ABUJA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has commended Nigeria's achievements in the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

    Meeting with Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday in Abuja, Clinton said, "You are doing marvelous work here. It is as good as any I have seen in the world and I am grateful for the chance to work with your health ministry officials," he said.

    Clinton said that one out of six children in the developing world are on AIDS medication, adding that this has become very challenging, especially where basic health facilities are absent in rural areas.

    He commended Yar'Adua's Seven-Point Agenda, particularly the aspect of food security, "because this will have a multiplier effect on the population, providing food and jobs".

    Clinton also described the landfill method of waste disposal by Lagos State as commendable and asked his Nigerian counterpart to support and encourage it.

    "They are a source of wealth to the local community, apart from the jobs to be created and the improved environment," he said.

    Responding, Yar'Adua said that the Nigerian government is working hard to improve primary healthcare delivery to increase access for rural dwellers.

    On food security, the president said that the government has guaranteed a minimum price for farmers' produce, as well as granted them credit.

    Yar'Adua also briefed Clinton on the additional silos built by the government, his determination to halt gas flaring by oil companies and its conversion to domestic and industrial use and production of energy, and the alarming loss of vegetation cover due to deforestation.

    The two leaders also shared thoughts on the global financial crisis and global warming.