Abuja — Mr Adam Ereli, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States on Monday stressed the need for stronger cooperation with Nigeria to boost tourism.

Ereli spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to Chief Edem Duke, Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, in Abuja.

He said that the US was seeking for areas of greater understanding between the two countries to foster mutual economic agenda through tourism and education.

According to him, both countries can benefit from the youth exchange programmes of the US in promoting Nigeria's cultural heritage and preserving historic sites.

"Through the exchange programmes, young talented Nigerians can also be trained in the US in the area of film production," Ereli said.

He said the exchange programmes being critical in addressing the countries' mutual agenda would educate and empower people economically, especially the youth, to contribute to their communities.

He said, "The goal of our programme is to empower people by giving them the tools they need to impact positively on the community they come from.

NAN