President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has commended the United States of America for its role in global peace and security.
President Jonathan was speaking to General Carter Ham, Commander of the United States’ Africa Command, AFRICOM, who paid a courtesy call to State House, Tuesday, as part of activities during a visit to present a paper at the National Defence College, Abuja.
‘We appreciate the commitment of the United States to assist in ensuring that the world is safe and secure,’ he stated.
The President said Nigeria was facing various security challenges, such as Boko Haram, policing the nation’s extensive maritime borders, crude oil theft and kidnapping, and called on the USA to support the Government’s efforts to find lasting solutions to these problems.
President Jonathan also briefed Gen. Ham on his visit to Mali and the efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the conflict in that country, adding that the situation could still be contained if the right steps are taken quickly.
He congratulated President Barrack Obama on his re-election, and commended the smooth US elections.
Earlier, Gen. Carter Ham, Commander of AFRICOM, had said he seized the opportunity to present a paper at the National Defence College to hold talks with security agencies on ways to strengthen the partnership between Nigerian and American forces.
He said the USA was ready to cooperate with Nigeria in areas such as maritime security, communications, development of civil-military capabilities, and resolving the conflict in Mali.
Gen. Ham commended Nigeria’s Defence College for the harmonious working relationship between military personnel and civilians with participants from neighboring countries on security issues.
