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Sanwo-Olu Receives New U.S. Consul General

Posted on August 15, 2019 by

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, August 14th, 2019 received in audience Ms. Claire Pierangelo, the new Consul-General of the United States (U.S.) Consulate in Lagos, with both pledging to collaborate on areas of mutual interest.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right), presents a plaque to U.S Consul General, Ms. Claire Pierangelo during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the US Consul General at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja

The objective of the courtesy visit, the U.S. diplomat said, was to strengthen the Consulate’s working relationship with the State government, pointing out that the embassy of the U.S. in Lagos had been a “great partner” of the government.

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The courtesy visit was Ms. Pierangelo’s first official call on any Nigerian public officer since she arrived in Nigeria.

The new envoy succeeded Mr. John F. Bray as Consul-General; and assumed duty on May 29 – the day Sanwo-Olu was sworn in.

She said: “I am here today on a visit to a friend of the U.S. government and our strategic development partner in Africa. We have had good working relationship and we believe this could be further strengthened for greater impacts on areas of collaborations.

“I am delighted to meet the Lagos State Governor with whom I started work on the same day. Maintaining a cordial relationship with Lagos government is critical to the success of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria. In the coming days, we will be sharing our plans on how to strengthen our shared partnership for the future.”

Ms. Pierangelo mulled avenue for cooperation with Lagos government in the areas of education, health, and security, reiterating American government’s commitment to deepen bilateral relationship with Nigeria through “active collaborations”.

Ms. Pierangelo also said the Consulate sought the support of the Lagos Government in enabling ease of moving its office to a new site on Victoria Island. She noted that the Consulate decided to move its office to a new site to allow space for more bilateral engagements.

Responding, Gov. Sanwo-Olu said Lagos and the U.S. Consulate shared a long history of collaboration that were beneficial to both parties. He said his administration would not hesitate to welcome any plan that would further improve the partnership the State has had with the American government.

He said: “We have a long history of partnership with the American government, which has resulted in positive growth for the State. I believe there is a lot of collaboration we can work on together for the benefit of the people.”

L-R: Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Protocol Officer, United States of America Consulate in Lagos, Mary-Anne Onwuchukwu; US Consul General, Ms. Claire Pierangelo; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Jaji and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the US Consul General at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. Behind: Political Chief, United States of America Consulate in Lagos, Mr. Pat Osman; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jermaine Sanwo-Olu and Permanent Secretary, Office of Chief of Staff, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu.

Ms. Pierangelo was accompanied on the visit by the Consulate’s Political Chief, Mr. Osman Tat, and Protocol Aide, Mary-Anne Onwuchekwa.