The Nation Newspaper

Tag: United States

  • George W. Bush frowns at new era of U.S isolationism

    George W. Bush frowns at new era of U.S isolationism

    Former U.S. president George W. Bush on Thursday urged the United States to push for democracy around the world and resist the temptation to turn inward.

    The rare public remarks by the former president seemed to take direct aim at President Donald Trump’s America First policies, but without ever actually naming the present occupant of the White House.

    “We have seen the return of isolationist sentiments forgetting that American security is directly threatened by the chaos and despair of distant places.

    “Where threats such as terrorism, infectious diseases, criminal gangs and drug trafficking tend to emerge.

    “In all these ways, we need to recall and recover our own identity. Americans have a great advantage: To renew our country, we only need to remember our values’’ Bush said in a speech hosted by his institute in New York.

    Bush denounced “nationalism distorted into nativism” and stressed the importance of immigration to the U.S.

    Trump has sought to restrict immigration, pushing for a wall along the U.S Mexican border and calling for other restrictions.

    He also pushed back against Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, calling it a “sustained attempt by a hostile power to feed and exploit our country’s divisions” and said such attacks should not be tolerated.

    Trump has downplayed the Russian efforts. (dpa/NAN)

  • U.S. varsity donates digital library to Enugu college

    U.S. varsity donates digital library to Enugu college

    THE Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University, United States  has donated a digital library to the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu in Enugu State.

    The e-library has over 1.2 million educational materials in various academic fields, including journals of national and international standards.

    Speaking during its inauguration, the varsity’s Board of Trustees President, Prof W. A. Mbarika, said the donation came through a partnership with the ICT University.

    He noted that there was an interaction between the college’s Provost, Prof Benjamin Mbah, who sought the varsity’s assistance for the college’s staff and students to boost their reaserch and learning.

    Mbarika, the founding Editor-in- Chief of African Journal of Information System, said with the advent of ICT, the era of building huge library stocked with books and journals was gone.

    He stressed that the value of a library could not be determined by  the largeness of its building, but rather its capability to provide the knowledge needed for research anfd learning.

    He said: “The world is changing and moving faster. Even if our universities, colleges and other tertiary institutions refuse to move forward, the world will continue to move ahead and ICT is a major driver. Some institutions would prefer to build huge library with many books that could easily collapse into a small computer. These days, e-library is the easiest way to acquire knowledge and every institution should embrace it.”

    He added that the library named after Mbah, was an extension of the relationship between the ICT University and the college. Mbarika observed that the university had established other areas of collaboration with the college, including opportunities on research and grants for academics, as well as diplomas and degrees in computer-related programmes.

    He urged staff and students to make good use of the e-library.

    According to him, no institution has the financial resources to fund research alone without partnering  an agency that would give financial aid.

    Mbarika pointed out that the ICT varsity’s interest was to promote good use of collaborative facilities.

    He said: “Every year, we select, at least, five researchers from all over the world, including Nigeria, to be funded by our agencies. We want FCE in Eha-Amufu and other institutions in Nigeria to be part of the beneficiaries. Already, Covenant University is one those research institutions we are funding.”

    He hailed the ICT Unit of the college, headed by Mr Sam Onyeidu, and Librarian, Dr Ezekiel Omeje, for their efforts toward making the e-library a reality.

    Mbah expressed delight that the e-library was completed and opened  two years after its foundation was laid. He noted that the e-library was opened when the college was concluding collaboration with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to commence degree programmes.

    Thanking Mbarika for his effort to  the project, Mbah appealed for further assistance for the establishment of the Visual Laboratory, which, he said, would boost the e-library and make ICT programmes in the college complete.

    He urged staff to make the e-library their companion to meet up with the global standard in research, teaching and learning.

    The Registrar, Mrs Ngozi Nnebedum, asked the ICT University to assist the college in delivering ICT-compliant knowledge to students.

    Mbarika was accompanied to the event by a Nigerian, Foluso Ayeni,  an Assistant Professor, and Director of International Linkages and Collaborations at the ICT University.

     

  • Pope implicitly criticises U.S. for leaving Paris climate accord

    Pope implicitly criticises U.S. for leaving Paris climate accord

    Pope Francis on Monday implicitly criticised the United States for pulling out of the Paris agreement on climate change, praising it as a means to control the devastating effects of global warming.

    The U.S. is the only country out of 195 signatories to have withdrawn from the accord, which aims to cut emissions blamed for the rise in temperatures.

    President Donald Trump announced the decision in June shortly after visiting the pope, a strong supporter of the deal.

    At the time a Vatican official said the move was a “slap in the face” for the pope and the Vatican.

    “We see consequences of climate change every day,” the pope said in an address to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO ) at its headquarters in Rome.

    “Thanks to scientific knowledge, we know how we have to confront the problem and the international community has also worked out the legal methods, such as the Paris Accord, which sadly, some have abandoned,” he said.

    Under the deal, United States had committed to reducing its own emissions by 26 to 28 percent, compared with 2005 levels, by 2025.

    Many world leaders have criticised Trump for deciding to pull out.

    In his Spanish-language address to the UN agency, Francis denounced “negligence toward the delicate equilibrium of the ecosystems, the presumption of manipulating and controlling the limited resources of the planet, and the greed for profit.”

    Agriculture ministers and diplomats from the Group of Seven (G7) world power nations attended the gathering, which marked FAO’s World Food Day.

    “We can’t be satisfied by saying ‘someone else will do it,’” the Pontiff said.

    Ending local conflicts and curbing the effects of climate change were two of the “prerequisites” for dealing with world food security, Francis also said.

    “The yoke of poverty caused by the often tragic movement of migrants can be removed by prevention, consisting of development projects that create jobs and offer the capacity to respond to climactic and environmental changes,” he said.

    NAN

  • ‘Turkish, U.S. Officials decide to meet to resolve dispute’

    ‘Turkish, U.S. Officials decide to meet to resolve dispute’

    Turkish and U.S. Officials decided to meet to work on resolving a diplomatic crisis between the two NATO allies, Deputy Prime Minister, Bekir Bozdag, said on Thursday.

    The dispute was triggered by the arrest of local U.S staff in Turkey, prompting the United States on Sunday to suspend non-immigrant visa services there.

    Hours later, Ankara issued a similar suspension on visas for U.S. citizens.

    U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, on Wednesday and expressed his “profound concern’’ about the arrests, the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

    “Talks between the foreign minister and (U.S. Secretary of State) Tillerson were very constructive.

    Representatives from both sides decided to meet and work together,” Bozdag said in an interview with broadcaster Haberturk.

    He also said a U.S. consulate employee arrested in Turkey had not demanded lawyer access and the U.S. mission could apply to send a lawyer to see him.

    U.S.-Turkish relations were already strained over U.S. military support for Kurdish fighters in Syria and the United States’ unwillingness to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

    Gulen is a former Erdogan ally whom Ankara views as the mastermind behind 2016’s failed military coup.

    NAN

  • U.S lied about anti- ISIS campaign in Syria – Russia

    U.S lied about anti- ISIS campaign in Syria – Russia

    Russia accused the United States on Tuesday of pretending to fight Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

    Russia also accused U.S. of deliberately reducing its air strikes in Iraq to allow the group’s militants to stream into Syria to slow the Russian-backed advance of the Syrian army.

    In the latest sign of rising tensions between Moscow and Washington, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the U.S.-led coalition had sharply reduced its air strikes in Iraq in September when Syrian forces, backed by Russian air power, had started to retake Deir al-Zor Province.

    “Everyone sees that the U.S.-led coalition is pretending to fight Islamic State, above all in Iraq, but continuing to allegedly fight Islamic State in Syria actively for some reason,” said Major-General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesperson for Russia’s defense ministry said.

    The result, he said, had been that militants had moved in large numbers from Iraqi border areas to Deir al-Zor, where they were trying to dig in on the left bank of the River Euphrates.

    “The actions of the Pentagon and the coalition demand an explanation. Is their change of task a desire to complicate as much as they can the Syrian army’s operation, backed by the Russian air force, to take back Syrian territory to the east of the Euphrates?,’’ asked Konashenkov.

    “Or is it an artful move to drive Islamic State terrorists out of Iraq by forcing them into Syria and into the path of the Russian air force’s pinpoint bombing?’’

    He said Syrian troops were in the midst of trying to push Islamic State out of the city of al-Mayadin, southeast of Deir al-Zor, but that IS tried daily to reinforce its ranks there with “foreign mercenaries’’ pouring in from Iraq.

    NAN

  • ‘Osun soon to become world-class tourism destination’

    ‘Osun soon to become world-class tourism destination’

    The State of Osun, in its bid to becoming a world-class tourist destination, is committed to its cultural pact with Oyotunji African Village in Sheldon, South Carolina, United States.

    Ambassador to the Crown and Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina Rotimi Vaughan said Osun State would soon become a global tourism destination.

    Vaughan noted that the state is determined to reposition tourism by partnering his organisation.

    The ambassador spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, during accreditation of the government’s delegates to the Oyotunji National Celebrations of Arts, Culture and Heritage Tourism in U.S.

    He said, after receiving the government’s letter confirming its partnership and participation, Osun State was blessed with attractive tourist sites, such as natural locations, historical objects, modern constructed international standard facilities with unique local blend.

    Vaughan noted that the participation would create more awareness and market about the state’s tourism assets to the world.

    He said: “Osun is favourably blessed in terms of huge culture and tourism deposits that can attract both local and foreign tourists. There are mountains, ranches, world-class museums, arts galleries, waterfalls and other eco-tourism centres. I must commend the present administration for creating an enabling environment for tourism business to grow in the state.”

    According to him, a large number of Nigerians, Africans and non-Africans are expected to participate in this year’s celebration.

    Vaughan hailed the government for showing interest in the programme, adding that there is need for the government and Yoruba monarchs to make Oyotunji Village a better cultural home for African-Americans in North America and beyond.

    He said: “It may interest you to know that so many African-Americans do come to Oyotunji to learn Yoruba culture, the deities, Yoruba tradition and language. As a matter of fact, African-Americans want their culture back. Therefore, the support of our obas and other Yoruba stakeholders are required.

    “Their developmental support for Oyotunji Village shall be seen as the support for the Yoruba race in North America.”

    The ambassador hailed the works of Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II for promoting African culture in the U.S.A, North America and other parts of the world.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Taiwo Oluga, said the Rauf Aregbesola administration was committed to making the state a tourism hub of international standard.

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola is to be represented at the Oyotunji festivals by his Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Taiwo Oluga, who will lead the state’s delegates.

     

  • NSWG partners U.S. for united, peaceful Nigeria

    NSWG partners U.S. for united, peaceful Nigeria

    The Nigeria Senior Working Group ( NSWG ), a group of Nigerian senior civic leaders, have converged on the United States Institute of Peace, Washington, D.C., to rekindle hope for peace and stability in Nigeria.

    The group of eminent Nigerians was in the U.S. for a symposium on Nigeria tagged ‘Peace in Nigeria: How to build it, and America’s role’, organised by the U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington, D.C.

    The group has as members the Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese Abuja Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar, Gen. Martin Agwai (rtd) and Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

    Others are Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Amb. Fatima Abubakar, Dr Nguyan Feese, Dr Chris Kwaja, Dr Usman Bugaje, Dr Jibrin Ibrahim and Aisha Murtala Muhammed-Oyebode.

    The group was brought together by the United States Institute of Peace in 2016 to represent public issues about Nigeria.

    They also lend their expertise in support of the efforts of the State Governors and national policymakers to address the social, religious and political forces that fuel extremist violence and instability in Nigeria.

    Amb. Hassan Hassan, Ambassador/Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, at the symposium, emphasised that Nigeria needed peace now more than any other time in its history.

    The Nigerian envoy also said  that “once there is peace in Nigeria, “it will vibrate across Africa because peace in Nigeria means peace in Africa”.

    Hassan identified the prominent cause of instability and breakdown of peace in Nigeria as religious animosity and rivalry among the adherents of the Christian and Muslim faiths.

    The Nigerian envoy tasked the group to carefully, effectively and incisively consider the issues at stake in Nigeria, extend it to Africa and the world at large.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, Agwai stressed that one of the group’s task was to help the Nigerian government to resolve insecurity, especially the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

    He said that their mandate was to liaise with the U.S. Government through its Think Thank and policy makers to proffer solutions.

    According to him, the group is also mandated to suggest steps Nigeria should take to build and sustain peace as Africa’s most important country.

    Agwai said  the Nigerian government was determined to achieve sustainable peace and development in the country.

    He stressed that there could not be peace without development and there could be no development without peace.

    The outcome of the discussion was to reduce instability and re-weave the social fabrics of the country.

    Amb. Johnnie Carson, the Senior Adviser of United States Institute of Peace, remarked that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari had made military gains against the Boko Haram extremist group.

    Carson emphasised that conflict resolution, peace and security would not be achievable purely through military solutions alone.

    To achieve sustainable peace in Nigeria, he advised that all levels of government, non-governmental organisations, and other stakeholders must get involved.

    He said every Nigerian  should join to fight to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency, corruption and other security challenges through dialogue, community policing and promotion of good citizen.

    Thomas Shannon, the U.S. Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, praised the various initiatives by the government towards establishing and preserving  peace.

    Shannon said peace was required to foster a prosperous Nigeria and Africa, stressing the U.S. Government will continue to encourage the Nigerian government to take up a call as peace-loving government.

    The U.S. envoy noted that President Buhari had demonstrated that his administration was positioned to strengthen Nigeria’s dignity in the world.

    NAN

  • Buhari calls for cooperation in fight against Boko Haram, ISIS

    Buhari calls for cooperation in fight against Boko Haram, ISIS

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called for the sustenance of international efforts in fighting terrorism across the world.

    Buhari made the call when he delivered Nigeria’s National Statement at the ongoing 72th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

    He also urged the UN to take primary leadership of the maintenance of international peace and security.

    He said: “We must collectively devise strategies and mobilise the required responses to stop fleeing ISIS fighters from mutating and infiltrating into the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, where there are insufficient resources and response capacity is weak.

    “This will require strong UN cooperation with regional organisations, such as the African Union, in conflict prevention and management.

    “The UN should continue to take primary leadership of the maintenance of international peace and security by providing, in a predictable and sustainable manner, adequate funding and other enablers to regional initiatives and peacekeeping operations authorized by the Security Council.’’

    The President, who described the choice of theme for UNGA 72: “Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet” as timely and appropriate, drew global attention to issues and crises which impact negatively on the people.

    He noted that such crises affected mostly children and women, and urged concerted international solutions.

    “The international community cannot remain silent and not condemn the horrendous suffering caused by what, from all indications is a state-backed programme of brutal depopulation of the Rohingya inhabited areas in Myanmar on the bases of ethnicity and religion.

    “We fully endorse the call by the Secretary-General on the Government of Myanmar to order or halt the ongoing ethnic cleansing and ensure the safe return of the displaced Rohingya to their homes in safety and dignity,” he added.

    NAN

  • Oil prices rise toward $56 as demand increases

    Oil prices rise toward $56 as demand increases

    Oil prices were lower on Friday but on course for weekly gains, the third in a row in the case of Brent as the clean-up after hurricane in the United States gathers pace and the outlook for demand rise.

    U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was above 50 dollars on  hitting a four-month high and finished 1.2 per cent higher at 49.89 dollars, the highest since July 31.

    Brent crude futures were  at 55.24 dollars a barrel just as they hit 55.99 dollars on Thursday.

    The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) this week forecast higher demand for its oil in 2018 and pointed to signs of a tighter global market, indicating its production-cutting deal with non- member countries is helping to tackle a supply glut.

    It was followed by the IEA saying the global oil glut was shrinking, thanks to strong European and U.S. demands as well as production declines in OPEC and non-OPEC countries.

    BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley said oil prices were likely to stay up to 60 dollars  as major producers kept output restricted.

    In other markets, typically safe haven assets like the Yen and gold were higher after North Korea fired off yet another missile in breach of United Nations sanctions amid high regional tensions over its nuclear weapons programme.

  • U.S. Consulate mentors entrepreneurs

    U.S. Consulate mentors entrepreneurs

    The United States (U.S.) Consulate General in Lagos, last weekend, held a mentoring programme for 65 emerging entrepreneurs being trained in business and entrepreneurship.

    The event, which was a follow-up to a two-day intensive training held for the participants in March, was organised in collaboration with Field of Skills and Dreams (FSD) Academy in Ogba, Lagos.

    It was aimed at helping the participants evaluate their progress in the course of the programme and learn how to overcome challenges hindering the growth of their projects.

    At the event, the trainees were mentored and equipped with practical tips on how to drive profitability and transform their businesses by experts and successful entrepreneurs, including the Academic Director of Owner-Manager Programme at the Lagos Business School, Dr Henrietta Onwuegbuzie, and FSD Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Omowale Ogunrinde.

    In his remark, the U.S. Consul General, Mr John Bray, renewed the consulate’s commitment to enhancing the skills and capacity of budding entrepreneurs.

    He said: “We made a commitment to you all in March on behalf of the U.S. government that we would do our best to support you on your journey to establish successful business. I am pleased to learn that some of you have achieved a certain level of success since then. I am equally pleased that all of you are dynamic, forward-looking and committed to the economic success of Nigeria, which is the spirit of the Nigerian entrepreneurs.”

    The consulate’s Public Affairs Officer, Ms Darcy Zotter, said the follow-up training became necessary to equip the entrepreneurs with set of skills and networks to assist them grow their businesses.

    She said: “We are pleased to see that many of the emerging entrepreneurs we trained in March doing well in their chosen projects. We know entrepreneurs can be made and not necessarily born. Business skills can be taught. The process of learning and honing their entrepreneurial skills is on-going. We hope that when they finish today, they would have a stronger network of supportive friends and mentors.”