•
Security, economy and bilateral relations top agenda
Security, economy and bilateral relations top agenda
At last the President
of the United States, Barack Obama, would visit Nigeria on 28 May, 2013,
as part of a three-nation tour of Africa, ending speculation of the Obama scorn
with the flawed elections in 2007 that brought Umaru Yar’Adua to the
Presidency.
of the United States, Barack Obama, would visit Nigeria on 28 May, 2013,
as part of a three-nation tour of Africa, ending speculation of the Obama scorn
with the flawed elections in 2007 that brought Umaru Yar’Adua to the
Presidency.
Seen as long overdue
but coming at a time when security is the number one item on the country’s
agenda, the 44th President of the United States is expected to parley with
President Jonathan on how to tackle the niggling problems of insecurity, the
economy and trade relations between both nations. President Obama would be
interested in hearing President’s Jonathan’s plan to control the Boko Haram
insurgents who he plans to offered amnesty, even as the sect continues to slay
hundreds in their quest to end western education in the country apart from
kidnapping foreigners for ransom.
but coming at a time when security is the number one item on the country’s
agenda, the 44th President of the United States is expected to parley with
President Jonathan on how to tackle the niggling problems of insecurity, the
economy and trade relations between both nations. President Obama would be
interested in hearing President’s Jonathan’s plan to control the Boko Haram
insurgents who he plans to offered amnesty, even as the sect continues to slay
hundreds in their quest to end western education in the country apart from
kidnapping foreigners for ransom.
The growing bases of Al Quaeda, a long
term enemy of America and its allies, along the Lake Chad region resulting from
their recent dislodgement from Mali may find space on their agenda.
Both men are likely to
contemplate the resurgence of Niger Delta militancy, which had simmered with
the granting of amnesty by former President Yar’Adua. On the political side,
they may weigh the propriety of a Jonathan candidacy in 2015 and the
implications for democracy not only for Nigeria, but also for the African
continent as well as the implication of good governance as exemplified by
Nigeria for the stability of the sub-region. It is speculated that both
presidents would broach issues on economic co-operation not least the upbeat
forecasts of the emergence of Nigeria as an economic force, what with the
country’s latitude for growth. America would be interested in a partnership
that would engender a favourable outcome for both countries whose bilateral
trade hit $5 trillion in the first quarter of 2012.
contemplate the resurgence of Niger Delta militancy, which had simmered with
the granting of amnesty by former President Yar’Adua. On the political side,
they may weigh the propriety of a Jonathan candidacy in 2015 and the
implications for democracy not only for Nigeria, but also for the African
continent as well as the implication of good governance as exemplified by
Nigeria for the stability of the sub-region. It is speculated that both
presidents would broach issues on economic co-operation not least the upbeat
forecasts of the emergence of Nigeria as an economic force, what with the
country’s latitude for growth. America would be interested in a partnership
that would engender a favourable outcome for both countries whose bilateral
trade hit $5 trillion in the first quarter of 2012.
It would be an
opportunity for President Jonathan to engage Obama on the US exploitation of
Shale gas projected to cut a quarter US imports of Nigeria’s oil by the end of
the year. They could discuss how Nigeria can benefit from alternative energy
programme of the United States. It would give President Jonathan a chance to see
how the AGOA programme can be improved to favour Nigeria’s businesses,
especially the SMEs. Obama’s planned session with businessmen while in the
country assures that there is yet scope for improving business and trade
relations between both countries. Obama’s visit is believed to be five years
late given that he was billed to have visited the country in his first term in
office, especially when he visited other African countries, including Ghana,
which is only 30 minutes away from Nigeria by flight.
opportunity for President Jonathan to engage Obama on the US exploitation of
Shale gas projected to cut a quarter US imports of Nigeria’s oil by the end of
the year. They could discuss how Nigeria can benefit from alternative energy
programme of the United States. It would give President Jonathan a chance to see
how the AGOA programme can be improved to favour Nigeria’s businesses,
especially the SMEs. Obama’s planned session with businessmen while in the
country assures that there is yet scope for improving business and trade
relations between both countries. Obama’s visit is believed to be five years
late given that he was billed to have visited the country in his first term in
office, especially when he visited other African countries, including Ghana,
which is only 30 minutes away from Nigeria by flight.
Of that snob, Nobel
Literature Prize winner, Professor Wole Soyinka, said, “If Obama decides to
grace Nigeria with his presence, I will stone him. The message he is sending by
going to Ghana is so obvious, is so brilliant that he must not render it flawed
by coming to Nigeria any time soon.”
Literature Prize winner, Professor Wole Soyinka, said, “If Obama decides to
grace Nigeria with his presence, I will stone him. The message he is sending by
going to Ghana is so obvious, is so brilliant that he must not render it flawed
by coming to Nigeria any time soon.”
Source: My Daily Newswatch
