The United States Consul General, Mr. Francis John Bray and the United States Regional Agricultural Counsellor for West Africa, Mr. David Wolf hosted agribusiness leaders to a large wine tasting event.
With the theme A Taste of America, the event provided agribusiness leaders and other friends of America a unique opportunity to experience a wide selection of the finest United States wine brands available in Nigeria.
At the event, Bray introduced Wolf to Nigerian agri-business leaders and stakeholders in the agricultural sector of the economy.
Wolf in his welcome remarks said: “The Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks to address food security challenges in countries they operate in. It mostly supports these challenges by building food and market systems that expand trade and economic development.
“The USDA has trained more than 230 Nigerians in the United States through its Faculty Exchange, Cochran, and Borlaug Fellowship programmes in subjects such as food safety, aquaculture, pest management and food processing.”
The USDA’s goal, he added, is to help Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food distribution, and to bring more Nigerian products up to acceptable standard for the international market.
The programme offered members of the USA-Nigeria agribusiness community an opportunity to build professional networks, as well as discover new products, ideas, and innovations in the agriculture industry.
Meanwhile, the USA Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria has announced applications for the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship programme of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative, and a key part of the USA commitment to invest in the future of Africa.
A statement issued in Lagos and made available to THISDAY said Nigerian youth are encouraged to pursue this opportunity to access a six-week training course at a top USA university in one of three tracks. They are business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership or public management.
According to the statement, eligible candidates should be between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application and have a demonstrated track record of leadership in a public, private, or civic organization, and a commitment to contributing their skills and talents to build and serve their communities.
While the deadline for the submission of applications remains October 26, 2016, it invites interested candidates the Information Resource Centre at the USA Embassy in Abuja or the USA Consulate General in Lagos or one of the 11American corners in the country.
