The United States on Tuesday hinted on
the reasons why President Barack Obama won’t visit Nigeria during his
upcoming three-nation trip to Africa.
According to US officials, the ongoing
insecurity appeared to be responsible for the exclusion of Nigeria in
Obama’s second visit to the continent.
Obama is scheduled to visit Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa.
The US government said the trip would
focus on trade and investment, democratic institution-building, young
people, and enhancing economic growth.
American Deputy National Security Advisor, Ben Rhodes, made this clarifications at a briefing on Tuesday.
The briefing was addressed jointly with
the Senior Director for African Affairs Grant Harris and Senior
Director for Development and Democracy Gayle Smith, on Obama’s upcoming
visit.
The text of the briefing was made
available to journalists in Abuja by the Information Office of the
Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy.
Rhodes said, “With respect to Nigeria,
we certainly believe that Nigeria is a fundamentally important country
to the future of Africa. We’ve put a lot of investment in the
relationship with Nigeria through their leadership of ECOWAS, through
the significant US business investment in Nigeria and through our
security cooperation.
“Obviously, Nigeria is working through
some very challenging security issues right now. And in that process,
they’re going to be a partner of the United States. We certainly
believe we’ll have an opportunity to further engage the Nigerian
government through bilateral meetings going forward. But at this point,
we just were not able to make it to Nigeria on this particular
itinerary.
“I will say that we purposefully
designed the itineraries to be able to reach West Africa, South Africa
and East Africa, and in West Africa, to visit Senegal, a
French-speaking, Muslim-majority democracy that is an important partner
of the United States and also provides a platform for the President to
speak to the broader region.
“We are also looking at ways, at the
President’s town hall in South Africa with young African leaders, to
draw in through technology young people in Nigeria and in Kenya, among
other places, so that the President is using this trip to speak to the
broader African audience. We recognize we’d like to go to as many
countries as possible.’’
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Whatever,we don't care,Americans av always bn the one of the instigators of the unrest happening all around the world
ReplyDeleteWho cares
ReplyDeleteI kind of feel very embarrassed when people express disappointment or feel very bad about Obama not visiting Nigeria. I think it's shameful when people feel this way about a visit that wont take place.
ReplyDeleteLet's be honest. If na you be Obama, will u visit Nigeria at this time of bombings everywhere? Just being honest and nothing more.
ReplyDeleteAre there not bombing in America? His visit is not important to us as he thinks(Obama).
ReplyDeleteThey ignite fire and at the same time blame people for not quenching the fire and use it as an excuse to suspend visit. poooh to their asses.
ReplyDeleteJonathan also should keep away from U.S.A. as no country can survive on its own without others. The crime rate vis-a-vis terrorist acts, is also high in US.
ReplyDeleteLike seriously we dont need his visit,is he God that his visitation will impact on the entire nigerian.
ReplyDeleteHow is Obama? If he visits or not, does it add to our wellbeing? So, this shouldn't be a news.
ReplyDeleteMore bombings in his country more than it is in ours.No time to listen to them.some please pass me the remote,I wanna fast forward.*yawns*
ReplyDeleteNigeria is too underdeveloped,that's why obaMa can't come around.
ReplyDeleteWhat has his coming got to do with Nigeria,let him mind his biz after all we don't want illuminaty or same sex marriage.
ReplyDelete@anonymous 8:06, i support you...we dont need his ungodly visit.
ReplyDeleteObama, pls do not come to NAIJA. Those BLOOD SUCKERS hate Ur COUNTRY with PASSION(RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTy, but them wan come spend HOLIDAY THERE. FANATICS! Make I hear WORD JOO!
ReplyDeleteEL-MATOSKY.
Obama, pls do not come to NAIJA. Those BLOOD SUCKERS hate Ur COUNTRY with PASSION(RELIGIOUS SENTIMENT), but them wan come spend HOLIDAY THERE. FANATICS! Make I hear WORD JOO! BANZA!
ReplyDeleteEL-MATOSKY.
Nigeria is a sick & rabid puppy with scant hope for recovery.
ReplyDeleteYou think Obama wants to be infected by our self-imposed diseases (corruption, cronyism, tribalism, nepotism, miss-management & waste of natural resources and public funds, dysfunctional FG & State policies, the non-resolution of the Boko Haram/ MEND menace, lack of developmental goals, political & social instability, rising cost of living, FG self-serving targets, zero basic & social amenities, glaring & ever rising unemployment with no solution- even for FG to try, zero support for education/ health, etc; list goes on).
I wouldn't if I were him & I admire him for that. Let's not give any sign of approval to these sons of bitches that go by the name "president", "first lady", "senators", "house reps", "governors", "LGA chairman" by an Obama visit to Nigeria.
Its a slap on the face of Nigerians that have suffered so much & still are.
Nigeria, GIANT OF AFRICA my left ass!
GO OBAMA!!!!
- spec