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Tag: Mr. Stuart Symington

  • Insurgency: U.S. announces $102m new humanitarian assistance to Nigeria

    The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, on Thursday announced additional 102 million dollars humanitarian assistance to those affected by the Boko Haram insurgence in the North-East.

    Symington made this known at a plenary session of the ongoing National Conversation on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus in Abuja.

    The ambassador explained that the fund would help address the shelter, health and food security needs of populations in the North-East still struggling with the effects of Boko Haram insurgency.

    “These funds for Nigeria represent the vast majority of the U.S. Government’s new 112 million dollars infusion for the Lake Chad Region.

    “The assistance will be administered primarily through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s offices of Food for Peace (FFP) and Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and the U.S. State Department’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration.

    “Our hope is that this new investment in humanitarian assistance will combine with the efforts of your government and people to move Nigeria forward on a path to peace and prosperity,” he said.

    The envoy said that the funding would provide life-saving aid to millions of people, including emergency food assistance, nutrition treatment, shelter, health services, safe drinking water and services for survivors of sexual violence.

    He said that the funding would also help provide support to children who had been separated from their families.

    Symington said that as of May 2018, an estimated 2.3 million people in the North-East experienced extreme food insecurity.

    Also read :  Troops kill 15 Boko Haram fighters, rescue 49

    According to him, this is largely due to widespread insecurity, protracted displacement, depleted assets and the interruption of agricultural production throughout the region.

    An estimated 7.7 million people in the North-East require urgent humanitarian assistance.

    “Even, as the Nigerian military makes progress, access to those most in need remains tenuous in many areas and the operating environment is highly volatile.

    “U.S. is the largest donor for the humanitarian response in the Lake Chad Basin Region, providing nearly 761 million dollars since 2017,” he said.

    The European Union representative at the occasion, Mr Richard Young, harped on the need for collaboration among the security agencies to enhance humanitarian assistance in the area.

    Young said that there was need for the military, the police and the civil society organisations to work together to address the challenge of insurgency in the North-East.

  • Commitment to wealth creation, justice sacrosanct – Obaseki

    Commitment to wealth creation, justice sacrosanct – Obaseki

    …Hosts US Envoy

     
    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the imperatives for wealth creation, law and order and justice administration, are the key drivers of his administration, noting that steps have been taken to ensure a well-motivated judiciary and an enabling business environment for investments.

    Governor Obaseki said this on Thursday night when he hosted the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.  Stuart Symington, at the Government House, Benin City, Edo State. The Ambassador is in Benin City for an exhibition of photographs by Chief S. O. Alonge, a photographer of the Royal Court of Benin, organised by the United States Diplomatic Mission and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art at the National Museum, Benin City, Edo State.

    Stressing that law, order and justice are major pillars of his administration; he added that building an equitable society must be anchored on peace and justice. To ensure that the state’s judiciary works at optimal capacity, he said the state government invested in training about 150 court reporters and also upgraded court infrastructure.

    He added that Edo State is an integral part of Nigeria, and as such was in full support of Nigeria’s unity. “There are certain things that are not negotiable. Nigeria is not negotiable. But it is not just enough to say that Nigeria is not negotiable. Everything has to work for the common man. That is why we are prioritising wealth creation so that people are equipped to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

    Speaking on the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), he said the state government has been in the eye of the storm, as it has in recent years played host to some of those affected by insurgency in the North East, adding, “We have 3000 internally displaced children at the IDP camp in Benin. I was with them last Christmas, as their Father Christmas. We hope that when these children go back to their homes and communities, they would go with ideal and values from the Edo people.”

    Mr. Symington said with Nigeria’s population projected to climb to 450 million by 2050 amid concerns of rising youth bulge and other social economic implications, the country would stand a better chance to exploit its potential if it prioritises justice administration, girl-child education and delivery of good governance.

    He said that despite the challenges that may come with a huge population, the onus lies on Nigerian leaders to carve a positive narrative for the country by being benevolent in handling issues of development and justice administration, adding that there was need to embrace everyone irrespective of where they come from, as members of a united Nigeria.

    According to him, “If Nigeria goes to 450 million people in 33 years’ time, the country would be the third largest nation, behind China and India. Depending on what you do with girl child education, governance and justice, and a whole lot of other things, if the projection continues that way, by the end of the century, Nigeria would be the second or even the most populous country on earth.”

    “When I said this up North, three of the wisest counsellors of great leaders there were surprised and two said Alhamdulillah. I think that describes Nigeria. You are somewhere between being surprised or screaming Alhamdulillah. And it is up to you. But you cannot just focus on one thing, the approach has to be broader. It has to be about caring about people in the North East as well as those in the South East. We have more than two million people displaced in this country, and they are not just from the North East. Now is the perfect time to treat them all as what they truly are – brothers and sons of a united Nigeria,” he added.

  • Future elections will be better than 2015 –INEC

    Future elections will be better than 2015 –INEC

    The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission was committed to making future elections in the country better than the 2015 exercise.
    Yakubu made the pledge when he received the new United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington at INEC headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for its commendation of the 2015 polls.

    According to him, you have noted that the elections were well organised and were of international standard and accepted, contrary to the situation in the past where there were protests on the street after elections.

    “After the 2015 elections, there were jubilations on the streets and this further underscored the achievement of the commission and the steps that Nigeria has taken towards consolidating its democracy.

    “We appreciate your kind words; 2015 was a defining moment for Nigeria elections, but we want to assure you that the commission is conscious of its responsibility and we are committed to making future elections even better.

    “It is for that reason we are taking some steps in ensuring that the 2019 general elections are better that 2015 general elections,’’ Yakubu said.

    He said that one of the steps being taken was proper planning.

    “We have been planning ahead for 2019 general elections and beyond, and we have done so in many other areas in two ways.’’

    He disclosed that the commission would, from next week, commence the process of implementing its “2017-2021 Strategic Plan’’.

    The chairman said that the commission would also clean up voter register, conclude ongoing continuous voter registration in 774 local governments before the 2019 general elections, and continue the exercise later.

    He also listed the fixing of specific dates ahead of the 2019 general elections as well as deepening the use of technology as other steps being taken to improve on the country’s electoral system.

    Yakubu pledged that the commission would continue to work more closely with the US embassy to strengthen the country’s democracy and the electoral process.

    “There is a lot we share in common with the US in terms of our democratic evolution. America practices presidential system, Nigeria also practices the presidential system.

    “Many people don’t also realise that the Nigeria presidential democracy is second only to the US in terms of the size of registered voters.

    “As I speak today, Nigeria has 70 million registered voters, and US is the only country that practices presidential democracy that has more registered voters than Nigeria,’’ he added.

    Earlier, Symington had said that his visit to INEC was to learn how Nigeria conducted its elections, and commended the commission for the success of 2015 general elections.

    He said that conducting widely accepted elections had helped Nigeria to play a leading role expected of it in Africa.

    Symington said that majority views across the globe on the 2015 general elections was that the elections were conducted in the atmosphere of peace imposed by wind of hope and shaped by the certainty of comfort.

    “So, the combination of peace, hope and comfort seems to me a sort of key that is needed, going forward,’’ he said.

    He, however, listed good relationship and confidence between the leaders and the followers as some of the key factors required for good governance across the globe.

  • U.S. says no discrimination against Nigeria

    U.S. says no discrimination against Nigeria

    The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, on Friday said America would not discriminate against any Nigerian on the basis of religion or on the new visa regime.

    President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that banned citizens from seven countries from travelling into the U.S. for 90 days.

    The countries are Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

    The restrictions were part of wide-ranging immigration controls that also suspended refugee arrivals.

    At a press conference in Abuja on President Trump’s executive order and its effects on Nigeria, the ambassador dispelled the rumour of reducing U.S. visa policy for Nigeria to one year.

    Symington said that the two-year visa for Nigeria was still valid.

    “The new order now is for the U.S. government to cross-check as many that are coming into the U.S. before issuing visas.

    “We will not discriminate on the basis of religion in issuing visas to Nigerians. The two-year visa is still valid contrary to reports we have heard in the media.

    “Nigeria’s leadership role is crucial in the world and Nigeria cannot be blacklisted. The importance of Nigeria in the world is legal,” he said.

    The envoy explained that Nigerians, particularly its Muslim community, would not be discriminated against by the order.

    He said that the aim of the executive order was not to be used as a weapon to deliberately deny anyone visa into the U.S.

    The ambassador explained that the executive order was designed to put in place a new and effective system.

    He said that the new system would ensure that people, who genuinely wanted to visit, live or work in the U.S., could do so and stop any that posed a threat from entering into the country.

    On the issue of the U.S. closing its doors against countries that were in crisis and refugees, Symington said that his country was not shutting its doors but putting in place measures to ensure safety for all.

    “We recognise that we are a nation of immigrants and a nation constantly seeking to bring diverse people together.

    “Our goal is to have in place a process that works. For everyone that applies for a visa, we should be able to find out the person’s background as to where he has been before.

    “The idea is to ensure that when we open the door to our house, people are going in to do good deeds, not to do harm,” he said.

    The Head of Consular Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Abuja, Mr Megan Moore also gave assurance that the executive order would not affect the validity of visas issued to Nigerians, saying that the only thing that had changed “is the renewal period’’.

    The Consular Chief said that though the U.S. visa policy was based on reciprocity, Nigerians would not be discriminated against.

    “It is important to note that there is not going to be any changes for Nigerians who have a valid U.S. visa.

    “The U.S. Government issues a multiple-entry two-year visa to Nigerians. The rumour that we are planning to change that to one year is not true.

    “The main difference for Nigerians will be; you can use the DHL Drop box renewal programme if your visa has expired within 12 months.

    “But if it expired more than 12 months ago, then you will need to schedule an appointment for interview.

    “Our goal is to ensure that Nigerians are able to travel to U. S.  so that they continue to participate in the fabrics of our lives,” Moore said.

  • Nothing has changed in US visa policy for Nigerians-Ambassador

    Nothing has changed in US visa policy for Nigerians-Ambassador

    The United States (U.S) government has allayed the fears of many Nigerians over the Executive Immigration Order.

    According to the U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, no Nigerian will be discriminated against on the basis of the order.

    Trump had signed an executive order barring citizens from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan from entering the country for 90 days and also suspended the admission of all refugees for 120 days.

    Symington stressed that the Nigeria-U.S relationship  is a strategic one that must be sustained; adding that the connection between our two countries has been strong today and will continue to be strong tomorrow.

    He however stressed that in granting of visas, the full process must be followed and not religion.
    The envoy therefore emphasized that should there be any rejection, it should not be construed to mean discrimination, as every single conversation will be part of the process.

    Symington who briefed newsmen on the Executive Order on ‘Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorists Entry into the United States’ said  relating to Nigeria, nothing has changed.

    He also said that contrary to the report making the rounds, U.S has not reduced the visa time frame for Nigeria, saying that the two years multiple entry visa policy is still in place.
    Besides, he said those with valid visas have nothing to fear, as the validity of the visa will remain until the expiry date.

    Also, for a Nigerian with dual nationality affiliation with the seven affected Muslim countries, the ambassador said  he or she would not be banned from entering U.S.

    “Security is not the job of only one country. Let me reassure Nigerians that every single action the US takes would be on the basis of legality and due process no one will be discriminated against. No Nigerian would be denied visas because he or she is from a particular region of the country.

    “The new order now is for the US government to cross check as many that are coming into the US before issuing visas; we will not discriminate on the basis of religion in issuing visas to Nigerians. The two years visa is still valid contrary to reports we have heard in the media.

    “Nigeria’s leadership role is crucial in the world and Nigeria cannot be blacklisted. The importance of Nigeria in the world is legal.”

    Meghan Moore, Head of Consular U.S Embassy, Abuja explained that, “the  idea of how the US government decide the duration of Visa issuance is based on Nigeria government treatment to US travelers to Nigeria.  The US government generally issues multiple entry non-immigrant visas  with a validity of two years to eligible individuals who are travelling with the Nigeria passport. We issue as a general rule a two year visa and that has not changed. There  can be some exception based on some specific individuals.”

    What has changed, according to her is the period for visa renewal.

    “It used to be 45 month for visas renewal before now, but as a result of the new order, it’s now 12 month to renew visas. If not, registration and visa interview has to be carried out,” she explained.
    “Nigerians can use the DHL renewal process if their visas expire within 12 month.  If not, they have to schedule another interview with the embassy,” Moore said.