Against all insinuations and threats that the United States Government should reject the victory of the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Joe Biden administration has chosen to be proactive in embracing it.
Obviously validating the February 25 election and respecting the independence of Nigeria’s democratic process, it has named his delegation to attend the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
With the global powers also experiencing unprecedented shifts in alliance, this also seems not to be a time for Biden to tinker with relationship with Nigeria, a perception that may have influenced the decision to promptly release the delegation list – via a statement from the White Huse.
The delegation will be led by Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge.
Below are members of the Presidential Delegation:
- Mr. David Greene, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., U.S. Embassy Abuja
- The Honorable Sydney Kamlager-Dove, United States Representative (D), California
- The Honorable Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce
- General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command
- The Honorable Enoh T. Ebong, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency
- The Honorable Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
- The Honorable Judd Devermont, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council
- The Honorable Monde Muyangwa, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development.
As ‘The Punch’ also reports, events lined up for the inauguration include a lecture titled, ‘Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development’ that would be delivered by former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, on May 27.
Other activities include the Regimental Dinner in honour of the Commander-in-Chief at the Armed Forces Officers Mess slated for Tuesday, May 23; the Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Council Chambers inside the Presidential Villa on May 24; Public Lecture and Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque on May 26; Children’s Day Parade and Party on May 27 and an Inter-denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre on May 28.
Also, the Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night at the State House Conference Centre is billed for May 28 while the inauguration/swearing-in of the president-elect and the vice president-elect will take place on May 29 accompanied by an inauguration parade at the Eagle Square.
There will also be a post-inauguration luncheon strictly for the President with his colleague Presidents, Heads of Government and guests at the State House Banquet Hall after the inauguration ceremony.
