In UNGA, Jonathan, Obama Meet, May Fix Nigeria, US Ties

President Goodluck Jonathan and Barack Obama

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday departed Abuja for New York to participate in the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), during which Jonathan would attend receptions hosted by United States President Barack Obama and UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon.

He would also have a private audience with Obama in a bid to fix cooling relations between Nigeria and the US over America’s apparent reluctance to extend genuine assistance to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, which has grown in magnitude in recent months.

Presidency sources revealed that relations between both countries had cooled off so much so, to the extent that Nigeria did not get the right recognition she deserves during the US-African Leaders Summit in Washington DC last month.

According to the sources, Jonathan will table Nigeria’s position on critical issues and assure Obama of improved governance with the aim of restoring the cordial relationship that has existed between both countries for decades.


The meeting, the sources explained, will be a follow up to the back channels Nigeria had already opened up to reach out to the White House preparatory to the meeting on improving ties between both countries.

One source in the presidency further disclosed that the meeting had become imperative for Jonathan, as it would provide him the opportunity to neutralise powerful US lobbies used by the leadership of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to project his administration in the worst possible bad light.

The meeting would also provide Jonathan the opportunity to get the commitment of the US government to provide proper and genuine support in the war against terrorism; shared intelligence between the US and Nigeria to counter the insurgency in the North-east; and the supply of arms, equipment and training for the Nigerian military.

In return, Obama will ask for respect for human rights in Nigeria’s prosecution of the war against terrorism, stronger commitment to the fight against corruption, and free and fair elections in 2015.

During the General Assembly, however, Jonathan would address the United Nations Security Council high-level session on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and Nigeria’s containment of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

In a statement yesterday by the president’s spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan who would stop over in London for a brief private visit before proceeding to New York, will also be expected to participate at the Climate Summit 2014.

The president will join visiting Heads of State and Government for a dinner reception and is expected to pay a private visit to both UN General Assembly President, Sam Kutesa, and later attend a luncheon to be hosted by UN Secretary-General.



On Wednesday, the president will address the General Assembly and take part in the UN Security Council Summit on foreign terrorist fighters, chaired by Obama.


He will also attend the meeting on Open Government Partnership.
Proving more insight into Nigeria’s participation at the General Assembly, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Professor Ade Adefuye, said that it was unlikely Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, would be accompanying her husband to New York but Michelle Obama who will be in attendance on Wednesday will deliver the special keynote address at the UN’s Global Education First Initiative’s (GEFI) high-level event at the UN headquarters.



The US Secretary-General launched this initiative in September 2012, with the UN Special Envoy on Education and former British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).


GEFI aims to accelerate progress towards quality education for all children and young people.



With the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaching and discussions on the next set of development goals underway, this event is an important opportunity for leaders around the world to advocate their ambitious visions for quality education for all.


The event will feature a conversation among world leaders, highlighting why quality education should be at the heart of global discussion.
On Thursday, Adefuye said Jonathan will speak at a United Nations meeting on the Ebola virus.


Jonathan is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Moon and the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron.