Governor of [indiscernible] the former governor of boko haram . The governor of [indiscernible] president of counsel on africa. And ambassador to the United States of america. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen [indiscernible] friend of my big friend [indiscernible] i am requiring to [indiscernible] i was not surprised to meet him but i was surprised to meet his chief executive of the bank maybe it was brought by the executive of the bank. [laughter] distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me begin by saying how pleased i am to be here tonight and to be treated to this elaborate dinner. By the Corporate Council on africa. We have so many captains of industry here tonight. I would like to commend the chamber. Four assembling these United States companies. They have taken me through their vision and activities in the nigeria. My intention here tonight is simply to bring a message of hope about my countrys future and opportunities for United States investors. Ladies and gentlemen, due to the longstanding excellent relations between nigeria and the United States, our two countries founded necessary to sign an agreement in 2010 as a framework to guide our interactions. The agreement provides a template to effectively and efficiently manage the growing lyrical and economic relations between nigeria and the United States. [indiscernible] we seek to strengthen our bilateral [indiscernible] these interactions have led to increased economic and investment activities between nigeria and the United States. I would like to see these interactions broaden. A huge potential is there and in our two countries to improve the economic and trade relations beyond the current levels. My intention is to create the necessary and environment for future investment in nigeria. [indiscernible] we are prime candidates to become the destination of tourism for United States and investments in africa. [applause] we know from experience that the nigerian market is the best investment of any other in africa. I will work fastidiously to welcome new investments in our country. We would like to take advantage of the excellent political relations between our two countries, including joint ventures and different sectors of the economy including agriculture, mining, Health Sector tourism and other sectors of our economy to take advantage of african growth and opportunities. Ladies and gentlemen while i have organized the [indiscernible] promoting economy and growth it the most take on a greater role. This is even more so for us in nigeria as we take steps to an oildriven economy. In particular, we want genuine investors who are willing to come to nigeria for minerals. Employment was one of my key campaign promises. I will do my best to keep this promise. I will do my best to keep this promise. [applause] Muhammadu Buhari is there is no there is no other way to explain Economic Opportunities and create that boosting domestic manufacturing. And infrastructure and development and industrialization. Let me repeat nigeria will partner with the general investors who are willing to join us to achieve our economic objectives and at the same time, investments and returns for that investment. There is more to nigeria than oil. This is why i will continue to stress of the need for increased United States investment and our nonoil sectors. It is a fact that in the present administration will be attentive to the needs of the community. And provide services that will strengthen the sector to drive the growth. [applause] Muhammadu Buhari we intend to reduce waste and focus on freedom, accountability and good governance. The rule of law, compliance of levels of agreement and ease of doing business and removal of some of the measures that the federal government will remove. Ladies and gentlemen, nigeria has Enormous Economic potential that requires heavy funding which tends to be sourced locally in nigeria alone. I want to, therefore to encourage you for Foreign Investment such as overseas Investment Corporation and United States exportimport bank. To include access to capital and funding of such businesses. Nigerias shares have already been exploited. As you are aware [indiscernible] while we are aware of some of the challenges confronted the Energy Sector in nigeria, i want to ensure you that the government of nigeria as we said, as it relates to [indiscernible] transmission and distribution of power to the consumers. Ladies and gentlemen, the kind of environment can only thrive in a stable environment. As such, i am giving full attention to the fight against boko haram insurgency in collaboration with nigeria. To this end, nigeria has 100 million United States dollars to the Multinational Task force of the business commission. The Task Force Said to be a function. To effectively function. Last month, at nigeria pledged 20 million United States dollars and is ready to [indiscernible] nigeria organized for the contribution of 5 million to this campaign. Every little bit helps and this in this allimportant fight against terrorism. [indiscernible] the settlement of displaced persons and providing the atmosphere for a normal life. In conclusion, i would like to remind you all that we are continuing with privatization programs effective ranging from telecommunications, energy, gas, [inaudible] aviation, health, and infrastructure which will improve architecture. We will also simplify these features based on principles of reciprocity. And i therefore sees this opportunity to formally invite to American Business community to take advantage of our numerous trade and investment to do business in nigeria. I thank you very much for your attention. [applause] thank you, mr. President. [applause] all right, in my very brief Closing Remarks and please all sit down and remain seated so the president and his party have an opportunity to leave the room. On behalf of the u. S. Chamber of president obama is in africa. He is expected in the ethiopia tomorrow for a meeting with the Prime Ministers bear. He will be giving an address to the union before his return. He spoke about Foreign Affairs at the veteran of Foreign Wars National convention in pittsburgh and spoke about some challenges facing veterans in terms of education and employment. This is 40 minutes. [band playing hail to the chief] [cheers and applause] it is now my honor and privilege to introduce someone who is no stranger to the veterans of foreign wars of the United States. He has served his state senate for eight years before becoming a u. S. Senator from the prarie state of illinois in 2004. [applause] he would become a member of the Senate VeteransAffairs Committee and cosponsor a number of v. F. W. Legislations like the post 9 11 g. I. Bill and the traumatic supplemental insurance act for wounded afghanistan and iraq veterans. He would attend the v. F. W. Washington office legislative conference reception, speak at our National Convention for two years in a row as a candidate for our nations highest office. Then again in 2009 and 2012 after he got the job. As president , he would sign into law advanced appropriations for the v. A. , a new stolen valor act, the veterans choice act, a new v. F. W. Charter and provide every v. F. W. National commander an opportunity to meet privately with him to discuss the issues that are important to all veterans, Service Members and their families. [applause] comrades, sisters and distinguished guests, please welcome the 44th president of the United States of America Barack obama [cheers and applause] president obama i appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Please, please have a seat. Hello v. F. W. thank you commander, john, as you complete your tenure, we thank you for your service, to the air force, v. F. W. And to our nation. And i look forward to working with your next commander, a proud army veteran. [applause] president obama and as always your outstanding executive director and vietnam vet, bob wallace, who is doing a great job. I ask you all to join me in saluting the ladies auxillary president. [applause] president obama your next president. [applause] president obama and everybody in the ladies auxillary because our military families serve right along side those in uniform. [applause] president obama i want to acknowledge mayor, our host here in pittsburgh. County executive and the people of pittsburgh who are hosting us in their beautiful city and im pleased to be joined by our secretary of veterans affairs. [applause] president obama like a true Army Airborne ranger, bob is tireless like the outstanding Business Leader that he is. He is bringing new reforms to the v. A. He even gave out his personal cell phone number and said call him any time. On behalf of all of us, i thank you, bob, for your outstanding service. [applause] president obama it is a great honor to be back with the v. F. W. And i want to start with the simple message, thank you. So many of you remember there was a time back during the draft when virtually every american had at some point had a loved one or friend in the military. Today its an allvolunteer force, so folks dont always have direct contact with our troops and with our veterans. One of the great privileges of my office is that i do. And thats why as president i consider it my obligation to help make sure that even though less than 1 of americans wear the uniform, that 100 of americans honor your sacrifices and your service. [applause] president obama as we mark the 70th anniversary of the second end or the end of the second world war, i offer a special salute to all of our world war ii veterans. [applause] president obama as communities across our country continue to mark 50 years since the end of the vietnam war, we say thank you to all of our vietnam vets. [applause] president obama we have new a new p. O. W. M. I. A. Agency, new leadership. We are building stronger partnerships with the v. F. W. Because bringing home americans taken prisoner is a Sacred Mission and we are stepping up our efforts to never leave a fallen comrade behind ever. [applause] president obama v. F. W. , when i took office, you were the first Veterans Convention i addressed and i talked to you about how we needed a new vision of American Leadership in the world. For too long, there have been a mindset where facing a challenge in the world was to send in our military, and we have the greatest, learned painfully where that kind of thinking can lead, rushing into war without thinking through the consequences and going alone getting drawn into unnecessary conflicts and spreading our military too thin, would play into the hands of our enemies. Thats what they wanted us to do. And who paid the price . Our men and women in uniform. Our wounded warriors, our fallen heroes, who never come home. Their families, who carry that loss forever. And so i said then that our brave troops and our families deserve better. We cannot expect our military to bear the entire burden of our National Security alone. Everybody has to support our National Security. [applause] president obama today, we are pursuing a new kind of leadership, a smarter, Broader Vision of american strength, one that relies not only on our outstanding military, but on all elements of our national power. And that starts with the recognition that our strength in the world depends on our economic strength here at home and as americans we can be proud of the progress we have achieved together. We have now seen more than five years of private sector job growth, which is the longest streak on record. [applause] president obama Unemployment Rate is at the lowest rate in nearly seven years. American manufacturing, our Auto Industry are booming, our exports, made in america have been at record levels and wages are finally rising. The stock market has more than doubled which restored 401ks for millions of americans. More than 16 million americans have gained Quality Affordable Health Care who didnt have it before. [applause] president obama we are producing more American Energy here at home, which is reducing our dependence on foreign oil. And we have done all this while we have cut the deficit by 2 3. So thats progress thats strength and American Leadership. That serves as the foundation for our National Security. A real leadership means using our power wisely, especially our military. Thats why we refocused our fight in afghanistan, pushed back the taliban, trained up Afghan Forces so they could take the lead for their own security. Today we can say our combat mission in afghanistan is over. We brought americas longest war to a responsible end and we salute every member of this 9 11 generation who have sacrificed to keep us safe. [applause] president obama as commander in chief, my greatest responsibility is ensuring the security of the United States in what is still a dangerous world. That means keeping our military strong. Yes, our armed forces are drawing down after two major wars, but some of the reckless budget cuts under the name of sequestration thats going on in washington right now, thats not the way to keep our armed forces ready, or to keep care of our troops and their families. [applause] president obama or to keep america strong with the education, infrastructure and Research Development that we need to thrive. These mindless cuts have to end. There are two ways forward right now. On the one hand, we can keep this sequester, trying to fund our military with gimmicks shortchange National Security programs like counterterrorism increased risk to our troops. I got to be honest, thats what the republican budget does. But ive got a better idea is to end sequestration, increase the Defense Budget and invest in americas strength and im calling on Republican Leaders in congress to sit down and negotiate a budget that protects our National Security and our economic security. [applause] president obama which shouldnt be playing partisan politics when it comes to National Security. Theres no reason we cant get it done. And i will veto any budget that locks in the sequester. Its not good for our country. Every ally and every adversary needs to know the United States has and will continue have the strongest and most capable fighting force the world has ever known. [applause] president obama no one can match our army, the greatest land force on earth. Nobody can match our navy, the largest and most advanced battle fleet in the world or our coast guard, nobody can match our air force, its reach and precision are unequal. Nobody can match our marine corps, the worlds only global Expeditionary Force and no one can match our forces, our remarkable quiet professionals. I will never hesitate to use force to protect our nation, including from the threat of terrorism. Thanks to the skill of our military and counterintelligence professionals, we struck major blows against those who threaten us. Osama bin laden is gone. [cheers and applause] president obama the leader of the al qaeda affiliate in yemen, gone. Many of al qaedas deputies and their replacements gone. Ahmed, the leader of the al qaeda affiliate, gone. One accused of bombing our embassies in africa, captured. Accused in the attack in benghazi, captured. The list goes on. If you target americans. You will not have a safe haven. We will defend our nation. [cheers and applause] president obama when threats emerge, real leadership means the United States rallies the world to action. Were stronger when we stand with allies and partners. No other nation in the world can match the alliances that we have. Its another source of our strength. Its a force multiplier. And i want to take the opportunity to commend Prime MinisterDavid Cameron and our british allies and friends to increase their defense spending to 2 . Thats what every nato ally should do. They need to meet their commitments to our collective security so we stand together. When we stand together, things happen. Right now we have a coalition of some 40 nations in afghanistan. The war may be over that our Ground Troops fight, but that country is still dangerous. So we will per see veer in our mission. Remaining relentless in our Counterterrorism Operations against al qaeda. Likewise, we stand together, a coalition of some 60 nations including arab partners in the fight against isil. I believe that the United States should not be engaged in another major ground war in the middle east. Thats not good for our National Security and not good for our military, but what we can do and what we are doing is to pound isil from the air. More than 50,000 air strikes so far, while training and supporting local forces on the ground in iraq and syria as they fight to push isil back. Recent losses on the battlefield show that isil can be defeated. Were a long way from being finished. I said this is a Long Campaign and will take time. We will degrade and destroy this barbaric terrorist organization. Weve got the coalition and weve got right on our side, and it will happen. [applause] president obama at the same time, we have to remain vigilant in protecting our homeland. Our Law Enforcement and Homeland Security professionals are tireless. They have arrested individuals across our country for attempting to join isil or for plotting terrorism. Theyve thwarted attacks and saved american lives. We dont yet know all the Details Behind the attack in chattanooga but we know al qaeda and isil have encouraged attacks on american soil, including against our Service Members. And this threat of lone wolves and small cells is hard to detect and prevent. So our entire government along with state and local partners, we are going to keep doing everything in our power to protect the american people, including our men and women in uniform. And we honor our five Service Members so senselessly killed in chattanooga. We are grateful to the Courageous Police to stopped the rampage and saved lives and we draw strength from another American Community that has come together with a message to those who will try to do us harm. You cannot divide americans. You can never change our way of life or the value of freedom and diversity that makes us americans. [applause] president obama as we defend our nation, real leadership also means something else, having the courage to lead in a new direction, the wisdom to move beyond the policies that havent worked in the past, having the kft to engage in smart diplomacy that can lead to a better future. Thats what we are doing in cuba, a new chapter will mean more opportunities for the cuban people. Today with our American Embassy opened in that havana we will speak up for freedom and universal values around the world, but were not scared to engage. We see the strength of american diplomacy in our comprehensive nuclear deal with iran, because we must prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. And we are now engaged in an important debate, which is a good thing. We are a democracy. Unfortunately you may have noticed there is already a lot of shaky information out there. So even as i make the case of why this is a critical deal to prevent iran from getting a nuclear weapon, we are going to make sure the people know some facts and here are basic facts. With this deal, we cut off irans pathways to a Nuclear Program and prohibited from pursuing a Nuclear Program permanently. With this deal, we gain unprecedented ack to their Nuclear Facilities and monitor them 24 7. Without a deal, we dont get that. If iran sneaks, sanctions snap back on. Without the deal, the sanctions unravel. We risk another conflict in the middle east. Now, if iran tries to get a bomb despite this agreement, 10 years from now or 20 years from now, the american president will be in a stronger position to take additional steps including any option of military action to prevent that from happening. Those are the facts and thats the choice. For the sake of our National Security and the sake of future generations, we need to make the right choice on this critical issue. And i want to make a broader point. In the debate over this deal were hearing the echos of some of the same policies and mindset that failed us in the past. The politicians and pundits that are so quick to reject the diplomatic solution to irans solution are the same folks who were so quick to go to war in iraq and said it would take a few months. We know the consequences of that choice and what it cost us in blood and treasure. So i believe theres a smatter more responsible way to protect our National Security and that is what we are doing. Instead of dismissing the rest of the world and going it alone, we have done the hard and patient work of uniting the International Community to meet a common threat. Instead of chest beating that rejects the idea of talking to our adversaries, which sounds good in sound bites but accomplishes nothing, but we are seeing strong diplomacy can give hope to solving a problem peacefully. Instead of rushing into another conflict, i believe sending our sons and daughters in harms way must be a last resort and before we put their lives on the line we should exhaust every alternative. That is what we offer our troops and that is american strength and leadership. [applause] president obama of course, even with this deal, well continue to have differences with the iranian government in support of terrorism, so we cant let them off the hook. Our sanctions for irans support for terrorism and Ballistic Missile program, those sanctions will remain in place. And we will stand with allies and partners, including israel to oppose irans dangerous behavior. And we are not going to relent until we bring home our americans who are unjustly obtained in iran. The journalist should be released. The pastor should be released. A former sergeant in the u. S. Marine corps should be released. Iran needs to help us find robert levinson. These americans need to be back home with their families. [applause] president obama one more aspect of American Leadership i want to discuss because even more than sending americans to war, real strength is measured by how we take care of our veterans when you come home. V. F. W. , we have made real progress. We have won historic increases in veterans funding. We made v. A. Benefits available to more than two million veterans including more vietnam vets exposed to agent orange. That was a commitment i made when running for office. Were keeping that commitment. We are devoting unprecedented resources for Mental Health care. We have helped more than 1. 4 million veterans and their families pursue their education under the post9 11 g. I. Bill. We reduced the number of Homeless Veterans by about a third. Were helping more veterans and military spouses find good civilian jobs. And the veterans Unemployment Rate continues to go down. No lower than the National Average and thats all good news. When problems arise, we work to fix them. Here in pittsburgh, an outbreak of legionnaires disease killed six veterans and infected others and that was a tragedy. And whenever there are any missteps, there is no excuse. Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones and know there is new leadership now at the pittsburgh v. A. The Safety Measures now in place are some of the strongest in the nation and Patient Safety is a top priority at v. A. Hospitals because we have to prevent anything like that from ever happening again. [applause] president obama last year, of course, the full magnitude of broader problems also came to light, long wait times, veterans denied care. Some people inexcusably cooking the books. It was unacceptable and i wanted those problems fixed. I brought in bob and i went down to the phoenix v. A. To see and hear for myself. Bob gave you an update earlier. The v. A. Reached out to vets across the country to get them off the wait list and bring them in for care. Bob is working to hold people accountable and make sure the whistleblowers are protected instead of punished. [applause] president obama with the new resources of the choice act, the v. A. Hired thousands of new physicians, nurses, staff. They are opening more clinics. So all the veterans who spoke up, i want you to know we heard you. We changed the rule. Now if it takes you more than 40 miles to drive to a v. A. Facility, well help you go to a doctor outside of the v. A. [applause] president obama today, the v. A. Is handling millions more appointments inside and outside the v. A. And delivering more care. Thats all good news. Veterans continue to tell us that once they get through the door, the care is often very good. A lot of folks across the v. A. Many of them veterans themselves work hard every single day to do right by our veterans. We have to acknowledge our work is not done. We still have a big challenge. Even with all these new resources, the v. A. Is struggling to keep up with the surge of veterans seeking care. The fact is our veterans are getting older. With the end of the most recent wars, more veterans are now coming home. Our veterans are seeking more care. Our veterans are getting the new lifesaving treatment for hepatitisc. You put it all together and sometimes wait times are higher than it was last year. Im still not satisfied and bobs still not satisfied. We are focused on this at the highest levels. We are not going to let up and we are going to keep pushing forward on the five priorities of our veterans agenda. Number one, we are going to keep fighting for the resources you need to help deal with this surge, we have sent an urgent request to congress, move funds to where they are needed right now. [applause] president obama im calling on congress to approve this request quickly, this month. Our vets need it and our hospitals need it. Let me just add, we protected v. A. Funding from sequestration in the past and i propose increase in funding next year and i would point out that the republican budget falls short and another reminder that the best way to protect v. A. Funding Going Forward and v. F. W. We need you to keep raising your voices on this, get rid of sequestration and make sure that our veterans have the resources they need. [applause] president obama number two, we are going to keep fighting to get the health care we promised and keep improving our Women Veterans and make good on the clay hunt act and helping veterans with posttraumatic stress and recruiting more doctors and Mental Health counselors and make sure veterans who are already struggling dont fall through the cracks and end the stigma and shame around Mental Health once and for all. [applause]