SPEECHES

Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders 
Remarks
American International School- Lagos
Ground Breaking Ceremony

Wednesday, May 14, 2008
10am-12:00pm

Site of New High School
Lekki, Lagos (Across Chevron Compound)

• His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Raji Fashola
• Special Guest of Honor, Former Executive Governor of Lagos State Bola Ahmed Tinubu
• AISL Superintendent Tom Shearer
• AISL Board of Directors
• Friends of the American International School in Lagos (AIS)
• Distinguished Members of the Community
• Ladies and Gentlemen
• All protocols observed

I am delighted to be with you today.  I would like to welcome all of you to the ground breaking ceremony for the new American International School in Lagos (AISL).

Let me begin by expressing my deep gratitude to the current partners who have generously supported the school over the years.  This support has allowed AISL to be recognized as the leading international school in Lagos whose programs have empowered the students to achieve their highest potential.

AISL has been and will continue to be a cornerstone for the community at large with the delivery of world class education as its mission.  A great deal of work has gone into getting us to where we are today.
I have been encouraged by these efforts which indicate that so many of you share AISL’s vision and have demonstrated a willingness to contribute to the success of this project. 

The new AISL is well worth our investment.  As it is an investment in the future of our children.  Education, particularly in cutting edge facilities like AISL, provides the foundation and framework for our most precious resource, our children not only to grow mentally, but also to grow as good citizens and young leaders of all the nations represented by this global community called AISL.  The new AISL will advance them even further.

As the American Ambassador I am proud to also note the relationship that AISL has with two U.S. school districts – one in Tacoma, Washington and the other in Houston, Texas.  These relationships help to advance not only school-to-school partnerships but also the American style curriculum.

I have had the pleasure to not only visit the school, but also to interact with the bright, talented and creative students who are a reflection of the global community we live in.  They are impressive, they are confident, they are our future.

Therefore it is my honor and privilege to introduce to you one of the many future leaders that AISL is producing, Annie Inoyo, who will share with you her experiences at AISL and how it benefited her as a student, an individual, and a good citizen in our global community.

Thank you.