Category: United States of America - Page 3

WTO DG: Why We Oppose Okonjo-Iweala’s Nomination – US

29Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

WTO DG: Why We Oppose Okonjo-Iweala’s Nomination – US

The United States has explained its stance not to back Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General position, noting the position must be held by ‘someone with real, hands-on experience in the field’. The US instead has thrown its weight behind South Korea’s Yoo Myung-Hee to head the WTO. Okonjo-Iweala who is Nigeria’s former Finance Minister is currently in poll position to secure the job after the WTO nominations committee on Wednesday recommended her to its 164 member countries for appointment into the top spot. Explaining its position, office of the US Trade Representative which advises President Donald Trump on trade policy in a statement said Yoo had distinguished herself as a trade expert and has all the necessary skills to be an eff...

Ondo Election: US Sues for Peaceful and Credible Election

6Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria, United States of America

Ondo Election: US Sues for Peaceful and Credible Election

The United States has urged all the stakeholders in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election to take concrete steps to ensure a peaceful election that reflects the will of the people of the state in the October 10 election. This was contained in a statement issued by the US Mission in Abuja on Tuesday, calling on stakeholders such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and the security agencies to continue to work towards free, fair, transparent and peaceful election in the gubernatorial poll. “The United States urges all stakeholders to continue to work toward free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in Ondo State. “We reiterate our hope that all participants in the democratic process, including the INEC, political parties, and ...

Buhari Sends Get Well Soon Message to Trump, Wife

2Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Covid-19, Nigeria, United States of America

Buhari Sends Get Well Soon Message to Trump, Wife

President Muhammadu Buhari, has sent a get-well-soon message to President of the United States of America (USA) Donald Trump, and his wife, Melania, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier today. The message which was contained in a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, also charged Nigerians to comply more with the issued protocols against spread of COVID-19. The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari joins all citizens of United States of America in prayers for quick and full recovery of President Donald Trump and his wife, Melanie, who reportedly tested positive to COVID-19. The President notes, with sympathy, that the incident of COVID-19 in the White House manifests the challenge pos...

FG Faults US, UK Over Visa Restriction on Election Riggers

19Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, United States of America

FG Faults US, UK Over Visa Restriction on Election Riggers

The federal government has kicked against the visa restrictions imposed on some Nigerians by the United States (US) owing to election rigging during the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States. According to a statement by Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of state, actions have also been taken against persons in the run-up to the September and October 2020 governorship elections in Edo and Ondo. The United Kingdom (UK) had also threatened to impose severe sanctions such as visa ban on persons who work against credible elections in Nigeria. Reacting to the development, the federal through the ministry of foreign affairs in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ferdinand Nwonye, said such actions by the US and UK were disrespectful to the country’s sovereignty. Nwonye stated ...

US Slams Visa Ban on Election Riggers in Nigeria

15Sep

By Obiajulu Joel Nwolu1 Comment

News, Nigeria, United States of America

US Slams Visa Ban on Election Riggers in Nigeria

The United States government says it has imposed visa ban on some persons for their actions during the conduct of the Kogi and Bayelsa state gubernatorial elections and in the run-up to the Edo and Ondo state polls. This was disclosed on Monday in a statement signed by Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the Department of State. The statement read in part, “In July 2019, we announced the imposition of visa restrictions on Nigerians who undermined the February and March 2019 elections. Today, the Secretary of State is imposing additional visa restrictions on individuals for their actions surrounding the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa State elections and in the run up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections. “These individuals have so far operated with impunity a...

John Campbell, Former US Ambassador to Nigeria Berates Nigerian Military

23Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Corruption, Nigeria, Security, United States of America

John Campbell, Former US Ambassador to Nigeria Berates Nigerian Military

John Campbell a former Ambassador to Nigeria has said that Nigerians have lost faith in the sincerity of government. He chided the approach of Nigerian government and politicians, claiming the welfare of citizens have never formed the basis of governance in Nigeria. He made the remark at an interactive session on insecurity organised by SaharaTv over the weekend. Campbell expressed lack of faith in the ability of the country’s military to be transparent and accountable in its dealings. He said, "The lack of confidence and faith amongst many Nigerians in the institutions of government is very worrisome." The US envoy said politicians in Nigeria have been known not to be accountable to the people who elected them to power. He attributed it to the inability of the country to ma...

African American Icon, John Lewis Dies at 80

18Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Africa, Inspirational, United States of America

African American Icon, John Lewis Dies at 80

John Lewis, African American icon and civil rights activist in the United States (US) have passed on at the age of 80, Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker announced on Friday. Lewis, an Atlanta Congressman, had disclosed in December 2019 that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pelosi while announcing the death of Lewis, described him as, “a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation.” “Today, America mourns the loss of one of the greatest heroes of American history,” Pelosi said of Lewis, whom she once labelled “the conscience of the Congress.” Lewis was one of the leaders of the March on Washington in 1963 in which Martin Luther King Jr delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech. He was a pioneer member of one of America’s mo...

U.S Gives Conditions for Lifting Sanctions Imposed on South Sudan

18Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Security, Sudan, United Nations, United States of America

U.S Gives Conditions for Lifting Sanctions Imposed on South Sudan

The United States has asked South Sudan to intensify its efforts at achieving sustainable peace and kicking out corruption if arms embargo and other sanctions imposed on the country would be lifted. It was disclosed by outgoing ambassador of the U.S to South Sudan, Thomas Hushek. Hushek was quoted by BBC to have said that South Sudan has to work on a “reduction in level of violence and corruption” in the system for the sanctions to be lifted. Arms embargo on South Sudan was extended in May by the United Nations Security Council for a duration of one year to block the flow of weapons to armed groups in the country. South Sudan has been embroiled in violence lasting more than six years, leading to the killing of tens of thousands and rendering millions of others homeless. The ...

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta Condemns Racism, Says No Community is Superior

19Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Human Rights, Kenya, News, United States of America

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta Condemns Racism, Says No Community is Superior

....the President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has made the call for less emphases to be made on race as all races are equal. The President made the call on Wednesday in an interview with the Atlantic Council where he referenced Kenya’s experiences as a model for U.S. as she seeks to rise above race and achieve equality among all individuals. Kenyatta said, “You are familiar with the scenario Kenya saw itself in in 2007 as a result of the ethnic clashes that we had. We can’t afford to have anybody feeling that they have been left out or left behind. So, ours is just to encourage all out partners across the globe. We have seen the problems when communities clash with each other. We have seen what it costs. We need one another.” His stance became necessary in the face of continued global p...

Insecurity in Northern Nigeria: United States Government Calls for Prosecution of Perpetrators

17Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Boko Haram, Fulani Herdsmen, News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism, United States of America

Insecurity in Northern Nigeria: United States Government Calls for Prosecution of Perpetrators

The government of the United States has criticized the killing of civilians in Northern region of Nigeria and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to be firm in securing lives and property. The US government made a call for perpetrators to be held accountable. This comes in the wake of renewed attacks by Boko Haram insurgents and bandits in Borno, Southern Kaduna, Katsina, Taraba, Niger, Plateau, Yobe and Sokoto state. The State Department, US in an address on Tuesday, asked Buhari’s government to safeguard civilians and hold those responsible accountable. It reads, "We condemn the recent senseless and brazen killings of civilians in Northern Nigeria. "In recent weeks, suspected ISIS West Africa militants launched multiple attacks in Borno State, killing more than 120 civilians...