Vice President, Joe Biden |
The United States will back Nigeria to bring back the 219
Chibok schoolgirls.
Besides, it will support the battle against Boko Haram, Vice
President Joe Biden has told President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.
Biden telephoned Gen. Buhari to congratulate him on his
victory at the March 28 poll.
Here are excerpts from the conversation made available by
the All Progressives Congress (APC): “Vice President Biden spoke with Nigerian
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him on his victory in the
Nigerian elections and affirm that the United States stands ready to expand
collaboration with Nigeria on issues of common concern, including economic and
security matters.
“The Vice President commended President-elect Buhari for his
leadership in helping to ensure the elections were conducted peacefully and
urged him to continue to foster a smooth, inclusive and peaceful transition
with President (Goodluck) Jonathan. The
Vice President expressed the United States’ support for Nigeria’s efforts to
counter Boko Haram, recover hostages held by the group and protect civilian
populations. The Vice President also
expressed the willingness of the United States to partner more closely with
Nigeria to strengthen its economy.”
In Abuja yesterday, President Jonathan urged world leaders
and international institutions to support the incoming Buhari administration.
The President also urged Nigerians to do their best to help
Gen. Buhari succeed in leading the country to greater heights.
At separate audiences with the new ambassadors of France,
Senegal and Ethiopia, Jonathan appealed for patience, understanding and
cooperation from all stakeholders in Nigeria, which, he said, General Buhari
will need to lift the country up to greater peace, security and progress.
Responding to the commendation of his exemplary concession
of victory in the presidential election by the new ambassadors, President
Jonathan said he acted out of his abiding conviction that the unity, well-being
and progress of Nigeria must supersede all personal ambitions.
“You need to have a nation before you can have an ambition.
It should always be the nation first. You don’t have to scuttle national
progress for personal ambition.
“Since I assumed duty, I have been involved in quelling
political crisis in some African countries and I know what they passed through
and what some are still going through. If you scuttle a system for personal
ambition, it becomes a collective tragedy,’’ Dr. Jonathan said.
He told French ambassador Denis Guaer: “President Francois
Hollande was our guest in Nigeria during the celebration of Nigeria’s
centenary. He has been very supportive of the country in the fight against
terrorism. I expect that the same warmth and goodwill will be extended to the
incoming government. I expect that France will continue to work with the new
administration, especially on issues of terrorism.
“The United Nations has been supportive as well. Our troops,
supported by regional forces, have done very well in fighting the terrorists in
recent times. What we need now is support to help our people get back their
lives,’’ he said.
The ambassador said: “Nigeria is not only an economic power
in the world today, but also a great democratic example. And it is all by your
effort, Mr. President. The last elections and your response was truly a great
achievement and you will always be remembered for it.”
Mr. Guaer, the new Ambassador of Senegal, Mr. Baboucar Sambe
and the new Ambassador of Ethiopia, Samia Zekaria Gutu, who were at the
Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence to President Jonathan,
also assured him that they will do their best to strengthen relations between
Nigeria and their countries.
No comments:
Post a Comment