The Nigerian Government has briefed its United States of America counterpart on efforts being made to fight terror and graft and assured of its commitment to win the war against these two monsters.

This assurance was given by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Dr. Doyin Okupe, while playing host to the US Political Counsellor in Nigeria, Mr. Gregory Lawless, who was in his office on a courtesy call.

While assuring the visiting US official of the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to tackling problems of insecurity occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents, Dr. Okupe explained that government will ensure that Nigerians and foreigners in Nigeria live in safety in every part of the country.

He added that the United States Government appreciates the role of the Nigerian government in the ongoing military operation in Mali and that the present administration will continue to partner with the international community on ways of guaranteeing regional security.

On the fight against corruption, the presidential spokesman said the Jonathan administration has ensured that anti-graft agencies operate without any form of manipulations from government in order to entrench the principles of separation of powers as provided in the 1999 Constitution.

He noted that the Nigerian Government and the Government of the USA have no major disagreement on issues of bilateral relationship and will continue to work together to strengthen its cooperation especially on the operations of the Bi National Commission.

Dr. Okupe explained that the two governments have been built around issues of mutual interests and co operation on economy, security and good governance and cannot be destroyed by disagreement on one or two issues.

He said Nigeria and the United States are irrevocably committed to the success of the Bi-National Commission which was initiated by the two countries in 2010 and which has a mandate to promote issues of security, power and energy, governance and institutional integrity, food security as well as sustainable peace, security and development in the Niger Delta.

Responding, the US envoy said he described the visit as a routine one and expressed gratitude to Okupe for the warm reception afforded him and his team.

•Photo shows Dr. Okupe (left) presenting a gift to Mr. Lawless . . . yesterday in Abuja.

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