An eight-member United States Congressional delegation led by Senator Christopher Coons (Democrat-Delaware) is visiting Nigeria over issues including Boko Haram, according to a statement reaching Xinhua Monday.
The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, in a statement said Senator Coons, who is a member of the Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Ethics committees is leading the largest U.S. congressional delegation to Nigeria.
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 (Republican-Pennsylvania); Representative Barbara Lee (D-California); and Representative Frederica Wilson (D-Florida).
The Congressional delegation is visiting Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and The Gambia in addition to Nigeria during their West Africa tour.
During their stay from Aug. 28 to 31 here, 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 Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, other members of the National Assembly, and religious and civil society leaders.
Among the issues of particular interest to the U.S. officials will be the fight against Boko Haram and the humanitarian situation in the northeast of Nigeria.
They will also visit Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub where trade and investment relations will be the theme. Enditem
Source: Xinhua/NewsGhana.com.gh
