The American Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs applauds the Vice President’s contribution to the economy and the green transition.
According to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Nigeria and the United States should interact more because more coordinated efforts are needed to successfully combat the rise of terrorism, particularly in the Sahel area.
Prof. Osinbajo revealed this yesterday when he hosted Victoria Nuland, the US State Department’s Under Secretary for Political Affairs, as well as a US team led by Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The importance of free, fair, and peaceful elections, as well as enhancing security in the Sahel area and the acceptance of gas as a transition fuel in developing nations, were discussed during the conference, among other topics of mutual interest.
The VP emphasized the need for a more comprehensive strategy to combating terrorism in the area and Sahel, saying that terrorist organizations like ISWAP and Boko Haram should be fought ‘firmly and permanently.’
The Vice President praised the US government for assisting Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram and terrorism, stating that cooperation between the two countries has been “extremely fruitful and rewarding, especially for us,” with the delivery of the first batch of Super Tucano jets and the proposed purchase of 12 AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is also committed to addressing the country’s security concerns and guaranteeing free, fair, and peaceful elections, according to the Vice President.
“So far, the primaries have been held in a calm manner… “We must thank you for the cooperation of the American administration that we have seen so far,” he added, adding that “as we move forward, we will acquire a tighter grasp on the security concerns.”
Prof. Osinbajo emphasized the importance of climate funding in assisting African nations in combating the consequences of climate change and poverty, noting that gas should be designated as a transition fuel in the global net-zero emissions objective by 2060.
“We cannot afford at this point, to defund gas projects in developing countries, especially countries like ours where we have huge hydrocarbon and gas deposits and made a way for us to transit, while at the same time addressing poverty and other challenges,” the VP said, referring to Nigeria’s energy transition plan, which proposes the adoption of gas as a transition fuel.
I believe this is an area where we can work together and constructively to find solutions.”
Victoria Nuland, the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, recognized Nigeria’s support for the use of gas as a transition fuel in her remarks.
“You are absolutely correct about gas; I’ve worked a lot on the response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the Europeans now understand that they need alternative democratic sources of gas as they try to reduce their dependence on Moscow, and they are waking up to the fact that Nigeria and other countries can fill that gap,” Nuland said.
She also praised the Vice President for his contributions to the country’s economic progress and transition to a greener economy.
“I also want to emphasize your contribution to the country’s economic progress and the green transformation.
And I’m hoping you’ll give us a sense of the work you’re doing today to enhance Nigeria’s future, which will ostensibly be through a gas transition to solar and other green superpowers on the continent and beyond.”
In addition to highlighting the importance of the US-Nigeria bilateral relationship, Nuland stated that “it is critical that Nigeria’s democracy flourish and expand.”
“We’ve been discussing the impending elections and President Buhari’s crucial and courageous decision to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
“We have to praise the fact that the Government and the President have been delivering the message that this has to be a free and fair election, one that heals and binds the country, and one that is safe and secure,” says the president.
Nuland also mentioned that the US was happy of its collaboration with Nigeria in combating the COVID-19 outbreak (the US government provided millions of doses of vaccines to Nigeria).
Mike Gonzales, Deputy Assistant Secretary for West African Affairs, and Archie Barrett, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, were among the other members of the US delegation.
Laolu AkandeOffice of the Vice PresidentSenior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity17th June 2022