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Tag: U..S Consulate

  • U.S. Consulate, FSD train 105 young entrepreneurs

    About 105 technical and vocational education graduates benefited from the U.S. Consulate’s Conference for Emerging Entrepreneurs held in partnership with the Field of Skills and Dreams (FSD) in Ikeja recently.

    The graduates were drawn from over 5,000 young people who had prior training in technology, agriculture, confectionary and fashion/style sectors.

    The two-day event featured panel discussions by seasoned entrepreneurs, presentations on fundraising, management strategies, business plan, resume writing, and other practical tips to survival in their specific areas of specialty.

    In his address at the opening, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate, Mr Russell Brooks, thanked CEO of FSD, Mrs Omowale Ogunrinde for getting seasoned entrepreneurs to mentor the participants.

    He said: “This conference has brought together 105 young, talented, ambitious young people who are looking to make their mark in the world of business. To aid them, Field of Skills and Dreams has assembled an outstanding group of mentors. These mentors, men and women who have accomplished great things in their business careers are taking time out of their busy schedules to share some of their wisdom and experience with young people and the U.S. Consulate thanks them for their commitment and generosity. They are excellent role models for these budding entrepreneurs and, again, we thank them for their contribution.”

    Brooks counseled the participants to see entrepreneurship as a lifestyle.

    He said: “’Entrepreneurs are risk takers, willing to roll the dice with their money or reputation on the line in support of an idea or enterprise. They willingly assume responsibility for the success or failure of a venture and are answerable for all its facets.’  This is a quote from Victor Kiam, a famous American entrepreneur, best-known for his successful turnaround of a razor blade company. Fewer people are aware that he was a life-long entrepreneur, who took his first risks at selling a product at the tender age of eight.”

  • U.S. Consulate, AFRIFF host Nigerian premiere of BlackkKlansman

    United States Consulate General, Lagos in collaboration with the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) hosted the Nigerian première of Spike Lee’s film BlacKkKlansman. The movie stars John David Washington, son of Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, and Adam Driver.

    The movie chronicles the true story of an African-American police detective named Ron Stallworth, who, in 1978, launched an investigation into the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in Colorado Springs.

    Guests at the première held at the FilmHouse Cinema, Twin Waters on Victoria Island, included leaders in business, civil society, media and government as well as Nollywood celebrities.

    United States Consul General F. John Bray noted that the U.S. has come a long way in its fight against racism.  “This movie is making a statement about that because it makes you reflect and look at the problem.”

    The Consul General also used the opportunity to advocate for similar reflection by Nigerians as they prepare for the upcoming elections. “We are looking forward to a free, fair, credible, and non-violent election in the coming year,” he said.

    As part of the ongoing Africa International Film Festival, the U.S. Mission on Thursday co-hosted the screening of “Balancing the Scales,” a documentary film about women lawyers in the United States.  The screening was hosted at the Genesis Cinema, Lekki.

    At the event attended by over 110 mid-career and senior-level female lawyers, U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs, ArunaAmirthanayagam, delivered remarks underscoring the importance of having women in leadership positions in the private and public sectors of the economy. “Promoting women to top positions is good for both society and for firms’ bottom lines,” he noted.

    The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is one of the major sponsors of the recently concluded Africa International Film Festival.   AFRIFF, an annual showcase of the world of filmmaking, with participation from local and international actors, directors, film critics, buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, and equipment manufacturers, was held from November 11 to 17.

  • Police: no bomb at U.S. Consulate in Lagos

    Police: no bomb at U.S. Consulate in Lagos

    No bomb was planted at the American Consulate in Lagos, Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni said yesterday.

    Owoseni told reporters the bag suspected to contain an explosive and kept in one of the vehicles at the Consular General Office on Victoria Island, had medical equipment in it.

    “We got a call at about 7.40a.m concerning the strange bag. I immediately dispatched the anti-bomb team, Marine Police and Anti-Terrorist personnel to the scene.

    “The anti-bomb team professionally removed the bag from the vehicle. After scanning the bag, they discovered that all items inside were medical tools.

    “We are, however, investigating the reason why the bag was left there and who is the owner. We don’t want to leave anything to chance.

    “We want to also allay the fears of people in Lagos and the diplomatic communities that there is no cause for alarm. There is no bomb planted at the American Embassy in Lagos.

    “The police in Lagos assured foreigners and citizens of their safety. We are ever ready to live up to our constitutional responsibilities.

    “Since the bag was removed from the embassy, normal activities have resumed,” Owoseni said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items in the bag displayed before reporters by Owoseni, included bandages, scissors and plaster.

    The content of the bag was taken to the anti-bomb office for further investigation.

  • How to stop Ebola outbreaks, by U.S.

    How to stop Ebola outbreaks, by U.S.

    The U.S. Consulate General in Nigeria, in a document made available to reporters yesterday, details how Ebola outbreaks can be stopped and what the public must know in order to curb its spread. It also addresses questions the public has about potential treatments and vaccines for Ebola

    W hat is ZMapp?

     

    ZMapp, being developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc., is an experimental treatment, for use with individuals infected with Ebola virus. It has not yet been tested in humans for safety or effectiveness. The product is a combination of three different monoclonal antibodies that bind to the protein of the Ebola virus.

     

    How effective is the experimental treatment?

     

    It is too early to know whether ZMapp is effective, since it is still in an experimental stage and has not yet been tested in humans for safety or effectiveness. Some patients infected with Ebola virus do get better spontaneously or with supportive care. However, the best way to know if treatment with the product is efficacious is to conduct a randomised controlled clinical trial in people to compare outcomes of patients who receive the treatment to untreated patients. No such studies have been conducted. It’s important to note that the standard treatment for Ebola remains supportive therapy.

    This includes the following measures:  ·balancing the patients’ fluids and electrolytes; ·maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure; and ·treating them for any complicating infections.

    In addition, the most effective way to stop the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is meticulous work in finding Ebola cases, isolating and caring for those patients, and tracing contacts to stop the chains of transmission. It means educating people about safe burial practices and having health care workers strictly follow infection control in hospitals. This is how all previous Ebola outbreaks have been stopped.

     

    Why aren’t more people getting ZMapp?

     

    At this time, very few courses of this experimental treatment have been manufactured. Since the product is still in an experimental stage, it is too early to know whether ZMapp is effective. The manufacturer of this experimental treatment continues to research and evaluate the product’s safety and effectiveness. It has not yet been tested in humans for safety or effectiveness and much more study is needed.

     

    Did the NIH play a role in getting the experimental therapy to the two U.S. patients in Liberia?

     

    This experimental treatment was arranged privately by Samaritan’s Purse, the private humanitarian organisation, which employed one of the Americans who contracted the virus in Liberia. Samaritan’s Purse contacted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who referred them to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH was able to provide the organization with the appropriate contacts at the private company developing this treatment. The NIH was not involved with procuring, transporting, approving, or administering the experimental treatments.

     

    Will patients in West Africa be able to access this experimental treatment? How much supply is there?

     

    The product is still in an experimental stage, and the manufacturer reports that there is a very limited supply, so it cannot be purchased and is not available for general use. The manufacturer has been planning for phase 1 clinical trials and does not have the capacity to manufacture large quantities of the treatment. The drug has not gone through clinical trials, meaning its safety and effectiveness has not yet been tested in humans. The manufacturer of the experimental treatment continues to research and evaluate the product’s safety and effectiveness. The most effective way to stop the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is meticulous work in finding Ebola cases, isolating and caring for those patients, and tracing contacts to stop the chains of transmission. It means educating people about safe burial practices and having health care workers strictly follow infection control in hospitals. This is how all previous Ebola outbreaks have been stopped.

     

    Is ZMapp available under the Food and Drug Administration’s expanded access to investigational drugs?

     

    Currently there are only experimental treatments for Ebola virus infection in the earliest stages of development. When a drug is not approved, the FDA can authorise access to potentially promising products through other mechanisms, such as through an emergency Investigational New Drug (IND) application. In order for an experimental treatment to be administered in the U.S., such a request must be submitted to and authorised by the FDA. The FDA cannot comment on the specifics of ongoing drug development programs and cannot reveal information that is not otherwise public concerning submissions covering such programs such as IND applications submissions. The FDA stands ready to work with companies and investigators treating these patients.

     

    Is ZMapp a vaccine?

     

    No. ZMapp is being developed as a therapeutic product for treatment of people infected with Ebola virus, but not to prevent infection in the same manner as a vaccine. The best way to prevent infection currently is with stringent infection control measures.

    Difference  between therapy and vaccine?

     

    Vaccines are usually given to people before they are exposed to a virus or bacteria that causes a disease. A vaccine stimulates the immune system to generate antibodies and cellular immunity that can fight off an infection if it were to occur. Typically, therapeutics are provided to people who are already infected with the virus. With the experimental ZMapp treatment, the monoclonal antibodies bind to the virus, so that the human immune system can clear the virus.

     

    Are there Ebola vaccines available for use or in development?

     

    There are currently no FDA approved vaccines for Ebola. The NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is working on developing an Ebola vaccine. NIH recently announced they are expediting their work, and aiming to launch phase 1 clinical trials of an Ebola vaccine in the fall. NIH is also supporting the Crucell biopharmaceutical company in its development of an Ebola/Marburg vaccine as well as Profectus Biosciences in its development of an Ebola vaccine. Additionally, NIH and the Thomas Jefferson University are collaborating to develop a candidate Ebola vaccine based on the established rabies vaccine.

     

    Is the U.S. government involved in the development of ZMapp?

     

    The U.S. government, specifically, the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and the HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), has provided support for the development of this experimental treatment.

     

    Are there other companies developing experimental treatments or vaccines?

     

    Two other companies, Tekmira and Biocryst Pharmaceuticals, receive funding from the Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency and have therapeutic candidates for Ebola in early development. The Department of Defense is working with a company called Newlink to develop an Ebola vaccine candidate. BioCryst, with NIH support, is working to develop an antiviral drug to treat Ebola virus that is expected to begin Phase 1 testing later this year.

     

     

  • Afghan Taliban attacks U.S consulate

    United States and Afghan forces have fought off an attack by Taliban insurgents on the America’s consulate in the western city of Herat.

    BBC reports that two Afghan police and one security guard were killed in the dawn assault, along with seven attackers.

    The US consulate said its workers were safe.

    The Taliban said they carried out the attack, which began with a huge blast at the compound gates, sparking a gun battle near consulate buildings.

    Attacks continue despite the planned withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014.

    17 civilians, including women and children, were injured in the Herat attack.

    Herat sits close to the Iranian border on a vital trade route across southern Afghanistan and it has been relatively peaceful in recent years.

    The U.S consulate in Herat was opened just four years ago in a former five-star hotel.

     

     

  • U.S Consulate hosts Iftar

    The United States Consular General in Lagos on Wednesday hosted the annual Iftar (Breaking of fast) at the American Employees Guest Quarters in Ikoyi.

    The Iftar was designed to bring together people from diverse faith to promote peace, religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, cooperation and foster mutual understanding.

    Acting Consul General Dehab Ghebreab said: “This holy month is an opportunity for family and friends to come together and celebrate the principles that bind people of different faith – a commitment to peace, justice, equality and compassion towards our fellow human beings. These bonds are far stronger than the differences that too often drive us apart…. The United States stands with those who are working to build a world where all people can write their own future and practise their faith freely, without fear of violence.”

    Among the speakers at the event was Sheikh Abdurahman Adangba, the National Missioner of Fatih-ul-Quareeb Society of Nigeria, who delivered a sermon on. “The Meaning and Significance of Ramadan.”

    Sheikh Adangba spoke on Ramadan and its role in bridging the dialogue gap among different cultures and religions.

    Other speakers include Dr. Bello Adeshina, Reverend Father Michael Umoh and Mrs. Mustapha-Koiki Adepate, a lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos.

  • DV lottery: U.S warns on fake documents, information

    DV lottery: U.S warns on fake documents, information

    The United States Consulate General in Lagos on Thursday said only selectees of Diversity Immigrant Visa, who present genuine information and documents, are assured of getting entry visas to the country.

    The Consulate Vice- Consul, Rachel Okunubi, said most winners, especially in Nigeria are disqualified because they presented fake documents and inaccurate information.

    According to her, many selectees have lost the opportunity to get legal permit to live and work in the U.S because they presented fake spouse or documents.

    This, she said, may actually prevent the selectees from gaining entrance visa through the DV lottery or tourists’ visa to America again in future.

    “Being selected does not guarantee automatic visas but only affords the selectees the right to have an interview to determine if they meet the minimum qualifications,” she added.

    Okunubi, who briefed journalists in Lagos, warned that the U.S government does not have any accredited agents or organisations to carry out visa applications procedures, saying that people should desist from patronizing touts, who would take their money and scuttle their chances.