Obama praises Nigerian leader for pursuing safety, security

Jonathan had clashed with the Obama administration over Boko Haram and military assistance.

Jonathan cancelled a U.S. program training Nigerian troops against the terror group and didn’t respond kindly to U.S. condemnation of corruption in his government.

He said the shift of resources and command directly to the front line, in addition to the replacement of the head of the State Security Services, and a new emphasis on working in partnership with Nigeria’s neighbours, had equipped his government to take the fight directly to Boko Haram.

The militant group controls parts of northeastern Nigeria and says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government. Obama did not signal whether he might send US troops to help train Nigerian forces.

Obama praised Buhari’s integrity and claimed in prepared remarks.that he has “a very clear agenda in defeating Boko Haram extremists of all sorts inside his country”. Now, an indication of the importance of the visit to the Obama administration is that President Buhari will be staying at Blair House, the official guest house, even though this is not a state visit, which are usually arranged long in advance and more ceremonial than substantive.

Obama said successful reforms would mean that “Nigeria ends up being an anchor, not only of prosperity and stability” but, he said, the country “can also be an outstanding role model for developing countries around the world”.

“Those who are still missing, we pray for them on a daily basis”, she said in a Capitol Hill press event on the girls, who were abducted more than a year ago. Later in the day, he will meet with West African diplomats, World Bank executives, and members of the U.S. Congress. He is scheduled to hold a town hall meeting Tuesday with Nigerians. As does Obama. As for defeating Boko Haram… don’t ask, don’t tell.

Nigeria is a very religious country and, according to recent polls, 85 per cent of its people are against gay marriage.

Buhari, who said he was “extremely grateful” for the invitation, noted the “positive trends” of elections in his country and credited “pressure from the United States and Europe to make sure elections were free and credible” for leading them to where they are now.

Ahead of the meeting of President Muhammadu Buhari with officials of the Obama government this week, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Obama to “back up his expressed commitment on stolen assets by taking thoughtful and aggressive steps to deal with the problem with the seriousness and intensity that has been previously lacking”.

“The United States did not cease to function in the interim”.

Buhari also enjoined the business communities in the United States and Nigeria to take advantage of the excellent political relations between the two nations to expand trade and investment activities including joint venture projects in priority sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Others at the airport to receive the president included the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof.