An eight-member Congressional delegation from the United States on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the level of destruction caused by the Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast has restated the U.S. commitment to deepen political and socio-economic relationship with Nigeria. The delegation led by Senator Christopher Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, met with the business communities in Lagos and expressed optimism of a positive economic growth, as they call for stronger collaboration between both countries to strengthen bilateral trade.
Christopher Coons in his address said United States like Nigeria is multi-faith, multi-lingual, multi-party, multi-ethnicity, a democratic Federation, a vibrant media, and a large community of young entrepreneurs with great business ideas.
According to him, the Nigerian Diaspora community in the U.S. is the largest, most educated, and most successful. “What we are trying to say with the visit is that we are committed to deep and lasting relationship with Africa. We are here to remind you with a delegation that cuts across Democrats and Republicans that a change in government would not change the relationship with Africa,” he said.
He opined that this is the first congressional delegation of the United States to visit Nigeria stating that terrorism is a challenge that confronted the U.S. people since 9/11, and before, which is now ravaging Nigeria and Africa.
According to Senator Coons, past presidents of the U.S. across different parties have sustained relationship with African nations with various partnership programmes like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) that was initiated by President Barrack Obama, which is still relevant within African countries after his administration. “Don’t expect any change because there is a new president. Do not think there will not be Africa because of a new administration. The theme here is that across Presidents, Democrats, Republicans, we work together to sustain our partnership with Africa,” he stated.
He paid tributes to the military men and humanitarian workers in the Northeast in the fight against Boko Haram. “My regards to everybody who have been part of the United States Foreign Service and those who have been involved in humanitarian activities in Nigeria especially in the Northeast,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria has a vibrate media, creative and hopeful young people, with a positive energy of the Nigerian people, and look forward to a great partnership that will sustain relationship with Africa and create solutions.
Tony Elumelu, chairman United Bank for Africa (UBA) in his remarks said the visit by Coons and his delegation to the power plant at Egbin further demonstrates the belief and confidence that Africans can be a more prosperous continent through the Electrify Africa initiative that is meant to provide access to electricity.
Aliko Dangote, chairman of the Dangote Group and co-host of the delegation in Lagos, thanked the congressional representatives for visiting Borno State and solicited for more bilateral collaboration with the United States business community. “We look forward to doing more and more business with you,” he said.
The delegation includes Senator Gary Peters, Democrat from Michigan, Senator Michael Bennet, Democrat from Colorado, Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat from Delaware, Representative Terri Sewell, also a Democrat from Alabama, Representative Charlie Dent, Republican from Pennsylvania, Representative Barbara Lee, a Democrat from California, and Representative Frederica Wilson, also a Democrat from Florida, led by Senator Christopher Coons, member of the Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Ethics committees of the U.S. Senate.
SEYI JOHN SALAU
