On February 16th, 2018, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart W. Symington, visited Taraba State. He met with a number of people different people, including 17 alumni of various U.S. Department of State sponsored programs. A majority of the alumni were members of the YES Alumni Association in Nigeria (YAAN).

The Ambassador’s visit came as part of his mission to visit each state in Nigeria and discuss solutions to specific state issues.
One of the main issues in Taraba state, as discussed by Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku, is “polarization along religious and ethnic lines, making decision-making difficult.”
YES alumni attended the meeting to discuss solutions to bringing peace back to Taraba state.
After opening remarks, Ambassador Symington expressed the importance of people coming together and how it is the people who have the power to change the country.
“It is amazing that, out of many, we are one people,” Symington said, “but for us to claim to be Nigerians, Nigeria must first exist.”
The meeting was held at the Hope Afresh Foundation, a foundation whose mission is to empower the people of Taraba. Alumni thought the meeting was  a great success because it provided them with a platform to discuss a number of topics that affect Taraba people.

Joseph Kaffa Shonbi (YES alumnus 2008-2009, Nigeria, hosted in Merril, IA by IRIS) and Dr. Muawiya Adamu (YES alumnus 2007-2008, Nigeria, hosted in Adel, IA by IRIS) reflected on how they could use some of the things they learned while in the YES program to make changes in their states.

“It would be nice to form a collective knowledge base where the people give their inputs on the matters that concerns them at that time,” Joseph said. “We also need to implement practical knowledge of what we all have learned outside the country at our various exchange/program stations.”
Many of the alumni in attendance agreed the implementation of techniques and values learned from their experience in the YES program could benefit them, as well as help the Foundation follow its mission to empower the people of the Taraba state. 
Dr. Muawiya Adamu discussed how those wanting to help could draw from knowledge gained through work experience. He also reminded people to be human beings first, exercising love and compassion. 
Meeting with those who want to help build a stronger Nigeria, Symington tasked the people with this mission.
“One thing that stands out about Nigerians is that they are resilient, industrious, hospitable, irrespective of religion and tribe,” the Ambassador said in an article by TodayNG. “This means that your common strength sterns from your diversity. Taraba State is highly blessed.”
As the meeting came to a close, the alumni association members were happy they met with the Ambassador. While not all their questions were able to be answered, YES alumni took away many key points in how to move forward in bringing peace to their state.
Giving different solutions to specific problems, many alumni suggestions were affirmed by the Ambassador, reinforcing the main idea that each person plays a part in bringing hope where it is needed most.