‘Why we put Nigeria on Watch List’ – US Ambassador

Newly-posted United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Leonard, said on Tuesday that her country placed Nigeria on its watch list due to the humanitarian situation in the country (Nigeria).

Leonard spoke in Abuja when she visited the Presidential Villa to present her Letters of Credence to the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

But, Buhari insisted that Nigeria was wrongly presented to the rest of the world because other countries, including the US, did not widen their sources of information on the country.

A statement by Buhari’s media aide, Mr Garba Shehu, after the meeting, reads partly,
“In her remarks, the United States Ambassador said Nigeria was listed on a watch list to deepen conversation on the humanitarian situation in the country, accepting that some people could ‘flare the flames and crystalise issues’ that could affect peaceful-coexistence.”

The statement quoted her as saying,
“There are people who make things less attractive than they seem.”

It said she further noted that “the report (on Nigeria) will deepen conversation of the situation in the country, especially with religious leaders and mediators.”

The ambassador also told Gen Buhari that the US “recognises and celebrates the integration in Nigeria”, adding that her country would “always side with transparent processes.”

She said she was happy to be in Nigeria and would spend time promoting efforts at addressing the humanitarian challenges in the country.

” I feel it is 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”, the envoy stated.

However, Buhari, who told the ambassador that some sources of information might be “misleading” and “self-serving”, said his conscience was clear in line with the oath he took to defend Nigeria.

“I know that those with access have created an impression of being marginalised.
“I sit here with a clear conscience. I took an oath and I am honouring the office”, General Buhari said.

He recalled how he explained to President Donald Trump, during a visit to Washington DC, that reports on attacks on segments of Nigeria were not entirely true.

Buhari advised the envoy to take her time to study Nigeria by getting facts on the situation of things in the country.