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Tag: US

  • US wheat futures edge higher in turnaround from losses

    UNITED States wheat futures have risen in a rebound from falls to one-month lows a day earlier on the Chicago Board of Trade and contract lows in Kansas City and Minneapolis markets.

    Soybean futures set a five-month low, while corn futures also eased.

    Tuesday’s wheat price drop attracted bargain buying and short covering on Wednesday, traders said.

    Expanding global supplies and competition for export business have already knocked down the most actively traded CBOT wheat contract by 10 percent so far this year.

    “It’s more of a technical rebound than anything,” said Brian Hoops, president of U.S. broker Midwest Market Solutions.

    Most-active CBOT July wheat ended up 1-3/4 cents at $4.50-1/4 a bushel, after dropping to its lowest price since March 13 on Tuesday. K.C. and MGEX wheat futures also advanced.

    CBOT May corn slipped 3/4 cent to $3.58-1/4 a bushel. May soybeans ended down 9 cents at $8.79 a bushel after the contract touched its lowest price since November 1.

    The markets were waiting for fresh signs of progress in U.S. trade talks with top global soy buyer China. Shipments of U.S. soybeans to China sank last year after Beijing imposed tariffs on imports from the United States.

    The United States and China have tentatively scheduled a fresh round of face-to-face trade talks, with negotiators aiming to hold a signing ceremony in late May or early June, according to the Wall Street Journal.

    “We have been in this waiting position for months and prices are no longer reacting sharply to speculation about a settlement,” said Matt Ammermann, commodity risk manager with broker INTL FCStone.

    Traders are now worried that Chinese soybean demand will suffer further because an epidemic of the fatal hog disease African swine fever in China could cut demand for soymeal feed.

    Competition for export demand also looks stiff, traders said, because of large crops in South America.

    Argentina estimated its 2018-19 soy harvest at 55.9 million tonnes, up from a drought-reduced 37.78 million tonnes last year.

    In Brazil, consultancy Celeres pegged the country’s soybean crop at 115.8 million tonnes, up from its previous estimate of 113.8 million.

    “I think beans are fundamentally over-valued,” Hoops said about the U.S. market.

  • ‘Why China can’t edge out US, European aircraft makers’

    It will take China more than 10 years to compete with the likes of United States-based Boeing and European aircraft maker Airbus, an aviation expert has said.

    Speaking in an online interview at the weekend, Chief Executive Officer, Dassault Systems, Bernard Charles, said it would take more time for China to meet up because of the complex nature of the aerospace industry.

    Besides, he said it requires sufficient investment by well-established companies to accumulate knowledge and technology to build reliable commercial aircraft.

    The expert said any country hoping to take over from Boeing and Airbus should be ready to devote more time and invest in technology.

    Charles said Boeing and Airbus dominate the aircraft manufacturing space along with some smaller players like Brazil’s Embraer and Canada’s Bombardier.

    He said: “I think it will take China one or two generations of aeroplanes to have a truly worldwide competitive product.”

    Dassault Systems sells software to plane makers that help them digitalise their businesses. The idea is that by embracing more technology into daily operations, those manufacturers can bring down the cost of the jets, use resources more efficiently and ramp up production to meet demand.

  • US, UK, China, Turkey congratulate Buhari on reelection

    THE United States Government as well as the leaders of the United Kingdom (UK) China and Turkey have congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria on the success of the presidential election that granted Buhari a second term.

    A statement issued by the President Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday congratulated President Buhari on his decisive win in the February 23 presidential election.

    In his congratulatory message, President Xi said: ‘‘On the occasion of your re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I would like to, on behalf of the government and people of China and in my own name, extend to Your Excellency warmest congratulations and best wishes. I wish you continued success in fulfilling the lofty mission.’’ President Xi said through joints efforts with President Buhari, Nigeria and China in recent years have significantly enhanced political mutual trust and secured fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation, which have delivered tangible benefits to both countries. ‘‘

    I highly value China’s relations with Nigeria and stand ready to join hands with you to follow through on the outcome of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and take the China-Nigeria strategic partnership to a new height, to the greater benefits of the two countries and two peoples,’’ President Xi said. In a statement made available to The Nation and titled ‘Nigerian Election  Results,’  the US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, praised “Nigerians who participated peacefully in the election.”

    The US also condemned “those whose acts of violence harmed Nigerians and the electoral process.” The statement added: “We note the assessments of international and domestic observer missions affirming the overall credibility of the election despite localised violence and irregularities.

    “We also congratulate all the other candidates for their peaceful participation in the electoral process. We call on all Nigerians to ensure successful state elections next week. “Going forward, the United States remains committed to working together with Nigeria to achieve greater peace and prosperity for both our nations. President Buhari also received separate telephone calls from UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, congratulating him on his re-election and wishing the Nigerian people progress and prosperity. President Buhari, according to a statement issued by Adesina, thanked the two leaders for their unflinching support to Nigeria and her people.

  • US envoy lauds peaceful conduct elections

    The United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria, W Stuart Symington on Monday commended the peaceful conduct of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections across the country.

    In a statement, the envoy said the preliminary report he got from the many observers groups that worked with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that for a few isolated cases, the elections were peaceful.

    Symington therefore urged the major political gladiators that signed the peace accord to prevail on their followers to eschew post-election violence.

    He said: “I congratulate the tens of millions of Nigerians who stood patiently in long lines to vote this week and the hundreds of thousands who worked together with INEC to conduct the elections.

    “As noted by many observer groups in their preliminary reports, this election was predominantly peaceful, and it was proof of the Nigerian people’s resolute commitment to choose their leaders.

    “The peaceful achievement of millions was shadowed by the violence of a few. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, and we urge all candidates to honor the Peace Accord they signed.

    “All should convince those who support them to refrain from using force or violence to interfere with INEC.

    “No one should break the law by announcing results before INEC does, or break the peace by claiming victory before the results are final.

    “Everyone has a common interest in showing patience as INEC collates and announces the election results.”

  • UK, US-backed monitor YIAGA to deploy 3,906 observers

    The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) Africa will deploy 3,906 observers on Saturday to observe the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    It said it would have mobile and stationary observers in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and state collation centres.

    YIAGA has as its technical partners the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the US-based National Democratic Institute.

    YIAGA Africa, in a briefing, said it would conduct parallel vote tabulation (PVT) – the gold standard observation methodology which it said has been utilised throughout Africa and the world.

    Its Communication Officer Moshood Isah said: “This deployment will enable YIAGA Africa to provide the most timely and accurate information on the opening of polls; the conduct of accreditation and voting; and the counting, announcement and posting of results throughout the country.

    “Based on reports from its observers in 1,515 sampled polling units, YIAGA Africa will also provide an independent projection of voter turnout and will be able to project the vote shares that each party should receive within a narrow range.

    “If the official results fall within YIAGA Africa’s estimated ranges, then the public, political parties and candidates should have confidence in the ballots cast at the polling units. Only INEC, however, has the legal mandate to announce the election results.”

    YIAGA Africa Watching the Vote Chair Dr. Hussaini Abdu explain added: “YIAGA Africa’s observers, who have all been carefully selected and extensively trained in accordance with strict criteria to ensure their independence and neutrality, are properly accredited with INEC and have signed a project Code of Conduct to uphold standards of impartiality, objectivity and professionalism.

    “YIAGA Africa observes on behalf of all Nigerian people and speaks in their name on the basis of verified data.”

    The group will share a mid-day situational statement on the opening of polls, a preliminary statement on the conduct of the 16 February election process and will hold a final press conference to share its statement on the accuracy of the election results announced by INEC.

    “YIAGA Africa PVT findings are from a statistical sample of polling units located in all 774 LGAs that is truly representative of the entire country and therefore provide unbiased information on the overall conduct of the presidential election and the accuracy of the results.

    “YIAGA AFRICA is a strictly nonpartisan and independent civil society organisation without affiliation to any political party, candidate or state agency.

     

  • Atiku paid his way into the US, says report

     

    A temporary suspension of a travel ban linked to decade-old bribery scandals paved the way for former vice president and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to make his Washington DC trip last month, a report in Reuters said on Monday.

    The report quoted diplomats and those with the trip.

    It (report) said several U.S. diplomats and others familiar with the visit told the news service that Atiku, has been banned from entering the United States (U.S.) after he allegedly featured in two prominent corruption-related investigations.

    Atiku’s visit to Washington was put together with the help of two U.S. lobbying firms Holland & Knight.

    The firms were hired by Atiku personally in December to help him secure a visa, in part by enlisting members of Congress to request one on his behalf, according to a lobbyist for the firm. It has been paid $80,000 so far, the report said.

    READ ALSO: Atiku’s visit to USA: Much ado about nothing

    Ballard Partners was hired by the PDP at a rate of $90,000 per month in September, before Atiku emerged as the party’s candidate, according to U.S. disclosure filings.

    The Nation, in a January 24 report titled: “APC enraged over PDP’s N388m U.S. lobbying deal”, said that the opposition party had voted huge cash to push its ongoing lobbying in the U.S.

    In the report, former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka said the contract was designed to “promote free and fair elections”.

    For Atiku’s supporters believed that his visit to the U.S. on Jan. 17 and 18 without being arrested showed that the allegations were baseless.

    “It is fake news, and we showed that,” said Harold Molokwu, who heads the U.S. chapter of Atiku’s People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria.

    Several U.S. government officials said the travel ban was waived temporarily by the U.S. State Department after lobbyists mounted a campaign among congressional lawmakers arguing that the administration should not snub the leading challenger to President Muhammadu Buhari in the Feb. 16 election.

    A source said Atiku was allowed to enter the U.S. because the authorities saw no need to antagonise him.

  • Atiku reports Buhari to US, UK, EU, France, Germany

    FORMER Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar took his case beyond the shores of the land yesterday. He reported President Muhammadu Buhari to word powers.

    The presidential contender cited what he classified as alleged constitutional breaches against incumbent President and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

    He chronicled the alleged breaches in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the ambassadors of the United States (U.S., France, Germany, the European Union (EU) and the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom (UK).

    Atiku accused President Buhari of serially breaching the provisions of the Constitution and undermining organs and institutions of state to advance his personal interest.

    The Presidency had counselled the international community against meddling in what are purely internal affairs of Nigeria.

    Only yesterday, APC National Chairman Adams Oshiohmole reminded the UK, U.S. and the EU Election Observer Missions (EOM) that Nigeria is not a colony.

    Atiku’s letter reads in part: “I am writing you as Nigeria’s international development partner working together to deepen and strengthen our democracy as well as to help in the transformation of our economies and societies for the better.

    “As a presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections that will be conducted and supervised by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, I feel the urgent need to share with you some of these key violations of the provisions of our constitution and to demand that you pile pressure on the Federal Government to desist from these violations and ensure a level-playing field for the general elections that are only a couple of weeks away.”

    He appreciated the stand adopted by some members of the international community on Nigeria, urging the envoys to speak against the alleged breaches.

    According to Atiku, some of the constitutional breaches allegedly committed by the President, was the recent suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen and his replacement by Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

    He said: “For the records, Justice Walter Onnoghen is the head of one of the tripartite but mutually independent organs that form the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “To attempt to muscle out the Chief Justice of Nigeria using phony charges at a time when His Lordship was primed to play a central role in the fast approaching nationwide electoral process represents the boldest steps in the march to undermine our democracy.

    “This is undoubtedly an anti-democratic act which my political party and I reject without reservation and for which I urge Your Excellency to condemn unequivocally.”

    The PDP presidential candidate expressed the fears that the alleged unlawful suspension of the CJN might affect the outcome of the 2019 presidential election.

    He also accused President Buhari of illegal purchase of Tucano Aircraft for the Nigerian military.

    The presidential candidate said the aircraft, valued at $496 million, were bought without seeking prior approval of the National Assembly contrary to Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    But the National Assembly approved the $1 billion requested for the President to buy weapons for the military, especially the troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

    He also accused the President of disregarding court orders on former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki and leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

    He stated: “The enactment of the controversial Executive Order No. 006 as an executive legislation which permits security agencies to freeze the assets of persons standing trial or undergoing investigation without recourse to court orders.

    “This is a usurpation of legislative and judicial powers of the National Assembly and the judiciary as enshrined respectively under Sections 4 and 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and reminiscent of the military era of decrees.

    “The above, and many more that did not make it into this very short letter, are the unfortunate actions of the government of a man who merely pays lip service to being a reformed democrat.”

    He urged the international community to stand by the country. “I urge you to partner with Nigerians to defend our constitution and play an active role in building our country,” Atiku said.

     

  • FG hails UK, US for demanding credible polls

    The Federal Government ( FG ) has described the demand by the United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) for credible and peaceful elections in the country as a welcome development.

    It also applauded the duo’s threat of punitive measures against election riggers and perpetrators of electoral violence in during the polls.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a statement, said the Federal Government is particular delighted the statements came after it alerted the nation to machinations of some opposition elements who are working to scuttle the 2019 polls through widespread violence.

    ”A few days ago, we alerted the nation to the plot by the opposition to orchestrate widespread violence in the country, using insurgents and criminal elements within and outside the country.

    “Their plan is to scuttle the election and then push for an interim government, having realised they can’t win free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

    ”The fact that those statements came after we issued our red alert, which is based on credible intelligence, shows the international community is closely monitoring events ahead of the election.

    “We urge them to keep a close tab on the desperate opposition, whose language, actions and undisguised threats are antithetical to the conduct of peaceful polls,” he said.

    Mohammed said Nigerians and the international community should take seriously the assurance of a credible and violence-free election that has been consistently given by President Muhammadu Buhari, who he described as a tried-and-tested democrat and a globally-acclaimed man of integrity.

    Read Also: Thugs attack refugee commissioner, officials in Sokoto

    He said the APC-led administration is very confident of victory in the forthcoming elections, adding a party that was not so desperate as to rig election while in opposition had no business rigging election or perpetrating violence now that it is in power and enjoying massive support from the citizenry.

    The Minister called on the international community to keep a close eye on those, he alleged, are spending more time on a dubious strategy of scuttling the polls than campaigning to win in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election.

    ”As their campaign flounders and their strategies collapse, they have resorted to seeking power by subterfuge.

    “That’s why they are doing everything possible to discredit an election that has yet to be held by unleashing their attack dogs on INEC, the police and the entire electoral process.

    ”On our part, we have confidence in the electoral process and the institutions saddled with organizing and securing the election. That’s why we have been busy campaigning vigorously across the country, attracting unprecedented, organic crowds everywhere we go.”

  • Nigeria Taekwondo Open: US, Cameroun, five others sign up

    The list of countries coming for the maiden Nigeria Taekwondo Open continues to swell as United States, Cameroun, Ghana, Niger Republic, Senegal, Mali and Togo have signed up for the World Taekwondo (WT)-sanctioned tournament.

    According to the list of entries, Nigerian athletes dominated the list with over 43 athletes already confirmed so far as the deadline of registration has been extended till January 29 to give more participants the opportunity to register online.

    Over 100 athletes from 10 countries are expected to compete at the three-day championship holding on February 8 to 10 in Abuja.

    Already, a bronze medalist at the 2018 Korean Cup in Ghana, Dairus Danlami, he can rub shoulders with the best in the competition.

    The 23-year-old said: “I am for the gold medal at the Nigeria Open because I am confident that I am capable and fit enough to cinch the top medal. I don’t care who I will be facing but with the intensity of the training I am under-going and my natural strength, I am sure that I can overcome any opponent that comes my way at the Nigeria Open as the gold is mine.”

    The athlete who eyes a place in the Nigeria Team to the 2019 African Games in Morocco added: “I want to be a great athlete and an achieving athlete. This is why I work very hard in training everyday and put in everything – my body, mind, and spirit. Sometimes, I face challenges like injuries, lack of finances but I don’t allow it to distract me from achieving my goal of becoming a great athlete.”

  • Queen Moremi the Musical goes to US, Europe

    For the freedom of her people, she went undercover and paid the supreme price. Welcome the iconic Queen-warrior Moremi Ajasoro of Ile-Ife. Celebrating the life and times of the legendary queen, Queen Moremi the Musical hit the theatre last December amid positive reviews. EVELYN OSAGIE writes that the show is set to tour the United States and Europe.

    She was the daughter of one of Ife’s bravest hunter-warriors, Lukugba, and Princess Olunbe of Offa. Moremi stood for the oppressed and questioned injustice. And when her race was faced with the greatest threat of annihilation, she braved the challenge, risked her life, demystified and overcome the threat of the people of Ugbo.

    Behold one of most courageous and iconic queen-warriors in the history of Yorubaland, Moremi Ajasoro!

    Once again, her heroic-cum-sacrificial deeds were revisited when the show, Queen Moremi The Musical, an initiative of House of Oduduwa Foundation, in collaboration in Rejuvenee, premiered at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, last December.

    The musical, which was produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) Production and supported by Rejuvenee, parades a cast of notable Nollywood and theatre stars, such as Bimbo Manuel, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Branch, Rotimi Adelegan, Deyemi Okalawon, Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde as leader of Esinmirin, Tosin Adeyemi, Kemi Lala Akindoju, and Bamike Olawunni.

    From the energetic deliveries of the cast to the beautifully-crafted attires, plus the phenomenal stage set, the show not only puts a spotlight on the 12th century tale of brave Queen Moremi braving the lead to save her people but forces women to rethink their roles in leadership and today’s world. It also recaps the need for sacrificial leadership as elections are around the corner.

    While leaving its audience spell-bound, the premiere, which ran from December 21, last year till January 2, this year, also received the blessing of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who was at its command performance along with Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Ogun State Governor’s wife, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, and the Peopls Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje.

    The energetic performances of Tosin Adeyemi, who played the role of Moremi, were highly applauded along with those of  other members of the cast.

    And after a successful outing in Lagos, Queen Moremi the Musical is set to tour the United States and Europe, according to the Global Ambassador of Queen Moremi Ajasoro Initiative, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi.

    It would be recalled that the monarch, who has initiated several projects to immortalise the Yorùbá heroine, in his bid to take the initiative beyond Nigeria, appointed Princess Ademiluyi as the heritage ambassador of the Moremi Ajasoro legacy.

    The monarch said: “With this appointment, Princess Ademiluyi is now the living embodiment of Moremi with the responsibility to promote and safeguard the legacies of the great African heroine.”

    Creating a musical out of the story of the historic heroic Yoruba figure,Móremí, Princess Ademiluyi stated, was inspired by the need to revitalise the cultural heritage of the Yorùbá race.

    She said: “In the beginning, the idea was conceived to join the Moremi project, we approached Bolanle Austen-Peters to direct the production, but she refused because of the traditional and cultural aspects of it.

    “At the said time, she was also engaged in contemporary projects like Saro, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, among others. Doing a traditional project then was a ‘no, no thing’ for her. And that took us a lot of going back and forth to convince her until Her Excellency, Mrs. Amosun, came into the picture to convince her to accept. And the outcome is what we have just seen as Queen Moremi the Musical. And we have been approached by some people on the film project of Móremí, which is the next project that will be a Hollywood blockbuster movie.”

    The outing, according to the organisers, has also paved the way for the next staging at Easter and abroad.

    Recounting the success of the Lagos outing, Princess Ademiluyi said: “When we first set out to produce it two years ago, we did not imagine the impact the musical would have. When it premiered last December and ran till January 2, 2019, the show went beyond our imagination.  We had 21 shows  and all the tickets were sold out. Right now, people have started to book for Easter shows. Some booked from abroad, came home to watch the show several times, and at some point, people were asking why it shouldn’t be more than two shows per day, but the cast needed a break because they are human.

    “After that, we will be having a global tour that will take us to the United Kingdom, the US, some African countries and some states in Nigeria. Some people booked ahead of time. Overall, it was a success. It is phenomenal and as an Ambassador of Queen Moremi Ajasoro Initiative, it is my role to look for strategic partners to portray the name of Queen Moremi out there which is what it is all about.”