Ambassador Aminu Receives States Legislators

A twelve member delegation of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) was recently in Washington, United States on the first phase of a two-phase study tour of American democratic institutions.

The Legislators drawn from Kano, Lagos, Borno, Plateau, Abia and Rivers paid a courtesy call on Nigeria's Ambassador to the United States, Professor Jibril Aminu on Friday May 10, 2002.

Receiving the delegates led by the Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly Honourable Simon Bako Lalong, Professor Aminu briefed them on the highpoints of Nigeria-American relations which he described as very cordial. The Bush administration according to him emphasise good government economic reforms, free enterprise, security of lives and investment and a private sector led economic relations.

The United States according to him is interested in promoting democracy and free market in Nigeria and South Africa because of her belief that both countries can serve as engine of development in Africa which can in turn serve as a more stable source of oil for America.

He enjoined members of the delegation to work for the stability of Nigeria both individually and collectively and promote the awareness campaign about the aids problem in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Ambassador stressed the need for Nigeria's private sector to take advantage of the country's natural resources and link up with their American counterparts for mutual development.

F.K. Martins
Information Attaché
Embassy of Nigeria
Washington, D.C.
June 20, 2002