President Barack Obama yesterday urged officials from all American states to spend their shares of the $787 billion stimulus fund wisely and quickly, hours after he challenged American allies to spend more to reignite their own economies.

Obama was making the rounds to ensure that his massive economic stimulus plan is implemented in ways that it will ease the worst recession the US has suffered in nearly 60 years.

"You've got this wonderful mission. And it's rare where you get your chance to put your shoulder to the wheel of history and put it in a better direction," Obama told a gathering of state officials.

The president made the remarks during a brief appearance at a daylong White House conference with state officials, aimed at making sure the stimulus funds are spent appropriately. The administration had asked each governor to send the state official in charge of stimulus money to learn about programmes and initiatives available under the legislation, which Obama signed into law on February 17.

"If we see money being misspent, we're going to put a stop to it," Obama warned.

The president is looking forward to the London global economic summit in early April, and Obama said on Wednesday that America's efforts at home could falter if US overseas economic partners don't step up their own stimulus efforts.