Nigerian Government accepts U.S. proposal on security

Nigerian Government accepts U.S. proposal on security

As part of its resolve to tackle the terrorism of the Boko Haram sect and security challenges in the country and the West African region, the Nigerian Government has accepted a proposal by the United States to create a new focus on security as a different agenda under the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC), initiated about two year ago.

Under the new security focus, top military chiefs from the U.S. will join the resumption of the BNC talks between the U.S. and Nigeria starting next week in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, which will be the Commission’s first meeting on regional security

 According to the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, “I will be travelling to Nigeria tomorrow to take part in the first annual review of the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission.”

He said this during a meeting with U.S. business investors and private sector executives on recent developments in Nigeria, especially Boko Haram attacks and the petrol subsidy.

Speaking under the platform of the influential Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), in Washington DC, the ambassador said “The United States government has proposed that the Niger-Delta and Regional Security component of the Commission be split into separate entities and the first meeting on Regional Security should hold immediately on 23rd and 24th of January. We have agreed to this proposal.”

BNC agreement
When Nigeria and the U.S. signed the BNC agreement in April 6, 2010, four areas of focus were approved; governance and transparency, Niger Delta where security featured partly, energy reforms and agriculture. The fifth dimension now is security.

Adefuye said that while Nigeria was open to international assistance on the issue of Boko Haram because of its international dimension and the global condemnation of terrorism, “we are receiving adequate support and assistance from our international friends without compromising our independence and freedom of action.”

He said it was the U.S. government, which offered to make the issue of security a distinct focus of the BNC instead of being just a part of the Niger Delta focus of the commission.

Other meetings

Last week, Adefuye met with the workers of the U.S. State Department Bureau on African Affairs to explain the petrol subsidy crisis and the Boko Haram attacks, reviewing the Nigerian Government’s response.

Similarly last week, he also met with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC on the same subject as Nigeria made global news, raising concerns and questions on the state of the nation because of the petrol crisis and Boko Haram.

His meeting with U.S. business leaders and investors interested in Nigeria was also called to reassure the American private sector that Nigeria is very safe for investors.

Addressing the Corporate Council on Africa, Adefuye said: “I want to assure you that our security services are very well equipped and are of sufficient competence to deal and contain the dangers posed by Boko Haram.”

NP/Adekusibe/Cokey