Independence: Obama congratulates Nigeria, pledges
support agaisnt terrorism
on september 30, 2014 at 7:55 pm in news
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Abuja – U.S. President, Barack Obama, has pledged
the support of the American government to
Nigeria in combating terrorism.
The pledge is contained in Obama’s congratulatory
message on Nigeria’s 54th independence
anniversary, to be marked on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Obama said the U.S was looking forward to
strengthening its relationship with Nigeria in the
coming year, especially on good governance.
He added that “Nigeria continues to play a key
leadership role in Africa and at the UN in
promoting regional peace and stability.
“At the heart of our enduring friendship is our
shared commitment to democratic values, the rule
of law and economic development.
“We look forward to strengthening our
relationship and working closely in the coming
year, especially in promoting good governance and
combating terrorism.
“As Nigerians observe this special day, we wish
you a more peaceful and prosperous year,’’ Obama
wrote in the message, addressed to President
Goodluck Jonathan.
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General
of the Commonwealth, urged Nigerians to remain
united in confronting the challenges facing the
country.
Anyaoku spoke to reporters at Nigeria’s foreign
ministry headquarters after a courtesy call on the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aminu Wali.
He said “my message to the nation is to celebrate;
we have achieved some successes in a number of
areas in terms of our development.
“But we still have challenges and my message is
that we should remain united in facing those
challenges.’’
Anyaoku recounted the role the Commonwealth
played in ensuring Nigeria’s return to democracy
in 1999 and argued that it was erroneous to posit
that Nigeria had not benefitted from the 53-nation
group.
He said during his tenure, the then Chairman of
INEC, Late Justice Ephraim Akpata,
visited him in London several times which
culminated in Commonwealth playing a key role
in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“I was able to arrange for the Chief Electoral
Officer India, the largest democracy in the world,
to come here and spend three months in Nigeria
helping to run courses for INEC staff.
“In my conversation with the then Head of State,
Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, he would tell you that
he found our conversations very helpful in the
electoral process.
“In that area, the Commonwealth played an
important role in helping the country to return to
democratic rule.’’
Similarly, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr
Aminu Wali, had acknowledged that the country
had been very generous to African nations “but it
had not reaped more’’ from its generosity.
“Diplomacy is about reciprocity, if I give you
more, I expect more from you.
“My intention is to ensure that Nigeria gets more
from its investments,’’ he said. (NAN)
PCC/MO/HA