President Barak Obama of the United States of America has confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria came into office with a reputation of integrity and a clear agenda and preparedness to bringing peace to Nigeria.
He said also that President Buhari came into power with clear vision of curtailing Boko Haram insurgency and rooting out corruption.
Welcoming the Nigerian leader to the Oval Office of the White House, Washington DC today shortly before the start of the bilateral meeting between officials of both countries Obama said: “on both issues of tackling insurgency and corruption in Nigeria, we look forward to how the United States can partner Nigeria to become an outstanding role model for developing countries.”
The American strong man described Nigeria as one of the most important countries in Africa, even as he commended the peaceful election and transition that brought President Buhari to power.
He also lauded Nigeria’s track record in tackling Ebola and polio, adding that the United States looked forward to engaging Nigeria in improving its electricity challenges.
President Buhari, who is on the second day of the visit to the US, acknowledged the outstanding role the US played for the success of the March/April general elections in Nigeria.
According to President Buhari, the continued pressure on the immediate past administration by the United States and some European countries made the general elections in Nigeria to be free and fair.
He emphasised that without the external pressure, “we would not be where we are today” in Nigeria, recalled that the pressure started from the visit of the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry to the past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega.
“Nigeria will be ever grateful to President Obama and the United States for making Nigeria consolidate its gains on democracy.”
The President said that he looked forward to a fruitful visit and engagement with his host government, even as he expressed delight that the United States government had indicated interest in partnering and helping the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to bring to fruition its goals of tackling insecurity, corruption and youth unemployment.
The governors of Edo, Oyo, Imo, Borno and Nasarawa states and other top Nigerian government officials joined Presidents Buhari and Obama in the bilateral talks.
Meanwhile at a breakfast meeting hosted today by American Vice President, Joe Biden, President Buhari compare notes with his guest, especially on the terror war.
America had been beleaguered by terrorists, who launched massive attacks that killed thousands in September 2001, while Nigeria battles the Boko Haram sect causing carnage in the North-eastern part of the country.
At the meeting, which held at the Naval Observatory, official residence of the American Vice President, Biden shared with his guest what the U.S had learnt from the terror war, counseling that victory cannot come from military option alone. Military option must be combined with strong socio-economic support programmes, VP Biden said, promising that the U.S would work with Nigeria in that direction.
VP Biden assured of the goodwill of the United States in rebuilding the Nigerian economy, but observed that corruption and weak institutions must be tackled, if Nigeria was to benefit from reforms. He added that seasoned technocrats must manage key sectors of the Nigerian economy, and only then would investors be attracted to the country.
The American Vice-President congratulated President Buhari on his victory at the March 2015 elections, adding that it was obvious that the President enjoys the confidence of the Nigerian people.
Responding, President Buhari thanked the U.S for standing by Nigeria in the run up to general elections early this year, noting that the visit of the Secretary of State, John Kerry, was critical as it sent home the message that America would not brook the subversion of the people’s will.
On oil theft, the Nigerian President estimated losses at between 10 and 20 billion dollars, stressing that such income could have been deployed with salutary impact on various spheres of national life like education and healthcare, among others.
Both America and Nigeria pledged renewed commitment to work as partners at the very insightful meeting. [myad]
