To further strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and the USA, the Mayor of Houston, Mayor John Whitmire, has called for direct flights between Nigeria and Houston as well as opening a Nigerian consulate in the state.
This was the highlight of the meeting between Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, representing Mayor John Whitmire, in Texas, USA.
Noting that Houston hosts one of the largest populations of Nigerians in the US, the Mayor said these measures would
further deepen collaboration in areas such as consular representation, trade, and diaspora engagement.
The Mayor also stressed that such measures would not only strengthen bilateral relations but also enhance services and opportunities for the Nigerian community in Houston.
On the call for the establishment of a Nigerian Consulate in Houston as well as the commencement of direct flights, Dabiri was said to have assured that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Aviation in Nigeria were looking into both requests.
They both described the meeting as “productive and forward-looking,” underlining Houston’s commitment to stronger Nigeria-US ties.
Others in the diplomatic meeting according to a statement signed by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun
include Ambasador Chigozie Obi, former Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia, Mr Kunle “ Kay “ Elegbede, International Community Relations Manager for Mayor Whitmire, Toni Jenkins, Consular Relations Manager, Isabella Benavides, International Affairs Liason, Yorke Sydney, a young intern at the Mayor’s office who used the meeting to learn a few things about International affairs and expressed her admiration for Hon. Dabiri’s career trajectory from journalism to Politics.
