President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday hailed Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris on their inauguration as president and vice president of the United States of America (US), expressing hope that their presidency would mark a strong point of cooperation and support for Nigeria as well as the African continent.
Biden was sworn-in as the 46th president of the US, ending the era of immediate past President Donald Trump who refused to attend the inauguration held at the Capitol Hill Washington DC.
The low key event was however attended by former US Presidents Bill Clinton and his wife Hilary, George Bush, Barack Obama and others.
Amid tight security across the country, Biden was sworn-in at noon by US Supreme Court Justice, John Roberts, becoming the oldest president to take oath of office at 77.
This was preceded by the inauguration of the vice president, Kamala Harris, who became the first female, first black and first South Asia to be elected vice president of the US.
In a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari congratulated the new American leaders and the entire country on the successful transition, which he said marked an important historical inflection point for democracy as a system of government and for the global community as a whole.
He said, “We look forward to the Biden presidency with great hope and optimism for strengthening of existing cordial relationships, working together to tackle global terrorism, climate change, poverty and improvement of economic ties and expansion of trade.
“We hope that this will be an era of great positivity between our two nations, as we jointly address issues of mutual interest.”
President Buhari also rejoiced with President Biden, sharing the proud feeling that the first woman elected vice president of the United States has an African and Asian ancestry.
