President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to travel to Washington DC today to participate in a three-day United States-African Leaders Summit at the invitation of President Barack Obama.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in Abuja on Saturday, said Jonathan will join President Obama and about 50 other participating African leaders for discussions that are expected to lead to greater progress in key areas such as expanding trade and investment ties, promoting inclusive sustainable development and expanding cooperation on peace and security.
It added that the Summit, which is the first of its kind between an American President and African heads of state and government, is expected to greatly strengthen ties between the United States, Nigeria and other African countries.
According to the statement, in addition to three special sessions on “Investing in Africa’s Future”, “Peace and Regional Stability” and “Governing the Next Generation”, the summit will also feature side-events such as the United States-Africa Business Forum which has the objectives of boosting efforts to strengthen trade and financial ties between the United States and Africa, creating partnerships that will accelerate job creation, and encouraging even more American investments in Nigeria and other African countries.
Furthermore, the statement noted that President Jonathan is also scheduled to hold meetings in Washington with key United States political, security and business leaders on the sidelines of the summit to discuss the further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in other areas including the war against terrorism.
Accompanying the President to the summit are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, the Coordinating Minster of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.)
Jonathan is expected back to the country on Wednesday at the conclusion of the summit.
