Vol. 1 No.5 / June 2008
Reducing Demand Is Key To Curbing
Human Trafficking, U.S. Says
Forced labor gets special focus in the 2008 report on modern-day slavery
By Jane Morse, Staff Writer
June 4, 2008
Washington -- The demand for cheap labor and sexual services must be addressed to end human trafficking and modern-day slavery, say U.S. officials.
At a June 4 briefing for the release of the State Department’s eighth annual Trafficking In Persons Report, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the 2008 report, for the first time, examines prosecution data.
She cited one “disturbing discovery” in particular: “Although more countries are addressing sex trafficking through prosecution and convictions, the petty tyrants who exploit their laborers rarely receive serious punishment. We see this as a serious shortcoming, and as we move our efforts forward, we and our allies must remember that a robust law enforcement response is essential. “ (more) / The Book of The Month
The World Almanac 2008
This resource is described as “America's top selling reference book of all time returns for its 140th year as the world's most comprehensive, reliable, and entertaining single-volume reference.” Some of the features include:
- 2008 Election Preview
- U.S. College & University Guide
- The World at a Glance
- 2007 News Quiz
- Thousands of Noted Personalities
- Millions of up-to-date facts
There is a lot of resources provided online by the publishers of this important material. [Click here]
Op-Ed: Release of 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report By Ambassador Mark P. Lagon
(June 9, 2008)
In every country around the world, including the United States, there is evidence of trafficking in human beings. Men, women, and children are held in domestic servitude, exploited for commercial sex, forcibly recruited as child soldiers, or abused in factories and sweatshops. These forms of human trafficking are, in fact, modern-day slavery. (more)
Resources on Trafficking in Persons
- Human Rights: Defending Human Dignity
- Trafficking in Persons Report 2008 - [Read Nigeria country narrative – Scroll down to read the report]
- Secretary Rice's Remarks at the Release of the Eighth Annual Trafficking in Persons Report
- Quick Fact:Some 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year, according to U.S. government estimates.
- How You Can Fight Human Trafficking
JSTOR NOW Available in the IRCs
We now have free access in our Information Resource Centers in Abuja and Lagos to a significant scholarly resource called JSTOR. It is available to our esteemed members starting from this month.
JSTOR provides full text access to over 1000 scholarly journals in a variety of academic disciplines including arts and sciences, life sciences, biological sciences, business, ecology, health and general sciences, language and literature, mathematics and statistics and music.
JSTOR offers a high-quality, interdisciplinary archive to support scholarship and teaching. It includes archives of over one thousand leading academic journals across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, as well as select monographs and other materials valuable for academic work. The entire corpus is full-text searchable, offers search term highlighting, includes high-quality images, and is interlinked by millions of citations and references.
JSTOR is offered for free to libraries in Africa. Libraries in Nigeriawith good bandwidth can take advantage of this offer.
When you come into the IRC, you do not need password. All you have to do is type on the IRC terminals. Then enjoy it. You can read more about JSTOR on their website but you can only search the journal content in the IRCs.
Please promote this resource to your contacts. Membership is open to people like you.
U.S. Intellectual Freedom Expert Dr. Barbara M. Jones Discusses Library Intellectual Freedom with Nigerian Professionals and Civic Society Members at the American Corner Abuja.
(Abuja, May 30, 2008)
U.S. intellectual freedom expert and Caleb T. Winchester University Librarian, at Wesleyan University, Dr. Barbara M. Jones advised librarians and journalists in Nigeria to try and protect the rights of the minority point of view even when the majority of the community is supporting a popular view. Dr. I. I. Ekoja, University Librarian, University of Abuja also spoke at the session and presented a succinct over view of the problems of access to information and Internet, the failure to pass the Freedom of Information Act, and lack of resources in Nigerian libraries. (more) / New IIP Publication For You
Outline of U.S. Legal System
In This Outline covers the history and organization of the federal and state judicial systems; the criminal and civil court processes; the background, qualifications, and selection of federal judges; the role of other participants (lawyers, defendants, interest groups) in the judicial process; and the implementation and impact of judicial policies.
- Inside this publication
- View PDF (5.35 MB)
- Get Adobe Acrobat Reader
“Promote human dignity, sustained economic development and respect for the environment,”
Ambassador Robin Reneé Sanders urges Nigerian youth leaders
(Abuja, May 20, 2008)
Ambassador Robin Sanders gave this advice at the opening of a two-day Youth Environmental Leadership Program Workshop in Abuja on Tuesday, May 20. Youth representing various disciplines and institutions are participating in the workshop.
She said the U.S. Mission is partnering with the Nigerian Salzburg Seminar Alumni in staging the workshop to assist in developing the participants’ capacity to understand important environmental issues confronting Nigeria and to develop the skills that they need to be effective leaders and advocates. (more)
Special Information ResourceCenters Programs
- June 1-6, 2008 - The U.S. EmbassyNigeriastaff attended the 46th Annual General Meeting/National Conference of+- the Nigerian Library Association (NLA). The professional body also honored Henry Mendelsohn (IRO) and Samuel Eyitayo (IRC Specialist) with the highest Award – Fellowship of the Nigerian Library Association (FNLA).
- May 30 – June 6, 2008 – Dr. Barbara Jones presented seminars on Library Intellectual Freedom, Internet Manifestos, HIV AIDS for professional librarians in Abuja and Kaduna, Zaria and Kano. The US Embassy partnered with the NLA in bringing this expert to Nigeria. Dr. I. I. Ekoja of University of Abuja, Abdulsalami Rilwanu and Professor Zakari Mohammed make presentations at the seminars. You can download some of the papers here.
- May 23, 2008–The IIRC Coordinator for Lagos IRC, Mrs Clara Fejokwu retires from the services of the US Mission in Nigeria. A new Librarian will resume at the IRC soon.
- May 21, 2008 – The Abuja IRC hosted Training of Librarians on the Use of EBSCO databases. The Regional Officer for EBSCO in West/Central Africa Mr. Linus Emeghara facilitated the training program.
Mission Website FAQs
Q:Please, I need grants, fellowship or general financial support from your office. Where can I get information about such opportunities?
A: Well, the US Mission has some programs that provide some form of funding to Nigerians. Each has its own conditions. You need to constantly visit this website for up-to-date information on what we call Education and Cultural Exchanges Programs There, you will have opportunity of getting first-hand information on the following programs:
- American Studies
- The Fulbright Trans-Sahara Undergraduate Program
- The Fulbright Visiting Student Program: Junior Staff Development (JSD)
- Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program (FLTA)
- Humphrey Fellowship
- International Visitor Leadership Program
- The Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES)
Grants
Julia V. Taft Fund for Refugees 2008
The U.S. Mission to Nigeria is pleased to announce that we are now accepting proposals for the 2008 Ambassador's Julia V. Taft Fund for Refugees. This grant is available to meet gaps in refugee protection and assistance. In FY 2007, projects were funded in 33 different countries throughout Africa, the Near East, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia.
The Ambassador's Fund is intended to meet gaps in ongoing refugee programs that can be filled locally for under $20,000 and are not already being addressed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), other international organizations, or non-governmental organizations that are already receiving USG funding. Please note that this fund is not meant as an emergency fund.
URL :
Check for more grants at:
eDoc Alert
THE GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS, AND MALARIA: PROGRESS REPORT AND ISSUES FOR CONGRESS.Congressional Research Service, RL33396, Library of Congress. Tiaji Salaam-Blyther. Web posted May 27, 2008.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is an independent foundation that seeks to gather and disburse new resources in developing countries aimed at countering the three diseases. The Fund is a financing vehicle, not an implementing agency, with the United States as the largest single contributor to the Global Fund. This report discusses the Fund’s progress to date.
[Full Text - PDF format, 22 pages]
SELECTED INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS TREATIES. Amnesty International. Web posted May 30, 2008.
States which have ratified or acceded to a convention are party to the treaty and are bound to observe its provisions. States which have signed but not yet ratified have expressed their intention to become a party at some future date; meanwhile they are obliged to refrain from acts which would defeat the object and purpose of the treaty.[Note: contains copyrighted material] [Full Text - PDF format, 22 pages].
AFRICA@RISK. World Economic Forum. June 2008.
The report has been prepared for the World Economic Forum on Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, on June 4-6, 2008. The latest insights into trends, potential impacts and mitigation relevant to four key risks facing Africa are identified and explored: food and freshwater security, geopolitical instability, economic shocks and climate change. [Note: contains copyrighted material] [Full Text: - PDF format, 20pages] / Featured Websites
“Transparency International, the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption, brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world. TI’s mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption.”
Transparency International is a global network including more than 90 locally established national chapters and chapters-in-formation. These bodies fight corruption in the national arena in a number of ways. They bring together relevant players from government, civil society, business and the media to promote transparency in elections, in public administration, in procurement and in business. TI’s global network of chapters and contacts also use advocacy campaigns to lobby governments to implement anti-corruption reforms.
Free Embassy Products
Currently in Congress - summaries of U.S. Congressional activities. Distributed bi-weekly.
Documents on Your Desk - abstracts and links to publications on U.S. - Nigeria bilateral issues. Distributed weekly.Note: To subscribe to the mailing list of these two products listed above, please send an email to (North) and (South)
- Crossroads Magazine – The official magazine of the Mission’s Public Affairs. Subscribe online at
- Magama (Hausa) Magazine – The Hausa translation of the Public Affairs magazine. Subscribe online at
Membership Services
IRC reference specialists are available to help you find facts and answers, keep you up to date, and empower you to help yourself. Membership is open to High level Government Officials, Journalists, Politicians, Teachers and students.
Ask A Librarian?
Q: I have quick question please. Where is the one place I could go on the Net apart from the major News sources like CNN, Washington Post and the likes that I can read about US Elections 2008?
A:Amarica.gov. This is a site hosted by our office in Washington where you are sure to have all facts you need about the upcoming elections in the US. That is The site provides you with complete coverage of the election including background materials. Other related information featured on America.gov include:
• Voting and the Election Process
• Candidates viewson key issues
• Candidates
• State & Local campaigns
• Frequently Asked Questions
• The U.S. Constitution
In addition, you may interested in some of these articles and Polls on the Elections:
Most Americans See a Black Nominee as Important for Country - A solid majority of Americans say it as at least somewhat important to the country that an African American has won the presidential nomination of a major political party. But there are wide political and racial divisions over the significance of Barack Obama's history-making achievement.
HOW OBAMA DID IT: Big states, small states, caucuses and campaign strategy - Barack Obama will become the Democratic Party's presidential standard bearer in 2008 precisely because small states - particularly small caucus states - add up.
Congressional Combat, Continued - … Nothing has changed our forecast in the six months since, and if anything, we now see November 2008 as probably the best year Democrats have had in many a moon.
5 lessons for picking a running mate - …Based on interviews with those who have been involved in the process before, here are five lessons for picking a vice president:
McCain and Obama Trade Jabs Over Economic Strategies - Presumptive presidential candidates Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain offered contrasting approaches to mend a sluggish economy this week, with Obama emphasizing an active government role in providing assistance and McCain calling for lower taxes and spending cuts.
Gallup Daily: Obama 48%, McCain 42% - Obama continues to hold a lead over John McCain in Gallup Poll Daily tracking -- 48% to 42% in June 8-10 polling of registered voters nationwide.
Most Say Race Will Not Be a Factor in Their Presidential Vote - A large majority of blacks, 78%, and an even larger majority of whites, 88%, say the fact that Barack Obama is black makes no difference in terms of their likelihood of voting for him for president.
McCain Interview with Peter Cook of Bloomberg - Let's talk about the role the economy is going to play in this campaign. As we sit here today, given the problems, the challenges Americans are facing with the economy, do you think the economy has become more a decisive issue to voters than, say, national security will be?...
Economic Advisors to the Candidates - most analysts are saying they expect John McCain's economic polices anyway would be a continuation of President Bush; Obama's economic policies would be a reprise of the Clinton years. So Doug, to you first, is that an analysis that makes sense?
Will states topple Electoral College? - Voters this fall will still use the Electoral College to determine the next occupant of the White House, but a movement is bubbling at the state level to bypass the process and instead ensure future presidents are the candidates who get the most votes nationwide — an outcome not always guaranteed under the current system.
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Rosa Parks Education and InformationCenter
Public Affairs Section, US Embassy
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central District Area, Abuja.
Telephone: (234)-9-461-4000 Fax: (234)-9-461-4011
E-Mail:
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Telephone: (234)-1-263-4868/3395/2504
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