President Goodluck Jonathan has made a passionate appeal to the United States government to help the federal government in the bid to tackle the security morass the? country is enmeshed in, following the gory activities of the Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram.
According to the president, “Nigeria is facing various security challenges, such as Boko Haram, policing the nation’s extensive maritime borders, crude oil theft and kidnapping”, adding that the USA government must “support the Government’s efforts to find lasting solutions to these problems”.
Jonathan? made this appeal to General Carter Ham, Commander of the United States’ Africa Command (AFRICOM) who paid him a courtesy call at the presidential villa, Abuja, as part of activities marking his presentation of 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”, the president told Ham, even as he congratulated President Barrack Obama on his re-election and commended the smooth US elections.
?
Informing Gen. Ham of his visit to Mali and the efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the conflict in that country, Jonathan noted that the situation could still be contained if the right steps are taken quickly.
?
Gen. Carter Ham, Commander of AFRICOM had earlier 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.
?
Ham commended Nigeria’s Defence College for the harmonious working relationship between military personnel and civilians with participants from neighbouring countries on security issues.