February 10, 2017 Washington, DC
Ex-President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Meets with the “Nigerian-American Leadership Council (NAL Council)”, in Washington, DC
On Thursday February 2, 2017, Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, met with executives of the Washington-based NAL Council at the US Congress, Washington, DC.
Dr. Jonathan was in Washington to address members of the US Congress’s Africa Sub-Committee/Foreign Affairs Committee, Chaired by US Congressman Chris Smith. Dr. Jonathan seized the opportunity to apprise US policy-makers and the NAL Council on the current state of affairs in Nigeria; his interest in maintaining political stability in the country; and a brief account of his stewardship and achievements while in office.
The meeting was facilitated by the Africa Sub-Committee at the US Congress. The Congressional Africa Sub-Committee saw the need for Dr. Jonathan’s additional interaction with the NAL Council as an opportunity, for a frank exchange of ideas, between one of the most influential policy-advisory organizations in the US-Nigeria & Sub-Saharan Africa policy space; and one of Africa’s emerging leading Statesmen, in the guise of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
It is anticipated that the closed-door exchange will spur plausible solutions for Nigeria’s ongoing political and economic crisis.
In his brief, Dr. Jonathan outlined some of his numerous achievements in office, including substantial attempts to alleviate poverty in Northern Nigeria, while keeping the peace in the Niger Delta; through the establishment of educational and skills acquisition centers in Northern Nigeria, among other laudable initiatives.
In his response, the Executive Director of NAL Council, Mr. Okey Mbonu, applauded Dr. Jonathan’s achievements while in office. Mbonu praised Dr. Jonathans unquestionable commitment to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, by being the first democratically elected president to concede power to an opposition party in Africa’s largest democracy.
Mr. Mbonu advised the former President on the Council’s non-partisan approach to its work, which included assisting to craft US Policy towards Nigeria, and Sub-Saharan Africa, in the interest of both Nigeria and the United States. Mr. Mbonu further maintained that the Council’s work transcends partisan affiliations, with the ultimate goal of facilitating a mutually beneficial relationship between the US and Nigeria.
RC Charles, Media Relations
NAL Council Washington, DC (Nigerian-American Leadership Council)
Email: info@nigerian-americancouncil.org
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