The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Russia

  • Nigerian embassy protest: Six students withdrawn from Russian university

    The Presidential Amnesty Office has announced the withdrawal of six out of the 24 former Niger Delta agitators studying at the Peoples University, Russia.
    It said the withdrawal followed the indictment of students as the masterminds of last week’s protest at the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow where 16 Nigerian students were arrested by the Russian authorities.
    The students had staged a protest at the embassy, demanding the payment of outstanding allowances for six months among other things.
    All the withdrawn students were beneficiaries of a special scholarship scheme for Niger Delta youths.
    Announcing the withdrawal yesterday in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, said the action of the protesting students was uncalled for as their claims were found to be untrue, unprovoked and a gross misconduct.
    A statement from the Presidential Amnesty Office and signed by the Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Daniel Alabra, quoted Kuku as saying: “For going on rampage and violently attacking the Nigerian Mission, these students breached the Code of Conduct for delegates on scholarship that they all signed before their departure from Nigeria. It is also a gross misconduct, which the Nigerian government cannot tolerate. Students on its sponsorship cannot go on rampage on flimsy excuses in a foreign country and damage the image and reputation of Nigeria.
    “Our records show that the students were not being owed their In-Training Allowance (ITA) for six months as they alleged. In fact, the only unremitted allowance was for the month of September 2013, which had been approved and was being processed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the time they attacked the Mission.
    “My office had communicated the students on Friday, September 27, 2013 about the processing of their ITA for the months of September and October 2013 and the need for them to be patient while it was being handled by the CBN.
    “We were therefore shocked when information got to us that the delegates had invaded the embassy, destroyed property and attacked the Mission officials over unpaid allowances. This is absolutely unacceptable.”
    Kuku, who is also the Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, said the school authorities will be communicated on the development.
    He also dismissed speculations among former agitators in the Niger Delta that they will soon be paid the sum of Two Million Naira (N2m) each by the Amnesty Office.
    “There is no such plan to pay any of them such amount,” Kuku said.
    The rumour, he noted, had caused serious tension in some of the Niger Delta states and that his office had been inundated with unnecessary phone calls and enquiries.
  • Nigeria, Russia to improve trade

    Nigeria, Russia to improve trade

    Nigeria and The Russian Federation have initiated plans to improve trade relations between both countries.

    The desire to improve trade relations between both countries in not unconnected to the low level of trade between both countries valued at less than $300 million.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Mr Assam Assam and his Russian counterpart in Nigeria, Ambassador Nikolay Udovichenko both said the two countries have agreed to deepen the level of trade that currently exists between them.

    Assam lamented the $300 million trade volume between vith countries stressing that “the figure is unacceptable considering the 50 years of trade relation that exists between Nigeria and Russia. This is a result of knowing little about each other’s countries.”

    He expressed displeasure that few Nigeria companies are presently doing businesses in Russia adding that with policy direction, Nigeria’s economic cooperation with Russia would be greatly enhanced.

    To ramp up trade volume between the two countries, their chambers of commerce would be holding the first Nigeria-Russia Business and Investment Forum which will take place in Moscow on the 9th and 10th October, 2013 to open up new areas of economic collaboration after 50 years of socio-economic and political relations.

    According to ambassador Assam, “Nigeria and Russia have had 50 years of diplomatic relation and that is why as part of the business forum and by virtue of very prominent Nigerians who will be coming to Moscow for the business forum, we have decided to use the forum as an opportunity for Nigeria to improve trade with Russia and attract businesses from Russia to Nigeria with quality interaction to enhance relationship.”

  • Independence anniversary: Russia congratulates Nigeria

    Independence anniversary: Russia congratulates Nigeria

    Russia has congratulated Nigeria on its 53rd independence anniversary, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    The felicitation is contained in a message sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday.
    A statement issued by the Russian Embassy in Abuja quoted Putin as saying: “please accept my sincere congratulation on the occasion of your country’s Independence Day.
    “I am confident that the relations between Russia and Nigeria, based on the principle of friendship and mutual respect, will keep on developing actively in all directions.
    “I wish you good health, happiness and success, and I wish the people of Nigeria peace and prosperity.”
  • Russia’s plan for Syria needs testing

    Russia’s plan for Syria needs testing

    A tough UN resolution on chemical weapons is now needed

    Russia’s declaration that it wants the Assad regime to place its chemical weapons under international control is the latest unexpected twist in the Syrian diplomatic saga. Up until the moment on Monday when Russia unveiled its plan, all eyes had been fixed on the US Congress, where Barack Obama was seeking approval for a punitive missile strike against the Syrian regime. Suddenly, the drama is moving from Congress to the UN in New York. There, the US will seek a Security Council resolution that transforms Russia’s initiative into an action plan to destroy the Assads’ chemical and biological weapons stockpile.

    Mr Obama grasped Russia’s proposal with alacrity on Monday. For the past week, the president has been struggling to get his plan for military strikes approved by Congress. Presidential humiliation loomed. Thanks to Russia’s move, the debate on Capitol Hill can now be suspended while a diplomatic solution is explored. Mr Obama thereby averts what would probably have been political impalement by Congress.

    Beyond cynical delaying tactics, the motives for Vladimir Putin’s initiative are hard to grasp. The Russian leader is not inclined to do Mr Obama favours. He may have reckoned that Mr Obama would either win his battle in Congress or attack Syria even if he lost. If so, Mr Putin can argue that this is a diplomatic coup, one that averts the missile strike Moscow fiercely opposed.

    That said, Russia may be giving some ground. It is putting heat on Bashar al-Assad, an unusual, if not unique, development in this crisis. The text of Russia’s initiative implies that Syria has chemical weapons (something the Assads deny). It asks Syria to meet the demands of the international community and relinquish those weapons (something the Assads do not want to do).

    Russia’s intentions must now be further tested. The US will rightly demand that a UN resolution on Syria’s chemical weapons is passed quickly. It will want the UN to create a credible international body that secures those weapons. It will demand firm deadlines by which they must be destroyed.

    Meanwhile, to concentrate Russian and Syrian minds on the need for concessions, the US president should keep his plan for a missile strike on the table. After all, this threat has squeezed what could be a constructive diplomatic initiative from Moscow – even if US articulation of its military plan has been bumbling at best.

    As the UN convenes, there is ample cause to be sceptical of success. Securing Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile is a huge task. It is located in dozens of sites that will be hard to reach in a civil war. The Assads are masters of lies, who have obstructed all UN missions so far.

    But the hope must be that the US and Russia overcome their divisions and agree a Security Council resolution on Syria. That would be unprecedented in this conflict. The prospect of a credible US-Russian deal would certainly make Mr Assad start to sweat.

    – Financial Times

  • Musa: I want to be Russia goal king

    Musa: I want to be Russia goal king

    Nigeria striker Ahmed Musa has said he hopes to be the Russian league top scorer this season after he scored his fourth goal on Saturday.

    Ahmed Musa was again on target as CSKA Moscow won 2-0 at Tom Tomsk Saturday and they now lead the standings on 14 points from six games.

    The striker fired a canon from inside the 18-yard box in the 58th minute to double his club’s advantage.

    He told MTNFootball.com: “I can’t really predict or say the number of goals I want to score this season, but I will be glad to end the season as top scorer.”

    Three seasons ago, Musa broke a long-time record to finish as Goal King of the Nigeria league with 18 goals for Kano Pillars.

    Last season, he won a league and cup double with CSKA and began the new campaign on a winning note again when his army club clinched the Russian Super Cup.

    He scored 11 goals in the league with the joint top scorers being on 13 goals last season. He also netted four in the cup.

    Meanwhile in Spain, former Nigeria youth international Macaulay Chrisantus ensured Las Palmas secured a point with a 1-1 draw at Deportivo La Alaves.

    Macaulay gave his side the lead in the 29th minute.

    The former U17 star striker told MTNFootball.com he was disappointed Las Palmas did not win.

    “I was not happy that we lost the game because we went for victory and could not get it,” Macaulay said.

  • 19 die in Russia chopper’s crash

    19 die in Russia chopper’s crash

    A transport helicopter has crashed and burst into flame in a polar region of Siberia with the loss of 19 lives, the Russian authorities say.

    The Mi-8 helicopter came down 66km (41 miles) from the village of Deputatsky in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).

    Three crew members and 25 passengers were on board, the Interstate Aviation Committee in Moscow said, adding that it had opened an inquiry.

    BBC reports that helicopters are frequently used for transport in remote parts of Siberia.

    According to the Interstate Aviation Committee, the helicopter was flying with Polar Airlines, based in the city of Yakutsk.

  • To Russia with whores

    To Russia with whores

    The wave of Nigerian prostitutes takes a new dimension

    Desperation is the name of the game and its guiding principle. Ironically, though, this is a most unprincipled way of going about the business of living; that is, speaking about a new trend, the trafficking of Nigerian girls to Russia for prostitution. However, the corrupt ones are not only the traffickers; the girls who yield as well as their backers are equally tainted.

    This alarming development publicised by Nigeria’s ambassador to Russia, Asam Asam, betrays the increasing surrender to base motives by the country’s citizens. Speaking with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Berlin, Germany, Asam lamented, “The major consular challenge we face in Moscow is the influx of trafficked persons from Nigeria.”  According to him, “No fewer than 200 girls are trafficked every month, and we have many of them exposed to danger…We have deported over 240 girls since 2012. You will be shocked at the extent of resistance from the girls.”

     No doubt, Asam’s comments are statistically significant and should be of concern to the government. The information not only highlights a new dimension to sex-trade travellers originating from the country; it also raises unavoidable questions.  Who could these girls be, in terms of ethnicity, educational background and socio-economic situation? Why would they succumb to the temptation to make money as sex workers in Russia, despite the hurdles and risks? Or were they innocently lured to that country?

    More puzzling was Asam’s clarification. He said: “These girls are not tourists, students or government officials, yet they are given visas from the Russian Embassy in Abuja.”  Evidently, to go by this oddity, there must be a protection racket in place, which is highly deplorable.  Of course, the most effective strategy to arrest such undesirable exit is to stop the would-be travellers at the departure stage and break the trafficking rings. In this context, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) has its work well defined and should make every effort to fulfill its objectives.

    It is remarkable that Russia is now seen as the new destination by these desperadoes, marking a shift from Western Europe, which has reportedly witnessed a welcome decline in human trafficking from Nigeria, following strict laws on illegal migration and joint efforts by Nigeria and the governments of countries in the region to curb the crime. This current swing to Eastern Europe must not be tolerated, and all the parties concerned at the governmental level must move urgently to address the situation.

    This is certainly the kind of export that Nigeria does not need; it not only attracts negative publicity, it also gives a wrong image of the country and its citizens. It is heart-warming, though, Asam’s observation that there were a good number of other Nigerians living in Russia as students and professionals in various fields.   However, although this cannot be a justification, there is no denying the fact that tough socio-economic policies and conditions in the country play a significant role in human trafficking, particularly for sex-trade purposes. In the specific context, it represents an odious submission of body and soul, which presumably can only be motivated by dire conditions. It is a shame that some of these girls who go abroad for sex-work have parental backing, according to Asam. He said: “I spoke to the mother of one of the girls and she said her daughter should remain in Moscow and survive the ordeal.”

    While the citizens, no doubt, have a personal duty to live on the right side of public morality, it goes without saying that government cannot abandon the responsibility to create a space for decent living for the people.

  • Nigerian students top in Russian University

    Nigerian students top in Russian University

     From the  News and Information Desk, African Students Association, Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia comes a cheering report of the exploits of Nigerian students in a Russian University.

    These days, at the mention of Nigeria, what we are subconsciously waiting to hear is the news about the next scammer, the next suicide bomber who kills a British soldier.  We expect to hear news of death, stolen wealth or disease.

    For a number of us, our minds are already made up, even before we get the news, we have declared ourselves guilty.

    There are news of Nigeria that are not about gun-shots, corruption, suicide bombings and scams; and it is just as important we talk about them. For over five  years, Nigerian Medical scholarship Students at the Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow have consistently bagged first-class honours in Medicine and Surgery and represented the school at major Quiz competitions.

    These students, while meeting the demands of the language, Russia’s relatively alien conditions and other academic engagements, have taken it upon themselves to tell a story of Nigeria by being worthy ambassadors of the nation, off and on classes.

    A Nigerian student Olalusi O. Victor led a team of other International students from Russia, Italy, Greece, Morocco and bagged the “Best Captain of the Year” award at the University’s annual Quiz competition. His team – International United – won Silver at the University’s annual Quiz competition.

    Olalusi, who for the past three years has represented Nigeria in the University’s Hall of Fame, will deliver a valedictory speech on June 27th as the best graduating Student in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences with a grade point of 5.0.  The year 2012 saw another Nigerian student, Ganiyu  Sanusi bagging the “Best Student of the year” award at the University’s quiz competition. He graduated as the best student in the faculty with first-class honours and a CGPA of 5.0. Ganiyu  Sanusi now works as an Intern in one of Nigeria’s teaching hospitals.

    Nigeria-born Alonge Olanike Omotola, who in 2010 represented the country on the University’s Hall of Fame, bagged first-class honours degree in Medicine and Surgery and was the best Graduating student and valedictorian for that year. She proceeded for her Masters Degree at Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA.

    Over the past five years, Nigerian students at the Russian National Research Medical University have consistently topped the graduation chat, bagging honours and contributing their wealth of knowledge to the University’s academic status.

    These are stories of Nigeria that aren’t about bombings, gun-shots or students protesting for unpaid stipends; and it is as important we talk about them.

    The Russian National Research Medical University will celebrate the 2013 set of Nigerian Doctors at a grand ceremony on June 27th, House of the Scientists (дом ученых), Moscow, Russia.

    God bless Nigeria.

  • 200 Nigerian girls trafficked to Russia monthly – Envoy

    No fewer than 200 Nigerian girls are trafficked every month to Russia for prostitution, the country’s ambassador to that country, Amb. Asam Asam, has said.

    Asam, who spoke against the backdrop of consular challenges faced by the embassy, disclosed this in a chat with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Berlin.

    NAN investigations reveal that the crime had decline in Western Europe following strict laws on illegal migration, and joint efforts by Nigeria and the governments of those countries to curb the menace.

    However, attention has shifted to Eastern Europe as the new destination for the trade.

    “The major consular challenge we face in Moscow is the influx of trafficked persons from Nigeria, not less than 200 girls are trafficked every month, and we have so many of them exposed to danger.

    “Some are thrown out of the window and treated harshly, there must be a way of stopping these racketeering, these girls are not tourists, students or government officials yet they are given visas from the Russian embassy in Abuja.

    “So far we have deported over 240 girls since 2012, you will be shocked, at the extent of resistance from the girls, we tell them Russia is not a destination for prostitutes yet they still come,” Asam said.

    According to him, the mission tries to curb the menace by arranging deportation exercise for those caught, but the challenges are enormous.

    The envoy said such intervention would be more effective at the point of entry, adding that “the strategy is to stop them from Nigeria, and fish out those involved in the trade.”

     

     

  • Oparanozie turning heads in Russia

    Oparanozie turning heads in Russia

    Super Falcons attacker, Desire Oparanozie is making waves in the Russian women’s football championship.

    Following her move from Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) club, Delta Queens in September 2012, Oparanozie has announced her arrival on the big stage and her performances in the big games have marked her out as a striker to be feared.

    She hit the ground running and scored the winner in the Uefa Champions League game against Czech Republic club, Sparta Prague in her first match for WFC Rossiyanka. The effort was the winner that secured passage for the club to the quarterfinals of the competition.

    “It was an important goal, one of the most crucial goals I’ve ever scored and doing it in my first game for the club gave me confidence,” Oparanozie told supersport.com.

    Her expedition into Europe’s elite competition was abbreviated in the last eight where Rossiyanka came unstuck against German giants, VfL Wolfsburg but the 19-year-old chose to look on the positives of that loss.

    “Those two games against Wolfsburg will stay with me for the rest of my life. We fought hard but in the end, we lost but coming up against players like (German internationals) Nadine Kessler and Alexandra Popp was very good education for me,” she said.

    Oparanozie has now set her sights on success in this season’s Russian women’s football championship where Rossiyanka currently sit in second place on the log but have played two games less than the leaders, Zorkiy Krasnogorsk

    The powerful striker has netted three goals in five matches this season as she seeks to power Rossiyanka to the title.

    “I would have scored more but I joined the club after the season had started. It is a difficult league where you have to be intelligent and quick to succeed. So far, I am doing well and I hope to continue in this path.

    “We will face Perma in the league tomorrow (Wednesday) away from home and that is a game we must win if we are to emerge champions at the end of the season. We want to play in the Champions League next season and we can only do that if we win the league,” she added.