US, Nigeria begin Washington security talks, Defence meeting set for today By Lai Gidado
US, Nigeria begin Washington security talks, Defence meeting set for today
By Lai Gidado
The United States-Nigeria Joint Working Group meeting is currently ongoing in Washington, DC, with senior officials from both countries participating in discussions on security and human rights issues.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, led the Nigerian delegation at the meeting on Wednesday, while the US team was headed by Allison Hooker, Under-Secretary of State.
Among the Nigerian officials present were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
A bilateral defence meeting between Nigeria and the United States is scheduled to take place on Thursday as part of the engagements between the two countries.
A copy of the agenda made available to the press showed that the discussions included counterterrorism measures, progress made so far and the next steps in security cooperation between both countries.
The bilateral working group was formulated in response to the redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) by US President Donald Trump.
The US-Nigeria working group held its first meeting in January in Abuja, where both countries began discussions on issues relating to security, religious freedom and other areas of mutual concern.
Both countries have reiterated their commitment to upholding the principles of religious freedom and taking joint, active and sustained measures to promote and protect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and freedom of religion or belief for all in Nigeria.
The ongoing meeting in Washington is expected to further strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in addressing terrorism and other security challenges, while promoting fundamental rights and freedoms.
