By Bianca Iboma
United States has re-affirmed its commitment to partner with Nigeria in the fight against Boko-Haram and the humanitarian situation in the North-East.
US Senator Christopher Coons disclosed this during a reception ceremony hosted by U.S Ambassador W. Stuart Symington at the Ambassador’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos in honour of congressional delegates who are on a visit to Nigeria. A coon is the leader of the delegation.
He noted that the humanitarian crisis thrown up by Boko-Haram militants lingers. The congressional delegation has met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and other senior federal government officials to put a final stop the menace which the nation is facing close to a decade.
Coons said the visit to Nigeria and other Africa nations was to revive the relationship that had existed between the US and the continent and to correct the erroneous notion that there would be a sudden change to the relationship by the Trump administration.
He said: “Don’t expect a sudden change with the current president, he will maintain the relationship with Africa because it is an enduring friendship. Although, certain things had happened recently in the political sector of America that has made people questioned if the relationship between the 54 African countries will remain.
“There won’t be any change and our future relationship with Africa is still valid and I want to assure you that we are committed to you as the relationship has endured from president to president.”
He noted that whether it is Republicans or Democrats that is in power, they have all worked together for America’s democracy. He enjoined Nigerian leaders to emulate American leaders, stressing that only through a united force economic challenge and other issues that affect growth and development can be addressed.
“Terrorism is something US has wrestled with before and after the 9/11 and we are still facing it. That is why we have come to meet our partner (Nigeria) that is equally threatened by the challenge of terrorism to contribute in our only own way”, he said.
Coons pledged US support to Nigeria’s efforts at tackling challenges in its socio-economic sectors including health, food, security threats and electricity. “We know there is much work ahead of us that we will face together and our visit will bring several solutions,” the Senator said.
He commended Alikko Dangote and Tony Elumelu for their innovative trade exploits which has contributed immensely to the growth and development of Nigeria and across Africa.