The Department of State’s Counselor, Thomas Shannon, has arrived Nigeria for the first leg of a two-nation West Africa tour that would also take him to Liberia.

“In Nigeria, he will lead a Presidential Delegation to Nigeria’s Centenary Celebration in Abuja,” the U.S. Embassy in Abuja said this evening.

According to the embassy in a statement made available to News Express by e-mail, in Abuja, Shannon “will meet with government officials and participate in high-level celebration events with other world leaders.” Thereafter “he will then travel to Lagos for discussions on a range of issues of mutual interest.

“Counselor Shannon will also travel to Liberia to open the second meeting of the U.S.-Liberia Partnership Dialogue, and consult with stakeholders on areas of Liberia’s progress and development.”

•Photo shows U.S. Presidential Delegation Thomas Shannon.