Tayo Olanipekun
U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will travel to Nigeria tomorrow as part of a virtual trip to Africa to engage with leaders and young people from across the continent.
Blinken, during his visit, will meet with President Muhammmadu Buhari and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, to discuss strengthening democratic governance and building lasting security among other issues.
“Secretary Blinken will travel to Nigeria where he will underscore our shared goals of strengthening democratic governance, building lasting security, and promoting economic ties and diversification,” according to the U.S Department of State Spokesperson, Ned Price.
People-to-people connections, underpinned by the dynamic Nigerian diaspora in the United States, amplify and strengthen our relationship, Price added.
This first virtual trip to Africa will also take the U.S top diplomat to Kenya, beginning with a meeting with Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) alumni, according to a statement.
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” the statement noted.
Secretary Blinken will also participate in a health partnership event to underscore collaboration to combat the pandemic as well as long-term U.S. investments in combatting infectious diseases.
He will also meet with a beneficiary of a PEPFAR (U.S. President’s HIV/AIDS intervention program) and a Nigerian health care worker.
The Secretary’s virtual trip to Kenya will celebrate the 57-year bilateral relationship between the U.S and the East African country.
Secretary Blinken will meet with President Kenyatta and Cabinet Secretary Omamo to reaffirm “our 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 will also visit Kenyan-based renewable energy companies said to be a model of innovative clean energy alternatives in Africa.
