The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UK

  • UK govt pledges more FDI in Nigeria

    UK govt pledges more FDI in Nigeria

    The United Kingdom Government has expressed its commitment to support Nigeria and attract more investments into the country.

    Giving this assurance was the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, during the Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA) 2023 presidential cocktail held recently.

    In an address delivered by his representative, Head of the UK Government Department, Business and Trade (DBT) Nigeria, Ms. Chim Chalemera, Baxter expressed appreciation for the enduring friendly relationship between the N-BA and the British Deputy High Commission, urging that they “continue to be friends and work together for the common good.”

    The 2023 N-BA presidential cocktail held at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, Lagos.

    The event provided an opportunity for attendees to engage in fruitful discussions, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations, further strengthening the bonds between Nigeria and Britain.

    In his welcome address, the President of the Association, Mr. Sola Oyetayo, articulated its vision and thematic direction for the upcoming year and its desire to foster relationships with esteemed partners and friends.

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    He also highlighted the Association’s mission, its unwavering commitment, and the strategic direction set by the administration under the theme ‘The Big I.D.E.A – A New Chapter.’

    Baxter emphasised the consistent support rendered by the diplomatic mission over the years, highlighting several collaborations with the N-BA, including the presidential cocktail as being pivotal in cementing the strong ties between Nigeria and the UK.

    He also reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria and expressed their determination to attract more UK investments into the country.

    The 2023 presidential cocktail stood as a testament to the N-BA’s dedication to fostering meaningful collaborations, strengthening diplomatic ties, and promoting investments between Nigeria and Britain.

    Present at the event were distinguished guests, including vice patrons of the Association, Chief Olabintan Famutimi, and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, CON, CFR, former Commonwealth Secretary General; former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, Bashorun Jaiye Kofolaran (JK) Randle; and former Minister of Industry, Chief Kola Jamodu. Notable partners for the evening included British Deputy High Commissioner, Scib Nigeria & Co Limited, Grand Oak Limited, NEM Insurance Plc, and Open Access Data Centre Lagos.

    Also in attendance were diplomats, key government officials from both Nigeria and Britain, leaders of prominent multinational and national businesses operating in Nigeria, alongside members of the Association.

  • UK govt pledges more investments in Nigeria at N-BA 2023 Presidential Cocktail

    UK govt pledges more investments in Nigeria at N-BA 2023 Presidential Cocktail

    The United Kingdom government has expressed its commitment to support Nigeria and attract more investments into the country.

    This affirmation was made by the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, during the Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA) 2023 Presidential Cocktail held recently.

    In an address delivered by his representative, Head of the UK Government Department, Business and Trade (DBT) Nigeria, Ms Chim Chalemera, Baxter expressed appreciation for the enduring friendly relationship between the N-BA and the British Deputy High Commission, urging that they “continue to be friends and work together for the common good.”

    The 2023 N-BA Presidential Cocktail was held at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, Lagos.

    The event provided an opportunity for attendees to engage in fruitful discussions, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations, further strengthening the bonds between Nigeria and Britain.

    In his welcome address, the President of the Association, Sola Oyetayo, articulated its vision and thematic direction for the upcoming year and its desire to foster relationships with esteemed partners and friends.

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    He also highlighted the Association’s mission, its unwavering commitment, and the strategic direction set by the administration under the theme ‘The Big I.D.E.A – A New Chapter.’

    While acknowledging the invaluable contributions of past presidents, including the vice patrons, he paid homage to the late patron of the Association, Pa Akintola Williams, who recently passed away.

    He noted: “The N-BA is a friendship organization with members – individuals and organisations spanning Nigeria, Britain, and other Commonwealth countries, therefore we warmly welcome individuals and organisations willing to join the Association.”

    Baxter emphasised the consistent support rendered by the diplomatic mission over the years, highlighting several collaborations with the N-BA, including the Presidential Cocktail as being pivotal in cementing the strong ties between Nigeria and the UK.

    He also reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria and expressed their determination to attract more UK investments into the country.

    The 2023 Presidential Cocktail stood as a testament to the N-BA’s dedication to fostering meaningful collaborations, strengthening diplomatic ties, and promoting investments between Nigeria and Britain.

    As the Association steps into a new chapter, the event served as a beacon of the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

    Present at the event were distinguished guests, including vice patrons of the Association, Chief Olabintan Famutimi, and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, CON, CFR, former Commonwealth Secretary-General; former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Bashorun Jaiye

    Kofolaran (JK) Randle; and former Minister of Industry, Chief Kola Jamodu. Notable partners for the evening included British Deputy High Commissioner, Scib Nigeria & Co Limited, Grand Oak Limited, NEM Insurance Plc, and Open Access Data Centre Lagos.

    Also in attendance were diplomats, key government officials from both Nigeria and Britain, leaders of prominent multinational and national businesses operating in Nigeria, alongside members of the Association.

  • UK varsity, LABS seek approval for degree programmes

    UK varsity, LABS seek approval for degree programmes

    Officials from the London Academy Business School (LABS) and University of Sunderland are seeking approval from the National Universities Commission to run degree programmes in Nigeria.

    A delegation from the University of Sunderland led by Dr. Derek Watson confirmed this after a meeting with the Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Maiyaki on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to the officials, if everything goes as planned, the university would commence the running of its session from January.

    They will use the facilities of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Abuja.

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    Watson, an associate professor from the faculty of business law and tourism assured that students in Nigeria would have the same academic standards with their counterparts in the United Kingdom, while the management at the same time promised to respect the environment and guidelines from the NUC.

    Speaking after the meeting with NUC, he said: “The meeting with the Executive Secretary was very productive, the university of Sunderland has over 30 years of experience.

    “We were the first UK university to market. What we have agreed on today is the criticality in following the compliance procedures. In addition to that we would source credible academics to deliver our programmes from LABS who are qualified teachers and also practicing consultants. The student will get the same experience as those students studying in England.”

  • UK increases student’s visa to N476,667, visitor’s fee to N111,878

    UK increases student’s visa to N476,667, visitor’s fee to N111,878

    The United Kingdom Home Office has announced that a Student visa will now cost £490 (N476,677.59) as against former fee of  £127 (N123,537.58), representing a 286 per cent increment.

    The government also stated that a visit visa to the UK for less than six months will now cost £115 (about N111,878.28 ) as opposed to £15 (14,592.70) effective from October 4, 2023, translating to about 667 per cent increment.

    The UK government made this known in a statement, ‘New visa fees set to come into effect next month’ published on its website, gov.uk, on Friday, following legislation being laid in parliament .

    The increase, the statement stated, would enable it to pay for ‘vital services and allow more funding to be prioritised for public sector pay rises’, adding that the review would take effect on October 4.

    “The changes mean that the cost for a visit visa for less than six months is rising by £15 (N14,592.70) to £115 (N111,878.28 ), while the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will rise by £127 (N123,537.58)  to £490 (N476,677.59), to equal the amount charged for in-country applications.

    “Income from fees charged plays a vital role in the Home Office’s ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system. Careful consideration is given when setting fees to help reduce the funding contribution from British taxpayers, whilst continuing to provide a service that remains attractive to those wishing to work in the UK and support broader prosperity for all.”

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    The changes include fees for up to six months, two-, five- and 10-year visit visas.

    The majority of fees for entry clearance and certain applications for leave to remain in the UK, including those for work and study were also increased.

    The UK also increased indefinite leave fee to enter and indefinite leave fee  to remain; convention travel document and stateless person’s travel document; health and care visa; fees in relation to certificates of sponsorship and confirmation of acceptance for studies; the in and out of country fee for the super-priority service and the out of country fee for the priority service.

    The statement noted that the settlement priority service would reduce so it would be aligned with the cost of using the priority service.

    Applications to register and naturalise as a British citizen and the fee for the User Pays Visa Application service were also increased.

    However, the statement noted that subject to parliamentary approval, the immigration and nationality fees would increase from October 4.

    “Today’s changes do not include the planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is scheduled to be introduced later in the Autumn,” it added.

  • UK to provide $2b to the Green Climate Fund

    UK to provide $2b to the Green Climate Fund

    The United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced his country’s biggest single financial contribution to helping the world’s most vulnerable people adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change.

    He said the UK will contribute £1.62 billion ($2 billion) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which was established by 194 countries following the Copenhagen Accord at COP15.

    The GCF is the largest global fund dedicated to supporting developing countries to reduce global emissions and helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change.

    Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer of the British High Commission Ndidiamaka Eze, in a statement, stated that the pledge represents a 12.7% increase on the UK’s previous contribution to the GCF for the period of 2020 to 2023, which was itself a doubling of the UK’s initial funding to establish the fund in 2014.

    At the G20 Summit, the Prime Minister called on leaders to work together ahead of the COP28 Summit this December to both reduce their countries’ own carbon emissions and support vulnerable economies to deal with the consequences of climate change.

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    Addressing G20 leaders, the Prime Minister said: “The UK is stepping up and delivering on our climate commitments, both by decarbonising our own economy and supporting the world’s most vulnerable to deal with the impact of climate change.

     ”This is the kind of leadership that the world rightly expects from G20 countries. And this government will continue to lead by example in making the UK, and the world, more prosperous and secure.”

    The UK has led international efforts to help developing countries tackle climate change, including by pledging to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance between 2021 and 2026.

    The announcement marks a major contribution towards this commitment and follows the Prime Minister’s announcement at COP27 that the UK would triple funding for climate adaptation.

    Since 2011 UK climate aid spending has helped over 95 million people cope with the effects of climate change and reduced or avoided over 68 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

    Reacting, UK High Commissioner in Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, said: “This recent contribution to the Green Climate Fund makes the UK one of its largest donors. The GCF is expected to deliver for developing countries like Nigeria, supporting a transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy and creation of jobs, promoting food security and tackling poverty.

     ”Nigeria is vulnerable to and increasingly impacted by climate change, and must be supported to access high quality climate finance proportionate to its size and needs. Therefore, we would like to see the GCF actively supporting Nigeria’s ambitious climate goals and working closely with the Nigerian Government to facilitate access and utilisation of the fund.”

  • UK to provide $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund

    UK to provide $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund

    The United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 12, said it would be providing $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund in what seems to be the biggest single funding commitment the UK has made to help the world tackle climate change.

    Nigeria and other developing countries are expected to benefit from the fund.

    The pledge represents a 12.7% increase on the UK’s previous contribution to the GCF for the period of 2020 to 2023, which was itself a doubling of the UK’s initial funding to establish the fund in 2014.

    The contribution, according to a statement issued by the UK High Commission in Abuja, was announced on Monday by the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at the close of the G20 leaders in India.

    The statement reads: “The UK will contribute £1.62 billion ($2 billion) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which was established by 194 countries following the Copenhagen Accord at COP15.  The GCF is the largest global fund dedicated to supporting developing countries to reduce global emissions and helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change.”

    At the G20 Summit, the Prime Minister called on leaders to work together ahead of the COP28 Summit this December to both reduce their countries’ own carbon emissions and support vulnerable economies to deal with the consequences of climate change.

     “The UK is stepping up and delivering on our climate commitments, both by decarbonising our own economy and supporting the world’s most vulnerable to deal with the impact of climate change.

    “This is the kind of leadership that the world rightly expects from G20 countries. And this government will continue to lead by example in making the UK, and the world, more prosperous and secure.”

    Reacting, the UK High Commissioner in Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery said: “This recent contribution to the Green Climate Fund makes the UK one of its largest donors. The GCF is expected to deliver for developing countries like Nigeria, supporting a transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy and creation of jobs, promoting food security and tackling poverty.

    Read Also: UK visa centre will boost economic partnership, says Enugu govt

    “Nigeria is vulnerable to and increasingly impacted by climate change, and must be supported to access high-quality climate finance proportionate to its size and needs. Therefore, we would like to see the GCF actively supporting Nigeria’s ambitious climate goals and working closely with the Nigerian Government to facilitate access and utilisation of the fund.”

    The UK has led international efforts to help developing countries tackle climate change, including by pledging to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance between 2021 and 2026.

    The announcement marks a major contribution towards this commitment and follows the Prime Minister’s announcement at COP27 that the UK would triple funding for climate adaptation.

    Since 2011 UK climate aid spending has helped over 95 million people cope with the effects of climate change and reduced or avoided over 68 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

  • UK visa centre will boost economic partnership, says Enugu govt

    UK visa centre will boost economic partnership, says Enugu govt

    The United Kingdom has set up a visa centre in Enugu, Enugu State capital, to facilitate visa applications in the state, Southeast and the country at large.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia, made this known in a statement issued yesterday in Enugu.

    He hailed the United Kingdom government for the development, recalling that the visa centre was part of Governor Peter Mbah’s requests during the visit to the Government House, Enugu, by the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, in June.

    The statement said the government received the news of the visa centre with delight and satisfaction, adding that it would further enhance economic partnership and cultural exchange between Enugu State and the United Kingdom.

    “Enugu State Government therefore looks forward to a strong, mutually- beneficial relationship with the UK, as the visa centre will help cement the relationship”, the statement added.

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    The government called on the people, especially those living in the Southeast, to avail themselves of the opportunity provided to file their visa applications in the state, saying the government would ensure improved security for residents and visitors carrying out businesses in the state.

    It stressed that the state was open for business and investment more than ever before.

    The Nation reports that the apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in June in Enugu received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Montgomery, at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, at that event appealed for the setting up of British visa office in the Southeast.

    Iwuanyanwu said the Southeast accounted for over 60 per cent of Nigerians travelling to the United Kingdom, adding that it was unfair that they were subjected to travelling to Abuja and Lagos to procure visa.

  • JUST IN: UK establishes visa centre in Enugu

    JUST IN: UK establishes visa centre in Enugu

    The United Kingdom has set up a visa centre in Enugu to facilitate visa applications by residents in the state, the southeast zone, and the country at large.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Monday, September 11, in Enugu.

    Onyia commended the United Kingdom government for the development, recalling that the visa centre was part of Governor Peter Mbah’s earlier requests during the visit to the Government House by the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, in June this year.

    The statement said the government received the news of the visa centre with delight and satisfaction, stressing that it would further enhance economic partnership and cultural exchanges between Enugu State and the United Kingdom.

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    He said: “The Enugu state government, therefore, looks forward to a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the UK, as the visa centre would help cement the relationship.”

    “The government called on the people, especially those residing in the South-East to avail themselves of the opportunity provided to file their visa applications in the state, saying the government would ensure improved security both to residents and visitors carrying on business in the state.

    Onyia reiterated that the state was open for business and investment more than ever before.

    The Nation reports that the apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide had in June in Enugu, where the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    President General of Ohanaeze, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, had appealed for the setting up of a British Visa office in the southeast region.

    According to Iwuanyanwu, the southeast zone accounts for over sixty percent of Nigerians traveling to the United Kingdom, stressing that it was unfair that they were subjected to travelling to Abuja and Lagos to procure their visas.

  • Nigeria receives UK’s warship to boost security

    Nigeria receives UK’s warship to boost security

    Nigeria has received a Royal Navy warship – HMS Trent –in Lagos to boost maritime security in the country as well as in the West African sub-region.

    This is Trent’s second visit to Nigeria as part of its regional mission to aid allies and partners in driving down illegal activities including piracy and illicit trafficking. The visit will help deliver capacity training and support maritime security in the region.

    Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer/Comms Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, Ndidiamaka Eze, in a statement, said the HMS Trent departed Gibraltar carrying an expert boarding team of UK Royal Marines and a Puma surveillance drone. HMS Trent’s mission is to support West African allies helping countries to develop capability to fight illegal crimes at sea and ensure they can play an effective role in bringing stability to wider West Africa.

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    With around £6 billion of UK trade passing through the region, part of Trent’s task is to support stability across the Gulf of Guinea through training  to help partner navies take the fight to criminal actors, fostering ties and sharing knowledge, whilst conducting patrols to increase security.

    Speaking on the mission of the ship, HMS Trent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Langford, said: “It is an honour for HMS TRENT to return to Nigeria, an important visit on the Ship’s three month deployment to West Africa. We are excited to work with our partner nations as we strive for a long term solution to maritime insecurity across the region.

     “The Royal Navy has a long history of engagement within the region and an enduring partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria. My team are really looking forward to the opportunity to work with their Nigerian counterparts and build on the relationships established when we visited Lagos in 2021.”

    UK Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, said the deployment of the ship underscored the role the country is playing to address global security challenges.

    He said: “This deployment demonstrates how a truly Global Britain is stepping up on the world stage to tackle shared international security challenges.

     “Nigeria is an important and valued defence partner for the UK in West Africa. Our two countries face many shared threats and we are keen to work with Nigeria to defeat these and to help improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.”

     The deployment contributes to a wider international effort by the Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (FOGG) which supports Gulf of Guinea nations to implement regional maritime security frameworks, bringing stability to a region that has seen international shipping disrupted, seafarers’ lives put in danger, and damage caused to local economies.

  • Burna Boy makes history as first African artiste on UK number one album

    Burna Boy makes history as first African artiste on UK number one album

    Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy has become ghe first-ever African artiste to secure a UK Number 1 album with “I Told Them.”

    This was confirmed by the Official Charts Company on Friday that Burna Boy’s seventh studio album, “I Told Them,” debuted at number 1 this week on the UK albums chart.

    The ‘It’s plenty’ vocalist was presented with a plaque by the British record chart company in commemoration of his record.

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    “He told them! @burnaboy makes UK chart HISTORY today as he claims his first Number 1 album,” the company tweeted.

    Reacting, Burna Boy quoted the tweet excitedly with: “Let’s Have It! #ITOLDTHEM    #ITOLDTHEMNUMBER1.”

    The Port Harcourt-born singer’s last two EPs, Twice As Tall and Love Damini, peaked at Number 2 on the UK albums chart before his latest project finally saw him hit the top of the chart.