Obama's expression came during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly holding in New York.
Buhari’s media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement, said the U.S. president described his Nigerian counterpart as a man of “integrity and honesty”, adding: “We have confidence in your leadership. There are some difficulties you face, but this administration is willing to assist in the short time we have left.
“You have made real progress in defeating the brutal organisation called Boko Haram, and that was achieved because of your leadership.”
Obama also offered a hand of fellowship to Nigeria “in the final and comprehensive defeat of Boko Haram and resolution of the Niger Delta crisis, which would help ramp up oil production and increase revenue, resolving the humanitarian crisis in the North-east, recovering stolen money, and revamping the economy”.
Describing Nigeria as a big and important country in sub-Saharan Africa, Obama said his country looked forward to a framework for sustained partnership between the two nations.
Earlier, Buhari had assured the Obama that Nigeria was making steady progress towards resolving the problem in the Niger Delta region, which had led to economic sabotage on a grand scale.
Buhari said: “We are making definite progress on how many factions of the militant groups exist, their leadership and operational basis, and we have equally sought the cooperation of the oil majors. In a short while, I believe the issues would be resolved.”
While thanking the U.S. for the assistance rendered in the area of security through provision of armaments, training for Nigerian troops, and sharing of intelligence, leading to the degradation of Boko Haram in the North-east, Buhari said the country was open to support in combating the humanitarian crisis currently ravaging the region.
The Nigerian president said the farming season was good this year, with the prospect of good harvest, adding that “Nigeria is on the road to food self-sufficiency soon”.
“We shall be able to feed ourselves and utilise the billions of dollars spent on importing food on other productive areas,” he informed Obama.
He reiterated that his administration came to power on the tripod of security, battle against corruption, and the economy, stressing that there would be no let-up in fulfilling those electoral promises.
He wished Obama happy retirement, as his tenure in office winds down.
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