The Nation Newspaper

Tag: United Kingdom (UK)

  • Shell’s three scholarship awardees graduate

    Three beneficiaries of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company’s (SNEPCo)  scholarship in the United Kingdom (UK) have returned home after completing their studies.

    They are Iwinosa Aghedo, Peace Adepoju and Oluwapelumi Okewusi. They studied Geotechnical Engineering and Hydrography on the sponsorship of SNEPCo, in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

    SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Bayo Olulari, said: “From less than 10 per cent Nigerian manpower when we started production at the Bonga field over 13 years ago, we have grown to over 95 per cent and the new scholarship initiative is targeted at further increasing the Nigerian content of our manpower.”

    Speaking at a reception, Aghedo, said: “We promise to make the scholarship effective and be worthy ambassadors of the programme.” Her colleague, Miss Oluwapelumi Okewusi added: “Getting to the top is the easy part. Staying at the top is the hard work, we will put in the hard work.”

    General Manager, Business and Government Relations of Shell Nigeria, Bashir Bello, said: “The scholarship is the outcome of a 2012 vision when SNEPCO and NCDMB agreed to sponsor three Nigerian students to postgraduate training in the United Kingdom to close identified gaps as part of NCDMB support for the SNEPCO Seabed Survey contract waiver in that year.”

    Shell’s Nigerian Content Manager, Olanrewaju Olawuyi, said the three scholars were selected after a rigorous selection from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and, that in the UK, the Nigerians received regular support through regular interactions and calls. “I am excited at the successful fit of the candidates,” he said.

    The scholarship is part of the regular SPDC JV PostGraduate Scholarships scheme launched in 2010 to build a talent pipeline in host communities. It offers successful applicants scholarship for all the direct and indirect activities leading up to the award, cost of foreign education until return to Nigeria.

    Since the launch, except for 2016, SPDC has awarded 10 full scholarships yearly for a one-year Master’s programme in oil and gas-related disciplines at top UK universities. So far, the scheme has recorded 79 beneficiaries.

    The schemes are the most extensive private educational sponsorship initiative. Launched in 1953, the scholarships have evolved to cater for various educational categories of students, ensuring that every Nigerian child is given an opportunity to reach their potential irrespective of the family’s economic status.

    Also, Shell supports the academia  with other key programmes that include Centres of Excellence, Professorial Chairs, Shell Eco-Marathon, Sabbatical and Research Internship, Research Support, and Data Support.

  • ‘Nigeria, UK trade relations worth £4.2bn per-annum’

    Nigeria’s bilateral trade relationship with the United Kingdom (UK) Nigeria is said to be worth £4.2 billion per annum.

    Britain’s Minister for Africa, Harriet Baldwin, made this disclosure on the sidelines of the recent visit by the British Prime Minister, Theresa May to Nigeria.

    Harriet Baldwin who praised the trade relations between Britain and Nigeria, added that more business partnerships would be announced during and after the Prime Minister’s visit to Nigeria.

    Read Also:I had excellent time in Nigeria — Theresa May

    She noted that Britain was “already partnering with Nigeria in the area of green financing with other partnerships with the Nigerian Government expected to create over 100,000 jobs in the country.

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, on her part advised investors from the United Kingdom to take advantage of the improved business environment in Nigeria to invest in key sectors of the economy.

    The Minister stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had taken a bold step in creating an enabling business environment for attracting investments, through the establishment of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    She expressed the commitment of the Government to further improve on the business environment and sustain existing reforms to consolidate the gains of the economy through the deepening of the subnational Ease of Doing Business project.

    According to her, “there are lots of business opportunities in Nigeria and the Government is addressing assiduously the impediments to ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    She added that “this will make it easier for businesses to grow and contribute to sustainable economic activity in the country as well as create jobs.”

    The finance minister also canvassed the need for the deepening of the Nigerian capital market with specific products that can be channeled towards infrastructure financing.

    This, according to her, will ensure the capital market plays a pivotal role in stimulating the economy.

    According to her, “we can’t have enough capital to finance infrastructure development. Deepening the capital market is key to the funding of infrastructure in Nigeria.”

     

  • Economy: Buhari meets CBN Governor, Finance, Budget ministers

    Economy: Buhari meets CBN Governor, Finance, Budget ministers

    For about two hours Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari met with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Finance Minister Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and her Budget & National Planning counterpart, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.

    Their discussion centered on the state of the economy, including the implementation of this year’s Appropriation Act and preparation for next year’s estimates, among others.

    Buhari, who returned penultimate week from the United Kingdom (UK) after a 103-day medical vacation, expressed delight over the improving economy.

    The CBN chief and the ministers took turns to brief the President, according to statement by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

    The statement reads: “For almost two hours, President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, received briefing from the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, after which a delighted President declared that he was pleased with the progress being made on different fronts.”

    According to the statement, the ministers and the CBN governor updated the President on the improving state of the economy, the implementation of the 2017 Budget, the preparation for the 2018 Budget, revenue strategies, combined cost reduction and debt management.

    They also discussed monetary policy strategies and their economic impact.

    Reminding managers of the economy that reviving the economy was one of the major planks that his All Progressives Congress (APC) party based its campaign, the President expressed gladness that things were looking up after two years in the saddle.

    Buhari urged them not to rest on their oars, renewing his administration commitment to bring sucour to Nigerians across all walks of life.

  • Buhari’s wife returns to London 

    Buhari’s wife returns to London 

    The Wife of the President, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday left Nigeria for the United Kingdom (UK)

    The President, Muhammadu Buhari, had been in the United Kingdom since May 7th to meet up with consultation follow up with his doctors.

    Aisha Buhari, who returned to Nigeria from UK last week, had severally insisted that her husband was recovering fast and will soon return to Nigeria.

    Even though there was no official statement on Aisha’s latest trip, some staff in the Presidency confirmed the latest trip.

  • UK air force deploys personnel to train Nigerian air force regiment

    UK air force deploys personnel to train Nigerian air force regiment

    The United Kingdom (UK) has deployed officers from the royal air force to help rain Nigerian personnel.

    The 66 personnel will be in Nigeria for six weeks is expected to wrap up by Mid July.

    In a statement issued by Joe Abuku, Press and Public Affairs officer, British High Commission, Abuja the team will be in Nigeria for six weeks.

    The statement reads: “A 66 person Short Term Training Team (STTT) from No 5 Royal Air Force (RAF) Force Protection Wing deployed from RAF Lossiemouth to Nigeria for a 6 week period to train the Nigerian Air Force Regiment.

    “The focus of the STTT is to deliver a training package which enables students to operate effectively in the Complex Air Ground Environment (CAGE) by understanding their role to provide security and Force Protection operations both inside and outside an Air base. This forms a key part of a layered defence system; deterring and defeating an enemy away from the airfield whilst also assuring internal security of a base. Additionally, Commissioned and Non-Commissioned officers will be given the opportunity to enhance their tactical leadership and planning skills, whilst the Junior Airmen and Airwomen build on the skills they learned during basic training.

    The detachment, the 3rd undertaken by 5 Force Protection (FP) Wing in a 5 year programme, comes after a request from the Nigerian Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar to assist in capacity building for the Nigerian Air Force Regiment.

    Air Marshal Abubakar said: “Given the importance of bases in the airpower delivery matrix, it is not inconceivable to expect our adversaries to target our airbases. As a matter of fact, we have had an attack on one of our airbases in the recent past, and current intelligence reports keep highlighting the possibility of attacks on our bases. All these reinforce the need to emplace a robust base defence concept that is capable of providing guidance for responding to a wide range of situations that may threaten our bases.”

    Officer Commanding 5 Force Protection Wing, Wing Commander John Rees said: “We are delighted to be here again and, as always, humbled by the warmth of the Nigerian welcome. We are proud of our Royal Air Force heritage and the opportunity to represent our service in the Defence Engagement arena.”

    During time away from delivering training, STTT personnel have taken opportunities to expand their cultural awareness. A small group attended their first Nigerian church service, meeting local people and celebrating together. Others burn the midnight oil, thinking tactics and formations for the first of the UK vs Nigeria Air Forces football series.

    Having already delivered the Train the Trainer package to 50 Non Commissioned Officers and Commissioned Officers, a further 250 students will now begin the Foundation Phase, bringing a total of around 300 Nigerian personnel to be trained across a mixture of ranks. The programme will culminate with a demanding final exercise at a live airfield to validate the understanding of all skills taught in a realistic environment prior to the graduating students deploying to their first operational assignment in the Nigerian Air Force.

  • 500 Nigerians deported from UK

    500 Nigerians deported from UK


    No fewer than 500 Nigerians were reportedly deported by the government of the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday. The plane carrying the said 500 Nigerians touched ground in Nigeria's Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, as most of the deportees express dissatisfaction returning home. According to a report from the BBC, one of the deportees told said that he was arrested by British police and was not allowed to even take his belongings before being shown the way to fatherland, Nigeria. “A few of them who say they don't have relatives here are stranded in the airport. “Recently, Nigeria expressed concern over UK's plan to deport 29,000 Nigerians, and has insisted that due process be followed before Nigerians are removed from the UK. “The West African nation says Britain must ensure that those been deported are really Nigerians, medically fit to travel and have a role to play in the country - meaning they should be able to fit into Nigerian society,” the report summed.