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Tag: James F. Entwistle

  • Sex Scandal: Accused Reps Challenge Entwistle over evidence

    Sex Scandal: Accused Reps Challenge Entwistle over evidence

    Though the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama was absent for the second time running at the hearing of the allegation of sexual misconduct leveled against three members of the House of Representatives, the joint committee nonetheless listened to submissions from the lawmakers.

    The Joint House Committees on Ethics and Privileges and Foreign Affairs also began the investigation Wednesday without presentation or representation from the Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle.

    But the three accused lawmakers not only professed their innocence, they also threatened to commence legal proceedings against the US government and the hotel from which the accusation initially emanated.

    Recall that Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Hon. Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Hon. Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue) who were part of 10 legislators invited by the US government for the International Visitor Leadership Program held between April 7 and 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio were accused of sexual misconduct.

    But the lawmakers Wednesday accused Entwistle of falsehood and racial bias, while re- echoing their earlier statements that they were denied fair hearing in the matter.

    Mark Gbillah, one of the accused became misty- eyed at the event after giving his testimony.

    Though the Chairman of the joint Committee Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai said the Minister wrote in to say that he was attending the Federal Executive Council meeting and that he would be in attendant Thursday, he insisted that Entwistle must be present at the hearing.

    Hon. Mohammed Gololo (Bauchi, APC) while presenting his case denied the allegation and described it as unsubstantiated by the US envoy to Nigeria.

    According to him, he never met any hotel attendant in the course of his visit to the United States of America for the programme and that he never had a maid clean his room while he was in Cleveland, Ohio.

    While demanding an apology for being falsely accused, Gololo wondered why the hotel maid he allegedly grabbed did not shout for help.

    He said Entwistle had failed to prove his case. “These postponements (of appearance by minister) are denials in disguise,” he claimed.

    Hon. Mark Gbillah (Benue, APC) while giving his side of the story described the allegation on the sex scandal as a baseless one, adding that he never engaged with a car park attendant to arrange a prostitute  for him.

    He expressed readiness to sue the US Embassy in a law court and claim damages over the allegation, saying the allegation emanated from deep-rooted animosity and disdain for Nigeria and other developing nations, by the United States of America.

    He challenged the US envoy to provide proof to back his allegation that he asked a car park attendant at the hotel to procure the services of a prostitute for him, adding that he was a victim of racial profiling,

    Samuel Ikon (Akwa-Ibom, APC) said he was not involved in any discussion with any hotel car park attendant during the US visit.

    His health condition at that time could not have allowed him solicit for sex. He said the accusation has caused him profound embarrassment and called on Entwistle to provide evidence against him to probe the allegation.

    Ossai adjourned hearing to Thursday saying it would give the Minister of foreign Affairs an opportunity to provide insight into the matter.

    He however insisted that Entwistle must testify at the Thursday hearing.

  • U.S denies stopping funding of AIDs treatment in Nigeria

    U.S denies stopping funding of AIDs treatment in Nigeria

    United States on Monday denied it has stopped the funding of AIDS treatment in Nigeria.

    The U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle in Abuja said American government will continue to focus its attention to areas with the greatest HIV burden and will support most effective interventions.

    Entwistle, who disclosed this during the 35th World AIDS Day, however tasked Nigerian government to increase its contribution to the partnership.

    He said: “Contrary to some recent media reports, the United States is not stopping the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding to Nigeria.  We do anticipate some reduction in the overall budget. We will continue to focus our services in areas with the greatest HIV burden and will support the most effective interventions.

    “Our continued commitment to support the Nigerian government and its people remains strong.  Indeed, as we are discussing with the new Nigerian administration, we think it important that the contribution of your government to our joint health partnership increase.”

    While insisting that the time to act is now, Entwistle said “Achieving our goals to end HIV/AIDS will not be easy.  To reach them, we all must share responsibility and strengthen our efforts.  Working in partnership, we have come a very long way since the worst days of the epidemic, but the work is far from done.”

    PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease.  Through PEPFAR, the U.S. government has committed nearly $65 billion to support the HIV/AIDS response globally.

  • 2015: U.S seeks credible polls

    2015: U.S seeks credible polls

    The United States Embassy in Nigeria has called for credible leadership and violence-free elections in Nigeria in 2015.

    The U.S government said the world would was focussing on the conduct of credible elections in Nigeria.

    It noted that Nigeria cannot afford to disappoint the international community.

    U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle, spoke yesterday in Kano during his visit to the Emir, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II.

    The envoy said the U.S was intensifying intelligence partnership with the Nigerian government to figh insecurity.

    Entwistle, who dismissed Boko Haram’s affiliation with Islamic doctrine, said the tenets of Islam are devoid of hatred and violence, as portrayed by the insurgents.

    He said: “We share intelligence information and we have learnt a lot on the counter-terrorism front. We have been sharing lessons learnt in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries with your government and military because we established  that in effective counter-terrorism, there is the military component. But it is much more than that. We believe people should be educated, as well as the provision of economic growth, empowerment, making sure people understand what their needs are,’’ he said.

    Sanusi II reminded the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that  security agencies and other policy makers should discharge their responsibility with fairness before, during and after the 2015 elections.

    The emir solicited effective collaboration between the U.S government and Nigeria to tackle insecurity in the land.

    Sanusi II said the major guarantee for peace and tranquility is the eradication of poverty, economic empowerment, good health care, development and education for all.

     

    The US Ambassador maintained that the claim of the insurgents on Islam is falsehood and cannot depict the good teachings of Islam.

    ‘’Perhaps, most significantly, Nigerians most effectively counter those who will take the message of the beautiful religion,  like Islam, provoke it and twist it into  the message of hatred and violence. If you look at the claim of  Boko Haram, even though I’m not a religious scholar but I can tell that you will never find anything of such in the holy Quran and in Islam and that is the reason why all of us have to join hands and fight them collectively, so as to make sure that the great religion and messages of Islam are not provoked and turned into violence’’. James noted.

    Responding, the Emir assured the US government of the Emirate Council’s support and partnership to improve economic development and agricultural growth in

    Kano, which are in line with the council’s objectives.

     

     

  • Jonathan receives new U.S ambassador

    Jonathan receives new U.S ambassador

    …  And Namibian High Commissioner

    President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday in Abuja received the letters of credence of the new United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James F. Entwistle and the new Namibian High Commissioner, Dr. Peingeonjabi Shipo.

    Welcoming the diplomatic representatives to Nigeria, President Jonathan urged them to do their best to further strengthen the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and their respective countries.

    A statement issued by the President’s media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said President Jonathan assured the two new ambassadors of the fullest support of the Federal Government for their efforts to broaden areas of bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and their countries during their tenure.

    President Jonathan also received Mr. Collins Chabane, a special envoy of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa.

    The President assured Mr. Chabane that Nigeria will continue to welcome investors from South Africa and other African countries in keeping with its commitment to the promotion of intra-African trade and economic relations.