Buhari: My meeting with Obama will strengthen relations between Nigeria and U.S.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja expressed the hope that his forthcoming meeting with President Barack Obama will further strengthen bilateral ties between Nigeria and the United States (U.S.).
At a meeting with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony J. Blinken, Buhari said that his talks with Obama will also give a much-needed impetus to his administration’s efforts to overcome the challenge of terrorism.
The President told Blinken that Nigeria also looks forward to greater support from the U.S. for the multinational Joint Task Force being mobilised against Boko Haram.
Buhari said that Nigeria and other Gulf of Guinea nations will also welcome more cooperation from the United States to enhance maritime security in the Gulf and curb crude oil theft.
On behalf of Obama, Blinken commiserated with Buhari and all Nigerians over the recent loss of lives in terrorist attacks.
The Under Secretary of State said that he was convinced that Buhari’s election will further expand the frontiers of the existing relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
He assured Buhari that the U.S. government will be ready to discuss all matters put forward by the Nigerian government during Buhari’s visit to Washington D.C.