Tag: USA

“U.S., Kukah responsible for Buhari’s inability to end Boko Haram” – Garba Shehu

Aminu Imam

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu has said a United States (US) National Intelligence Council paper in 2015, titled: “Mapping sub-Saharan Africa’s Future”, floated the idea that there could be a military coup in Nigeria. He said at that time this was hardly an earth-shattering prediction, given that 2005 was only six years after the return of civilian democratic rule and just over a decade since the Abacha military coup of 1993 – the final of seven coups since the country’s independence. Consequently,…

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US gives criteria for Nigerian students to renew visa without interview

Aminu Imam

The United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria has said that Nigerian students currently studying in the US may be eligible to renew their student visas without an interview when they return to Nigeria this summer. The embassy, in an issued statement yesterday, said that to qualify for this procedure, “you must be physically in Nigeria renewing a student visa that is still valid or has expired within the past 24 months and renewing your visa either to: (a) continue participation in the same major course of study even if at…

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U.S. gives Police $2m equipment to enhance counter-nuclear smuggling capacity

Aminu Imam

The U.S. government’s Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration, through its Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD), on Friday, transferred five new mobile radiation detection systems, valued at over $2 million, (about ?8.4billion) to the Nigeria Police Force. This is as the US government said it works closely with Nigeria’s security services to provide technical assistance, equipment, professional exchange, and training opportunities that support efforts to create a more peaceful, prosperous nation. Commissioner of Police in charge of Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN)…

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‘Tackle insecurity, invest in food security’ – U.S charges FG

Aminu Imam

The United States (U.S) Department of Agriculture /Foreign Agricultural Services in Nigeria, under the Agriculture Desk of the US Consulate in Lagos and the Nigerian- American Chamber OF Commerce (NACC), has charged the Federal Government to tackle insecurity head-on and invest more in food security. The Counsellor for Agriculture Affairs (U.S Consulate in Lagos), Gerald Smith, made this known recently in Lagos, during a Breakfast Meeting between the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, (NACC), and the Consulate on ‘US Mission’s Agric-Focused Activities in Nigeria’. According to him, insecurity is hampering agricultural…

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U.S., NATO have declared war against Russia – Putin

Aminu Imam

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared the West’s response to the “invasion” of Ukraine by implementing anti-Russia sanctions was “akin to a declaration of war”. “A lot of what is happening, from what we are now seeing and what we are facing, is certainly a way to fight against Russia”, Putin said, according to a report. Putin noted that despite the flurry of sanctions by the U.S. and NATO countries, no martial law or a state of emergency will be introduced in Russia. He added that martial law can only…

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2023 polls: World’s eyes on Nigeria – US Ambassador

Aminu Imam

United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, has said that the eyes of the world will be on Nigeria this year and early next year, as the country prepares to choose a new president and transition to a new government, saying the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE and members of civil society group has a role and responsibility in promoting democracy. The Ambassador who spoke yesterday at a Town Hall Meeting organised by the NGE, with support from US Embassy in Nigeria, noted that Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and opposition…

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FG agrees to extradite suspended ‘Super Cop’ Abba Kyari to the US to face trial

Aminu Imam

The Federal Government, on Thursday, approved the request by the United States of America (USA), for suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, to be extradited over the $1.1million wire fraud perpetrated by Abass Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi, and 4 others. The approval was made known by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who on Wednesday, filed an application before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja for Kyari’s extradition. The request is “for the surrender of Abba Kyari,…

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‘Bad governance, corruption responsible for coups in Africa’ – US Army chief

Aminu Imam

The Commander, United State of America African Command, General Stephen Townsend, has attributed the spate of coups in some African Countries to lack of good governance and corruption. In the last 18 months, the military has seized power in Mali, Chad, Sudan and Burkina Faso. Speaking during a virtual press briefing on Thursday, Townsend disclosed that the US government and military frowned on the development, saying that it was undermining democracy in the continent. He said, “Soldiers are undermining democracy in Africa. I cannot tell you why there are so…

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Just In! US Consulate begins ‘no-interview’ visa renewals

Aminu Imam

The US Mission has commenced expansion of its visa services to assist non-immigrant visa applicants in Nigeria who qualify to renew their visa. It stated that this new application procedure will begin in February at the US Consulate in Lagos. However, it explained that the number of qualified applicants who can apply using the new procedures will be limited at this first phase. It further stated that the processing may take up to two months. The US Mission further disclosed that the application procedure will also be extended to the…

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US Embassy extends visa fee validity to 2023

Aminu Imam

The United States (US) Mission in Nigeria has extended visa fee validity to September 2023, to accommodate applicants facing difficulty in booking appointments for a non-immigrant visa. The decision was taken to address the difficulties in getting appointing dates which some applicants have been facing in the last few months. The US Mission also said that it is working diligently to restore routine consular services that were suspended in the last two years. The statement read: “The United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria understand that many visa applicants have…

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