U.S. felicitates with Nigeria on 59th Independence Day

As Nigeria marks its 59th Independence Anniversary on Oct. 1, President Donald Trump of the U.S. has extended his warm wishes to President Muhammadu Buhari and congratulates Nigeria, especially for the common interests and goals.

The felicitation is contained in President Trumps’s Message to President Buhari, made available to newsmen in Lagos on Monday by the U.S. Mission.

“On behalf of the American people, I extend our warmest greetings and congratulate you on the 59th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.

“Nigeria is among our strongest partners in Africa.

“We share common goals of expanding trade and growing our economic relationship.

“We are allies in the global battle against terrorism, and we want to see Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa driven out of the region and other insurgencies like them dismantled.

“The U.S. welcomes efforts by your administration to diversify opportunities for your talented, creative, and hardworking people to the benefit of both our countries, Africa, and the world.”

“I wish the people of Nigeria continued success as you mark another year of independence,”President Trump said in the message.

Our correspondent reports that on Oct. 1, 1960, Nigeria got her independence from the British Colony.

The British Union Jack was lowered and replaced by the nation’s Green-White-Green flag.

With the independence, a new constitution evolved which established a federal system of government with an elected prime minister and a ceremonial head of state.

Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe became Nigeria’s Governor- General from 1960 to 1963 and first President from 1963 to 1966.

Nigeria has witnessed a civil war, some coups and with a number of military regimes and civilian presidency.

On Feb. 23, President Buhari was reelected as the President of the Federal Republican of Nigeria and was inaugurated for his second term on May 29, 2019.