• Security, economy and bilateral relations top agenda

At last the President of the United States, Barack Obama, would visit Nigeria on 28 May, 2013, as part of a three-nation tour of Africa, ending speculation of the Obama scorn with the flawed elections in 2007 that brought Umaru Yar’Adua to the Presidency.

Seen as long overdue but coming at a time when security is the number one item on the country’s agenda, the 44th President of the United States is expected to parley with President Jonathan on how to tackle the niggling problems of insecurity, the economy and trade relations between both nations. President Obama would be interested in hearing President’s Jonathan’s plan to control the Boko Haram insurgents who he plans to offered amnesty, even as the sect continues to slay hundreds in their quest to end western education in the country apart from kidnapping foreigners for ransom.

The growing bases of Al Quaeda, a long term enemy of America and its allies, along the Lake Chad region resulting from their recent dislodgement from Mali may find space on their agenda.

Both men are likely to contemplate the resurgence of Niger Delta militancy, which had simmered with the granting of amnesty by former President Yar’Adua. On the political side, they may weigh the propriety of a Jonathan candidacy in 2015 and the implications for democracy not only for Nigeria, but also for the African continent as well as the implication of good governance as exemplified by Nigeria for the stability of the sub-region. It is speculated that both presidents would broach issues on economic co-operation not least the upbeat forecasts of the emergence of Nigeria as an economic force, what with the country’s latitude for growth.

America would be interested in a partnership that would engender a favourable outcome for both countries whose bilateral trade hit $5 trillion in the first quarter of 2012.

It would be an opportunity for President Jonathan to engage Obama on the US exploitation of Shale gas projected to cut a quarter US imports of Nigeria’s oil by the end of the year. They could discuss how Nigeria can benefit from alternative energy programme of the United States. It would give President Jonathan a chance to see how the AGOA programme can be improved to favour Nigeria’s businesses, especially the SMEs.

Obama’s planned session with businessmen while in the country assures that there is yet scope for improving business and trade relations between both countries. Obama’s visit is believed to be five years late given that he was billed to have visited the country in his first term in office, especially when he visited other African countries, including Ghana, which is only 30 minutes away from Nigeria by flight.

Of that snob, Nobel Literature Prize winner, Professor Wole Soyinka, said, “If Obama decides to grace Nigeria with his presence, I will stone him. The message he is sending by going to Ghana is so obvious, is so brilliant that he must not render it flawed by coming to Nigeria any time soon.”

Kirk Leigh

http://mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/05/09/obama-visits-nigeria-may-28/

good move, GEJ weldone.. Chei!!! My sugar don finish, brb ., garri tins

Mr Seun! I'm beginning to feel uneasy with rules listed above this sheet.

And back to the post.
It's a good thing that he has finally decided to visit Nigeria, but what I'm so afraid of, is the increase in the intensity of imperialism...

Why is he coming now that the bh are on the verge of cease fire? It's just a thought though.

Chai, maybe Nigeria and Nigerians should just give this Jonathan guy a chance.
It's like he's the Nigerian President that enjoys the highest respect and goodwill from world biggest weights but yet scorned and stoned the most by even the least weight in his home country.
Could it be that his image launderers are untactful or that his image slaughterers are too mischievious? Perhaps only time will tell.
God bless Nigeria and Nigerians

Wats gud abt him cumin to nigeria? I hate it wen nigerians start seeing d visit of anoda president like d visit of d promised messiah, and a trillion naira will be budgeted for his visit. Why ar we openly sayin we are incapable n we nid help? Is obama a messiah? Will jonathan be welcum wit so much pomp if he visits d US?

The persistent negative reports by our Nigerian press is just sickening. Fine, the Y'arAdua 2007 election was flawed but even YarAdua himself accepted that fact. GEJ did everything possible for the 2011 elections to be credible and the whole world acknowledged it. Instead of dwelling so much on 2007 flawed election why don't the report simply just celebrate the 2011 credible elections that have made Mr Obama to have a change of mind?

Besides, was it not just two months ago Obama visited Israel for the first time? A whole Israel! So, what does this writer mean by "his visit is 5yrs late"?

GEJ is working, the country is moving forward, haters are whining and derailing.

emmysenior: Mr Seun! I'm beginning to feel uneasy with rules listed above this sheet.

And back to the post.
It's a good thing that he has finally decided to visit Nigeria, but what I'm so afraid of, is the increase in the intensity of imperialism...

Why is he coming now that the bh are on the verge of cease fire? It's just a thought though.

boko haram on the verge of cease fire? with the baga and Taraba stories? You people just find it great displaying ignorance on nairaland

Maxymilliano:
Of that snob, Nobel Literature Prize winner, Professor Wole Soyinka, said, “If Obama decides to grace Nigeria with his presence, I will stone him. The message he is sending by going to Ghana is so obvious, is so brilliant that he must not render it flawed by coming to Nigeria any time soon.”

The message Obama sent by going Ghana in 2009 was according to you, so obvious Sir, and the message he's sending by his impending visit to the country is also obvious; simply put, the President is actually doing something worthwhile in steering the affairs of the country and coming a day before the country's 14 years of uninterrupted democracy experiment is just timely.

now i am speechless, i just saw suen's commands! mtchew!

why did it take him so long?mtcheeeew

.

If he doesn't cancel last minute because GEJ over slept. Who cares if he comes or not. Pretence

Obama is not coming!

some nairalanders were on rampage the other day, telling us that Obama will not visit Nigeria; because he hates the president and his administration.

or was it Bill gate they were talking about? No it was Obama. Anyway, must nairalanders speak so much on issues they know nothing about.

Maxymilliano: Five African Leaders invited to the US without Nigeria.

US may cut off aid to Nigeria following the Presidential pardon granted to former Bayelsa State governor.

World Leaders May Ban Jonathan From G8 Summit.

Guess the story is changing now ...

Some jonathan bootlickers will soon swarm here and call the visit an achievement.Obama visited Ghana over 4 years agao !

emmysenior: Mr Seun! I'm beginning to feel uneasy with rules listed above this sheet.

And back to the post.
It's a good thing that he has finally decided to visit Nigeria, but what I'm so afraid of, is the increase in the intensity of imperialism...

Why is he coming now that the bh are on the verge of cease fire? It's just a thought though.

Which ceasefire are you talking about?

and so what ?

if this happens, then it would foster the relationship of both countires, moreover i dnt feel the visitation would have any direct impact on the nigerian citizen.

Pls check the tyre gauge of Airforce One well well o, no vulganizer for our air space, plenty hold up dey, and pot hole bukle. Na for ur own good o, safety journey!

seun wetin be dis brochure wey i dey see on top post page? anyways make Obama branch reach my crib. i have some good shepe for him

So he's coming.... Thank God o

But can he stop the BH with his bare hands.... that's if he isn't kidnapped

People keep saying TOMORROW will be better, but they never knew TODAY WAS YESTERDAY'S TOMORROW.
I don't hate Obama, but I hate his behaviour, habits and characters.

Pls I doesn't know how to speak english. Wat does I do about it?

wat is d tin abt dis no.17 law dat make u guys uncomfortable?
wen he said muslim, u shuld knw its both of d religions.
do they tell d rabbit where d carrot is b4 it finds it? huh
c'mon guys...

Krasid: why did it take him so long?mtcheeeew

Help me ask oo...He should stay away from us.we would be fine without them,God is our reedemer....