By Yusuf Boluwatife
The United States Consulate General, on Tuesday, opened a Window on America centre in Osun University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Window on America is an initiative of the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Lagos, which provides the public free access to connect and learn about the United States through programmes and lectures, as well as through books, movies, and magazines.
Speaking about the initiative at the ribbon-cutting event, the Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Consulate, Stephen Ibelli said, “It would serve as a community resource center for accurate and current information about the political, economic, cultural, educational and social life in the United States.
“The new space would offer calendar programmes on topics of interest designed to bring Americans and Nigerians closer together.
“The centre would enable the public to connect to universities in America to do research for their masters and doctorates for free.
“We are so excited today to launch the Window on America here in Osogbo.”
He noted that the new centre will be a reference point for free information about the U.S. mission.
“Through the Osogbo Window on America, we will provide employability and leadership training for young people, offer information on study opportunities in the U.S., showcase American culture and values, as well as foster closer people-to-people ties between the people of Nigeria and the United States,” Ibelli added.
The Chief Medical Director, Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Peter Olaitan, expressed appreciation at the location of the Window on America at the medical facility, adding that staff, students and residents of Osogbo will benefit from the resources available at the center.
“I appreciate the American Embassy in Nigeria for giving the opportunity to have such a system in place not just for our staff and students but for numerous citizens of our state.
“I want to urge our students and staff to make the best use of this American information center that has been domiciled in our hospital,” he said.
