Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA1256
2009-07-09 05:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: MISSION PLANS FOR POTUS GHANA SPEECH EVENT

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINR KDEM KPAO NI 
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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUJA #1256 1900537
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 090537Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6501
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 1620
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0942
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS ABUJA 001256 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KDEM KPAO NI

SUBJECT: NIGERIA: MISSION PLANS FOR POTUS GHANA SPEECH EVENT

REF: STATE 67619

UNCLAS ABUJA 001256

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KDEM KPAO NI

SUBJECT: NIGERIA: MISSION PLANS FOR POTUS GHANA SPEECH EVENT

REF: STATE 67619


1. (U) Summary. In response to the Department's request for using
the POTUS speech in Accra, Ghana, as an opportunity to highlight
U.S.-Africa policy, the Mission will hold simultaneous live viewing
events in Abuja and Lagos that incorporate interactive information
technology (texting, SMS-service, Microsoft Communicator) to support
the live event (encouraging social media between Abuja and Lagos)
and to spread the message nationwide. Since the speech is on a
Saturday, the primary activity will be in Lagos as the Mission
expects a larger audience than in Abuja, where the majority of
government and civil society contacts leave the capital for the
village on the weekends. End summary.

Pre-Speech Activities
--------------


2. (U) The Mission sent out invitations to a cross section of 100
key high-level contacts from the GON, private sector, media, and
civil society to attend a live viewing of the President's speech in
Lagos followed by a roundtable discussion on key themes from the
speech. The Abuja roundtable event will focus on key media contacts,
including the editorial boards, followed by a similar roundtable
discussion. In addition, we sent a press release inviting Nigerians
to send text messages to President Obama and to receive highlights
of his speech. This message, along with information about a DOS
Webchat on the speech, will also be disseminated to 1,700 IRC
members as well as to our six American Corner coordinators to
distribute to their contacts.


3. (U) On Friday, July 10, we will use our electronic SMS broadcast
service to inform key high-level contacts from the GON, private
sector, media, and civil society about the President's speech in
Ghana, including when and where it will take place, a brief summary
of the purpose of the speech, and which international stations will
broadcast the speech so recipients can watch live even in their
villages.

Day of the POTUS Speech
--------------


4. (U) On Saturday, July 11, the Ambassador will host a live viewing
of the POTUS speech in Lagos followed by a roundtable discussion on
key themes from the speech. Simultaneously, the DCM will chair a
smaller press event in Abuja. Both events will incorporate new IT
tools to make the event interactive with nationwide coverage.
During the roundtable discussions SMS texts will be used to connect
the Lagos and Abuja audiences on selected speech themes to
incorporate into the discussion in both locations. We will also use
instant messaging via Microsoft Communicator.

Post-Speech Activities
--------------


5. (U) The Mission will continue to promote the POTUS speech after
delivery through several activities similar to what was done for the
Cairo speech. As soon as commemorative pdf files of the speech as
delivered are available, PAS will disseminate to Mission contacts
and the media. The Mission's Military Information Support Team
(MIST) and PAS will produce commemorative transcripts and DVDs of
the speech for mass distribution throughout Nigeria like we did for
the Cairo speech. In addition, the text of the speech, discussion
questions, and a link to a podcast of the speech will be posted on
the U.S. Mission-initiated "Yes Nigeria Can" Google group for civil
society leaders, and on the COM blog. Further, the Mission will
engage civil society in an online discussion using this Google group
venue. Finally, PAS will send a follow-up SMS broadcast to key
high-level contacts from the GON, private sector, media, and civil
society with a headline and summary of the key messages from the
POTUS speech in order to reach Nigerians in all regions of the
country.


6. (U) This cable has been coordinated with U.S. Consulate Lagos.

SANDERS