President Buhari And US VP Joe Biden Discussion at breakfast - full report

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The breakfast meeting hosted today by American Vice President, Joe Biden, afforded him opportunity to compare notes with his guest, President Muhammadu Buhari on the terror war.

America had been beleaguered by terrorists, who launched massive attacks that killed thousands in September 2001, while Nigeria battles the Boko Haram sect causing carnage in the North-eastern part of the country.

At the meeting, which held at the Naval Observatory, official residence of the American Vice President, Biden shared with his guest what the U.S had learnt from the terror war, counseling that victory cannot come from military option alone.
Military option must be combined with strong socio-economic support programmes, VP Biden said, promising that the U.S would work with Nigeria in that direction.

VP Biden assured of the goodwill of the United States in rebuilding the Nigerian economy, but observed that corruption and weak institutions must be tackled, if Nigeria was to benefit from reforms. He added that seasoned technocrats must manage key sectors of the Nigerian economy, and only then would investors be attracted to the country.

The American number 2 man congratulated President Buhari on his victory at the March 2015 elections, adding that it was obvious that the President enjoys the confidence of the Nigerian people.

Responding, President Buhari thanked the U.S for standing by Nigeria in the run up to general elections early this year, noting that the visit of the Secretary of State, John Kerry, was critical as it sent home the message that America would not brook the subversion of the people's will.
On oil theft, the Nigerian President estimated losses at between 10 and 20 billion dollars, stressing that such income could have been deployed with salutary impact on various spheres of national life like education and healthcare, among others.

Both America and Nigeria pledged renewed commitment to work as partners at the very insightful meeting.

FEMI ADESINA
SPECIAL ADVISER, MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
JULY 20, 2015