Assures On A Better NigeriaPRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia yesterday in Addis Ababa called on the National Transition Council (NTC) in Libya to guarantee the safety of thousands of African migrants currently trapped in parts of the country.Meanwhile, President Jonathanyesterday in Addis Ababa said that with a little more time, Nigerians would appreciate his administration's development initiatives, as his policies begin to impact positively on the lives of the citizens.In a joint statement issued after their meeting in the Ethiopian capital, President Jonathan and his host regretted the continued violence and loss of lives in Libya caused by resistance by Muammar Ghaddafi's loyalists to the consolidation of the NTC's authority.Applauding the recognition of the NTC by the African Union(AU), the two leaders urged the Council to move quickly to form an all-inclusive government that will work towards national reconciliation and reconstruction.Jonathan and Zenawi also urged the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Jean Ping, to 'engage more vigorously with the NTC and take steps to ensure an early resumption of full participation by Libya in AU affairs'.They condemned the growing incidence of global terrorism in all its forms and. agreed to join hands with the international community to fight the common threat to humanity.The two leaders also agreed on the need to expand areas of economic co-operation between Nigeria and Ethiopia through the provision of an enabling environment and an appropriate regulatory framework.To this end, agreement was also reached by both leaders to revitalise their Joint Ministerial Commission and reposition it as a key vehicle for the expansion of bilateral economic cooperation. Nigeria is to host the next session of the commission early next year.At the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa earlier in the day, President Jonathan assured Ping, its Commissioners, Directors and other senior officials that Nigeria, under his leadership, will remain in the forefront of efforts to ensure that the organisation's objectives are fully achieved.The President urged the AU to continue to work for political stability in Africa by encouraging full democratisation and good governance in all African countries.Ping thanked Jonathan for visiting the AU Commission in spite the time constraints imposed by his busy schedule in Addis Ababa, saying that the visit was a demonstration of the importance the President attaches to the AU.Praising Nigeria 's contributions to peace in Africa and the world through ECOWAS, the AU and the United Nations, (UN) Ping urged President Jonathan to sustain Nigeria 's leading role on the continent.Speaking in a meeting with the Nigerian community in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, President Jonathan asked Nigerians 'give us more time. I took the oath of office on May 29. We are just starting the government. The National Assembly Committees were sworn in last week. I swore in the last Minister last week. From next year, things will begin to take shape. By next year also, we are going to unfold more of our agenda. And Nigerians will know we are moving up well. Look at what happens between now up to May 2013.'He added that that the Federal Government will soon implement a new policy whereby Nigerians holding top diplomatic positions inUN , the AU and their agencies will be issued with diplomatic passports.In addition, Jonathan noted 'we will give you diplomatic status as Ambassadors.
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