Hillary Clinton Pays a Visit to Nigeria Speaks with President Jonathan

It was a short stop, just under three hours on the ground, but Nigeria got their farewell visit today from outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton who probably will not be making another trip to Africa in her current post.  Even after she had arrived on the continent, African countries lobbied to get a visit on this trip, and although Nigeria was not on her original itinerary, she did manage to find a way to make the stop.

She was greeted at the airport by Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri.  Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru (in tan) accompanied her to the Presidential Villa where she met Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, (the lady in the colorful dress), and President Goodluck Jonathan (in black).

Here are her remarks following her meeting with President Jonathan and his National Security Council.

Remarks Following Expanded Meeting with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan And the National Security Council

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Presidential Villa

Abuja, Nigeria

August 9, 2012

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Well, thank you very much, Mr. President, and those were extremely kind and generous words. But I appreciate that you know how committed the United States and the Obama Administration is to our partnership with your country. We consider it absolutely vital, and through our bi-national commission, which, as you mentioned, has helped us to expand and deepen our cooperation on a full range of issues, we are working on economic matters, the improvement and the productivity of agriculture, education and health, security, the diversification of your economy, and so much more.
We intend to remain very supportive on your reform efforts. Thank you for mentioning the work we did together on the elections. We’re also very supportive of the anticorruption reform efforts, more transparency, and the work that you and your team is also championing, because we really believe that the future for Nigeria is limitless. But the most important task that you face, as you have said, is making sure that there are better opportunities for all Nigerians – north, south, east, west – every young boy and girl to have a chance to fulfill his or her God-given potential. And we want to work with you and we will be by your side as you make the reforms and take the tough decisions that are necessary.
So thank you, Mr. President, for this meeting. (Applause.)