United States has thrown its weight behind President Umaru Musa Yar�Adua�s government, saying it will work in good faith with the President and his government to ensure that good governance takes root in Nigeria.
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Renee Sanders, disclosed this while presenting her credentials to President Yar�Adua at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The US resolve came yesterday as revelations emerged that President Yar�Adua will embark on an official visit to US next week where he is expected to meet with President George W. Bush.
Although details of the trip are yet to be made known, however, THISDAY learnt last night in Washington D.C that the President will be visiting US on the invitation of the US government.
Sanders said in a statement that the US �is walking step by step in partnership with Yar�Adua and his government, to support his efforts in achieving these noble goals for the Nigerian people.�
The ambassador who was officially received in the country about a month ago said the friendship between the two countries �is firm and their citizens are connected in so many ways.�
According to her, Ameri-cans support and believe in the Nigerian people as �change makers� who will ensure that their country solidify the principles and pillars of democracy for the country�s future.
Sanders said: �We recognize that the Nigerian people have noted their desire for good governance, rule of law, and respect for global human values. America is Nigeria�s supporter. America is Nigeria�s partner, and most importantly, America is Nigeria�s friend.
�It is important to note the strong people-to-people ties that exist between our two countries as many thousands of Americans live in Nigeria and over a million people of Nigerian live descent lives in the United States of America,� Sander said.
She added that Nigerians were the largest and most well-educated African immigrant group in the US and that �business and cultural ties between our two nations are at an all time high�.
Sanders said as US ambassador to the country; Nigeria had become her second home. �I have been well-received by the President during my credential ceremony and I bring not only personal greetings from my President to him but also a personal invitation for him to meet with my president.
�Nigerians and Americans are connected in so many ways. Not only do the people of both nations respect democracy and want to see it flourish, but we are both nations of diversity, believing that our diversity should be respected and embraced,� Sander said.
On the impending visit of President Yar�Adua to US, the Foreign Affairs Press Office of that country said Yar’Adua would be visiting US for “bilateral relations”.
He will meet with bush “one on one”, the office added.
The visit is slated to begin next Wednesday, December 12 and will last a couple of days.
Yar�Adua will be received at the White House in Washington, D.C. It will be his second trip to the US since assuming office in May.
He was in New York in September where he addressed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
Sources said the visit is an indication of the increasing importance the US government places on its relationship with Nigeria and its interests in the country.
The US has also stated it is committed to promoting democracy, the rule of law, sustainable development and partnership with countries that share its values.
It is one of the countries that have publicly expressed support for Yar�Adua�s government in spite of flawed elections in April.
There have also been high profile visits from the country.Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, State Department, Jenday Frazer, led a delegation to Yar�Adua�s inauguration in May this year.
Last month, Frazer returned to Nigeria with Deputy Secretary of State,John Negroponte.
At a hearing in Congress after the elections, Frazer and Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, took opposite directions on the way forward for Nigeria.
While Soyinka advocated for a cancellation and repeat of the polls, Frazer maintained that the US government would prefer to see the aggrieved fight their cause through the courts.
The US was confident of a vibrant, strong and independent Nigerian judiciary, she had argued.
Both countries have had to collaborate on issues of security in the Niger Delta, curbing Islamic extremism in the North among others.
President Bush had threatened to veto a Congress bill that would declare the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) illegal.
Nigeria is currently the third largest exporter of oil to the US as well as being a member of OPEC.
The White House stated that bill would do well not to mar US relations with other countries and discourage American businesses abroad.
Another issue that is on the front burner is the US/Africa Military Command (AFRICOM).
With critics in Africa skeptical of the intentions of AFRICOM, the US has stepped up efforts to explain the goals of the command to be humanitarian.
It is however argued that the country has its eye on securing the Gulf of Guinea.
In his remark when the US ambassador presented his letter of credence, Yar�Adua said Nigeria was looking up to US for support in the pursuit of its aspirations and efforts towards establishing a better society.
�We look towards to the United States for help to achieve our aspirations. We regard your country as the senior brother in our partnership and I know your posting here will help extend and expand the already warm and friendly relations between us,� he said.
The President noted the offers of assistance from the U. S. government in the areas of education, health, economic and security cooperation.
Ms Sanders had earlier said US �recognised and appreciated the leadership role� Nigeria was playing in Africa and wished to support those efforts.
She said her role in Nigeria would be to �support your government and the Nigerian people, and strengthen the existing partnership,� adding that President Bush looked forward to his next meeting with President Yar�Adua.
Dec42007