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Tag: envoy

  • Envoy: it’ll make good sense for Obama to visit Nigeria

    Envoy: it’ll make good sense for Obama to visit Nigeria

    Jeffrey Hawkins will next month bow out of Nigeria as the United States (U.S.) Consul-General. Hawkins, who was appointed in 2012, is on the way to the Central African Republic (CAR), subject to U.S. Senate’s approval. In this interview with OLUKOREDE YISHAU, he speaks on the leadership crisis in the National Assembly, Boko Haram, possible visit of President Barack Obama to Nigeria, visa administration and the Nigerian political class. 

    Are you happy you are escaping from Nigeria?

    (Laughs) I am not escaping from Nigeria. I have been kicking and screaming from Nigeria. I am not happy I am leaving. I am certainly happy I have a new assignment, a new challenge to accomplish. I am happy I have a new challenge. Did I want to leave here or was I looking forward to a departure? Absolutely not! This has been a wonderful place for me. In my 25-year career, it has been without doubt my favourite place to have served and the most rewarding professionally.

    What were the challenges you faced?

    Essentially, the challenges are multiple and they are challenges any diplomat anywhere will face. I think the most important questions are the opportunities, the advantages we have. Most important, there has been a congruence of Nigerian and American interest. On some levels that I have not been able to put my fingers on, there are some things Nigerians and Americans have in common and they get along well.  Nigerians that move to the United States tend to do very well and Americans here have challenges and issues… but diplomats who have served here tend to have a good memory. So, there were challenges but there were a lot going on that made this work very rewarding.

    President Buhari is visiting the U.S. Is there any plan for President Obama to come to Nigeria?

    I don’t think there is anything on the table right now. I am going to guess that that is something they may talk about when President Buhari is in Washington.  I will hope that the President will come here because it is such an important country and it is such an important partner for us. It will make good sense.

    What do you make of the happenings at the National Assembly?

    I think it is early days yet. Obviously, the National Assembly is a sovereign legislative body, the Senate and the House of Representatives have the right to make their own choices about who they want for their own leadership…Even though the House of Representatives and the Senate are controlled by the President’s party, it does not mean they must do everything the President wants.

    The U.S. has always raised the concern about the need to fight insurgency with utmost respect for human rights. How possible is this?

    It is a hard thing, but it is a balance the United States is struggling with. We’ve been involved in conflict resolution in Afghanistan and I think what is important to keep in mind is that you can’t win war against insurgency if you do not bring the people along with you, particularly  in a place like Nigeria where the military is fighting to protect the civilian population. So, if there is a sense that the human rights have not been respected by the security forces, that gets in the way of proper success in the fight against insurgency and this will be morally wrong and legally wrong.  So, it is something that you have to look at very carefully and I think President Buhari has responded well to the concerns of international NGOs. ..That is the proper approach.

    What do you make of Nigerian politicians?

    Like Nigeria itself, Nigerian political class is very diverse and I have met Nigerian politicians that I have deeply admired and impressed with their concern for the people and their desire to do things with creative ideas. I have also met Nigerian politicians who were less impressive. .. I do hope that the Nigerian people tend to lavish their attention and votes on the former category, not the latter.

    Do you think political parties in Nigeria are driven by principles or just power?

    I think the party system should have more emphasis on ideologies, policies and approaches to solving problems and less emphasis on individuals. This idea of switching parties back and forth because you couldn’t get one job you want, I don’t think that is in Nigeria’s interest and flies in the face of democracy tenets.

    How much benefit has Nigeria got from AGOA?

    Not very much so far. Obviously, the oil sector has a lot of benefits from it. United States has worked very hard in co-ordination with Nigeria to encourage Nigeria to diversify its export to the United States and that will very much be to the interest of Nigeria and I hope the Buhari administration will look into this. The whole idea of that Act is to improve trade relations…If Nigeria is not benefitting from that, that is too bad.

    During the collation of the results of the last presidential election, the ambassador visited the collation centre and some people have described this as interference in our domestic affair. What is your take on this?

    The people who feel that way obviously do not understand the role of international observers. The ambassador was accredited as an observer like the rest of us and we have the right and really the responsibility to ensure the electoral process across the board is being conducted in a transparent way. Part of that is being at the polling centres when the people are voting and being at the collation centre after the election has taken place. It is a huge part of the process and it is something that international and domestic observers should be able to observe because it is part of the democratic system.

    Currently, Nigerians can get UK visa valid for 10 years. When will that happen for American visa?

    Generally speaking, the United States approach to visa is on reciprocal basis. So, whatever the other country does, we do. Currently, Nigeria gives only two years visa to United States citizens travelling to Nigeria. So, we are more or less obliged to do the same. Do we want Nigeria to expand that? That will be something we will quickly look at, because obviously, a longer visa period means less visa interviews for our staff and less work. We will love that, but our people need to benefit from same.

    How much help can Nigeria get from the U.S. to recover stolen funds?

    Working through legal process, through law enforcement agencies and Nigeria will get as much help as other countries. Obviously, the wider goal of fighting corruption is one that the United States shares with many of its partners and will love to work with Nigeria.

    Let’s talk about Kashamu Buruji. Why does the U.S. want him so badly?

    I am not going to discuss an ongoing legal matter.

    Lessons learnt from your stay in Nigeria…

    The lessons learnt are really basic and they are that Nigeria is absolutely essential actor on the African stage and on the wider global stage and it is quite important for the United States to be engaged with Nigeria. We have been working and cooperating with Nigeria because this is a country with an important present and a much more important future. We need to be here and we are here.

    What changed from the Nigeria you have lived in for three years and the Nigeria you heard of before you came here in 2012?

    I heard a lot from people, particularly in the policy world, about the investment opportunities here. There were also a lot about 419 and corruption and the rest. Also there was a growing awareness about Boko Haram as I was coming here in 2012 and so concerns about security. Those are facets of a bigger reality. It doesn’t define our relationship and it doesn’t define Nigeria.

    Were there things you planned to do and couldn’t do in three years?

    One of the things is not travelling more in the North. I took a one-day trip to Kaduna from Abuja. I would have loved to see the horsemen in Kano and go up to Sokoto.

    What will you miss about Nigeria?

    The people obviously and the work, the work has been really wonderful.

     

  • Ikorodu robbery: Strengthen waterways security, says Assembly

    Ikorodu robbery: Strengthen waterways security, says Assembly

    LAGOS State House of Assembly has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Nigerian Navy and other relevant agencies to provide adequate security on waterways in the metropolis following last week’s Ikorodu bank robbery.

    Moving a motion on the incident that occurred at Ipakodo, Ikorodu, where two banks were robbed by bandits, who escaped through the waterways, Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade also urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to strengthen the Waterways Guard Corps.

    He said the corps should be supported to discharge its functions as enshrined in the Lagos State Waterways Agency Law 2008, adding that the two helicopters bought for LASWA should be utilised.

    Agunbiade, urged all commercial banks and structures near jetties  to strengthen their security by installing high density cameras on their premises.

    “The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) should extend its operations from the roads to waterways. The Federal Government, through the National Assembly, should approve the formation of state police by the 36 states in the country,” he said.

    Olumuyiwa Jimoh from Apapa Constituency 2 said the Maritime Police should be involved in securing the waterways.

    Lanre Ogunyemi from Ojo Constituency 2, observed that armed robbers were trying to put the state under siege, adding that the Ikorodu incident was similar to that of Lekki which occured about two months ago.

    “The armed robbers operated commando-like unchallenged and with highly sophisticated equipment and highly experienced individuals. We should wake up to strengthen the control and security of our waterways. We should work with the communities along the waterways for intelligence purposes. We need more Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in Lagos,” he said.

    Sikiru Oshinowo from Kosofe Constituency 1, however, suggested that it was better to license all boats for the government to know the number of boats operating in the state and for easy recognition of anyone used for robbery.

    Yinka Ogundimu from Agege 2 Constituency said security should be taken seriously, adding that it would be difficult for RRS to operate on the waterways.

    Rotimi Olowo from Shomolu Constituency 1 accused the Nigerian Navy of focusing on dredgers and miners rather than tackling robbery despite the incentives given them for such task.

    He advised banks and other financial institutions to invest in Information Technology to help security men perform their duties.

    Olufunmilayo Tejuosho from Mushin Constituency 1 said: “The Federal Government needs to strengthen the Navy and the Police. We also need to know the challenges facing the waterways and the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF). Authorities at the LSSTF should be invited to the House. We need to amend the law of LSSTF 2008 and make their corps more effective.

    Moshood Oshun from Mainland Constituency 2 said waterway robbery was a national problem, noting that banks are not on waterways, but on the streets.

    He said he witnessed the Lekki robbery, which he described as “scary”, adding that the robbers go to the banks with explosives.

     

  • UN envoy opposes foreign intervention in Libya

    The newly appointed U.N. envoy to Libya said yesterday he doesn’t believe foreign intervention can halt the North African country’s slide deeper into turmoil after mysterious airstrikes against Islamist militias prompted allegations that outside powers were trying to swing the fight.

    The diplomat, Bernardino Leon, said that only an inclusive political process with all Libyans represented in parliament, government and other state institutions will end the chaos gripping the country more than three years after the uprising that forced longtime strongman Muammar Gadhafi from power.

    France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States raised similar concerns, saying in a joint statement that “outside interference in Libya exacerbates current divisions and undermines Libya’s democratic transition.”

    The New York Times, citing unnamed American officials, reported in its Tuesday edition that Egypt and the United Arab Emirates secretly carried out airstrikes against Islamist militias inside Libya, which it said caught American officials off-guard.American officials have not made similar claims publicly.

    Egypt has repeatedly denied involvement. Emirati officials have not commented.Islamist militias in Libya have made similar allegations against Egypt and the Emirates following two days of mystery airstrikes against Islamist-allied militia positions in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, since Aug. 18.

    The strikes happened as Islamist-backed militias were fighting for control of Tripoli’s international airport. Libyan officials have repeatedly called the airstrikes “foreign,” and the country’s air force likely does not have the capability to fly night sorties.

    Libyan lawmakers recently voted to ask the United Nations to intervene in the ongoing militia battles throughout the country.

    These militias largely are comprised of the rebels who toppled and later killed Gadhafi in 2011.

    Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri yesterday strongly denied reports of an Egyptian role in the airstrikes, calling them “unsubstantiated rumors promoted until they become a reality.”

    The Emirates and its Gulf neighbour Qatar played the most prominent Arab roles in the military intervention that helped lead to Gadhafi’s ouster, with both sending warplanes to assist the NATO-led effort.

    They also provided humanitarian aid, and Qatar in particular played a major role as a supplier of weapons to rebel groups.

    Libya needs “a lot of international support” to back “Libyans who want to fight chaos … through a political process.” Leon, the U.N. diplomat said.

    Leon spoke in Cairo yesterday on his final trip as a European envoy to the region. He takes up his post as the UN special envoy to Libya next month.

    He was in Cairo following a meeting of diplomats from Libya’s neighbours where there were calls for an international push to disarm its myriads of militias.

    He said Libya’s neighbours are in a better position to assess what is going on and to take decisions on ways to support a political process.

  • U.S. committed to Chibok girls return, says envoy

    U.S. committed to Chibok girls return, says envoy

    The United States (U.S.) is not resting on its oars to ensure the safe return of the 219 Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Africa Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said yesterday.

    She spoke at a media parley she jointly attended with Special Assistant to President Barack Obama on African Affairs, Grant Harris, on the on-going Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in Washington DC.

    The envoy said Obama was in constant contact with governments of countries being affected by the Boko Haram activities, noting the U.S.  was concerned about breach of peace in the affected countries and was also mapping out strategies to “deal with the lawless insurgents”.

    The theme of the conference which began last Monday is: Investing in the Next Generation.

    Obama met with 500 young Africans participating in the summit to provide supports they need to foster change in their countries.

    Without peace, Mrs Thomas-Greenfield said, Africa’s development could be a mirage, saying how to achieve sustainable peace and economic growth would be part of the focus at the YALI Summit.

    She said: “The problem of Boko Haram is one of the issues to be discussed by participants at the summit. We believe Boko Haram insurgency is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, it has turned regional problem, just the same way Al-Shabaab is terrorising Somalia and East Africa.”

    Mrs Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. was always willing to invest in Africa’s development, noting that the objective of the YALI Summit was to promote good governance and economic development in the continent.

    She said the focus of the summit would also be on how African governments could combat faming and engender viable agriculture sector that will boost food security on the continent.

    The economic forum, which is one of the features of the YALI Summit, will be attended by 50 presidents or their representatives from Africa, the envoy said, stressing that the summit was also to support Africa’s aspiration for development and empower African leaders to solve challenges facing their countries.

    “The relationship with Africa is based on shared interest and history. We believe it is a partnership that is moving in positive direction, which is to help African to stay ahead of the developmental challenges they face. African economy is growing rapidly and the U.S. would like to increase its investment to create jobs and opportunities for the youths. YALI would generate employment opportunities never seen before on African continent,” she said.

    The envoy dismissed the notion that Obama cut aid to Africa because of anti-gay stance of African leaders, saying: “The U.S. is not at loggerheads with African governments on the passing of anti-gay laws but America, while respecting the sovereignty of all nations, will continue to push for the rights of the gay people.”

    On whether the United States was disturbed by the outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa sub region, Mrs Thomas-Greenfield, a former U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, said America had stepped up its humanitarian activities by partnering with World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international humanitarian groups to provide protective materials and treatment for victims.

    To achieve the aims of the summits, the envoy said U.S. would continue to press for institution-building among African leaders, noting that President Obama would continue to reject manipulation of state institution to promote individual lust for power.

    “President Obama has never supported and will not support any leader who manipulates institutions for personal benefit. The president believes in building strong institutions and supports democratic succession. This, we believe, is at the heart of development in Africa,” she said.

    The Initiative was established last April, with the network already have more than 68,000 members.

    Journalists, who participated in the media briefing in the U.S. Embassy in Lagos, were trained on how to effectively use the social media by Chief of New Media for U.S. Department of State, Ms Corina DuBois.

  • Envoy hails Lagos Assembly

    Deputy British High Commissioner in Nigeria Peter Carter has said the Lagos State House of Assembly is the best in the country.

    He spoke yesterday at the Assembly Complex in Ikeja during a visit to Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

    Carter said: “This Assembly is in the forefront of good governance in Nigeria. Its commitment to democracy sends a powerful message to the electorate.”

    He urged the Assembly to always put the people first in its action.

    Ikuforiji said: “It is a great joy for me to receive you here today because of the cordial relationship between our countries. The United Kingdom (UK) is the only country that can claim to be the mother of all parliaments in the world. So your commendation of the Lagos Assembly as being in the forefront of good governance is greatly appreciated. We are humbled to be so described.”

     

     

     

  • Nigeria can achieve greater integration, says US envoy

    Nigeria can achieve greater integration, says US envoy

    A United States envoy, Mr. Greg Lawless, has urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to national unity and integration as the country prepares for the centenary celebrations.

    He noted the prediction by some foreign bodies that the country may break up next year. But the diplomat said that Nigeria can achieve greater integration and prevent disintegration, if the government and people show commitment to national unity and cohesion.

    Lawless, who is the Political Counselor, US Embassy, spoke in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission. He also answerd questions from Lagos reporters during the tele-conference.

    The diplomat reiterated US commitment to security, transparency and good governance, peace in the Niger Delta, electoral reforms, and sanctity of the ballot box at the local government elections.

    Noting that Nigeria is passing through some challenges, he said the people can use the centenary celebrations to rededicate themselves to peaceful co-existence and unity.

    Reviewing the activities of the commission, he recalled that its five working groups have been meeting regularly to focus and depeen engagement on the core issues, including governance, energy, security, agriculture and the Niger Delta.

    The five groups are ‘Good Governance, Transparency, and Integrity’, ‘Regional Security Cooperation’, ‘Energy and Investment’, ‘Food Security and Agriculture’ and the ‘Niger Delta’.

    Sheding light on the ‘Good Governance, Transparency and Integrity Group, Lawless said that it has been brainstorming on how to curb corruption and improve sub-national governance among the three tiers of government.

    The diplomat promised US commitment to free and fair elections at the grassrrots. He recalled that the embassy has supported local electoral agencies during the recent grassroots elections in Abuja, adding that it would do the same in respect of the Kogi council elections.

    Lawless added: “The states are responsible for the local fgovernment elections. We will support the electoral bodies to ensure better elections in terms of giving technical support, but the agencies concerned will determine the technical support”.

     

  • German envoy to partner Ekiti

    The Consul-General of the Republic of Germany in Nigeria, Mr. Walter Von den Driesch, has said the Eight-point agenda of the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration would speed up development in Ekiti State.

    He hailed the administration for creating a friendly environment for investors through its urban renewal programme.

    Von den Driesch pledged his country’s support to the administration on youth empowerment and job creation.

    The consul-general spoke during a meeting with stakeholders in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Von den Driesch said Ekiti has an atmosphere where “meaningful industrialisation can take root”.

    He said he would influence private organisations in Germany to work with the state government on empowerment.

    The consul-general offered to assist in the training for undergraduates of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) to make them “job providers, rather than job seekers”.

    Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation Kola Ajumobi intimated the consul-general of the administration’s programmes.

    When the consul-general visited EKSU, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina, said the university was working towards establishing an auto-mechanic workshop to offer practical hands-on training for the engineering students.

    During a visit to the Ikogosi Resort, the consul-general described Ekiti as “a peaceful state with vast natural endowment” and hailed the administration’s effort to develop tourist centres.