U.S. consulate presents grants to Nigerians

As part of efforts to recognise the contributions of some citizens towards nation building, the United States (U.S.) Consulate General in Lagos has awarded grants to 29 individuals, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions.

The grants support projects in entrepreneurship, human rights, transparency in government, freedom of media, women and youth empowerment, health among others.

During the presentation at the weekend, the Consul General, F. John Bray said: “It is to empower the recipients of U.S. public diplomacy grant awards in 2016, as they have worked to solve problems for our communities in southern Nigeria.”

Bray commended them for working on such critical areas as empowering women and girls, including women and women living with disabilities, training new entrepreneurs, cleaning up the environment and recycling waste, bringing medical care to rural areas.

According to Bray, other areas where the recipients have excelled are, educating hearing-impaired persons on the rights of persons with disabilities, mitigating human trafficking and reducing gender-based violence in Nigeria.

Bray, who presented the awards, commended the beneficiaries for their success in the highly competitive selection.

Bray also recognised two other categories of award recipients for their efforts to implement the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative, also known as CYFI.

He said the U.S. Consulate in Lagos began the initiative in 2011 to encourage community service by the youth, adding that the recipients designed projects which aid health, economy, education and good governance in their communities.