President Jonathan Leaves Today To Attend The US-African Trade Summit In Washington

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will at the invitation of President Barack Obama leave for Washington DC early Sunday to participate in a three-day US-Africa Leaders Summit.

President Jonathan will join President 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 US-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.

President Jonathan is also scheduled to hold meetings in Washington with key US political, security and business leaders on the sidelines 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 the 

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, the Coordinating Minster of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.)

He will return home at the conclusion of the summit on Wednesday.