President Barrack Obama on Monday expressed confidence in the ability
of President Mihammadu Buhari to tackle the multiple challenges facing
Nigeria.
Obama gave the assurance in Washington DC, when he received President
Muhammedu Buhari, who was on 4-day official visit to the U.S.
According to him, Buhari has come with a clear agenda to tackle the
problem of insecurity occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram sect as
well as other violence criminal activities.
Obama expressed appreciation to Buhari’s leadership style so far,
saying that his administration would continue to assist and help Nigeria
in overcoming its challenges.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome President Buhari and his
delegation here in the White House for his first visit since the
historic election that took place.
“Nigeria is obviously one of the most important countries in the
world, one of the most important countries in the African continent.
“Recently, we saw an election in which a peaceful transition to a new
government took place. Nevertheless, the people of Nigeria understand
that only through a peaceful political process that can change takes
place.
“President Buhari came into office with reputation for integrity and a
very clear agenda that is to make sure that he has been bringing safely
security and peace to his country.
“He is very concerned about the spread and the violence that is
taking place there and the atrocities and has a very clear agenda in
defeating Boko Haram and extremists.
“I want to emphasised how much I appreciate President Buhari’s work
so far. I have seen him put together a team so that we can do everything
that we can to help him succeed and help the people of Nigeria succeed.
Obama also assured that American government would continue to partner
with Nigeria in ensuring political stability in Africa and around the
world.
He described Nigeria as one of the most important countries in the
world and congratulated the country for conducting peaceful elections.
He also commended Nigeria for taking leadership position in the fight
against the spread of diseases like Ebola and Polio and pledged that
his administration would continue to accord Nigeria the necessary
recognition to bring peace to Africa and the world.
In his remarks, President Buhari commended the American Government
under the leadership of President Obama for mounting pressure on former
Jonathan’s administration to conduct a free and fair election in
Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria will remain forever grateful to America for this singular act.
The visit of the Secretary of State before the elections to see the
former president, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral
Commission and the opposition was a positive trend that “saw us through
the elections’’.
“And the maintenance of pressure by United States mainly and Europe
to make sure that the elections were free, fair and credible made us to
be where we are now.
“It would have been almost impossible if the United States did not maintain the pressure on the former Nigerian Government.’’
Buhari, therefore, thanked Obama for inviting him to visit his country as well as his administration’s support to Nigeria.
Governors of Nasarawa, Borno, Imo, Oyo and Edo States as well as some
Nigerian government officials accompanied the president during the
visit.(NAN)
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