Femi Soneye ia a Nigerian journalist working at a US airforce base who supports the security of President Barack Obama. He tells Ruth Olurounbi, in this interview about how he got the coveted job among other issues. Excerpts:

HOW long have you been working for the US government?
Three years.

In what capacity?
That’s the United States Air Force, at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC, which is the support base for the US President, Barack Obama, and members of the Congress. I do oversee the combat/health readiness of service men in my unit. I also ensure that service men are fit to fight, ready for deployment at a short notice. As a journalist, I also edit the magazine and newsletter of my unit.

How has the experience been for you?
It's exciting, the best thing that has ever happened to me coming from being a Nigerian to getting to a position where your actions can affect the number one man in the world and the congress puts you in a position where only excellence is accepted, in all actions, plans or strategy. It has been a wonderful membership. I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States and the president, which, itself alone, is a huge responsibility.

Are you the only Nigerian currently working for the US government?
No. You know the United States is the most culturally diverse country in the world. It accepts individuals on merit. We have some other Nigerians in my base; some are medical doctors and one or two in the flight maintenance unit and some in squadrons. The US military is the most sensitive place you can find yourself. Due to what comes with the service, you can be deployed to anywhere in the world at short notice, but at times, we do have agencies and organisations that will ensure your families have all they need to live a comfortable lifestyle while you're away.

Do you have a military background?
No. The only military experience would be from attending Nigerian Navy School where I did Naval Studies, no prior military background.

How then did you land the job?
You see, the United States government has been so good to me and my family. One night, I was having a dinner with a Naval Officer called April Jones and she talked about the needs of the Military and encouraged me that I would fit in one of those positions on the table. I went home and thought about it. But before that, I had looked at areas where I could voluntarily serve and give back to the government. While that was going on, I lost my grandmother in Nigeria and had to travel for the burial. Before I came back, she had put all the necessary papers in for me and when I came back to the US, I went through the stuff. As I was about to be sworn in I changed my mind and went home as the package with the US Navy was not really clear and I was afraid to sign something I wasn't sure about. Not long after that, I was contacted from the president's base by an officer called Darryl Washington. He took me through the president's base, advised me, and told me that I fitted the position with my qualifications and that it would be nice to have me serve. I was excited. I did all the exams and passed. I did my health assessment, which was very comprehensive. Once I passed all those, it was now left for me to pass the physical testing which was weeks of hard core military testing. That was the most challenging period in my life. Once that was completed, I was posted to the base.

What are your academic qualifications?
I went to the Nigerian Navy Primary School and Randle High School in Apapa, Lagos State. I proceeded to Royal Way College, University of Calabar. I also did a Diploma in Journalism at Maclay in Sydney, Australia. I attended Montgomery County College, Maryland and the University of Maryland in the US.

Why the resolve to work with the US government, being that you're a Nigerian?
The desire to serve a government that has given much to me and my family inspired me to serve, and the fact that the US has a platform where its citizens can be part of governance and service through various capacities. Yes, I was born a Nigerian and lived most of my life in Nigeria, and a proud Nigerian also. I have, in my own area of responsibility, helped in seeking advocacy and aid for states in Nigeria. I also directed a non-profit organisation that has helped and partnered with the Nigerian Embassy in DC in arranging several trade/investment forums.

Was your appointment based on merit or was it political?
Purely on merit. The United States system is based purely on merit and the will to serve. It was a case of the Department of Defense having a position that needs to be filled to serve the nation and there was an individual with the qualification, merit and will to serve.

Do you have interest in Nigeria's politics?
Oh yes! I do have interest in the politics of Nigeria like I informed you earlier. The non-profit organisation I directed has within the past years sent international observers to Nigeria to monitor our electoral process, we have sent long time observers and short time observers, the LTO'S and STO's to ensure that we have representative democracy in the true sense of it. I have also been involved in arranging free medical missions for states across Nigeria, especially for rural areas. And the most important is in the areas of advocacy.

What is the rationale behind the bill by the US senate allowing soldiers to sleep with horses?
The issue of the sex with horses or animals is being over exaggerated. The United States military is the most disciplined force in the world, with huge dignity and respect not only for our service men but for all that we encounter. We follow diligently the Geneva Convention laws that protect people and we have huge respect for the rule of law. We allow the US Constitution to take its course, just as we respect the Constitution of other countries where we have base or operate in. Because I don't have the capacity to talk about this issue officially I will not like to dwell more on this issue, but I want you to know that the US believes in the union of man and woman, and also allow its people to engage in any relationship they feel they want. At the same time, it is not a federal thing. It's being done in some states where their legislature accepts it.

What about the same sex marriage that the US and the UK seem to be forcing on Nigeria?
I really don't think the US is forcing this issue on Nigeria. I want us to look at it from the human rights violations angle. You see, the US preserves the rights of people and it knows it has people including its citizens that are gays and can find their way in Nigeria doing legitimate business and be involved in the harsh laws. We have seen people being killed in some African countries because they are gays. So, the US will not like its citizens to be killed in those areas because they are gays, so, I really don't think it is forcing it on Nigerians because even in the US it's not being forced on Nigerians.