Dallas : Caraway to become the first sitting Dallas Mayor to visit Nigeria .5/21/11

Dallas Mayor Dwaine Caraway will depart Wednesday, May 25^th for an official visit to Abuja, Nigeria. Mayor Caraway was invited to attend the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29^th. Mayor Caraway is scheduled to attend the inaugural ceremony and several celebratory events.  

“It is exciting that Dallas will be represented at this historic event,” said Mayor Caraway.  “Nigeria is now considered one of the world’s chief emerging economies, and our presence there certainly helps us build strong relationships between Dallas and Nigeria going in to the future.”

Dallas has recently been working to develop trade relationships with several African nations including Kenya and South Africa. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with a little over 155 million people and has the third largest economy in Africa behind South Africa and Egypt.  This invitation came out of a meeting between Caraway and high level Nigerian government officials and business leaders visiting Dallas to build trade ties.

 “When it comes to global trade, Dallas has had a strong focus on Asia, Europe and the Americas,” said Mayor Caraway. “But we also understand that there is plenty of opportunity in Africa, and Nigeria is a nation and an economy we should not ignore.”

Goodluck Jonathan was elevated to President of Nigeria a year ago while President Umaru Yar’Adua was receiving medical treatment outside the country.  He won the Presidency in elections held  in April of this year with 77% of the valid vote.

Caraway will be the first sitting Dallas Mayor to visit Nigeria and the second  sitting Dallas Mayor to visit the continent of Africa. U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk visited South Africa and Zimbabwe while he was Dallas Mayor in 1996.

Mayor Caraway’s travel costs will be paid out of a special fund at the World Affairs Council. Each year, private contributions are raised to cover the travel expenses for the Mayor and other elected officials to promote international trade and cultural ties. Caraway will return to Dallas on June 1^st.