Jonathan’s US trip raises hope for Nigeria

There are indications of a groundswell of global goodwill for Nigeria following President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the United States even as world leaders continue to express hope that Nigeria will realise its potential, Empowered Newswire reports.

Former US President Bill Clinton said in New York that Jonathan might turn out to be the leader to bring Nigeria to its “full potential.”

This came just as discussion of US President Barack Obama visit to Nigeria before the end of his first term in office is in the offing.

After meeting with Obama on Wednesday, diplomatic sources in Washington DC said Obama’s visit to Nigeria was merely a question of timing.

Although the talk has been ongoing for awhile, diplomats said based on the outcome of the last April elections, it was no longer doubtful.

The election issue also resounded in Lusaka, Zambia over the weekend where at the AGOA conference, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, praised Nigeria for the poll.

A senior White House official had reportedly stated last December while Obama was on Christmas vacation in Hawaii that the US President intended to make another visit to Africa before the end of his first term in office.

It was gathered that Nigeria will be included on Obama’s next African tour after his famous first visit to Ghana in 2009.

Earlier in the week, the UN Secretary-General, Ban ki Moon, noting Jonathan’s commitment to the HIV/AIDS fight, said, “I appreciate his (President Jonathan) strong commitment to see the end of the epidemic.”

Ban who was in Nigeria recently said he was very impressed by the many efforts of the Federal Government to advance the MDGs, especially the new health bill passed by the National Assembly.

A White House statement issued after the Obama-Jonathan meeting in Washington DC was, however, silent on the possibility of US presidential visit.

The release indicated that the US President “personally congratulated Jonathan on the success of Nigeria’s recent elections, which deepened the foundation for future democratic contests.”

The statement added that the leaders discussed how the Jonathan administration could build on the momentum by investing in energy, agriculture, democratic institutions, and security.

Obama called on Jonathan to give anti corruption fight a priority and to ensure the necessary conditions for sustained economic growth and prosperity.

Obama also thanked him “for his leadership both regionally and within the UN Security Council on pressing issues such as Sudan, Libya, and Cote d’Ivoire.”

The statement concluded that “both leaders agreed to continue to work together to promote peace and security.”

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