International human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe has recounted how former President Olusegun Obasanjo offered to send 3,000 Nigerian firefighters to assist the United States following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Speaking during an interview with Arise TV, Ogebe argued that Nigeria’s immediate solidarity with America after 9/11 shows the strong bilateral relationship between both countries. “The U.S. and Nigeria have had amazing historic relationships in the last 25 years. When 9/11 happened, Obasanjo was so close to Bush that he flew to the U.S., sat side by side with him, and told Bush, ‘We will send you 3,000 Nigerian firefighters to help you.’ Nigeria was trying to help the U.S.,” he said.
The human rights lawyer revealed that the Obasanjo-Bush relationship began earlier in May 2001 when President George W. Bush invited the Nigerian leader to Washington. “Now, this is interesting because when Obasanjo and Clinton had a good relationship and Bush took over, Obasanjo was concerned when Bush invited him. I happened to be in the country. I happened to meet him. And I said to him, I said, ‘Mr. President,’ he said, ‘I’m worried. I don’t know why this guy invited me.’ I said, ‘You have nothing to worry about. You have more in common with this guy than you realize,” Ogebe stated.
He explained that Bush sought an African partner for a landmark HIV/AIDS initiative, initially considering South Africa but ultimately choosing Nigeria after Obasanjo hosted an HIV/AIDS summit.
Ogebe noted that American policymakers conducted thorough research before identifying Obasanjo as a suitable collaborator, an action which illustrate the deliberate nature of U.S. diplomatic engagement with African leaders.
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