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Tag: Geoffrey Onyeama

  • No evidence of killing of 97 Nigerians- Ministry

    No evidence of killing of 97 Nigerians- Ministry

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday said there is no evidence that 97 Nigerians have been killed by Cameroonian Gendarmes.

    Rather, the ministry said that the 97 figure being bandied “was also an accumulation of figure of all the Nigerians that have lost their lives in previous incidents in the Bakassi area since 2008.”

    This was as the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs resolved to initiate a legislative framework for 10-year development plan for the development of Bakassi area of Nigeria.

    Speaking before the Hon. Nnena Elendu- Ukeje headed House committee on Foreign Affairs probing the matter yesterday the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olusola Emikanolaye, who represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama said though the Cameroonian authorities are yet to get back to Nigeria on the issue, independent investigation has shown that such killings did not happen.

    However, he noted that the incident started following the deployment in July 2017 of a new Divisional Officer (DO) to Idabato sub- division of Cameroon to administer the Bakassi General Area.

    “On assumption of office the new DO commenced the imposition of of new taxes on the residents after a meeting with all the Chiefs.

    “Accordingly, all men engaged in fishing and other business activities in the area were to pay N55, 000, women. 30,000 and churches N50, 000 per annum.”

    “Furthermore, taxes in packets of fish were raised from N200 to N1, 000 whole other were to pay N1,000 per head for goats slaughtered by them.

    “The sanctions placed on the residents for violation of the tax rules include seizure of their boats and enforcement to pay double the amount of the initial tax. This accounts for the N100, 000 which was hitherto heralded in the news and initial reports as the amount of the tax to be paid by Nigerians.”

    On the development fund, a member of the committee , Daniel Reineiju said the fund should be drawn from major revenue generating agencies and channeled to provision of critical infrastructure and resettlement of the affected people in Bakassi.

    But other members of the committee while buying into the idea were concerned about how to ensure accountability for the resources provided within the 10-year period.

    Chairperson of the committee Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, stressed the need to ascertain the authenticity of the N35 billion said to have been released to the Cross River State government for the development of Bakassi.

    According to her, the state government should account for the huge funds as captured in the reports presented to the Committee.

    While stressing the need for accountability of the resources within the proposed agency, Elendu-Ukeje said the Nigerian government should be more responsive to the needs of the Bakassi people.

     

  • Japan to invest in Nigeria’s creative industry, other sectors

    Japan to invest in Nigeria’s creative industry, other sectors

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, says Japan will invest in Nigeria’s creative industry and other sectors through a partnership.

    Onyeama made this known on Tuesday in Abuja after a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sadanobu Kusaoke.

    “We talked about two things potentially there is a long list of Japanese investors including Sony (electronics), that is coming to Nigeria to invest in our cultural industry.

    “So, that’s going to be a real boost as you know Sony is one of the largest music groups in the world.

    “They are coming to invest in Nigeria and partner Nigerian creators in our creative industry which is a huge group.

    “There is a long list of other investors that are coming into the country.

    “Then off course they announced that they are providing a large number of ambulances for the country which is also welcomed news.’’

     

    He said that Japan also pledged to support Nigeria’s health sector with provision of logistics.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that is a Japanese multinational conglomerate.Its diversified business includes consumer and professional electronics, gaming, entertainment, and financial services.

    The company is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets.

    With the largest collection of movies available for the home, the greatest music and the versatile network-connected PlayStation, Sony offers a premium entertainment experience.

    Onyeama said that the ambassador also brought to the attention of the ministry all different investments that Japan was making in the country.

    “The point they made is that this is difficult time for the Nigerian economy.

    “They believe in our economic recovery and good plan; they are very keen to come and invest in the country,” he said.

    The minister said that they also discussed other thing relating to the reformation of UN Security Council.

    “So we discussed strategies of the various countries going forward.

  • Nigeria optimistic for seat at UN Human Rights Commission

    Nigeria optimistic for seat at UN Human Rights Commission

    Nigeria says it is optimistic of clinching a seat in the UN High Commission for Human Rights.

    Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, who disclosed this to newsmen on the sidelines of the 31st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the 29th AU Summit in Addis Asaba, said the country also had the backing of the AU.

    Speaking on the highlights of the Executive council meeting, he said; “we hope to get a seat in the UN High Commission for Human Rights; we do have the AU’s support.’’

    The Minister, who also spoke of the country’s chances of occupying positions in other global institutions, said that Nigeria’s chance was very bright.

    “For ECOWAS, we are hopeful of getting the positions that we want and for the United Nations (UN), we are pushing for a candidate in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

    “Though, there is a Zimbabwean candidate who is also going for the same position, we are trying to find a workable way forward on that because we want AU to support a candidate.

    “It can sometimes be tricky, but the process is ongoing.”

    Onyeama, who spoke further on the highlights of the meeting, said that the AU Committee on ECOWAS on Statutory Positions will on Sunday take decisions on allocations to member states.

    “We took part in the meeting and indicated interests in some of the positions that we feel would be of best interest to Nigeria.

    He said that the meeting also discussed the reforms of ECOWAS and various options regarding going forward on the reforms.

    “These past two years, a team was put in place and that team it was understood, will come in for two years and completely reform the organisation and then leave.

    “So, we have to implement that reform and then allocate positions for the new ECOWAS that would emerge after these two years transition period dedicated to reforming the organisation,’’ the minister said.

    On Nigeria’s assumption of the post of Chairman of AU Peace and Security Council, Onyeama said the country would push for peace in all the conflict areas in Africa.

    He said Nigeria would also be looking at the issue of rapid deployment of Africa Standby Force (ASF) to conflict areas and robust engagement in the conflict zones.

    ASF is an international, continental African, and multidisciplinary peacekeeping force with military, police and civilian contingents that acts under the direction of the African Union (AU).

    The ASF is to be deployed in times of crisis in Africa.

  • Nigeria, Ethiopia rekindle bilateral ties

    Nigeria, Ethiopia rekindle bilateral ties

    Nigeria and Ethiopia have rekindled their bilateral ties and resolved to work towards ensuring mutual progress and prosperity for both countries.

    Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, disclosed this to journalists at the end of a bilateral meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart, Dr. Workneh Gebe.

    He spoke on the sidelines of the 31st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the 29th AU Summit in Addis Ababa.

    The minister said there was need for the two countries to continue to support each other and share experience on managing ethnic diversity.

    Onyeama said areas of discourse between the two countries included cooperation in defence, politics, economy as well as consular and multilateral matters.

    The minister solicited the support and cooperation of Ethiopia as Nigeria assumed the position of the Chairman of the African Union Peace and Security Council on Saturday.

    Nigeria and Ethiopia have long-standing relations even before Nigeria became independent in October 1960.

    Ethiopia opened its embassy in Lagos in 1961 and both countries have common interests in the consolidation of their bilateral relations.

    The two most populous countries in Africa with a combined population of well over 200 million are multi-ethnic and multi-religious.

    Nigeria and Ethiopia signed an agreement in June 2000 to provide teachers for various universities and high schools in Ethiopia.

    NAN

     

  • FG, Germany sign 10m Euros polio aid agreement

    FG, Germany sign 10m Euros polio aid agreement

    The Federal Government and the Government of Germany on Wednesday signed a 10 million Euros aid agreement to eradicate polio in Nigeria.

    The agreement was signed in Abuja between Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and the German Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Bernhard Schlagheck.

    Onyeama said that the 10 million Euros grant would facilitate Nigeria’s quest to totally eradicate polio in the country.

    He noted with concern that government’s efforts had some setbacks due to the activities of terrorism in the North Eastern part of the country.

    “I just have to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the government of Germany for this support.

    “As you know we have come very close to eradicating polio in the world, but you know there are still one or two issues.

    “The problem we have in the north east has exacerbate the situation and made it more difficult to eradicate” he said.

    The German ambassador expressed optimism that the grant would go a long way in achieving the desired goal.

    Schlagheck said: “Germany is to support Nigeria with 10 million naira to eradicate polio in Nigeria.

    “We have engaged with the government of Nigeria for some time mostly under the assistance of the WHO and we want to continue with our engagement`.

    “As I said together with government of Nigeria we had achieve some remarkable successes here in Nigeria, on some outstanding issues.

    “We want to increase and consolidate our engagement and that is actually what we just did, I hope very much that polio will be removed from the country before long”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony was witnessed by representative of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA).

    The Director of Logistics, PHCDA, Iyabo Dara Dara in her remarks expressed the belief that Nigeria would soon be declared polio free.

    “I think in the next two to three years we should be polio free because we are spending almost one year now without any case of polio again.

    “I think this will go a long way in helping in activities that we have planned,” she said.

    NAN reports that on Sept. 25, 2015, the WHO declared Nigeria polio–free and was officially removed from polio endemic list.

     

     

  • Russia to improve bilateral relationship with Nigeria-envoy

    Russia to improve bilateral relationship with Nigeria-envoy

    Russia has pledged to strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation with Nigeria.

    Mr Nikolay Udovichenko, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nigeria made this known during the Russian Federation National Day celebration which took place at the Russian federation embassy in Abuja on Monday.

    “Nigeria is one of our greatest trading partners and we have had a strong relationship in the last years but hope to strengthen it and do a lot more together in the future.

    “We would continue to support Nigeria in achieving economic and social development by helping Nigeria utilise its resources in more effective ways.

    He also said that Russia would continue its educational programme to Nigerian students on scholarship basis.

    “We are glad that we can celebrate our national day in a country that has been very supportive.

    “The Russian government has offered many Nigerians scholarships to study in Russia and we extend our gratitude to those who have studied in Russia for always being supportive and cooperative.

    “I also want to thank my fellow Russians for their hard work and support in the diplomatic mission here in Nigeria,’’ Udovichenko said.

    Dean of Diplomatic Corp and High Commissioner to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahima, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was nice to have countries come together to support other countries celebrate their growth.

    “It is nice to see that we are supportive of each other and that we see the need to celebrate our countries as a way to improve our relationships.

    “We are happy for Russia and wish them much more growth and success in the years ahead,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Russia and Nigeria took steps to deepen their economic and political ties, after Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, held diplomatic talks with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, during an official working visit to Moscow on May 29 to May 31.

    Lavrov held talks with Onyeama and his delegation on May 30.

    The foreign ministers discussed issues pertaining to the steady development of bilateral ties in political, trade, economic and humanitarian areas.

    They concentrated on prospects of cooperation in the nuclear industry, hydrocarbon processing, infrastructure projects and exports of Russian industrial products to Nigeria.

    The ministers further held an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues, focusing on countering terrorism and extremism, settling crises in Africa, primarily in the Sahara and the Sahel, and fighting pirates in the Gulf of Guinea.

    After the closed meeting, Lavrov told a media conference here that the meeting noted a strong potential for cooperation in areas such as hydrocarbon production.

    Others are processing, nuclear power industry and agriculture, and further expressed mutual interest in continued military-technical and military cooperation and training civilian specialists and law enforcement officers for Nigeria at Russian universities.

    NAN reports that so far, the two countries have held three meetings of the Joint Commission, the last was held as far back in 2009.

    The Joint Commission is the platform for the two countries to sit down and draw up agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on how to conduct businesses and investment in each other’s country.

    Russia and Nigeria’s two-way trade was 350 million dollars in 2013.

  • Boko Haram: Nigeria to get Russian military equipment

    Boko Haram: Nigeria to get Russian military equipment

    Russia has promised to supply Nigeria with military hardware and helicopters to battle the Boko Haram militants.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, who disclosed this in Moscow during chat with journalists, said discussions on the matter have reached crucial stage.

    Russia, according to the minister, commended Nigeria’s role in ensuring peace and stability in Africa and the rest of the world.

    Onyeama said both countries are stepping up their counter-terrorism cooperation.

    He said, “Of course terrorism is an area we also want to cooperate with Russia. It is a global challenge, they also face terrorism challenges and we look forward to stepping up our cooperation with Russia in that regard.

    “They have agreed to deliver some military equipment, including helicopters. They are very much in the pipeline.

    “Russia has shown great solidarity with us, and we really look forward to a vibrant and very dynamic relationship between our two countries. We face a lot of conflict in Africa and also our country Nigeria, and again we are looking to Russia. Russia is showing great solidarity with us in confronting some of our security challenges, especially terrorism, which has now become a global challenge.

    “We appreciate very much the importance of working together and sharing intelligence and we are delighted that Russia is on the same page with us.”

     

  • Xenophobia: Nigeria, South Africa set up early warning centre

    Xenophobia: Nigeria, South Africa set up early warning centre

    Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama says Nigeria and South Africa have set up a 24-hour early warning system to protect Nigerians from unwarranted attacks.

    Onyeama said at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja that Federal Government was ready to intervene.

    “Wherever any Nigerian is threatened or in difficulty, we will always intervene quickly, an example of this was in Italy, you will recall last year or the year before there was a Nigerian who was attacked and killed.

    “We quickly engaged with Italian Government and really took all the necessary steps, arresting people and pay compensation to the family. So we will always engage to protect Nigeria lives wherever they may be.

    “We are hoping now to set up a 24-hour call centre so that Nigerians anywhere in the world can call a particular number whenever they are in distress,”

    He said that the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa had been directed to facilitate legal support to help the victims of recent xenophobic attacks in the country to get their compensations.

    The minister said that the victims of the attacks had been advised to make inventory of their losses through a mechanism that had been created, known as the early warning unit.

    “What we have done is that we visited the scenes of these attacks; we spoke to victims, we saw their businesses and we advised them to make an inventory of their losses.

    “And, that the mechanism we have created, the early warning unit, what will then happened is that they should submit all their claims through the Nigerian High Commission to be presented at a high level meeting to push the issue of compensation.

    “First of all we have to see what the insurance laws provide and really take it from there; the important thing is that this should be addressed.

    “We also asked the high commission to facilitate with legal support, to identifying lawyers and all that to help in the process.

    Onyeama decried attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and India which sometimes led to death and expressed concern that the South African situation was more troubling because it often re-occurred.

    “We have engaged directly with the highest levels of government of South Africa. The Vice President of South Africa spoke with the Acting President at the time

    “I went to South Africa with the Minister of Interior and we were able to get the South African Government to set up an early warning unit.

    “We wanted an institutional mechanism that will address the issue of xenophobia in South Africa.’’

    Onyeama said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the fact that the Nigerian Union in South Africa did not have any access to the South African Government.

    He said the Nigerian community felt it was at the mercy of the South African police.

    “We were able to get the early warning unit, comprising the Nigerian High Commission there and the Nigerian Consulate but most importantly, the Nigerian Union in South Africa.

    “On the South African side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs which is in charge of the police and the police.

    “They will be meeting regularly to share intelligence, share information, build trust and develop strategies for early warning intervention.

    “We thought that was a very important achievement; it is institutionalised, they meet once every quarter or they could meet earlier,” he said.

    The minister said that he had directed the Nigerian High Commissioner in South Africa to arrange the first meeting as quickly as possible.

    He expressed the hope that the step would go a long way to address the situation.

    Onyeama described the attack on Nigerians in India as a one-off thing because it was a response to a particular incident.

    He said what was gratifying about the Indian case was that the Indian Government was very quick in condemning and arresting suspects. (NAN)

  • Presidency orders investigation on sack of whistle-blower

    Presidency orders investigation on sack of whistle-blower

    Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said on Friday that Mr Ntia Thompson, sacked by the Ministry over whistle blowing, would be reinstated, if actually his appointment was wrongfully terminated.

    Onyeama, who stated this in Abuja while fielding questions from newsmen on the issue, said that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had directed him to look into the matter.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Thompson, an assistant director with the Directorate for Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), was sacked for allegedly exposing a fraud in his office.

    Thompson was said to have been sacked for allegedly raising an alarm that $229,000 and N800, 000 had been diverted by key officials in DTCA, an agency under Foreign Affairs Ministry.

    Onyeama said he had a comprehensive report on that matter and steps would be taken to ensure that justice is done on all the issues that were raised.

    “I want to tell Nigerians that whistle blower protection is what we subscribed to wholeheartedly and completely in the ministry and it is government’s position and directive.

    “I personally assure you that throughout my tenure, I will do everything possible to protect whistle blower in the ministry.

    “Because the agenda of the government is a clear one that will embrace whistle blower,” he said

    He said that he was going to look at the report and keep the public informed about the outcome of his findings.

    According to him, if there is a slightest possibility that there could have been any action that was taken as a result of the person being a whistle blower, damages would be paid

    “I can give you a guarantee that damages would be paid and the person would be reinstated.

    “And, measure would be taken on this; as far as this ministry is concern justice would be done,” he pledged. (NAN)

  • 400 Nigerians in jail in South Africa, says Dambazau

    400 Nigerians in jail in South Africa, says Dambazau

    Interior Minister retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau on Friday said 400 Nigerians are saving jail terms for various offences in South Africa.

    Dambazau made the disclosure at joint news conference in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the visit of Nigerian delegation to South Africa.

    Dambazau and his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama had on Monday led a delegation to South Africa over the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in that country.

    He said he had a meeting with his counterpart, the Home Affairs Minister in South Africa and discussed general issues particularly on migration.

    The minister said they also discussed Nigerians involved in some criminal activities.

    “These are in the minority because equally we have Nigerian professionals who are contributing positively to development of the economy of South Africa.

    “However, that is not to say that they should fold their arms and not to do something about somebody involved in criminality.

    “But in doing that, we emphasised that due processe of the law should be taken in terms of the assumption of innocence, being proven guilty and in terms of fair hearing.

    “I understand that there are about 400 Nigerians who are in their prison for various offences”, he said.

    The minister said their offences included prostitution and drug, among others.

    He said the offenders would finish their jail terms in South Africa because there was no prisoner exchange arrangement between Nigeria and South Africa as it were with some other countries.

    He, however, said that efforts would be made to ensure that such arrangement was put in place in due course.

    Dambazau said he also emphasised that due process of the law should be taken in dealing with suspected criminals.

    “When we met with the Nigerian community, we also emphasised that those who are involved in criminal behaviour should not be allowed to spoil the good names of themselves and Nigeria.

    “So they have that moral responsibility to report where necessary”, he said.

    The minister said that the issue of passport challenge was also tabled at the meeting with the Nigerian community with a promise that it would be resolved.

    “There were complaints that the passport machines were old and from our record we understand that they were supplied in 2007

    “I then promised them that arrangement must be made to ensure that all passport machines are changed to modern ones.

    “We are going to streamline the issuance of passport”, he said. (NAN)