Obama Wants Nigeria to Spearhead Good Governance in Africa

US President, Barack Obama

United States President Barack Obama has called on Nigeria to help strengthen good governance in Africa.

Making the call while hosting President Goodluck Jonathan at the White House in Washington DC on Wednesday evening, the US President also congratulated the Nigerian leader on his inauguration for second term, and all Nigerians for the success of the April general elections.

A source at the meeting held behind closed doors told THISDAY that Obama said he hopes President Jonathan would use his new tenure "to diversify the Nigerian economy and strengthen democracy and good governance in Africa".

At the Wednesday parley, which was the second time Obama would be hosting Jonathan since he became Nigerian leader, the American President noted Nigeria's contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic and specifically commended President Jonathan's remarks at the high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS covenend by the United Nations.

In his response, Jonathan was said to have conveyed Nigeria's appreciation to the US for the support provided before, during and after the April general elections.

"President Jonathan thanked US for supporting INEC and also showed Nigeria's appreciation for the various positive comments made by the United States on the outcome of our elections. He said that Nigeria is in a position to help strengtehn democracy on the continent and would not shy away from that responsibility", the source said.

Jonathan was also said to have noted the improved relations between the two countries, particularly the activities of the Nigeria-US Binational Commission, and called for a more vigorous implementation of its objectives.

THISDAY gathered that Jonathan also thanked President Obama for the donation of a US warship to the Nigerian Navy last month and said the ship, which had now been named NNS Thunder, would not only improve Nigeria's defence capabilities, but would also help ensure the security of the Gulf of Guinea.

Jonathan was accompanied to the White House by the Nigerian Ambassador to US, Prof Adebowale Adefuye, National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoeye Azazi, Director of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Olaniyi Oladeji, Permanent Secretary, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, and Principal Secretary to the President, Hassan Tukur.

On the US team were Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Amb. Johnnie Carson, and US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence P. McCulley, among others.