President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged outgoing Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, to document his experiences in Nigeria, especially as it concerned the 2015 general election that brought him to power.
He noted that Entwistle served as US Ambassador in Nigeria at a very strategic time in the country’s history.
The President, who spoke while receiving the ambassador in his office at the Presidential villa, Abuja, expressed appreciation for the important role the US government played in the success of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria.
President Buhari said the US insistence on free, fair and violent-free elections largely contributed to the deepening of democracy in the country.
“The U.S support before, during and after the 2015 elections was vital to Nigeria’s stability and I will never forget the role they played in the stability of Nigeria.
“We were lucky to have had an INEC chairman who was competent and courageous. Mr Ambassador, you occupied a position at a very strategic time in Nigeria’s history and I hope our historians will record this because it meant so much for our stability.
“I hope you write a book on your experience in Nigeria. The commitment of U.S in supporting Nigeria has been unprecedented,” he said.
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President Buhari also thanked the US government for the military, intelligence and humanitarian support to Nigeria on the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgency.
He said Nigeria also valued U.S contributions to promoting regional peace and stability through the instrumentality of the G7.
Responding, the US Ambassador, James Entwistle, said the bilateral relationship between both countries had remained very vibrant and cordial.
“I had a marvellous three-and-half years in Nigeria and I am grateful to have been involved in the memorable elections in 2015,” he said.
President Buhari also received in audience the outgoing High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Ambassador Perry Calderwood.
He commended the government of Canada for its humanitarian assistance to Nigerians displaced by insurgency in the North East, and their commitment to polio eradication in the country.
He assured of the Federal Government’s effort to facilitate voluntary return of displaced persons, in addition to ensuring that conditions in North-Eastern Nigeria improved significantly before the next farming season.
Calderwood, in his response, conveyed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s desire to strengthen ties with Nigeria in Canada’s quest for partnership on international engagements, including its bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, 2021-2022.
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