, is investing in people,” Ambassador Leonard said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, business, cultural, media and political leaders.
“The new American Corner Ikeja will function as a center where young people develop their ideas, as well as their leadership and entrepreneurship skills through programs and workshops.”
Ambassador Leonard praised the partnership with Venture Garden Group which hosts the new American Corner and noted, “Lagos is a city of industry, entrepreneurship, and learning. It is great that the American Corner will help bring the people of Nigeria and the United States closer.”
