US seeing economic development in North after insurgency: McCulley
What is US reaction on the current situation in Egypt? The president has expressed concern about the current situation in Egypt. Obviously, Egypt is US important ally in the middle-east. Our hearts are with the people of Egypt at this moment and we hope that the situation is addressed according to the constitutional order. You […]
What is US reaction on the current situation in Egypt?
The president has expressed concern about the current situation in Egypt. Obviously, Egypt is US important ally in the middle-east. Our hearts are with the people of Egypt at this moment and we hope that the situation is addressed according to the constitutional order.
You have been in Nigeria for three years, what would you say is your greatest achievement?
I think the permanent secretary has said it that we inaugurated our bi-national commission with five working groups at the highest level with a level of engagement that have access to talk about the issues of global problem. I’m very happy about the programme. US has contributed 500million dollars to help combat HIV/AIDS. I think the continuation and extension of that programme is one of our significant achievements.
What is the development on Shekau, the Boko Haram leader?
I really can’t say anything about that. I do not know but I hope that the insurgency in the north will be contained with minimum loss of innocent lives. The people of north-east Nigeria have been most affected by the insurgency; they are the ones suffering and we hope for the restoration of peace in the border states and all the other areas that have been affected by the insurgency. We hope for economic development in the north.
EU is accusing US of spying on its continent and there is a US-EU trade meeting coming up. Do you think this can affect the forthcoming meeting?
I am not going to comment on intelligence issues. We have excellent relations with the European Union as a whole and with individual members.
US and Nigeria have come a long way in their relations. Are there other areas you would want them to work together?
I think we have been exploring our cooperation in terms of HIV/AIDS which I have mentioned; we have robust relations with the Nigerian Navy. We have to continue to work with Nigerian friends on combating corruption. Nigeria is one of United States Africa power initiatives where we have a lot of activities going on.
What do you suggest to end the problem of human rights violation in Nigeria?
Have very good and fine conversation with our Nigerian friends on these issues. I believe that there are institutions that can handle this. United States has been working with the EFCC to combat corruption in Nigeria. Nigeria is a party to many international conventions and we believe that more can be done to ensure that the rights of all our citizens are respected.