Football Monday

For years, people have recognized the power of sports to bring people together, to cross social and religious barriers and to promote peace.

Bishop Sunday Onuoha dedicates a whole chapter in his book to this phenomenon. The good Bishop is particularly impressed by the power of football to touch young people's lives.

The venerable, world-wide media outlet Voice of America recently took a look at a large movement of soccer-playing youths promoting reconciliation and understanding among young people.

Do you think something as simple as a soccer game can create positive social change?

The Future of U.S.-Nigeria Relations

U.S. President Barack Obama and his Administration have shown appreciation for recent progress in Nigeria. This includes two "attaboy" speech mentions of the Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association, and a one-on-one meeting with new Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

Nigeria is Africa's largest nation, one of Africa's largest trading partners with the U.S., and a significant recipient of U.S. foreign aid. Nigeria is even considered a possible location for the U.S. military's new Africa Command.

There is much speculation about the warming relations between the U.S. and Nigeria and some question whether that's a good thing. This recent opinion piece in the British newspaper the Guardian brings up several interesting points that are worth considering for the future of U.S./Nigeria relations.

Vision Africa relies on citizen diplomacy, empowering the people of Nigeria to solve their own problems. Through the work of organizations like ours, change at the very highest levels just might come from the grassroots.

Support Nigeria, Support World Security

Ever wonder why you support Vision Africa?

Ever wonder how supporting Vision Africa affects YOU?

Think security.

A safer, more secure Nigeria leads to a safer, more secure world.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan recently made this case to the world's top leaders at the G-8 meeting in Canada.

Vision Africa is committed to leadership training programs and Vision Africa Radio programming that promotes peace through non-violent conflict resolution.

Hope in Nigeria

Once again, our friends at Nigeria Health Watch bring us an amazing glimpse into the state of healthcare in Nigeria.


In a country that stands gingerly on the razor's edge, stories of hope are as valuable as gold.

This NHW post reiterates what Bishop Sunday has been saying for years: Nigerians can solve their own problems. Vision Africa will continue to empower the people of Nigeria to do just that.

Major Step Toward HIV Vaccine

Yesterday, researchers in the U.S. announced major progress in the search for an HIV vaccine.

More than 30 million people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS and 2.7 million people contracted the virus in 2008. Nearly 3 million Nigerians are believed to be living with the virus today.

Transmission of HIV/AIDS can be controlled somewhat and people living with the virus can experience a high quality of life, but at present, there is no cure.

Because the disease severely compromises the immune system, the number of AIDS-related deaths remains a painful reminder of the need for a vaccine. Until today, the vaccines in trial were only 30% effective.

That's why the news of a 91%-effective vaccine is so exciting.

Maybe one day Vision Africa's HIV/AIDS work in Nigeria will include vaccinations!

WHO and Gates Fighting Polio in Nigeria

As discussed in a previous post, the World Health Organization covered three main issues in the recent World Health Assembly meeting.

The fight against Polio, one of the top issues discussed, is centered on Nigeria right now. Ongoing polio eradication is a tough task because of the nature of the disease, but developed and developing nations alike have shown it possible to wipe out the crippling infection.

Bill Gates has dedicated enormous resources to stop polio in Nigeria and West Africa. Vision Africa founder Bishop Sunday Onuoha was invited to meet with Mr. Gates on this issue during his recent visit to the country. While they had conflicting schedules and could not meet, the ever growing focus on public health in Africa's largest country has led to some visionary efforts from courageous leaders.

Stay tuned to this space for more news about Vision Africa's public health efforts.

Nigeria at the World Health Assembly

Every year, the World Health Organization gathers some of the top minds in medicine and healthcare from around the globe to discuss the major public health issues of the day.

The 63rd World Health Assembly concluded recently and the venerable Nigeria Health Watch blog has a run down of the most important issues discussed.

Perhaps the most pressing health issue for Nigeria, eradicating malaria received priority mention when the Nigerian Minister of Health Addressed the assembly.

Nigeria's unprecedented anti-malaria campaign depends heavily upon the leadership of Vision Africa founder Bishop Sunday Onuoha and the Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association, and it is exciting to know that the efforts are being discussed among the World Health Assembly.