ABUJA, June 12 (MENA) - US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills has lauded the media in the West African nation, noting that they are well-informed, robust, caring, committed, and among the best in Africa.

Mills made the remarks during a farewell dinner for the embassy’s departing Press Attaché Gilbert Morton, and two other members of the Public Diplomacy section in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

The other two departing embassy officials were pubic diplomacy officers Victoria Cook and Katarina Ramos.

The ambassador underscored the critical contributions of the trio to strengthening media relations, as well as US-Nigeria relations through the media, cultural and educational outreach.

Mills pledged to deepen the US mission’s broader commitment to public engagement in Nigeria about his country’s policies, issues, goals, as well as diplomatic relations between Nigeria and US.

“The Nigerian press is among the most well-informed, most caring, most committed press, I think, on this continent.

“It is very important that the US engages with the press about our policies, issues, and our goals for both Nigeria and US,” he said.

Mills particularly acknowledged the role of Morton in building media relationships, as well as championing education outreach.

“Gil got me into the arena with so many of the folks here,” he said.

The ambassador also applauded the embassy’s entire Public Diplomacy team for their tireless efforts in promoting shared values between the two countries.

“We are a team committed to making sure the values Nigerians and Americans share prevail in the world and shape our children’s futures.

“The biggest part of that is our public outreach, discussing those values, making them understood, and ensuring they endure,” he added. (MENA)

I S N/R G E