With the recent visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States at the behest of President Donald Trump, Nigeria is once again returning to global reckoning and applause. Firstly, it threw up a lot of positives about Nigeria, and this was adequately acknowledged by the US President, Donald Trump.
Apart from boosting Nigeria- US bilateral relations, the trip offered an opportunity for the Nigerian community in the United States to warmly welcome President Buhari and praise him for the good job he is doing back home. It is also common knowledge that President Buhari used the opportunity of the visit to seek for the economic growth of the country as he met with some potential investors and business leaders in various sectors like agriculture, ICT among others.
Based on the reactions across the world on the US visit, it is obvious that President Buhari has earned the confidence of the global community as amplified by the encomiums President Trump heaped on him for fighting corruption and terrorism in Nigeria. From his disposition, it was evident that President Trump considers Buhari as a reliable partner in realising the goals of eradicating corruption and terrorism across the globe.
For example, bearing in mind the sincerity that President Buhari has brought to bear on the fight against official graft and governance generally, the United States President obliged to assist Nigeria repatriate $500Million that was stolen from Nigeria and stashed in the United States and other jurisdictions across the world. Already the two countries’ attorneys general have swung into action to actualise the return of the stolen funds to Nigeria.
Similarly, the resolve of the United States to offer assistance in the areas of training, military assistance and the sale of Tucano jets to Nigeria is a demonstration of an inherent faith in the Buhari administration, and this is worth celebrating. It is also worthy of mention that the president was able to boost Nigeria’s trade with the US as well as open opportunities in the aviation sector. For example the United States Boeing Company is in a discussion with the Nigerian government on ways to bring back our national airline.
Furthermore, President Buhari, during the trip, signed a historic interim agreement for a consortium led by General Electric to invest about $2Billion in the Nigeria railways sector with the upgrade of the narrow gauge line. This agreement will also facilitate the supply of two hundred wagons and ten coaches to boost Nigeria railways operations.
It was also the finest hour for Nigeria as President Trump acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role as frontline democratic country in Africa. President Buhari’s superlative performance in the fight against corruption and terrorism also came into focus as he received deserving ovation from President Trump.
These recognitions, coming from a United States President, is a great boost to Nigeria’s image, and will no doubt boost the confidence of the international community, especially foreign investors in making Nigeria their preferred destination.
The applause which President Buhari’s visit to the United States attracted to Nigeria is a welcome development considering that corruption and insecurity had greatly eroded the goodwill of Nigeria across the globe, and all hands must be on deck to support the President.
President Buhari’s committed leadership has opened a window of opportunity for Nigerians to reclaim their country from the thieving set of looters who devoured our resources and left the country bleeding. There is no gainsaying that prudent management of scarce national resources will play a significant role in delivering the democracy dividends to Nigerians.
Having assumed office in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari is still focussed on restoring the pride of Nigeria, especially with the huge investment on the country’s infrastructure like roads, railways, power and housing. There is no doubt that in the fullness of time Nigerians will reap bountifully from his people-oriented programmes and policies.
Nigerians therefore have a reason to repose confidence in the Buhari administration as his antecedents in following through with his promises are well known. When all the projects already awarded are completed, and this can only happen over a period of eight years, definitely, Nigeria will be on the path to rejuvenation.
It is also remarkable that the United States has pledged to support Nigeria in different ways including training of the armed forces personnel, selling of the Tucano jets to combat Boko Haram terrorists and providing other relevant equipment.
These commitments actually reflect the confidence the Trump administration has reposed in President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians have cause to celebrate it. The trip to the United States by President Muhammadu Buhari is therefore a win-win for both countries.
Written by Chukwudi Enekwechi.
Kwechis19@yahoo.com
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