Biden announces delegation to attend Tinubu’s inauguration

Bola Tinubu

United States President Joe Biden has set up a delegation to attend the inauguration of Bola Tinubu as president of Nigeria on May 29.

A statement on Monday released by the White House said the Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge would lead the delegation.

The statement said, “President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria.

“The Honorable Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the delegation.

“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.”

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke with Tinubu on phone last week to assure him of the United States’ readiness to improve relations with Nigeria.