United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Beth Leonard, said that Nigeria was listed on a watch list to deepen the conversation on the humanitarian situation in the country.
She accepted that some people could “flare the flames and crystalize issues’’ that could affect peaceful-coexistence.
Leonard said this in the remark while presenting her Letters of Credence to the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
She explained that “There are people who make things less attractive than they seem,’’ she said, noting that the report will deepen conversation of the situation in the country, especially with religious leaders and mediators.
“I want to assure that the United States recognizes and celebrates the integration in Nigeria.’’
She said the United States will always side with transparent processes.
The Ambassador said Nigerians and America have a lot in common n terms of “being big among neighbours, enthusiastic and entrepreneurial”.
Leonard assured President Buhari of support from the United States, especially on the humanitarian challenges, while appreciating the willingness to always share useful information and intelligence with her country.
“I feel it’s a privilege and great honour to be here; coming to see the giant of Africa. I have worked for 30 decades before coming to Nigeria. We will do a lot together for peace, security and delivering humanitarian assistance,’’ she added.
In his response, President Buhari said that he was presiding over the affairs of Nigeria with a clear conscience. President Buhari has also said that it is nothing an easy task to sustain the unity of the country.
President Buhari added that the listing of Nigeria for human rights concerns created an impression that some people were being unfairly treated or marginalized in the country.
He told the United States to always balance her sources of information so as not to draw conclusions from one-sided sources which may not be the true reflection of things.
President Buhari was speaking on the backdrop of accusations of human rights abuses and disregard for the rule of law by his administration.
The president’s remark stemmed from reports that the United State authorities have placed Nigeria on a Special Watch List for tolerating “severe violations of religious freedom.”
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari said the listing of Nigeria for human rights concerns created an impression that some people were being unfairly treated or marginalized in the country.
Shehu, in the statement, quoted the President as saying: “I know that those with access have created an impression of being marginalized.
“I sit here with a clear conscience. I took an oath and I am honouring the office.”
President Buhari said he took some time to explain the situation in the country when he met with President Donald Trump in Washington DC as the American President expressed concern with reports of attacks on segments of the society.
“It is not an easy task to work for the unity of the country, and I am doing my best. During your stay in the country I am asking you to ensure that your sources of strategic information cut across,’’ he added.
The President urged the envoy to use the opportunity of her posting to Nigeria, with her experience, knowledge, and energy to get the facts on the country.
In her remarks, the United States Ambassador said Nigeria was listed on a watch list to deepen the conversation on the humanitarian situation in the country, accepting that some people could “flare the flames and crystalize issues’’ that could affect peaceful-coexistence.
