- Title: NIGERIA: US and Nigeria strengthen their military ties
- Date: 1st February 2011
- Summary: ABUJA, NIGERIA (JANUARY 26, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE MEMBERS IN AUDITORIUM J. ANTHONY HOLMES DEPUTY TO THE COMMANDER OF THE U.S, AFRICA COMMAND ENTERING THE ROOM WITH NIGERIAN ADMIRALS MORE OF THE AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) TJ LOKOSON, NIGERIAN ARMY ADMIRAL SAYING: "US Africa relations have existed for decades and have been mutually beneficial to both parties. The ties that bind the United States and Africa, are stronger and more enduring today than they have ever been." AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) J. ANTHONY HOLMES, DEPUTY TO THE COMMANDER OF THE U.S, AFRICA COMMAND SAYING: "What we need is a regular dialogue; a frank exchange between partners. We would like even sometimes to achieve between brothers by recognizing the suspicion surrounding Africom. We are partners and we need you to think about what you want, what you need and how we can help you achieve that." MORE OF AUDIENCE WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRINCE ADETOKUNBO KAYODE, NIGERIAN DEFENCE MINISTER SAYING: "There is obviously a need to have a collaborative multi-layered effort of all stakeholders to increase national, regional and continental stability and by the same token, make a substantial contribution to global security." JOURNALISTS FILMING EVENT HOLMES, ADETOKUNBO KAYODE AND LOKOSON POSING FOR PHOTOS OUTSIDE
- Embargoed: 16th February 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Nigeria, Nigeria
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: International Relations,Defence / Military
- Reuters ID: LVA26OJOHWXAP7PR9VSUABJJU8UR
- Story Text: Ambassador J. Anthony Holmes, Deputy to the Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, is currently on a 4 day visit to Nigeria, to meet with the Nigerian Military and their civilian counterparts.
Opening a lecture on US-Africa relations, organised by the Nigerian Defence College Abuja to mark Holmes' visit, Army Admiral, T.J Lokoson, declared military collaboration between America and Nigeria a great success.
"US Africa relations have existed for decades and have been mutually beneficial to both parties. The ties that bind the United States and Africa, are stronger and more enduring today than they have ever been," said T J Lokoson.
AFRICOM is a US military Africa's wide military command, that is responsible for U.S. military operations and military relations with 53 African nations.
It was launched in 2007 as a temporary measure to enhance military relations between Africa and the States but was made permanent a year later.
When it was launched, the US had said Africom's aim was to better protect America's strategic interest in Africa and assist African coutnries with military training and conflict prevention.
Africom, whih has its base in Germany has been seeking a base in Africa for several years, African countries have been reluctant to host the command.
In 2007, Nigeria rejected a request to host the military command.
A number of African coutnruies had expressed reservations about hosting the military command, which was seen by many African coutnries as an expansion of US influence on the continent, and may primarily fopcus on oil interest.
Speaking at the same lecture, Ambassador Holmes said Nigeria is an extremely important partner for the America, and wanted to dispel the negatives perceptions surrounding AFRICOM, and reassured Nigeria of being an equal partner.
"What we need is a regular dialogue; a frank exchange between partners. We would like even sometimes to achieve between brothers by recognizing the suspicion surrounding Africom. We are partners and we need you to think about what you want, what you need and how we can help you achieve that," said Holmes.
Nigeria's defence minister, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode said collaboration was necessary to maintain stability in the region and on the continent.
"There is obviously a need to have a collaborative multi layered effort of all stake holders to increase national, regional and continental stability and by the same token, make a substantial contribution to global security," he said.
Ambassador Holmes, who directs programmes in health and humanitarian assistance, de-mining, disaster response, security sector reform and peace support operation will next travel to the Northern State of Kano.
There he will join a commissioning ceremony for a US sponsored renovation of facilities for visually and hearing impaired children. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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