America, USA, on Sunday, President Muhammadu
Buhari has disclosed that core issues of security
and economy would feature prominently in his
talks with President Barack Obama.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President
on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said
Buhari will also hold different discussions with
US Vice President, Mr. Joe Biden; Chairman of
the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, General
Martin Dempsey and the Deputy Secretary of
Defence, Robert Work.
Before leaving Washington DC, President Buhari
would address the United States Chamber of
Commerce and Corporate Council for Africa as
well as meet with Nigerians resident in America.
The statement added that the President would
spend four days in America and return to the
country on July 23.
It will be recalled that President Obama had on
June 25 indicated interest to host him at the
White House.
Details of Buhari’s visit to USA
Adesina’s statement read: “Topmost on the
agenda of President Buhari’s talks with President
Obama and United States Government officials
will be measures to strengthen and intensify
bilateral and international cooperation against
terrorism in Nigeria and West-Africa.
“He will later hold further discussions with the
Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of
Staff, General Martin Dempsey and the Deputy
Secretary of Defence, Robert Work on military
and defence cooperation.
“The President will also meet with Vice President
Joe Biden and confer with the US Attorney-
General, Loretta Lynch; the US Secretary of
Treasury, Jack Lew; the US Secretary of
Commerce, Penny Pritzker and the US Trade
representative, Michael Froman, on United
States’ support for his administration’s war
against corruption as well as fresh measures to
boost Nigeria-United States trade relations.
“The President, who will be received by the
United States Secretary of State at the State
Department in Washington DC, will later hold
meetings with the United States Senate and
Congressional Committees on Foreign Relations
as well as the Black Caucus of the United States
House of Representatives.
“Before leaving Washington DC, President Buhari
will address the United States Chamber of
Commerce and Corporate Council for Africa.
“The President, who will be accompanied by the
Governors of Imo, Nasarawa, Edo, Borno and
Oyo States as well as the Governor of the
Central Bank of Nigeria and Permanent
Secretaries of the Federal Ministries of Defence,
Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade and Investment,
will also host an interactive session with
Nigerians in the American Diaspora.
“The US trip will also afford President Buhari the
opportunity of a reunion with members of the
American War College Class of 1980 in which he
was a distinguished participant.
“He is due back in Abuja on Thursday, July 23.”
President determined to fight corruption —
Anyaoku, Momodu
Meanwhile, former Secretary-General of the
Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has
expressed optimism in the President Buhari-led
government to rid Nigeria of corruption.
Anyaoku, who spoke to State House
correspondents after a private meeting with the
President in Abuja also stated that their meeting
touched on Buhari’s forthcoming journey to the
United States.
He said the President was very determined to
correct the social anomalies in country.
He said: “I had a positive discussion with the
President. We discussed international affairs
including in particular his forthcoming visit to the
United States on the invitation of President
Obama.
“We also touched on some national issues
because of the strong link between foreign policy
and domestic issues. I put at his disposal the
benefits of my long experience on governance
matters with Heads of Government of 54-
member countries of the Commonwealth and
also other issues related to internal affairs.
“I can tell myself talking to a President who is
very determined to effect a real change in the
circumstances of our country and very
determined too to bring to bear on his
administration the generally perceived attributes
of his character, which I believe many Nigerians
would support.
“Well, I believe that before he became President,
he was known as somebody who has very
strong passion for anti-corruption. I believe that
he is determined to fight and he would go a long
way in doing so. Corruption is a very endemic
issue in our society and I’m quite impressed of
his determination to do something about it.
“Well, I can tell from the strong impression I got
from my discussion with him that he is very
determined.”
Also speaking after a meeting with the President,
a foremost newspaper columnist and publisher,
Mr. Dele Momodu, said that issues of corruption
and security dominated their discussion.
He said: “I met with Mr. President and our
conversation was very candid and I find him
extremely jovial.
“We spoke about security and the efforts he is
making. We spoke about anti-corruption crusade
and I must say today he reassured me that not
only does he know what he is doing, he is
determined to make Nigeria work.”
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