Ahead of his official visit to the United States tomorrow, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with Umaru Muttalab, the father of the 22-year-old Nigerian, Farouk Abdulmuttalab, who allegedly attempted to bomb an American aircraft on Christmas Day last year.

Dressed in white Babanriga, Mr Muttalab came to the Presidential Villa alone and met with the acting president behind closed doors for close to an hour, but he refused to speak to the press afterwards.

He is, however, believed to have discussed his earlier trip to the United States during which he met with American security officials who were after more clues about his son’s attempted terrorism on American soil, for which the young man is currently facing trial.

Washington immediately placed Nigeria on a 14-nation terror watch list after the attempt and ordered a thorough screening of Nigerians travelling to the States, a development that was bitterly criticized by the Nigerian government.

Earlier this week however, the US announced that it will implement new airline security measures to replace mandatory screening of air travellers from the 14 listed countries. The Nigerian ministry of foreign affairs which released a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson Ozo Nwobu, yesterday, welcomed the de-listing of Nigeria as a ‘country of interest’ in the U.S. anti-terrorism crusade, following the new guidelines.

A few days to Mr Jonathan’s visit to the White House, the US and Nigeria signed a U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC) on Tuesday. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton signed the agreement on behalf of the US, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed signed for Nigeria.

Mrs Clinton described the document as “a new vehicle for cooperation,” which grew out of discussions that started during her visit to Nigeria last August. She said the agreement was signed at a very challenging moment in Nigeria’s political history, which “reflects the commitment of the US to this absolutely critical bilateral relationship.”

The US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, Johnnie Carson who recently visited Nigeria, recently described the relationship between the US and Nigeria as ‘special’. He was giving his testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which was examining the US-Nigeria relation last February.

“Our bilateral relationship with Nigeria remains strong and we can continue to press forward our mutual strategic goals,” he said. He identified free and fair elections, building capacity and commitment to fight corruption, promoting economic development, resolving internal conflict, enhancing Nigeria’s role as a regional leader in conflict mitigation, and developing other influential actors such as the state governments and faith communities as mutual goals for both nations.

Obama’s guest

Mr Jonathan goes to the US on the invitation of America’s President, Barack Obama to attend a maiden nuclear security summit, organised by the American government. The trip will avail the Nigerian leader an opportunity to personally present the federal government’s demands to the American president.

The Obama administration was the first government to congratulate Mr Jonathan after the National Assembly declared him the Acting President to avert an impending constitutional crisis as the ailing President stayed away in Saudi Arabia for treatment on a heart condition without appropriately delegating his power.

The Acting President is expected back home by Thursday next week.

Link:

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5552336-146/jonathan_and_muttalab_meet__.csp

Ok. Not a bad idea

, and it makes the front page with just ONE REPLY!

Nigeria deserves2be on d terrorist list.Different sort of crime&other social vices in d country,yesterday boko haram,2day jos crisis,2morrow an idiot attempting 2hit d arik airline with his car.The list is endless including public looting&misappropriation of funds by unscrupulous politicians.I wish I were not a Nigerian.Why me??

I just hope they are not going to ask Obama to grant AMNESTY to the foolish and stupid boy!

Is it really been on the terrorist list that will make us stay at home. Yes it is beautifull to stay at home, at least we be able to annes from the best brains.
I think what we should all find a solution fopr is how we can change the orientations of all of us, most especially our politicains. Then we dont need to tell anybody to stay back at home before they all know there is hope in the land. God bless all of us, God bless Nigeria.

@ireneann

In a very plain language, i agree with u. we ought to be on that list.

Two beautiful faces one dark soul. what an irony. see papa see pikin.

@kwaghe  

I just hope they are not going to ask Obama to grant AMNESTY to the foolish and silly boy!
I just pray so, else the calabar man may team up with him and huuuuuuuh!

@s4

Yes cos Nigerians are better people when living in crises.

What more does he want to hear?

@ gbengress, why the self-condemnation nah, is there a country wit no terrorism? America also has its on line of terrorism, only dt they r so quick to broadcast and exagerate ours, It's even worse in there but coded. Im still suspectin America on the first 3 massive earthquakes dt happened early dis year, they sure knw hw to cover-up

A true Leader will gather facts from the players ahead of a meeting . . . Great jog GJ, this guy keep impressing

Naija has turned to something else

Joey is truly a smart boy!

He keeps quiet and gathers fact. . . and when its time to act, he moves in a swift, ruthless manner!

^^^ The dude seems to know what he is doing, he seems to be smarter than we have given him credit for . . . . . Might have his name written in gold after the year oh.

what are they gonna discuss. Hope dey find the real reason for the attempted bombing

GJ, make me d Acting President d few days u'll b away and i promise u, Nigeria will not remain d same again.

sley4life:

what are they gonna discuss. Hope dey find the real reason for the attempted bombing

Was that supposed to be a joke or a question.
The dude's son was gonna bomb a plane within the territory of USA.
Jonathan is going to USA to meet with the president of USA
And you asking what would the dude and Jonathan would be discussin?

Only in Nigeria would the father of a suspected terrorist be granted a private audience with the President. What on earth could the father have to say that he can't say to the nation? He and and his spoiled ass of a son have caused more than enough trouble; I hope he doesn't expect Jonathan to speak to Obama about his son's charges.

Travelista:

Only in Nigeria would the father of a suspected terrorist be granted a private audience with the President. What on earth could the father have to say that he can't say to the nation? He and and his spoiled backside of a son have caused more than enough trouble; I hope he doesn't expect Jonathan to speak to Obama about his son's charges.

Do you have any clue that the problem caused by that little brat was a national issue for Nigeria?
So there is nothing wrong in meeting with Jonathan.
America flew him to come to USA to help them, and mind you, till he told the son to cooperate with the American Authority, he was not saying much.
So let us give Jonathan some credit.

Like father like son

Fhemmmy:

Do you have any clue that the problem caused by that little brat was a national issue for Nigeria?
So there is nothing wrong in meeting with Jonathan.
America flew him to come to USA to help them, and mind you, till he told the son to cooperate with the American Authority, he was not saying much.
So let us give Jonathan some credit.

Where did you get that fact?

PurestBoy:

Like father like son

Meaning?
What is the offence of the father?

sulad82i:

Where did you get that fact?

You telling me that the father/Representative was not in the USA to talk to the lad?

Fhemmmy:

You telling me that the father/Representative was not in the USA to talk to the lad?

The boy started talking immediately he was caught. He stopped only when he was told his right by a lawyer that he does not have to reply all the questions they are asking him except he is in court.

Travelista:

Only in Nigeria would the father of a suspected terrorist be granted a private audience with the President. What on earth could the father have to say that he can't say to the nation? He and and his spoiled backside of a son have caused more than enough trouble; I hope he doesn't expect Jonathan to speak to Obama about his son's charges.

u dey this country at all? did u follow the story at all?     @22, the boy is a grown man and his father cannot take responsibilities for the boy's actions. besides, in my opinion the father did more than an average father would do in cooperating with security operatives and even informing necessary authorities before hand who did nothing on their part.i do not think the father is to blame in any way at all

on speaking to obama on the boy's charges, i guess we'd have to wait to know the knid of leader jonathan may turn out to be.
so far, good steps on parts of all concerned.

sulad82i:

The boy started talking immediately he was caught. He stopped only when he was told his right by a lawyer that he does not have to reply all the questions they are asking him except he is in court.

Chief, the Dad has been a great asset to them all.
remember how even a father that he is warned the Authority?
Give him some credit

sulad82i:

The boy started talking immediately he was caught. He stopped only when he was told his right by a lawyer that he does not have to reply all the questions they are asking him except he is in court.

BTW . . . Most of all the boy was saying earlier were irrelevant and useless.

I think Mutallab senior deserves a standing ovation! He did the best he cud when d ways of his son became unusual,not many parents will do that. Still as a father he stood by his son during his trail. It's gud Goodluck gives him a listening ear!!

Fhemmmy:

Chief, the Dad has been a great asset to them all.
remember how even a father that he is warned the Authority?
Give him some credit

I'm not taking anything away from what the dad did. He made the right move but he was not really taken serious. I was just talking about the fact you gave.

Fhemmmy:

BTW . . .  Most of all the boy was saying earlier were irrelevant and useless.

Really?
Telling the authority about Yemen was irrelevant? Common

afanda:

I think Mutallab senior deserves a standing ovation! He did the best he cud when d ways of his son became unusual,not many parents will do that. Still as a father he stood by his son during his trail. It's gud Goodluck gives him a listening ear!!

Tell them jare . . . besides, i am sure being a national issue, Obama might talk about it with Jonathan, Nigerian has been making noise that they shd be taken off the black list and now Jonathan wanna go see Obama and people are still asking why would Jonathan see him?

sulad82i:

I'm not taking anything away from what the dad did. He made the right move but he was not really taken serious. I was just talking about the fact you gave.

Really?
Telling the authority about Yemen was irrelevant? Common

What was he telling FBI about yemen that they dont already know?
Tell me one thing, just one thing that he said about Yemen that was new.

So they knew he was there for months getting trained on how to develop explosive?

Fhemmmy:

What was he telling FBI about yemen that they dont already know?
Tell me one thing, just one thing that he said about Yemen that was new.