United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano is expected in Nigeria on Monday to meet with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, Peoples Daily relaibly learnt last night.

Similarly, Napolitano is to meet with top security chiefs in Nigeria, as well as officials of the American mission in the country. 

A dependable source hinted last night that the meetings are in line with efforts to avoid possible diplomatic row between the two countries, arising from the recent attemted bombing of the Delta airliner by 23-year old Umar Faruk Mutallab.

Although details of the US homeland security scribe’s mission and itenerary were sketchy as at last night, Peoples Daily learnt that she would meet the Nigerian vice president and security chiefs to clear misconceptions arising from inclusion of  the country among America’s recent list of  ‘severe risk countries’.

She is also to assure the VP and Nigerians of the US’ resolve to allow Faruk Mutallab’s case go through proper legal processes in line with America’s justice system.

After her visit, the United States Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson is to follow up and further cement the ‘robust diplomatic ties’ between the two countries.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian government warned that placement of the country among the ‘severe risk countries’ list was capable of undermining the long standing relationship between the two countries. 

Information and Communications Minister, Professor Dora Akunyili gave the warning shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday. 

The minister told newsmen that while the Federal Government expressed dismay over the development, and stressed that it could mar the goodwill enjoyed by the US in the country. 

“It is noteworthy that Mr. Faruk Mutallab, though Nigerian born has been educated and bred outside Nigeria and only transited through Nigeria for less than 30 minutes on the fateful day where he underwent regular airport security”, she said.

According to the minister, worthy of note also was Nigeria’s record on the fight against terrorism where it “signed and ratified nine out of the 16 UN and AU instruments on Counter Terrorism dealing with issues ranging from money laundering, drug trafficking, crime, to nuclear terrorism.” 

When asked if any delegation will be attending Mutallab’s trial scheduled for today, the minister said the matter was not discussed in the Council, adding that there was no consideration on sending anyone or delegation to attend the trial. 

Nigeria is a major supply of crude oil to the United States, and enjoys mutually beneficial relationship with that country, in spite of ocassional misunderstandings such as the recent withdrawal of accreditation of the country’s ambassador in Washington, Professor Tunde Adeniran. 

The United States Secretary of Homeland Security is the head of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the body concerned with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens. The Secretary is a member of the President’s Cabinet. The position was created by the Homeland Security Act following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The new department consisted primarily of components transferred from other cabinet departments because of their role in homeland security, such as the Coast Guard, Federal Protective Service, Border Patrol, Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It does not, however, include the FBI or the CIA. 

On January 20, 2009, the Senate confirmed Barack Obama’s appointment of Janet Napolitano to be the third Secretary of Homeland Security.