Abuja — President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni , have advocated a meeting of African leaders to address the effects of the global financial crisis on the continent.

Museveni who is on a four-day visit to Nigeria made a case for the meeting along with the Nigerian president at a joint press conference after bilateral talks at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where both leaders marshalled out the bilateral and regional efforts needed to mitigate the impact of the global meltdown.

Museveni said that Uganda wants Nigeria's assistance in the development of its oil sector, stressing that with the discovery of oil, Uganda looks up to Nigeria to help provide the needed expertise which, he said, is lacking back in his country.

He explained his preference for Nigerian expertise, saying "we want Nigeria to impact its expertise in the field of oil exploration so that our people can have the technical know-how rather than relying on people from outside the continent."

The Ugandan President also said that there is agreement on the operation of direct flight between both countries, noting that the agreement for direct flight was entered into about 10 years ago.

Towards jumpstarting this, President Museveni said it was agreed that a Nigerian airline be designated to commence the operation.Responding to a question on whether his country was ready to support Nigeria 's push for a permanent seat in the United State (US) proposed enlarged Security Council, Museveni said the continent is still discussing on the formalities to be adopted in picking African representatives in the council.

President Yar'Adua gave an insight into the deliberations of the talks, saying that it is time for Africa to follow the American, Asian and European example and commence joint action towards addressing the economic situation.

The meeting, according to him , also deliberated on the situation in Congo and the Somali crisis.During the four-day visit, it is expected that President Museveni, along with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, will today (Friday) visit the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), where he is expected to deliver the 2008 Distinguished Annual Lecture to the Executive Course 31 of NIPSS.