President Goodluck Jonathan will, at the invitation of President Barack Obama, leave for Washington DC early Sunday to participate in a three-day United States-African Leaders Summit.
Obama however said on Friday that the United States takes risks from the deadly Ebola virus very seriously and that some participants at the Summit will be screened for exposure.
“We are taking the appropriate precautions,” he said.
Obama added: “Folks who are from these countries that have even a marginal risk, or an infinitesimal risk of having been exposed in some fashion, we’re making sure we’re doing screening.”
Jonathan will join Obama and about 50 other participating African leaders for discussions that are expected to lead to greater progress in key areas such as expanding trade and investment ties, promoting inclusive sustainable development and expanding cooperation on peace and security.
The Summit, which is the first of its kind between an American President and African heads of state and government, is expected to greatly strengthen ties between the United States, Nigeria and other African countries.
In addition to three special sessions on “Investing in Africa’s Future”, “Peace and Regional Stability” and “Governing the Next Generation”, the summit will also feature side-events such as the United States-Africa Business Forum which has the objectives of boosting efforts to strengthen trade and financial ties between the United States and Africa, creating partnerships that will accelerate job creation, and encouraging even more American investments in Nigeria and other African countries.
Jonathan is also scheduled to hold meetings in Washington with key United States political, security and business leaders on the side lines of the summit to discuss the further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in other areas including the war against terrorism.
The President will be accompanied to the summit by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali; Coordinating Minster of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, and National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.)
He will return home at the conclusion of the summit on Wednesday.
