"We shall partner with Africom" - Yar'Adua in White House 12/13/07 [UPDATED Pictures/Video/Text]
Written by AP/White House/NVS
Friday, 14 December 2007
President Bush Meets with President Yar’Adua of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
10:50 A.M. EST
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, it's been my honor to welcome you here to the White House. We just had a very extensive and fruitful discussion on a variety of issues, and that's what you would expect when friends meet together.
The President is committed to democracy and rule of law. He was very articulate in his desire to make sure that the people of Nigeria understand that their government will be fair and transparent, and will be a government of the people. Mr. President, I am impressed by your commitment to reform, your adherence to the concept of rule of law, and your belief in transparency. And I congratulate you for being a strong leader.
President George W. Bush shakes hands with President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria, as he welcomes him to the Oval Office Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007, at the White House. Said President Bush, "Mr. President, I am impressed by your commitment to reform, your adherence to the concept of rule of law, and your belief in transparency. And I congratulate you for being a strong leader." White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian We also talked about social justice issues, the issue of education. The President is committed to seeing to it that compulsory education is followed through on in his country throughout the country, and I admire that. And we want to help you. The United States has got a program that is dedicated to making sure every child gets a good education. It's in our national interests that that be the case.
It's also in our national interests, Mr. President, to help you if you so desire on issues like HIV/AIDS and malaria. The President is strongly committed to helping the Nigerian families affected by these diseases get treatment and help. He understands that there needs to be a comprehensive program of prevention, distribution of antiretrovirals, and then a capacity to help the orphans who have been left behind as a result of this terrible disease. And we're committed, through what we call PEPFAR, Mr. President. I'm going to the United States Congress and ask them to double our commitment, because we believe it's in our interests to help you if you so desire. It's in our interests from a security perspective; it's in our interests from a moral perspective.
So we've had a good visit. I'm proud you're here, and I welcome you and thank you for your time and for your heart.
PRESIDENT YAR'ADUA: Thank you very much, Mr. President. I feel highly honored and privileged to be here and have the opportunity to share these few moments with you. This is a moment that I'll never forget in my life.
I have briefed Mr. President on the situation in Nigeria, our efforts to anchor democracy on the rule of law; to help a credible electoral process; and to ensure that the principles of justice, equity will guide the conduct of affairs in Nigeria -- transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption. And Mr. President has expressed the support of himself and the government of the United States as the people of the United States assist Nigeria to ensure that we continue to uphold -- (inaudible) -- democracy, the rule of law, zero tolerance for corruption, and the development of a free market economy through economic reforms that we have been effecting for the last eight years.
Now this will set the principles upon which we'll build and develop a free society capable of growing an economy that will cater for the development and needs of the people of Nigeria. And in this great effort we are making we find great friendship and assistance from the government and people of the United States. And we are very grateful for this expression of support, confidence and trust.
We have discussed a wide range of issues beside democracy and the rule of law and the economic reforms. We have discussed about the problems of HIV/AIDS, the problem of malaria, challenges in education. And the United States government will help us to meet these challenges as we go along. And I think this is an excellent humanitarian gesture for which I, personally, and the people and government of Nigeria are extremely grateful.
We have discussed security issues and the security within Nigeria, itself, within the Niger Delta region and within the Gulf of Guinea. And we have also discussed security issues -- peace and security on the African continent. And we shall partner with (inaudible) to assist not only Nigeria, but also the African continent to actualize its peace and security (inaudible) initiative, which is an initiative to help standby forces of brigade-size in each of the regional economic groupings within the African continent.
I think what we have discussed has given me hope, and myself, the government and people of Nigeria are inspired by the United States of America's achievement and the principles which guide it. And this is a posit we are trading, and the friendship and understanding of the United States will propel Nigeria with this inspiration to make the transformations that we need to do into a modern nation from an underdeveloped nation, capable of meeting the development and needs of its people.
I thank you very much, Mr. President, this is a rare opportunity.
Okay, I gotta say that, compared to the rest of the guys who have graced the seat of governance in Nigeria, wether by crook, accident or by force, he happens to be one of the few with a human face - a kind of gentle humble smile he has.
The question is, will his facial expression translate to anything good for Nigerians?
He looks pretty uncomfortable. Mr. Bush appears to exude a lot of confidence and seems completely in charge as compared to UMYA. I bet AFRICOM will be headquatered in Naija and that the announcement will come during or shortly after this visit. Mr. Bush looks capable and quite ready to browbeat UMYA into that agreement.
I think I like this guy Yaradua. He truly looks presidential and seem to have been scoring very high in most of his actions. I just can't find a way to forget that he is sitting on a stolen election.
Auspicious, I was thinking along the same lines, as I looked at those pics his clothing is nice and simple. His look is free of pretense, his smile looks so genuine.
I just can't stand Bush, Lord knows. Hope YD wasn't being read the riot act and told what to do again. The Americans never ever do anything that is not taylored solely for their own benefit.
=nike;4294972301>He looks pretty uncomfortable. Mr. Bush appears to exude a lot of confidence and seems completely in charge as compared to UMYA. I bet AFRICOM will be headquatered in Naija and that the announcement will come during or shortly after this visit. Mr. Bush looks capable and quite ready to browbeat UMYA into that agreement.
Really, I taught Liberia was going to be the HQ, anyway I dont think Yar'Adua will be that easy for Pres. Bush to manuever, I'm sure he is not going to be anybodys sitting duck.
I am full of laughter here already. I am beginning to imagine the types of forwarded emails that will bombard my inbox in the days ahead.
Many of it will come from Nigeria and it will be about the English that was spoken during this meeting/conversation. Trust naija sit down and stand up comedians!
It is actually difficult for Yaradua to feel comfortable with Bush, knowing very well the manner in which he came to power. However, I still strongly believe that no matter how sincere most Nigerians want to believe Yaradua is, it is still imperative for us to do things properly with fairness and justice.
Until the leadership of the country allow Nigerians to choose their leaders, with fairness the country will remain stunted in our quest for an egalitarian society.
Whether it is the slogan rule or law, One of the Biggest economy by 2020 etc until a leg is put in the vision, the vision will remain misnomer.
Also it important for our leaders to know that the problem of Nigeria is not in the White house or Westminister. Our problem is in our country, In our leadership, in our attitude as citizens. Until we recognize what our problem is and address it squarely, we will continue to take one step forward and ten steps back word. No country will solve our problem, it is we Nigerians that will solve our problem.
For Bush, instead spending millions of dollars putting AFRICOM in Nigeria, The White House should appropriate one tenth of the fund to address educational and Infrastructural development in the Niger-Delta area...that will show a non intimidation attitude of The West towards Nigeria and create a better society than putting their Military might breading down our Neck.
Military power in history past and present never resolved any issue related to Injustice as such the American presence in Nigeria will never resolve the Niger-Delta Issue or other Nigeria problems.
no they should be fery comfortable with eash oda. after we fefle know how bush came into power, and it was not by the peoples mandate but by gra gra in the supreme court lol.
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Posted by Robot| 13.12.2007 12:18