Presidency: Nigeria, US Relations Cordial

The Presidency Tuesday said the federal government and the government of the United States of America (USA) have no
disagreement on issues of bilateral relationship.
It stated that the governments of the two countries would continue to work together to strengthen their cooperation especially
on the operations of the Bi-National Commission.
The assurance was given by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, while playing host
to the US Political Counsellor in Nigeria, Mr. Gregory Lawless, who was in his office on a courtesy call.
Okupe explained that the ties between the US and Nigeria have been built around issues of mutual interests and cooperation on
economy, security and good governance and cannot be destroyed by disagreement on one or two issues.
According to a statement signed by the presidential aide, he assured the US official of the commitment of President Goodluck
Jonathan in tackling the problems of insecurity occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents. He stressed that
government would ensure that Nigerians and foreigners in Nigeria live in safety in every part of the country.
Okupe explained that the US government appreciated the role of the federal government in the ongoing military operation in Mali
and that the present administration will continue to partner with the international community on ways of guaranteeing regional
security.
On the fight against corruption, the presidential spokesman said the Jonathan administration had ensured that anti-graft
agencies operate without any form of manipulations from government in order to entrench the principles of separation of powers
as provided in the 1999 Constitution.
He said Nigeria and the US are irrevocably committed to the success of the Bi-National Commission which was initiated by the
two countries in 2010 and which has a mandate to promote issues of security, power and energy, governance and institutional
integrity, food security as well as sustainable peace, security and development in the Niger Delta.