VP receives USAID delegation & US civil rights activist, Andrew Young
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has said that the partnership between Nigeria and the United States is one that would continue to produce mutually desirable results for both countries.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this recently at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he received the Administrator of the US Agency on International Development (USAID), Mr Mark Green who is currently on a visit to Nigeria.
Noting that the US is one of Nigeria’s most dependable development partners, the Vice President said the Nigerian Government was grateful for the interventions in the areas of health, humanitarian issues and education.
While stating the commitment of the Buhari administration to improve the country’s education sector, and the President’s resolve to enforce free and compulsory basic education for every child of primary and junior secondary school age, Prof. Osinbajo noted that a lot more can be done with co-operation between both countries.
The Vice President said there could be more co-operation in the area of teacher training, skills development, child education, especially girl-child education, among other interventions in the education sector.
Prof. Osinbajo also highlighted the need for more development partnerships in the areas of improving the country’s power sector and security, noting that the Federal Government has been putting a significant amount of work in developing renewable energy and providing solar power in rural areas and other parts of the country.
While acknowledging US military assistance, the VP noted that the Federal Government would also welcome more cooperation in tackling humanitarian challenges in the North East of the country.
In his remarks, Mr Mark Green who was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, said the US and Nigeria have a deep friendship based on shared values and shared priorities. He described as admirable President Muhammadu Buhari’s personal commitment to ensuring compulsory free education for Nigerian children, stating the US looks forward to working with the Nigerian government on developing its education sector, tackling security challenges and improving economic indices.
He said, “We have particular interest in continuing our very strong partnership in providing humanitarian assistance, particularly in the Northern areas, working together on economic opportunities, particularly in rural areas, creating strong sustainable futures for farmers and herders; and looking for ways to tackle some of the challenges that we both see in building lives and communities.”
The Vice President also received a delegation from the Andrew J. Young Foundation, led by civil rights activist and former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Andrew J. Young.
The Vice President described Young as one of the major icons in the US civil rights movement. He noted that Young has played very important roles in the life of our nation and influencing positively many of our leaders.
In his remarks, Mr.Young commended the Buhari administration for being able to hold this country together in spite of the differences and ensuring democracy prevailed.
Young, who worked with the late Martin Luther King Jnr., was accompanied by Ambassador Howard Jeter, Sir Emeka Offor and Senator Ken Nnamani.
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
