Boko Haram: US Pledges To Deepen Support For Nigeria

The United states yesterday in Abuja pledged its commitment to deepen its support for Nigeria’s quest to overcome the security challenges facing the country.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Anthony Bliken, made the pledge while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the U.S. team’s Wednesday meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Bliken said the meeting was part of the arrangements ensure a successful Visit to the Washington U.S. by Buhari on July 20.
He said the meeting with Buhari focused on President Barak Obama administrations for Nigeria and plans to meet them.
“In particular, we discussed practical ways to strengthen security and Boko Haram’s horrific acts of terror and violence.
He said defeating Boko Haram required a comprehensive approach that involved the region and includes not only a strong military response but also sustainable security for liberated areas.
Bliken said this also included good governance, development, and opportunity for the civilian population.
“It also requires a strong commitment to human rights, the absence of which only alienates the people and drives them toward Boko Haram.
“ As Nigeria develops this comprehensive approach, the U.S. will deepen its support. We also discuss how to develop the economy, to combat corruption and to make government more effective and transparent.
“We will be working very hard to assist the government of Nigeria in providing the training, equipment, device, information intelligent sharing, and logistic support.
“So many internally displaced persons need help now, all of these are in a comprehensive package for Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the meeting reflected on how to advance a more secure, prosperous and peaceful future for Nigerians.
“The partnership we are forging is based on mutual interests and mutual respect.
“It is grounded in the proposition that our relationship is defined not by what the U.S. can do for Nigeria rather what the U.S. can do with Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s historic elections and peaceful transfer of power sent a powerful message to the region’ the continent and indeed to the world that leaders are accountable to their people.
“We are proud to stand alongside the new government as it works to turn the promise of this moment into real progress for all the citizens of Nigeria,” Bliken said.
According to him the US strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks that have taken hundreds of lives in different parts of Nigeria.
He said the U.S. team also had a very productive meeting with some governors, adding that Nigeria had a strong federal system with enormous responsibility vested on governors and state governments.
“ We discussed the challenges they are facing and the importance of their leadership in setting the entire nation on the right course.
“There was a very interesting emphasis besides security on questions of education, health care, agriculture and building strong value chains along the entire line of production,” he said.