Strengthening Nigerian-American relationship

Though longstanding friends, Nigeria and United States of America appeared to have been embroiled in cold relationship lately especially as it concerns issues surrounding the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, a development many believe could always be ironed out if both parties explore the dialogue option. The second NLI Diplomatic Dialogue Series, organized recently seemed […]

Though longstanding friends, Nigeria and United States of America appeared to have been embroiled in cold relationship lately especially as it concerns issues surrounding the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, a development many believe could always be ironed out if both parties explore the dialogue option. The second NLI Diplomatic Dialogue Series, organized recently seemed to have provided that platform.
“As a network of people, we are convinced that people-to-people relationship is valuable and can complement government-to-government relations,” Yinka Oyinlola, Chief Executive Officer of NLI said at the diplomatic dialogue. “People collaborate around a common interest and this is the rationale for the description of our dialogue series as where foreign policy meets business.”
 According to Oyinlola, over the years, policy positions in Nigeria shifts in focus based on the orientations of the minister of foreign affairs. “Constant, however were some underlying principles of Nigeria’s foreign policy: Africa being the centre-piece, trade, membership in international organizations, among others. However, some factors did condition Nigeria’s foreign policy positions: ethnic and religious mix, legacy as an ex-British colony and pro-western affinity, demographics with what role should a giant of Africa play within the continent,” Oyinlola said.
The NLI boss further said what appeared to be missing in many of the discourses is how Nigeria and US influence each other in ways that go beyond diplomacy, commerce, and more recently security. He observed that more than any country in Africa, Nigeria-US relations are more robustly influenced by people-to-people links.
Such links is said to have manifested mostly in a vibrant Nigerian-American community characterized by entrepreneurship, strong family ties and education, popular culture, Civil Society links as well as religious links.
For Entwistle, there were more than enough issues to delve on while talking about Nigerian-American relationship. The American ambassador clarified the insinuation on alleged US plan to establish a military base in Nigeria, saying there is no plan of such “in the foreseeable future.”
On the forthcoming 2015 general election, the US envoy said in view of certain developments within the political class, Nigerians and Civil Society Groups should encourage Nigerian politicians to make public pledge against violent conducts. He said this is because US is actually keen on seeing free and fair electoral process in Nigeria and more importantly, contest that will devoid of rancours.
“In most of my interviews and statements, I have been calling on all political gladiators to make public pledge on abiding non-violence option. This is a campaign I will keep doing with all my breaths and that is what I will enjoin Nigerians and Civil Society Groups to join me in doing,” the ambassador said.
Entwistle who said many people have always been asking him, which of the side US belongs to in Nigerian politics, said his reply had always been: “US belong only to the side of Nigerian people and their quest to have free and fair elections.”
On the power sector, Entwistle said the United States was quite delighted that Nigeria was able to privatise its power plant stations which he expressed optimism will make things right in the sector.
On Nigeria’s recent success in curtailing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the US envoy said credits should go to concerned state governments and the federal government. He said Nigeria feat is remarkable and that the country has now become a model to US, Spain and other countries who have recently recorded EVD related deaths.