Obama congratulates Nigeria

 

The United States President Barack Obama, through his Secretary of State, John Kerry, has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 56th Independence anniversary.

In a statement on Friday, he, however, noted that much remained to be done to provide economic opportunities for all Nigerians, end corruption, win the fight against Boko Haram, ensure broad respect for human rights and provide humanitarian relief for the millions of displaced people.

Kerry stated that he recently returned from his third visit to Nigeria and came back with a strong sense that the country was resolved to build a better future.  

He said, “On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the citizens of Nigeria as you celebrate your Independence Day on October 1.

“I recently returned from my third trip to Nigeria as Secretary, and I came back with a strong sense of the nation’s resolve to build a better future. During my trip, I was reminded that many Nigerians are engaged in bringing people together across the divides of culture, religious practices, and ethnicity.

“There is still much work to be done to provide economic opportunities for all, end corruption, win the fight against Boko Haram, ensure broad respect for human rights and provide humanitarian relief for millions of displaced people. But we know that Nigerians are hard at work to address these challenges.”

Kerry added that the US was looking forward to deepening its partnership and friendship with Nigerians from all walks of life for the betterment of Nigeria and Africa as a whole