7 Apr 2010 13:01 Africa/Lagos

U.S. - Nigeria Binational Commission

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Office of the Spokesman


On April 6, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Nigerian Secretary to the Government of the Federation Yayale Ahmed inaugurated the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission, a strategic dialogue designed to expand mutual cooperation across a broad range of shared interests. The Commission is a collaborative forum to build partnerships for tangible and measurable progress on issues critical to our shared future.


The United States establishes such commissions with valued and strategic partners. Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation, its largest contributor of peacekeepers, its largest producer of oil and a significant trading partner for the United States.


Secretaries Clinton and Ahmed are forming four working groups to address specific bilateral issues: Good Governance, Transparency, and Integrity; Energy and Investment; Food Security and Agriculture; and, Niger Delta and Regional Security Cooperation. They plan to launch the Good Governance, Transparency, and Integrity working group first, in light of preparations and reforms necessary to ensure Nigeria's 2011 elections are free, fair, and transparent.


Source: US Department of State

what is this all about, seems good initiative,