The US supports the appointment of new chiefs of service and reaffirms close ties with Nigeria

The United States government has expressed its support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent appointment of chiefs of military service.

The new appointments are designed to bring new approaches to fighting terrorism in the Northeast and ensure national security across the country.

According to a statement signed by State Department spokesman Ned Price, that disclosure was made by new Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken during a telephone conversation with Nigerian Secretary of State Geoffrey Onyeama. on Monday, March 1st, 2021.

It also recognized the threats violent extremists pose to Nigeria and regional security as a whole.

While highlighting the importance the United States attaches to its relationship with Nigeria, Minister Blinken outlined a holistic approach to the US-Nigeria partnership based on their shared values ​​of democracy, respect for human rights and robust human relationships.

The statement said that as part of an effort to build good relations with Nigeria, Blinken cited President Biden’s removal of visa restrictions on immigrants by Nigeria as an affirmation of the close ties between Americans and Nigerians.

He also reiterated United States support for Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala as the new Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Geoffrey Onyema spoke about the conversation with his US counterpart and was delighted with the discussion, which covered a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues.

He said: “I am very happy to be active again by having a very nice phone call with US Secretary of State Blinken. We have dealt with a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues and look forward to intensified cooperation. “

For his part, Secretary Blinken said: “Pleased to speak to Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyema. We greatly value our bilateral relationship with Nigeria and look forward to rejuvenating our partnership based on shared values ​​such as democracy, respect for human rights and robust human relationships. “

What that means

This appears to be a renewed partnership and bilateral relationship between the United States and Nigeria that appeared to have suffered some setbacks during the Trump administration.

This was clearly evident in the visa restrictions for Nigeria and the last US administration’s refusal to endorse Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director General of the WTO despite the unanimous support of member states.

I am very happy to get back in touch with the US Secretary of State @SecBlinken via a very nice phone call. We have dealt with a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues and look forward to intensified cooperation. 🇳🇬🇺🇸 @USinNigeria @StateDept

– Geoffrey Onyeama (@GeoffreyOnyeama) March 1, 2021

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