United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will be discussing with President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama issues of bilateral relationship and shared importance between United States and Nigeria.
According to a statement on Monday from the US Embassy in Nigeria, Blinken will be embarking on his first trip to Africa, where he will visit Kenya and Nigeria and engage with young people from across the continent.
The statement read: “During his visit, Secretary Blinken will meet with President Buhari and Foreign Minister Onyeama to reiterate the value of our bilateral relationship and discuss issues of shared importance.
“Secretary Blinken will also participate in a health partnership event to underscore our collaboration to combat the pandemic as well as long-term U.S. investments in combatting infectious diseases.
“He will meet with a beneficiary of a PEPFAR programme and a Nigerian health care worker.”
“Also in Nigeria, Secretary Blinken will underscore “our shared goals of strengthening democratic governance, building lasting security, and promoting economic ties and diversification.
“People-to-people connections, underpinned by the dynamic Nigerian Diaspora in the United States, amplifies and strengthens our relationship.”
The statement also disclosed that: “Secretary Blinken will begin his virtual travel to Africa meeting with Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) alumni. In a “Ten Questions with Tony” event, YALI alumni will have an opportunity to engage with the Secretary on a range of topics, including the role of youth in the future of Africa, economic development, democracy and good governance, climate change, and health.
“Through YALI, the United States works with public, private sector, and civil society partners across the continent to develop initiatives and economic opportunities to support the creativity, innovativeness, and energy of Africa’s youth.”
In Kenya, the Secretary’s trip will celebrate both nations 57-year bilateral relationship.
He will meet with President Kenyatta and Cabinet Secretary Omamo to reaffirm their strategic partnership, discuss future cooperation to promote democracy and expand trade, and explore avenues to address global challenges, including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Secretary is also expected to visit Kenya-based renewable energy companies that, thanks in part to U.S. government engagement, are a model of innovative clean energy alternatives in Africa.
The statement read: “Finally, as part of our solidarity with Kenya amid the global pandemic, we will highlight a U.S.-donated Mobile Field Hospital to which the United States is providing essential COVID-19 medical supplies through AFRICOM and the Massachusetts National Guard’s State Partnership Programme.”
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