Governments of the United States of America (USA) and Lagos, Nigeria, are leverage their existing relationship to further boost investment in education, healthcare, security, among others, in Lagos State.
This was disclosed when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu received Claire Pierangelo, the new Consul-General of the United States (U.S.) Consulate in Lagos, at Government House, Ikeja. Both are of the view that the collaboration will serve their respective interests.
The visit was Pierangelo’s first official call on any Nigerian public officer since she arrived in Nigeria about two months ago. The new envoy succeeded John F. Bray as Consul-General.
“I am at Lagos House on a visit to a friend of the U.S. government and our strategic development partner in Africa. We have had good working relationship and we believe this could be further strengthened for greater impacts on areas of collaborations.
“Maintaining a cordial relationship with Lagos government is critical to the success of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria. In the coming days, we will be sharing our plans on how to strengthen our shared partnership for the future,” said Pierangelo.
She specifically listed education, health, and security as areas for partnership just she restated America’s commitment to deepen bilateral relationship with Nigeria through “active collaborations”.
Pierangelo also said the consulate sought the support of the Lagos government in enabling ease of moving its office to a new site on Victoria Island. She noted that the consulate decided to move its office to a new site to allow space for more bilateral engagements.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos and the U.S. Consulate shared a long history of collaboration beneficial to both parties. He said his administration would not hesitate to welcome any plan that would further improve the partnership the state has had with the American government.
“Our long history of partnership with the American government has resulted in positive growth for the state. I believe there is a lot of collaboration we can still work on for the benefit of the people,” said Sanwo-Olu
JOSHUA BASSEY
