Jonathan, meets Obama, calls for stronger consensus on terrorism

AHEAD today’s opening of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Goodluck Jonathan has held a meeting with United States president, Barack Obama, in New York, where he called for a stronger global consensus and determination to end the scourge of terrorism as quickly as possible. During the meeting which took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, on Monday, President Jonathan said unless the international community united and deployed its enormous resources to eradicate terrorism, it would continue to be embarrassed by terrorist outrages such as the attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, at the weekend. Jonathan spoke against the ongoing battle against Boko Haram insurgents in the country and the recent terrorist attack at a shopping mall in Kenya, which led to the death of, at least, 60 persons. The president expressed his appreciation for the support and assistance Nigeria had been receiving from the United States for its fight against domestic terrorism, adding, however, that Nigeria would welcome even more bilateral collaboration in the regard. He reassured the US government of his commitment to the continuous strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral processes and democratic

institutions. President Jonathan also lauded President Obama’s Power Africa and Youth Leadership initiatives, saying that both initiatives would complement aspects of the national transformation agenda of his administration Obama had described Nigeria as a critical partner, while he assured the United States would continue to cooperate with Nigeria in all possible areas, including the war against domestic and global terrorism. President Jonathan was accompanied to the talks by the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Professor Viola Onwuliri; Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Professor Adebowale Adefuye; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke and the governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo…. continued