President Muhammadu Buhari has assured President Barack Obama of the United States of America that his government was making frantic efforts to resolve the crisis in the Niger Delta region which he said has led to economic sabotage on a grand scale.
This was as Obama stated that the US government had confidence in the current political leadership in Nigeria, according to a statement released by the Nigerian Presidency on Facebook.
Both president spoke at a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 71st edition of the UN General Assembly, holding in New York.
“We are making definite progress on how many factions of the militant groups exist, their leadership and operational basis, and we have equally sought the cooperation of the oil majors. In a short while, I believe the issues would be resolved,” Buhari told Obama.
According to a presidential spokesperson, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari thanked America for help rendered in the area of security through provision of armaments, training for Nigerian troops, and sharing of intelligence, which has led to the degradation of Boko Haram in the North East.
President Buhari also said the country was open to support in combating the humanitarian crisis currently ravaging the region.
The president said the farming season was good this year, with the prospect of good harvest, and “Nigeria is on the road to food self-sufficiency soon. We shall be able to feed ourselves, and utilize the billions of dollars spent on importing food on other productive areas.”
President Buhari reiterated that his administration came to power on the tripod promises of security, battle against corruption, and revamping of the economy, stressing that there would be no let-up in fulfilling those electoral promises.
He wished President Obama a happy retirement, as he winds down gradually on his tenure in office.
Responding, the American President described President Buhari as a man of “integrity and honesty,” saying: “We have confidence in your leadership.
“There are some difficulties you face, but this administration is willing to assist in the short time we have left. You have made real progress in defeating the brutal organization called Boko Haram, and that was achieved because of your leadership,” Obama is quoted as saying.
President Obama offered a hand of fellowship to Nigeria “in the final and comprehensive defeat of Boko Haram, resolution of the Niger Delta crisis, which would help ramp up oil production and increase revenue, resolving the humanitarian crisis in the North East, recovering stolen money, and revamping the economy.”
Describing Nigeria as a big and important country in sub-Saharan Africa, the American president said his country looked forward to a framework for sustained partnership between the two nations.
