A statement signed by Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, revealed that in a breakfast meeting hosted by Biden yesterday, the vice president and Buhari compared notes on the fight against terrorism, with Biden sharing his country’s experiences.
According to Adesina, at the meeting, which was held at the Naval Observatory, Biden’s official residence, the vice president shared “what the US had learnt from the terror war, counseling that victory cannot come from military option alone.”
The statement said:
“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.”
Biden also congratulated Buhari for emerging President after his victory on March 28 elections, saying that he enjoys the confidence of Nigerians.
In his response, Buhari thanked the US for standing by Nigeria in the run-up to the last general elections, 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.”
President Buhari said that Nigeria has lost between $10 and $20 billion to oil theft, stressing that such income could have been deployed in sectors like education and healthcare, among others. (Daily Sun)