Yesterday, at the meeting at the State Department led by Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary—Bureau of African Affairs, the focus of our discussions were on the critical need to seek collaborative solutions to our local issues on democracy and governance, our deteriorating security and the economy. Most importantly, we secured commitments to support for free and fair elections in Nigeria, an announcement of a sanction policy before the elections to deter anti-democratic forces and commitments for continued partnership with Nigeria in areas of security and development. -AA