Freedom 250: MHI executive director commends U.S. govt, calls for greater Alumni collaboration 

The Mercy Helpline Initiative (MHI) has commended the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association of Nigeria (USGEAAN), Kano State Chapter, for successfully hosting the Freedom 250: A Celebration of Freedom, Leadership and Impact programme at the American Corner, Kano.

The Executive Director of the initiative, Samuel Solomon, who is also a proud alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), participated in this landmark event, which brought together exchange alumni to share experiences, celebrate community impact, and give back through a visit to a correctional facility to facilitate the release of inmates.

The Freedom 250 initiative marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, celebrating values of courage, generosity, and innovation, and calling on partners to showcase these principles through community action. The event featured alumni experience-sharing sessions, discussions on advancing the USGEAAN Kano Chapter, and a community outreach visit to a correctional centre.

MHI commends the United States Government for its continued investment in human capital development through exchange programmes including IVLP, Mandela Washington Fellowship, KL-YES, SUSI, and YALI, which have equipped thousands of Nigerians with skills to drive positive change. We acknowledge the U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Office for strengthening democratic institutions and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and the United States.

ii

We commend the USGEAAN National Leadership under President Dr. Nosayaba Tukura for emphasising coordinated alumni action in translating exchange experiences into national impact, and the Kano State Chapter under Prof. Abdulmalik Auwal for organising this impactful event, including Prof. Moses T. Aluaigba for the vote of thanks.

As a YALI alumnus and Executive Director of MHI, I call on all USGEAAN clusters across Nigeria to deepen collaboration and forge strategic partnerships to scale community impact. We urge members to expand community outreach programmes benefiting vulnerable populations, strengthen cross-chapter collaboration to share best practices, forge partnerships with government and civil society, and mentor emerging leaders.

The visit to the correctional facility demonstrated that leadership is about giving relevance to life. When alumni free inmates, mentor youth, and uplift communities, they embody true leadership. MHI remains committed to partnering with USGEAAN to build a Nigeria where every

life matters.