by Rachel Ogbu
President Barack Obama will not be visiting Nigeria during his upcoming three-nation trip to Africa because of the ongoing insecurity, United States officials hinted on Tuesday.
They were quick to add that the exclusion will not affect bilateral relations between both countries.
During Obama’s second visit to the continent, he would visit Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa to discuss trade and investment, democratic institution-building, young people, and enhancing economic growth.
[READ: Insecurity: India warns citizens not to travel to Nigeria ]
American Deputy National Security Advisor, Ben Rhodes said: “With respect to Nigeria, we certainly believe that Nigeria is a fundamentally important country to the future of Africa. We’ve put a lot of investment in the relationship with Nigeria through their leadership of ECOWAS, through the significant US business investment in Nigeria and through our security cooperation.
“Obviously, Nigeria is working through some very challenging security issues right now. And in that process, they’re going to be a partner of the United States. We certainly believe we’ll have an opportunity to further engage the Nigerian government through bilateral meetings going forward. But at this point, we just were not able to make it to Nigeria on this particular itinerary.
“I will say that we purposefully designed the itineraries to be able to reach West Africa, South Africa and East Africa, and in West Africa, to visit Senegal, a French-speaking, Muslim-majority democracy that is an important partner of the United States and also provides a platform for the President to speak to the broader region.
“We are also looking at ways, at the President’s town hall in South Africa with young African leaders, to draw in through technology young people in Nigeria and in Kenya, among other places, so that the President is using this trip to speak to the broader African audience. We recognize we’d like to go to as many countries as possible.’’
According to reports, Rhodes’ briefing on Obama’s upcoming visit was addressed jointly with the Senior Director for African Affairs Grant Harris and Senior Director for Development and Democracy Gayle Smith.
obama is not our God let him visit country that needs his attention rather Gods attention his coming will not solve any problem here Nigeria our country will raise again.
coming or not coming of obama can not stop the disaster in nigeria, our prayer to God is to lead us & guide us in this country.
Coming or not… I believe one day we are gonna improve
hmm
Nigeria remain the treasure of the world.soon UN will recall all the things they are doing to Nigeria.
Yes, I think he(obama) has every right to ignore the sight of the so- called GIANT of Africa(Nigeria) during his visit to africa. I mean for crying out loud,who on earth would want to get trapped in a country where there are chaotic activities,and yet no solution has been differed.
Talking about the state of emmergency, don’t you guys think it would come to an end? So why are we so reluctant and happywhen we all know the BOKO-HARAM would someday re-inforce with a face of adversity. Our leaders are just one dimensional leaders, fighting for post for their own sake and not for the country’s well being.
A good leader is said to b ACTIVE and make things happen rather than REACTIVE and let things happen..my fellow nigerians, I with a sincered heart urge every single citizen of this great country to wake up and fight for our NATION!!!
Nigeria is amongst the BLESSED country in the world with no natural disaster and yet we fail to realise that..WAKE UP NIGERIANS!!
even not because of insecurity,due to high level of corrupt,that one alone can makes obama to reject nigeria