VZCZCXRO8960
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #2145 3040808
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300808Z OCT 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4323
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0176
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ABUJA 002145
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SENV EAGR EAID PGOV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: USG ENGAGES MIDLEVEL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
1. On October 14, as part of ongoing Mission effort to increase the
capacity of the Nigerian civil service, ESTHOff led a presentation
on the policy and governance factors that had contributed to the
growth of the U.S. economy over the years and described the U.S.
civil service at a workshop for mid-level GON officials in Kaduna.
The Mission has a standing invitation to deliver presentations at
periodic workshops for mid-level federal employees and has used the
opportunity to increase understanding of applied economics while
developing useful contacts.
2. In his presentation, ESTHoff addressed the history of growth of
the U.S. economy, identifying challenges and measures taken to
address them. ESTHOff also discussed the U.S. civil service and how
a competitive merit-based civil service is essential for the
effective and efficient functioning of a government. In a lively Q
and A session following the presentation, participants discussed
challenges that the Nigerian economy and the civil service are
facing and how some useful lessons can be learned from the U.S.
experience.
3. COMMENT: The opportunity to periodically interact with Nigerian
mid-level federal employees gives the USG a unique opportunity to
reach out and engage a cadre of upwardly mobile federal officials.
Mission personnel have addressed similar workshops in the past and
will continue to do so. END COMMENT.
4. This cable has been coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
SANDERS