PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, it’s a great pleasure to welcome President Buhari and his delegation here to the Oval Office for his first visit since the historic election that took place.
Nigeria is obviously one of the important countries in the world and 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. And it was an affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, a recognition that although Nigeria is a big country and a diverse country with many different parts, nevertheless the people of Nigeria understand that only through a peaceful political process can change take place.
President Buhari comes into office with a reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda, and that is to make sure that he is bringing safety and security and peace to his country.
He’s very concerned about the spread of Boko Haram and the violence that’s taken place there, and the atrocities that they’ve carried out, and has a very clear agenda in defeating Boko Haram and extremists of all sorts inside of his country. And he has a very clear agenda with respect to rooting out the corruption that too often has held back the economic growth and prosperity of his country.
On both these issues, we’re looking forward to hearing more about his plans and how the United States can partner with Nigeria so that Nigeria ends up being an anchor not only of prosperity and stability in the eastern part of the continent, but can also be an outstanding role model for developing countries around the world.
And we very much look forward to talking about security issues, how we can cooperate on counterterrorism. We’re looking forward to discussing how we can be helpful in addressing some of the corruption issues that have held Nigeria back, and unleashing the incredible talent of the Nigerian people. We all recognize that some of the best businesspeople in the world are from Nigeria, and they thrive as they travel to other countries, but we want to make sure that they’re also helping folks thrive in Nigeria.
We’re also going to have an opportunity to talk about some of the other areas where Nigeria has taken leadership — in public health issues, fighting tragedies like Ebola. Nigeria has an outstanding track record working with us to eradicate polio, and that gives us a framework and a template to continue to work on public health issues throughout the western part of Africa, as well as throughout the subcontinent.
We’ll have a chance to talk about issues of climate change, electrification. As many of you know, Power Africa is one of our top priorities, making sure that we’re electrifying the continent so that it can grow faster and more people have access to the power that they need.
So we’ve got a busy agenda, but I want to emphasize how much I appreciate President Buhari’s work so far. I’m looking forward to seeing him put together his team so that we can do everything that we can to help him succeed and help the people of Nigeria succeed. Because if they’re successful and doing well, that will have a ripple effect not only in West Africa, but throughout the world.
So thank you very much.
Mr. President.
PRESIDENT BUHARI: Nigeria will remain ever grateful to President Obama and the United States for making Nigeria to consolidate its gains on a democratic system. The visit of the Secretary of State, when he visited Nigeria to see the President and the whole government of Nigeria, see the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission for Nigeria, and saw the operation was very clear and a positive trend that saw us through for this credible election we had.
And the maintenance of pressure by the United States, mainly, and Europe, to make sure that the elections were free, fair and credible led us to where we are now. It would have been almost impossible if the United States did not maintain the pressure on the former Nigerian government, but they would not accept anything less constitutional as far as the processes of the election are concerned. We will ever remain grateful to you because there are fundamental objectives that are identify all of Nigeria’s people’s Congress — security, economy, employment especially of youth, and then fighting corruption.
We are extremely happy that the United States had made it absolutely clear before the election that they are prepared to help Nigeria in this aspect. And this is why I am here, and I am very grateful for the invitation Mr. President extended to me.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you so much.
QUESTION FROM A JOURNALIST: Mr. President, the Security Council approved the deal (Iran). Will that help you in Congress?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think it will send a clear message that the overwhelming number of countries who not only participated in the deal, the P5+1, but who have observed what’s happened, recognize that this is by far our strongest approach to ensuring that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon. There is broad international consensus around this issue — not just among the international community, but also among experts in nuclear proliferation. And my working assumption is that Congress will pay attention to the broad-based consensus. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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It is very unfortunate to have this malam as president. This is a big setback.
ReplyDeleteWhat the mall am has achieved in his life, I doubt you've achieved ⅛ of it. Why now hating on him? What's the setback you talking about?
DeleteWhy not concentrate on that which matters in your life,how u would progress among others than this hate game of yours.
Leave this man alone to do his job. Whether you like it or not, destiny has put him. Talk to your destiny to push you to higher places also
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ReplyDeleteSetback on what???
ReplyDeleteA big set back on what? U are a big fool! I Guez u can't even read and understand what is been said der. 4get party now and be happy. Olodo like u*Rubbish*
ReplyDeletePlease let the man be. What does malam have to do with it? His English may not be the best but people with better grammer and education have always failed us. We simply need an incorruptible person who has the will to carry out his convictions no matter whose ox is gored and has common sense. Buhari is the right man for this moment.
ReplyDeleteintelligent. those were the same words I used during the elections. Buhari really is the right man for this moment. when we need a sharp guy we will vote in one, we have the power now. God bless Nigeria.
DeleteAnonymous July. 21,201d at 7:09am ar u nt awake.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a leper that will change ds country for d beta, so b it, u must b an enemy of progress for dat statement
ReplyDeleteBuhari is really shacking me like ogogoro, u ppl have no idea wat it is to be sleeping under electricity everyday eversince he entered. I hardly buy fuel ooooooooooo Kai dias god ooooooo. By the special grace of GOD, buhari will rule nigeria just like ghadafi, mogembo IJN(amen). Beta days r yet to come. God punish all those who wishes 9ja to remain in d days of no light, corruption, embezzlement, chop and clean mouth, settle b4 work, abadoned projects, bribe b4 giving contract. All of them will neva see light in dis life and d next to come or else am not serving a living God will dey(idiots) succeed. Wole shoyinka said, " come and savage my head, if buhari fail to perform". Now tell me who is more sensible dan wole shoyinka to make dat statement.
ReplyDeleteBuhari is really shacking me like ogogoro, u ppl have no idea wat it is to be sleeping under electricity everyday eversince he entered. I hardly buy fuel ooooooooooo Kai dias god ooooooo. By the special grace of GOD, buhari will rule nigeria just like ghadafi, mogembo IJN(amen). Beta days r yet to come. God punish all those who wishes 9ja to remain in d days of no light, corruption, embezzlement, chop and clean mouth, settle b4 work, abadoned projects, bribe b4 giving contract. All of them will neva see light in dis life and d next to come or else am not serving a living God will dey(idiots) succeed. Wole shoyinka said, " come and savage my head, if buhari fail to perform". Now tell me who is more sensible dan wole shoyinka to make dat statement.
ReplyDeletePls tell them
DeleteWhat has buhari done since he entered for u to have stable light. Absolutely NOTHING. the truth is that. This are all the works of GEJ which were being sabotage so Nigerians won't see anything good in him. We have suddenly stopped hearing of punctured gas pipelines transporting gas to power plants. For me. I think I like the change in govt. This will ensure whoever is there won't feel so comfortable if they can't perform. GEJ tried in some areas. Especially POWER. But not in stopping corruption a and security. GOd Bless Nigeria.
DeleteHe really tried in power and he accepted the resignation letter of Professor Pat Nnaji a man whom under his regime as Minister Nigeria recorded her first highest and stable electricity supply ever in the history of the country and his successor claimed that it's the evil spirits that were behind the shortage in power distribution and supply after he'd collected bribe.
DeleteWe believed in President Buhari's government to put an end to corruption, insurgency and other evil going on in our nation. Please, let us stop sentiment, insult and ignorance. Let us unite and build a new Nigeria. God bless Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteWe are watching
ReplyDeleteWe are watching and waiting.
ReplyDeleteWith your hands join together, just say " Nigeria will rise again" yea i believe.
ReplyDeleteI have confidence in this president. I am so keen to see him perform well so that we can prove looters and corrupt officials wrong. We need to show those who believe that Nigeria is beyond repair that God has put great men and women of honor in this country. We must demonstrate that never again shall we allow few people to plunder our commonwealth.
ReplyDeleteI have confidence in this president. I am so keen to see him perform well so that we can prove looters and corrupt officials wrong. We need to show those who believe that Nigeria is beyond repair that God has put great men and women of honor in this country. We must demonstrate that never again shall we allow few people to plunder our commonwealth.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish he could look into the affairs beyond the last administration....it shouldn't appear that just because those ones succeeded in putting in place a "pady" administration, they have escaped. Obasanjo looked into Abacha's time. let Buhari start from there.
ReplyDelete