US Congressional Delegation Visits Nigeria

An eight-member Congressional delegation from the United States is in Nigeria from August 28 – August 31 on a special visit to explore areas of collaboration between the two countries.
A statement by the US Embassy in Nigeria and made available to The Tide indicated that the delegation is led by Senator Christopher Coons (D-Delaware), member of the Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Ethics committees.
The delegation also includes Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan); Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado); Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware); Representative Terri Sewell (D-Alabama); Representative Charlie Dent (R-Pennsylvania); Representative Barbara Lee (D-California); and Representative Frederica Wilson (D-Florida).
The statement added that the Congressional delegation will also visit Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and The Gambia in addition to Nigeria during their West Africa tour.
“While in Abuja, the U.S. legislators will meet with a range of high-ranking leaders to gain a fulsome picture of the bilateral relationship.
“They will be briefed by Ambassador W. Stuart Symington and staff before meeting with Vice President Osinbajo, Senate President Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dogara, other members of the National Assembly, and religious and civil society leaders,” the statement explained.
Among the issues of particular interest to the U.S. officials are the fight against Boko Haram and the humanitarian situation in the North-East of Nigeria.
“They will also visit Lagos, where trade and investment relations will be the theme.
“In the country’s financial capital, they will meet with Nigerian business executives, tour the Egbin Thermal Power Plant, participate in an American Business Council roundtable, and conclude with a reception featuring alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative and the Tony Elumelu Foundation,” the statement added.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana