TheNewsGuru

Tag: Theresa May

  • Breaking: Britain’s Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab resigns

    Britain’s Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has resigned in protest at Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal for leaving the European Union.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Dominic Raab wrote May on Thursday saying he “cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU”.

     

     

    Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) lawmaker, Jeffrey Donaldson, had on Wednesday said Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal has the potential to break up the UK because it will treat Northern Ireland differently.

    One of 10 lawmakers who props up May’s government, Donaldson, added that he would not fear a new national election if a vote against May’s Brexit deal in parliament forced the country into another general vote.

    “From what we have seen and heard we do not believe this deal is the best deal. This deal has the potential to lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom and that is not something we can support,” Donaldson said.

    In his resignation letter, Raab said: “he cannot support May’s proposed deal for two reasons”.

     

  • Former British PM advises party to vote down May’s possible Brexit deal

    Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday said he would advise Labour Party lawmakers to vote down a Brexit divorce deal that Theresa May is trying to clinch with the EU.
    Nearly six months before the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU, there is little clarity about how the world’s fifth largest economy and its preeminent international financial centre will trade with the EU after Brexit.
    Blair, Labour prime minister from 1997 to 2007, said voters should be given another referendum on whether to stay in the EU as he saw deadlock in British politics.
    If May gets can strike a deal with the EU, she has to get it approved by the British parliament which is divided on Brexit.
    Labour has indicated it is likely to vote down any deal May brings back.
    When asked if he would advise Labour lawmakers to vote down a possible deal, Blair said: “It really is difficult.
    “The alternatives are all worse because if you do get to a blockage in parliament that is what opens up the possibility of going back to the people.
    “My view is this only happens if there is blockage in parliament.
    “However, if there is blockage in parliament it is a very simple argument. You say look we have been two and a bit years trying to reach an agreement that works, parliament is blocked.”
    Both opponents and supporters of Brexit agree that the divorce is Britain’s most significant geopolitical move since World War Two.
    However, they cast vastly different futures for the 2.9 trillion dollars UK economy and the world’s biggest trading bloc.
    Blair has repeatedly called for reversing Brexit, echoing other critics such as French President Emmanuel Macron and billionaire investor George Soros, who have suggested that Britain could still change its mind.
    Blair said that if Brexit did happen, the economic dislocation would be such that the United Kingdom would have to pitch to investors that it would be the best place in the world to do business.
     

  • 40 UK lawmakers willing to vote down Brexit deal

    At least 40 lawmakers in Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party are willing to vote down her possible Brexit deal if it leaves European Union (EU), a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday.
    A lawmaker, Steve Baker told BBC radio that there are possibilities for the 40 lawmakers to vote down the Brexit if it leaves the United Kingdom ‘half in and half out’ of the EU.
    “My estimate is that there are at least 40 colleagues who are not going to accept a ‘half in, half out’ Chequers deal or indeed a backstop that leaves us in the internal market and the customs union.
    “Colleagues will not tolerate a half in, half out Brexit,” Baker, who served as a junior Brexit minister in May’s government until he resigned in protest at her Brexit proposals said.
    If May secures a deal with the EU, she has to get the British parliament to approve it and would need the backing of about 320 lawmakers to get approval.
    If 40 of her lawmakers voted against a possible deal, the fate of the government and exit process would depend on the opposition Labour Party, which has indicated it will vote against almost any deal May might secure.
    Under May’s proposals, Britain will seek a free trade area for goods with the EU, largely by accepting a “common rule book” for goods and British participation in EU agencies that provide authorisations for goods.
    Some Brexiteers say those proposals would ensure the EU kept control over swathes of the British economy and thus run counter to the spirit of her manifesto pledge to leave the EU Customs Union and the Single Market.
    “We are awaiting the detail of exactly what we are going to be asked for vote for.
    ”I don’t doubt that every possible technique is going to be used to sow doubt in colleagues’ minds and to encourage them to vote with the government.
    “In the end the EU is not entitled to split the UK and it’s not entitled to constrain how we regulate our economy and govern ourselves after we leave,” Baker said.
    Without an approved deal, the UK would move from seamless trade with the rest of the European Union to customs arrangements set by the World Trade Organisation for external states with no preferential deals.
    “If the UK faces either possibility then we must in the end be willing to say it’s a bad deal, and no deal is better than a bad deal.
    “We would need to be unafraid to go forward without an agreement,” Baker said.
     

  • Man gets life in jail for plot to assassinate Theresa May

    Man gets life in jail for plot to assassinate Theresa May

    A 21-year-old man from north London was sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday for plotting the assassination of British Prime Minister Theresa May.

    The Old Bailey, London’s criminal court, said Naa’imur Rahman had been planning to set off several bombs around Westminster and kill May with a knife or gun.

    The Islamic State supporter was caught after undercover investigators contacted him on the internet, posing as Islamic State contacts offering him the necessary explosives.

    He was arrested in November 2017, shortly after he picked up the supposed bombs.

    According to Britain’s Press Association, Justice Haddon-Cave concluded: “Rahman is a very dangerous individual and it is difficult to predict when, if ever, he will become de-radicalised and no longer be a danger to society.”

    He was sentenced to at least 30 years in jail.

    dpa/NAN

  • Naira depreciates by N3 against Pound Sterling 24 hours after May’s visit

    The Nigerian Naira lost N3 against the Pound Sterling a day after the British Prime Minister, Mrs Theresa May, visited Nigeria, closing at N467 at the black market.

    Recall that May was in Nigeria on Wednesday as part of her three-nation tour of Africa comprising South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.

    The British PM is looking to re-ignite trade ties with Africa as Britain plans to exit the European Union.

    Apart from the loss recorded against the Sterling yesterday, the local also lost N1 to the Euro at the black market, closing at N415.

    However, it remained unchanged at N361 to a Dollar.

    At the interbank segment of the forex market yesterday, the Naira was flat, closing at the rate it was previously traded, N306.15 per Dollar.

    However, it was a good day for the Nigerian Naira on Thursday at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) segment of the foreign exchange (forex) market.

    The local currency appreciated by 0.20 percent against the Dollar at the market segment.

    The Naira, which was traded at N363.06 to a Dollar at the I&E FX window on Wednesday, closed on Thursday at N362.32 after adding 74 kobo.

    At the close of trading on Thursday, a total of $252.66 million were traded at the I&E segment in 25 deals.

     

  • Osinbajo counters Theresa May, says Buhari’s administration lifted millions of Nigerians out of poverty

    Osinbajo counters Theresa May, says Buhari’s administration lifted millions of Nigerians out of poverty

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had lifted millions of Nigerians out of poverty in the last three years.

    He was apparently reacting to a statement by British Prime Minister Theresa May that Nigeria had the largest population of poor people.

    Osinbajo said in the same period, the administration laid a solid foundation for a resilient and competitive economy, provided infrastructure and opened space for private investment to accelerate growth and development through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) initiative.

    The vice-president, who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at the 17th Joint Planning Board and National Council on Development Planning (NCPD), identified “social investment initiatives” as the vehicles used to pull Nigerians, in their millions, away from the poverty trap.

    He was represented by the Minister of Budget and Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.

    Osinbajo said the government would invest in Nigerians and give them a better life, adding: “Billions of naira have been committed to tackling infrastructural deficiencies, while resources are being utilised and projects prioritised to ensure transformation of the country.”

    Speaking on the NCPD meeting with the theme: “Accelerating the implementation of the Economy Recovery and Growth Plan: The Role of Stakeholders,” he noted that the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that it delivered on the objectives and targets of ERGP.

    According to him, the administration via the ERGP had revitalised fertiliser blending plants, which assisted Nigeria to save over 200 million dollar annually.

    “We are proud of the successes recorded in the agricultural sector. The revitalisation of our fertiliser blending plants alone has saved the country over $200 million annually in foreign exchange and over N60 billion in budgetary provisions for fertiliser subsidies.

    “This has also made it possible to purchase fertiliser at prices up to 30 per cent cheaper than previously available. We are importing less rice today than we did a few years ago.

    “I am glad to note the partnership some states, such as Kebbi and Lagos have entered into in a bid to support the agricultural development and food security objective of the ERGP. I expect to see more of such model agricultural collaboration among other states,” he said.

    The vice-president identified the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), security and inflow of foreign investments as areas where the ERGP had helped the country to experience success.

    “I am aware that the National Committee on Export Promotion is implementing a plan to enhance export promotion and economic diversification in line with the Zero Oil Plan (ZOP) initiative. We have budgeted N44.2 billion in the 2018 budget for the establishment of Special Economic Zones in the country’s six geo-political zones to drive local manufacturing and exports.

    “We are also paying close attention to the mining sector by reinforcing the Mining Regulatory Agency. About N644 million has been voted for this in the 2018 budget. We are ready to set up a National Gold Purchase Scheme. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is advancing discussions on the modalities for gold purchase towards enhancing liquidity in the sector.

    “I believe that to accelerate implementation of the ERGP and deliver on its target of 7 per cent GDP growth by 2020, we need massive private investment. And that underscores the significance of the ERGP Focus Labs. I am pleased to note that this exercise has yielded positive outcome.

    “In the past few months, we have taken a number of decisions that will further facilitate the realisation of the massive private investments unlocked in these labs. I think the states must be commended for their willingness to cooperate and assist in making these investments to happen.

    “From our reports, some of the states have responded positively to a number of approvals that were required from them. The success of the Labs is a testimony to what partnership between the public and private sector can achieve when they work together for public good,” he added.

     

  • Emmanuel Okoro designs Theresa May’s jacket, earns her praise

    British Prime Minister, Theresa May, has expressed delight at meeting the man who designed the jacket that she wore on her visit to Nigeria.

    May paid an official visit to Nigeria on Wednesday.

    Okoro, started his brand, Emmy Kasbit in 2013. He emerged as one of the top 5 finalists for Lagos Fashion & Design Week Fashion Focus 2017 and he has been showing his collections at the LFDW.

    May shared a photo of meeting Emmanuel Okoro, the founder of Emmy Kasbit on her Instagram page. She captioned it: “I was delighted to meet @emmykasbit who designed the jacket I wore in #Nigeria #UKAfrica#MadeInNigeria”

  • Seek the release of Leah Sharibu—Meg Otanwa urges Theresa May

    Popular Nollywood actress, Meg Otanwa has called on Theresa May , the prime minister of the United Kingdom, urging her to help seek the release of Leah Sharibu.

    Sharibu was among the victims in the Dapchi schoolgirls abduction in February.

    The girls were released a few weeks later with the exemption of Sharibu who refused to denounce her Christian faith.

    Recall that May visited Nigeria on Wednesday as part of a three-day trade mission to boost ties with Africa.

    The outspoken actress used the medium to appeal to the prime minister to use her position and influence to lobby for the release of Sharibu.

     

    Read excerpts from the letter obtained by TNG below

    Madam Prime Minister,

    Welcome to Nigeria!

    It is apparent that the federal government of Nigeria is excited at the trades, exports and foreign-investment opportunities your visit aims to bring. Why such level of excitement I dare to ask. Could it be because of what you stand for?

    You stand for the mighty Great Britain and her people, working to implement an array of policies for workers, women, people below the poverty line, young, old and the general welfare of the people of Great Britain. You have spent your time in office pursuing such.

    For these reasons you are celebrated and revered globally as one of the most powerful women of our time.

    It is in this light that I write to you. Seeing as you are a world leader, a woman and a mother.

    Coming from North-central Nigeria, I am too familiar with stories of deprivation of education for the girl child. You see, life is twice as hard for her up north than it is for those in other parts of the country.

    The girl child appears to be defeated on every front. She grows up being taught to clean, cook and cater to her father and brothers and in the event that she makes it into the four walls of classroom, she faces even a bigger monster.

    On the night of 14th. April 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from a secondary school in Chibok in the North-eastern part of the country. It was an event that shook and traumatized the world at large as we all carried the “Bring Back Our Girls” placards demanding their release. Some of these girls were never to be seen again. This incident, coupled with other challenges are enough to deter these innocent girls from the pursuit of an education but no, many courageous and brave young girls forged on in the quest for a brighter tomorrow through education.

    On February 19th 2018, the monsters struck again, this time, it was at Government Girls Science and Technology College Dapchi. One hundred and ten (110) school girls abducted. Five lost their lives.

    A few weeks later, the girls were released with the exemption of Leah Shuaibu.

    Leah, a Christian had refused to renounce her faith even in the face of death. She is still held in captivity because of her beliefs and what she stands for.

    For how long will our girls continue to live in fear? For how long will they be left unprotected and accessible to the monsters who crawl to them at night? How much longer and how many more girls will be taken from their families?

    Madam Prime Minister Theresa May, as an activist, I challenge you, as woman I plead with you, as a sister, I implore you and as a human being, I demand empathy through action. SEEK THE RELEASE OF LEAH SHUAIBU as you go about your diplomatic negotiations and discussions with our president from one leader to another.

    We know that where there is a will, there’s a way; If Imam Abdullahi Abubakar of Plateau state could save about 300 Christian lives from blood thirsty Fulani herdsmen by rolling in the mud in sheer determination, how much more the Commander in Chief Of The Armed Forces who has sworn to protect the life of every Nigerian.

    Please help us BRING LEAH HOME.

     

  • I had excellent time in Nigeria – Theresa May

    British Prime Minister, Theresa May, says she had an excellent time in Nigeria and hopes to see increased trade and investment between Nigeria and the UK.

    She spoke with newsmen at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja on Wednesday in Lagos, shortly before departing the country at 8:10 p.m.

    “I was in Abuja and also in Lagos to see the thriving business community here.

    “We want to see increased trade between Nigeria and UK, increased investment, bringing jobs here in Nigeria, jobs in the UK.

    “This will be good for both countries and I have had an excellent time in here in Nigeria, and I am very pleased to be here today,” she told newsmen.

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, who was at the airport to see her off, said the important visit centered on improving investment in the state and the country in general.

    “She has visited Abuja earlier in the day.

    “The important part of this visit was discussion on how investment in Lagos can be improved by British investors.

    “We realise that Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria and a whole lot of British investment are domiciled in Lagos,” he said.

    The governor said they spoke about how to improve investment planning and what Lagos has been doing to attract investors.

    “We having been doing a lot of judicial sector reforms and security sector reforms and she is pleased with the progress we are making in Lagos.

    “She is ready to complement our efforts by opening up export credit facility and also with development finance to some of the things that we are doing in Lagos,” he said.

    Ambode said the discussion also centred around boosting technology and improving infrastructure and the creative industry.

    “We spoke about things related to technology, infrastructure and also the creative industry.”

    On the relationship between Lagos and Britain, Ambode said: “we need to make sure that a whole lot of British investment is coming to Lagos. She is willing to do more with us.

    “You know, Lagos in 1861 was a British colony. The history has been so long, so, we also need to reactivate that,” Ambode said.

    NAN reports that the state government, in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, shed more light on Ambode’s discussion with May.

    Ambode, according to the statement, said that much of Nigerian education, cultural and political systems were influenced by Britain and there were more Nigerians living in the UK than elsewhere in the world.

    The governor said that Lagos remained a place of choice for British investors, especially given that stability in the government, the size of Lagos economy and population, as well as the particular focus of his administration on the rule of law and justice sector reform.

    He also said that it would be of particular importance to Lagos State if British investors could explore the various opportunities that exist in the State in the areas of energy, technology, export finance, infrastructure and the creative industry.

    “So, we spoke about how we can improve the investment climate in Lagos and then the other parts of what Lagos has been doing to attract investors.

    “You know we have been doing a lot in judicial sector reforms and security sector reforms and the Prime Minister was pleased with the progress that we are making in Lagos and ready to complement our efforts by opening up export credit facility and development finance to some of the things that we are doing in Lagos State.”

    The Governor expressed optimism in the strengthening of the relationship between Britain and Lagos and avowed that his administration would do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

    According to the statement, May, on her part, said that export credit finance to the tune of 750 million pounds sterling, as well as a considerable development finance was available, which Lagos State could look towards.

    She also spoke about the role that British could play in the development of the technology industry in Lagos given the particular capability of the UK in that area.

    The British Prime Minister also noted the special strength of the London City as a financial hub that could be of considerable importance for Lagos State, just as she emphasized sustainability and growth in Britain/Lagos relationship.

    Finally, she expressed the desire of the British government to assist Lagos in the development of her creative industry and alluded to the fact that the jacket she was wearing when she met with the Governor was actually made in Nigeria.

    NAN

  • Theresa May departs Nigeria for Kenya

    The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, on Wednesday afternoon arrived the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, as part of her visit to Lagos State, where she is billed to spend time with victims of modern slavery during her brief stay in the nation’s commercial hub.

    The UK prime minister arrived at exactly 4:18p.m. at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, aboard an aircraft of the Royal Air Force.

    The prime minister’s visit to Lagos comes barely eight weeks after the French President, Mr Emmanuel Macron, visited the African Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, accompanied by his deputy, among other state officials, had earlier arrived at the presidential lounge of the MMA to receive the British leader.

    Also on ground at the airport were the top echelon of the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

    May had earlier arrived in the country and met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the New Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

    Nigeria and Britain also signed two agreements on Defence and Security partnership as well as Economic Development Forum before she headed to Lagos.

    May’s visit to Nigeria is part of her tour of some African countries.

    The Prime Minister is expected in Nairobi on Thursday, where she will meet President Uhuru Kenyatta and see British soldiers’ troops from Kenya and other African countries in the techniques needed to identify and destroy improvised explosive devices before they go to fight Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

    The prime minister is on a trade mission in an attempt to bolster Britain’s post-Brexit fortunes. This is her first visit to Africa since she became Prime Minister in 2016.

    She is accompanied by a 30-man business delegation as part of her efforts to “deepen and strengthen” partnerships around the world as the UK prepares to leave the European Union next year.