The Nation Newspaper

Tag: envoy

  • America interested in Nigerian economic growth, says envoy

    The United States of America (USA) has reiterated its commitment to continue working with Nigeria towards building a strong private sector and achieving economic growth through bilateral partnership.

    The Consul General of the US Consulate in Lagos, Mr John Bray, said America had never lost confidence in Nigerian stock market, noting that Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) remained a key institution in facilitating private capital in the local market for business expansion and new business start-ups.

    The envoy made the remark yesterday when Bray paid a familiarisation visit to the NSE, during which he was accorded the honour of beating the closing gong to mark the end of trading at the stock market.

    Bray said the US government’s interest was to see Nigerian economy grow faster in order to create jobs and business opportunities for the growing population. Without capital investment, the envoy said the needed economic growth may not be achieved against the backdrop of increasing population.

    “It is our concern and interest for the Nigeria economy to grow. We have had population projection for Nigeria, which says that the country would be the third most populous country in the world by 2050. Without capital investment and good plans for economic growth to cater for this population expansion, there is not going to be jobs and prosperity anywhere.

    “This is a clear message that the United States – both the government and the private sector – is committed to supporting Nigeria as it continues to find new avenues of economic growth and development. The more Nigerian economy grows, the better it is for both Nigerian and American businesses. Open and transparent financial exchanges are an example of a society’s broader commitment to the rule of law and sanctity of contracts,” Bray said.

    He acknowledged NSE’s progress in the previous, saying the Nigerian stock market was ranked amongst the top five performers in 2017. The projections, he said, indicated 2018 would be an equally successful year.

    He noted that the US government maintained a limited number of Bi-National Commission (BNC) relationships with nations to demonstrate a high degree of friendship, trust and cooperation. Nigeria, he said, is one of the nations with which the U.S. maintained BNC, because it is one of America’s most important partners in Africa.

    According to him, there were BNC meetings in Abuja last November, where the Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, pledged the US commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria as both countries look to the future. Also, during the period, the US Department of Commerce and the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, formalised the US–Nigeria Commercial and Investment Dialogue that will help to develop stronger business networks between our countries and help frame subsequent discussions under our Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, to be led by the Office of the US Trade Representative.

    In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, said the visit by the American envoy to the stock market demonstrated the commitment of the US to its partnership with Nigerian private sector.

    Earlier, there was a closed door meeting between the NSE leadership and the Consulate’s delegation. Onyema said discussions during the meeting focused on how the US would help Nigeria to develop its capital market and quoted companies among others.

    Other members of the US Consulate’s delegation included Public Affairs Officer, Ms Darcy Zotter and Head of the Consulate Political and Economic Section, Mr Tat Osman, among others.

  • EU allocates €430m for peace, security in Africa, says envoy

    EU allocates €430m for peace, security in Africa, says envoy

    The European Union (EU) has said it has allocated 430 million euros to security and peace building in Africa from 2014 to 2020.

    EU Deputy Head of Delegation in Nigeria and ECOWAS Richard Young said the continent was plagued by a number of complex security challenges, which were intertwined with the EU-owned security.

    He spoke yesterday in Abuja at a peace and security conference organised by EU and Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).

    It is to address issues at the EU-African Union Summit to be held between November 29 and 30 in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire

    Young said: “The cost of conflicts around the world is put at approximately 14.3 billion dollars, which is about 50 per cent of the world GDP. This is enormous.

    “If you look at Africa, which contributes about 60 per cent to the world population, it has more than one third of the global conflict.

    “We contested with peace and security challenges in Africa. Of course, the EU has been responding to this. A lot has been committed to the issue of security and defence by the EU.”

    The envoy said the EU had since 2003 given 2.6 billion euro to support peace and security operations in Africa.

    “We have earmarked 430 million euros to peace and security in Africa from 2014 to 2020.

    “The EU is an all-weather friend in Africa and we are ready to work closely and support Africa in dealing with the issue of peace and security issue.”

     

     

  • Why Sweden stopped free tuition fees for Nigerians, by envoy

    Sweden stopped free tuition fees for Nigerians schooling in the country because Nigeria is a middle income country and not a least developing country, Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria Mrs. Inger Ultvedt has said.

    Mrs. Ultvedt said Sweden was in the past not accepting school fees from Nigerians schooling in her country.

    Speaking at the Lagos Country Club Diplomatic Discourse in Lagos at the weekend, Ultvedt said the number of people from the Sub-Saharan Africa wanting to access education in Sweden has continued to increase in recent years.

    The country, she said, needed to put more funds into the schools and, therefore, decided to take fees from students, except for those from least developing countries.

    The envoy said Nigeria, which is a middle-income country, did not fall within the category.

    On how Sweden moved from being a poor country to one of the richest countries in the world, the ambassador said the country built trust in public and private sectors of its economy.

    “We have trust in our society. We have huge trust in private companies,” she said.

  • Oil mogul to Canadian envoy: Niger Delta is investors haven

    The President of   Belema Oil Producing Limited,  Mr.  Tein Jackrich,  has described Niger Delta  as investors’ haven.

    Jackrich also said the region is peaceful, conducive and very good for both foreign and local investments.

    He spoke when the Canadian  Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria,  Mr.  James Christolf, visited  him in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,  at the weekend.

    He said: “There are all manner of news about this state,  they are not true.  All over the world, there are challenges. You have been in this state now,  you have seen how calm everywhere is. This is a great state I must tell you.

    “One of the things your visit to the state has done is also to demonstrate that investing in the state is safe. The state is friendly,  the youths are friendly,  Niger Delta youths are exceptionally good and friendly.

    “The issue in this whole thing is that,  until we understand that the manner we do business 40years ago needs to change in this jet age, when technology has evolved; the manner we look at the youths needs to change.”

    Jackrich went on: ” The vision behind Belemaoil Producing Limited is not just to much more for shareholders,  the business managers,  but to ensure that there are strategic visible footprint in the communities we operate.

    “We consider the communities as strategic partners in creating wealth for all stakeholders. That is the reason why immediately we took over the operation,  we took on the transformational agenda with great vigour.

    “We have provided jobs for more than 500 of the indigenes. Training and scholarship awards to as much as 400 has been given out this year2017/2018 alone and still counting.

    “Belemaoil also collaborated the Rivers State government in giving out scholarships to deserving indugenesbof the state to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the state this year.

    “To us,  the main thing is to educate these youths in such a manner that will equip them adquately to be able to take on the responsibilities that will enable them add the same values to others, and I chose Canada for a good place to train them.”

    Christolf praised Belemaoil.

    He said: “I am very new in the country,  having arrived barely one month ago. When the opportunity was presented to me to come here (Port Harcourt),  I quickly accepted it.

    “This is because firstly,  there are potential strategic alliances to be formed with Canadian companies and part of our job is to come here and make sure that we meet people, and understand companies,  like Belemaoil and all others you mentioned to provide services.“

  • Envoy: Americans love buying Nigerian products

    Envoy: Americans love buying Nigerian products

    The United States (U.S) Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, has said many Americans enjoy buying Nigerian products because of their uniqueness and creativity.

    He said there were constraints militating against Nigerian products, including the quality of the products, scale of production and the value chain, which he said deter investors and consumers from getting the products into the American market through partnership.

    According to him, capturing the domestic market for the consumer can be useful to getting through to investors and consumers in the world so long as th manufacturers keep to the standard of packaging and processing.

    Stuart spoke at the weekend in Lagos at the two-day African Foods and Products Exhibition Conference, also called Nigerian-American Business Day, organised by the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC).

    It was with the theme: Unlocking Market Opportunities for Global Competitiveness.

    Recalling years ago when the country used to be the food basket of Africa, Symington said Nigerian producers fed West Africa until it found oil and gas and stopped producing and exporting.

    The envoy said the nation then became too dependent on oil and gas with heavy government control.

    He said: “What kind of democracy can Nigeria have if the people depend on government instead of the government depending on the people?

    “When I listen to Nigerians doing business again and networking again and producing again, I hear not only prospects of the future but also footsteps of the past and of family members: fathers and grandparents and friends who once made Nigeria a great platform for business through their handwork.

    “All have the power to change Nigeria and the world through one seed and inspiration because what is at stake is your country. We may not know the exact number of our population, but everyone knows that Nigeria is getting bigger and so is the opportunity and challenges.”

    After his tour of exhibitors’ pavilions, he described the handcrafts and food as just what the American people will want and like.

    Stuart added: “What I have seen is the next level of inspiration and creativity. I have seen hundreds of Nigerians make something of value to share with the world. These products are good and will not be in competition with anyone but the world and that is why I enjoin entrepreneurs to take advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to stimulate success in Africa so that they can transform the world through their own resources.

    America has a goal to ensure that Nigeria succeeds and that the country grows stronger, richer, healthier productive and self-sufficient.”

    NACC President Olabintan Famutimi said the event has attracted over 100 SMEs, MSMEs and start-up business owners to exhibit their products to international buyers.

    According to him, the key focus of the event is the amplification and encouragement of investment in the non-oil sector which has been largely untapped and underdeveloped.

    “Opportunities exist locally which we need to harness and showcase globally. Nigeria is desperate for economic diversification”.

    Famutimi urged exporters to find out if their export is eligible for duty waiver; exporters should find out what they need to do to be AGOA ready and those simply into trade and commerce should seize the opportunity to grow and develop their capacity.

     

  • Envoy backs ‘standard learning environment’

    •10 pupils named Kiddies Vision ministers, commissioners

    Deputy Consul of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Mr. Guan Zhong QI, has pledged his country’s support for Nigeria’s quest to build a standard learning environment for children.

    QI stated this at the season four grand finale of Kiddies Vision Young Ministers Competition (YMC) held in Lagos at the weekend where 10 pupils were named minsters and commissioners.

    The event, which was sponsored by the Chinese government and China Industrial & Commercial Enterprises Association, among others, was established to test Nigerian students’ knowledge of their country

    According to the organisers, it would also help to “guide them towards societal values and good governance.”

    QI, who reiterated his country’s commitment to promoting standard learning environment through its corporate social responsibilities, said no fewer than 100 students had received N20,000 scholarships each from his personal donations.

    The 10 comprised five commissioners from primary schools and five ministers from secondary schools, who were selected following a 32-week intense cognitive and academic rivalry,

    Ikpi Divine emerged Commissioner for Finance, Ifeoma Ubegue, Sports, Busayo Adesanya, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Adeniran Kanikun, Education and Okonkwo Chineche Rem, Commissioner for Health.

    The young ministers include Benjamin Orebowale for Health, Quadri Iyanu, Education, Osondu Rebecca, Finance, Geoffrey Happiness, Tourism, Arts and Culture and Ndeze Nicholas, Youth and Sports.

    According to the organisers, Kiddies Vision, with a fan base over 25,000, has mentored 10,000 students on purpose driven leadership.

    Director, Kiddies Vision Mrs. Nnena Umeohia said conferment of public service portfolios on young students was part of measures designed for developing efficient, responsible and accountable youthful leaders from their formative years.

    “During the subsidy protests in 2011, we carried out a research on how much our children know about the people in governance such as commissioners, ministers and heads of agencies but we found out that they knew very little.

    “In fact, they were expert at the latest hip-hop stars, music trends or movies. The competition was established to test the intelligence of Nigerian students on how enlightened they are about their country, the organs and the activities of government, facts and histories of the country to guide these future leaders towards societal values and good governance.”

    She said the group had also developed a programme, “Me & My body” to address the growing menace of child molestation and abuse especially from relatives.

    Umeohia lamented that many kids were subjected to physical and psychological battery due to lack of parental attention and delegation of caring duties to third parties.

  • Why Nigerians face extreme vetting at U.S. airports – envoy

    Amb. Hakeem Balogun, the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, says different reasons are responsible for the extreme vetting Nigerians face during entry into the US.

    Balogun, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Washington, added that the President Donald Trump’s travel ban did not affect Nigerians.

    “The executive ban on immigration does not affect Nigerians. Whatever must have taken place regarding visa issuance, vetting at the airports, it’s all normal.

    “All these things have been on even before President Trump. Let’s get one thing well. That you are issued visa is not a guarantee that you will end up wherever you’re going.

    “It’s a global thing; it’s not just United States. Even with us in Nigeria, we issue a visa to you here in the Nigerian Embassy.

    “There is no guarantee that you will get in when you get to Murtala Muhammed Airport or when you get to Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

    “The final authority is the man at the point of entry – immigration officers there. For instance, you can come to the Embassy here, we ask for all the things you need to get the visa.

    “How much do you have that we feel will be enough for you to stay in Nigeria for the period you’re going.

    “May be as at that time, you were able to show us evidence that you have a thousand dollars which we feel will be enough for you to stay in Nigeria.

    “By the time you get to Murtala Muhammed Airport, the man at that end there asked you, all you have to show to him is 100 dollars, definitely, he might turn you back, and that’s normal.

    Balogun also said Nigerians are restricted from entering the US because they failed to meet other required procedures.

    “Then there are other things. What manner of visa did you collect to come to the United States?

    “For instance, a pregnant woman who comes to the United States on visiting visa will probably be turned back at the point of entry because she does not have a medical visa.

    “You are coming in on a visiting visa and the immigration man sees you pregnant. Naturally, he will turn you back.

    “Even if you have the medical visa, they want to know if you have medical insurance; do you have you medical documents for you to be able to come and use their medical facilities here.

    “So these are issues. Nigeria is not being singled out. We are not one of those countries that have been mentioned. We are definitely not one of them. (NAN)

  • Envoy: Indians in Diaspora remit $69b annually

    Envoy: Indians in Diaspora remit $69b annually

    The Second Secretary and Head of the Consulate at the Lagos office of the High Commission of India, Subbu Ramesh, has said 30 million Indians in the Diapora remit $69 billion yearly.
    He said Indians were respected for their contributions to their host countries and India.
    Ramesh spoke in Lagos during the 14th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (non-Indian residents), a flagship programme organised by the government of India to acknowledge the contributions of the Indian community to the development of their country and in commemoration of the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa in 1915.
    It was in conjunction with the Indian Cultural Association, the Indian Women Association and the Indian Professional Forum in Lagos.
    Ramesh urged other immigrant communities to emulate Indians in the Diaspora through hard work, discipline, love and peace.
    The envoy said a skill development programme, Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana, which was launched on January 1, would give better economic opportunities to Indian youths seeking oversees employment.
    He said: “This forum is a worthy platform to create an enabling direct dialogue between the Indian government and its people abroad for social and economic transformation.”
    Many Indians noted that Nigeria accorded them respect for their managerial, technical and professional abilities.

  • Envoy advises one-stop-shop clearing at ports

    •SON, U.S. Embassy to partner

    Nigeria has been urged to use one-stop-shop for imports and exports to improve processing in line with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.

    The Economic and Commercial Counsellor in the United States, Mr. Ray Hotz, spoke when he visited Director General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)  Mr. Osita Aboloma in Abuja.

    Hotz said this would fast-track growth of the agro-allied and solid mineral sectors.

    He said through the visit, SON and the embassy’s Economic Section would explore opportunities to ascertain the scope of its operations and priorities.

    The economic counsellor expressed concern about the bureaucracy in Nigeria’s export, which, according to him, encouraged more informal transactions.

    He listed other areas of concern as accurate statistics on rejection of Nigeria’s exports, substandard products import and their sources, smuggling and copyright issues.

    Hotz said the embassy would provide trade capacity growth through Nigeria-American Chamber of Commerce, besides exploring greater opportunities for collaboration with the nation through SON, especially to enable Nigerians take advantage of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).

    Aboloma enumerated his organisation’s priorities, among others, as facilitating ease of doing business, supporting diversification of the economy, citizen protection, fighting corruption as well as promoting development of micro, small and medium enterprises through capacity-building initiatives and protection from unfair competition.

    He said Nigeria had product quality certification programmes for local manufacture and imports, namely mandatory conformity assessment programme (MANCAP) and offshore conformity assessment programme (SONCAP).

    These, according to him, are to ensuring that products meet Nigeria’s quality benchmarks in line with international best practices.

    He added that the organisation has internationally accredited laboratories for testing agro and allied products for consumption and export, stressing that SON Act 14 of 2015 gives the agency powers to promote standardisation, enforce standards and prosecute infringements.

    He said SON welcomed the partnership and requested collaboration in human and material capacity growth.

    Other areas, according to Aboloma, include expanding the scope of accreditation of SON laboratories and technological support in track and trace to combat menace of importation and distribution of substandard products.

  • Reps can’t invite U.S. envoy, says minister

    minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyema has explained why United States (US) Ambassador James Entwistle failed to honour the invitation of House of Representatives to appear before its panel probing the sex scandal allegations against three lawmakers.

    He said: “You can’t summon an ambassador to appear before a national institution because he is the head of state of his country where he’s serving, and he enjoys sovereign immunity.”

    The House summoned the ambassador to tender evidence against the three lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct during a visit to the U.S.

    The legislators accused of misconduct are Mohammed Garba Gololo (Bauchi), Samuel Ikon (Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (Benue).

    Speaking at the weekend, the minister explained that inviting the U.S. ambassador to appear before the House was not proper as it shows a lack of understanding of diplomatic agreement.

    He said the letter from the ambassador was not an allegation; it was only meant to bring to the notice of the leadership of the House the allegations against the three lawmakers by American citizens.

    He said the case became complex when those that raised the allegations against the lawmakers refused to testify.

    The minister blamed the “aggressive” behaviour of the lawmakers at the US Embassy in Abuja for the cancellation of their visas.

    He added that issuance or revocation of visas are the prerogative of the embassy and that there is nothing anybody can do about that.