TheNewsGuru

Tag: U.S.

  • U.S. returns artefacts stolen from Benin, Ife to Nigerian Consulate

    U.S. returns artefacts stolen from Benin, Ife to Nigerian Consulate

    The Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York has taken custody of three Benin and Ife artefacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York.

    The Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Prof. Abba Tijjani, received the artefacts from the museum in company of the Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija.

    The MET currently houses about 160 works of arts from Nigeria, which were mostly donated by individuals who were said to have acquired them in the art market.

    Tijjani, who later signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MET, commended the museum for returning the artefacts to Nigeria, urging other museums in possession of Nigerian artefacts to follow its exemplary gesture.

    The director-general said the issue of repatriation was now at the heart of the people looking at museums particularly in Europe that these artefacts were not their own yet they displayed them.

    “We are looking forward to collaborating with the MET because we cannot exist in an island, for example, the museum cannot be working in Nigeria without collaborating with partners outside the country.

    “So, we are looking forward to collaborating with MET now that we are friends and we understand each other and we want to see how we can work together,’’ he said.

    “We have about 52 museums across the country under the commission, and we have 65 monuments and sites and staff working in the museums will require modern training.’’

    Similarly, Tijjani called for collaboration between MET and NCMM on exhibition, scholarship and capacity building of the staff and getting the required curators

    Noting that exhibition is key to reaching out to the public, he said “Nigeria is very passionate about the way it exhibits its artefacts and we feel that it will be good if we collaborate and rob minds when it comes to joint exhibitions.

    “There is a need for us to exhibit our works in a way that we understand it and we want people to understand these artefacts too,’’ he said.

    The director-general said he was looking forward to signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MET in those areas and other areas of mutual areas.

    Also speaking, MET Director, Max Hollein said the shared commitment to future exchanges of programmes would form part of the MoU.

    “We have we had long lasting relationships, the museum is committed to a responsible process in collaborating in areas of standards as well as to study works that have been in our collection.

    “It’s an ongoing effort to learn to exchange and to find the right solutions,’’ he said.

    Hollein said MET would be pleased to initiate the return of Nigeria’s works and remain “committed to transparency and the responsible collecting of cultural property”.

    He said the signing of the MoU was a meaningful way to show dedication of MET with NCMM, adding the possibility to exchange more on different levels on scholarship, exhibitions and other ideas that we might have together.

    “We at the MET are so pleased to establishing the framework of exchange with Nigeria and we are looking forward to collaborating together,’’ Hollein said.

    The two 16th-century Benin brass plaques and the 14th-century Ife brass head were later taken to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York for eventual return to Nigeria at a later date.

  • NGE: US supports Nigerian Editors’ capacity building with N93.3 million

    NGE: US supports Nigerian Editors’ capacity building with N93.3 million

    …holds workshops, town hall meetings in six geo-political zones

    The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has received $226,889 (equivalent of about N93.3 million) from the United States of America through its embassy in Nigeria, to facilitate activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of its members to understand, appreciate and deliver on their constitutionally assigned responsibility to hold government accountable to the people.

    In a press statement issued yesterday by the NGE’s President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the professional body of editors, said the capacity building will include training programmes for Editors and other senior journalists on Press Freedom/Democracy, as well as Town Hall meetings on media regulation framework.

    ‘’The project also entails printing and distribution of the Journalism Code of ethics, and strengthening of the NGE’s website – news alerts on media violations.

    “These capacity building conferences, which will hold in the six geo-political zones across the country, are to provide a platform for editors to be reminded of the sacred duties they are tasked to perform by the constitution on behalf of the citizens’’, the NGE stated.

    ‘’Drawing copious examples from the advanced democracies around the world, like US – after which the Nigerian constitution is formed, the conferences are expected to instil in the editors the need to perform their duties with the highest form of standard and sense of responsibilities.’’

    The body of all Nigerian editors hopes that a responsive and professional media will have the spin-off effect of keeping the government on their toes, holding government accountable to the citizens, securing the confidence and support of the citizens and the international community and advancing the democratic growth and consolidation.

    Explaining other components of the project, the NGE added that it will also strengthen NGE’s website to meet up with the demands for news alerts on media violations, public feedback and complaints on allegations of malicious media reportage.

    ‘’This would provide an opportunity for the Guild to strengthen its online presence to promptly disseminate current information with members and the general public, including international partners and audiences.

    ‘’A third component is the printing and distribution of Nigeria Journalism Code of Ethics to all journalists, including editors to popularise among editors and senior journalists the professional code of ethics that guilds their profession and have these instilled in their sub-consciousness and serve as a guiding principle.

    ‘’It will also help to promote good governance, transparency and deepening of democracy through objective media practices that effectively demands accountability from those in authorities towards advancing the socio-economic well-being and rights of the people, and enrich their cultural practices, and human rights, in line with the values expected of a modern democratic state’’, the statement explained.

    The NGE said that at this critical point in Nigeria, especially as it moves towards 2023 general election, the country needs a media that can help set social and political agenda in support of a better society, helping to build visions of hope, nudge Nigerians and Nigeria on the path of development, social reengineering and renaissance.

    On the Town Hall meetings component of the project, the statement explained that it will provide a huge opportunity for stakeholders to assess media performance in consolidating Nigerian’s democracy and outline an agenda for the future.

    The NGE said that it has also planned strategy meetings with Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other media focused NGOs on framework for self-regulatory for Nigerian media.

    ‘’This will provide a platform for media stakeholders to undertake self-introspection and develop a framework for media regulation, which will not only have their buy-in but also improve the standard for media practice in Nigeria thereby reducing, if not eliminate, incidents of sub-standard and unprofessional reportage in the Nigerian media.

    ‘’Such conversations and hopefully eventual adoption of self-regulatory framework could also have a regional spin-off whereby countries within the region, and indeed Africa, could be encouraged to borrow a leaf from the Nigerian example, as was the case with the adoption of a Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria subsequently having a positive spin-off in Ghana’’, the NGE added.

    On the expected impact of the project, the editors said that a pool of Nigerian editors and media managers will be galvanised and will be committed to the highest ethical standard and taking robust actions to ensure same. And committed to the promotion and protection of the right to independent press, freedom of expression and the deepening of democratic space.

    The NGE also hoped that at the end of the project, mobilised pool of editors will be constantly projecting issue-based governance in defence of the mass of the Nigerian people in line with Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    According to the statement, the programme looks to galvanise the key stakeholders to act responsibly and deny the authorities the moral authority to take punitive actions against the media for performing their constitutionally assigned role to hold the government to account, and to the general citizens the right to hold and voice their opinions on the conduct of public officers.

    From the timelines of the project, the South-west conference and the Town Hall meeting will hold in Lagos between December 2 and 4.

  • Facebook to settle U.S. employment discrimination claims with $14.25m

    Facebook to settle U.S. employment discrimination claims with $14.25m

    Facebook will pay up to $14.25 million to settle civil claims brought by the U.S. government that the social media company discriminated against workers and violated other federal recruitment rules, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.

    The two related settlements were announced by the U.S. Justice Department and Labour Department.

    The Justice Department announced last December that it was filing a lawsuit that accused Facebook of giving hiring preferences to temporary workers, including those who hold H-1B visas that let companies temporarily employ foreign workers in certain speciality occupations.

    Such visas are widely used by tech companies.

    Kristen Clarke, assistant U.S. Attorney-General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, called the agreement with Facebook, historic.

    “It represents by far the largest civil penalty the Civil Rights Division has ever recovered in the 35-year history of the Immigration and Nationality Act’s anti-discrimination provision,’’ Clarke said in a call with reporters, referring to a key U.S. immigration law.

    The case centred on Facebook’s use of the so-called permanent labour certification called the PERM programme.

    The U.S. government said that Facebook refused to recruit or hire U.S. workers for jobs that had been reserved for temporary visa holders under the PERM programme.

    It also accused Facebook of “potential regulatory recruitment violations’’.

    Facebook will pay a civil penalty under the settlement of $4.75 million, plus up to $9.5 million to eligible victims of what the government called discriminatory hiring practices.

  • TNG Interview: How l started QuestxBalance from sales of 10 Tee shirts – Wale Showemimo

    TNG Interview: How l started QuestxBalance from sales of 10 Tee shirts – Wale Showemimo

    Olawale Mubarak Showemimo, Nigerian Based in the US is a force to reckon with in the fashion and design industry, in this brief chat with TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) Adebayo Animasaun, he extensively spoke on how he weathered the storm to rise with little or nothing in a business venture that required heavy capital as a teenager, excerpts.

    What motivated you to establish your clothing line?

    I’ve always been into fashion since I was a teenager and growing up, I got exposed to personal development. So It made sense to start a clothing brand to inspire and empower people to do more and be more.

    How did you source for capital to kickstart?

    I had a part-time job at a clothing store, so I took my first pay-check which was also my last to buy 10 t-shirts to start up my own brand.

    Where did the name Quest and Balance originate from?

    The name originated from my ex-girlfriend and I, as we both were on a path to finding our purpose and balance in life. So we came up with the name QUEST x BALANCE.

    What’s your goal in Life?

    My goal is to impact the lives of 1 billion people in a positive way

    Any form of discouragement from family?

    For the most part of it, my family has been very supportive, but my dad doesn’t see the vision just yet so I have to bring it into reality

    Any changes since you left Nigeria?

    Not much has changed since I left, there are more people out in the streets with fewer jobs. I see more people are just looking for different ways to make money and put food on the table.

    Do you think the Nigerian market will be favorable for your brand?

    Yes, I know the Nigerian market will be favorable for the brand because we will deliver modern, great-quality clothing while giving back to the community.

    Are you a graduate?

    Yes, I graduated with an associate degree in computer sciences but I left all of that behind for entrepreneurship

    Have you ever been intimidated in any form by being a black residing in the U.S?

    I have experience of racial discrimination being black living in the US, but I try not to let that get to me because I understand that all I can do is speak up about it in the hopes of trying to help them see things differently.

  • Biden mourns 700,000 Americans lost to COVID-19

    Biden mourns 700,000 Americans lost to COVID-19

    U.S. President Joe Biden has mourned the about 700,000 Americans who lost their lives to COVID-19.

    Biden, in his twitter handle on Saturday night, said: “Today, we mark another grim and heartbreaking milestone in this pandemic: over 700,000 Americans lost.

    “As we acknowledge the tragic scale of this death toll, we must remember each person and the life they lived.’’

    The White House, also in a statement, described the 700,000 deaths to COVID-19 as a “painful milestone”.

    “To heal we must remember, and as our nation mourns the painful milestone of 700,000 American deaths due to COVID-19, we must not become numb to the sorrow.

    “On this day, and every day, we remember all those we have lost to this pandemic and we pray for their loved ones left behind who are missing a piece of their soul.

    “As we do, the astonishing death toll is yet another reminder of just how important it is to get vaccinated.

    “The vaccines are safe, free, and easy—and we have made extraordinary progress in our fight against COVID-19 over the last eight months because of the vaccines,’’ he said.

  • FG moves to recover over £200m stolen funds stashed in U.S., Ireland, others

    FG moves to recover over £200m stolen funds stashed in U.S., Ireland, others

    The Federal Government has said it would recover 200 million pounds stashed in the United States, as it embarks on a massive recovery of assets belonging to the country.

    This is according to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami who was speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    Speaking on the fight against corruption and illicit financial flow in the country, he said, “We are looking at the possibility of recovering further 200m pounds among others but then, that does not mean they are not other associated assets being pursued, in terms of other countries of the world inclusive of Ireland.

    “We are pursuing a lot of assets across the globe and then we intend to coordinate further meetings relating to recovery in the United Kingdom which is associated with certain personalities”.

    The AGF said he would not like to further disclose the strategy the federal government will use in making the recovery, but noted that the “government is trying to gather international momentum associated with the processes and procedures, in terms of making things easier for countries to recover assets with ease”.

    He added that the government is fully committed to its anti-corruption campaign and by extension spreading its dragnet to those who are in the custody of laundered or stolen funds.

     

  • Nigerian tech wizard dies mysteriously days after winning N68.8bn U.S. govt contract

    Nigerian tech wizard dies mysteriously days after winning N68.8bn U.S. govt contract

    Nigerian tech wizard, David Gbodi Odaibo, who recently won a $125 million (N68,750,000,000) government contract in the United States of America (USA), is dead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Retina-AI Health Incorporation, Mr. Stephen Odaibo, who is brother to the deceased, made this known.

    The CEO of Retina-AI Health Incorporation narrated how his brother, David, who lived in Hoover, Alabama, mysteriously died in his sleep a week after winning the N68.8 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

    “My brother, David Gbodi Odaibo, passed away yesterday. My heart is broken. He had a cardiac arrhythmia/heart attack in his sleep.

    “He was fully vaccinated and did not have covid. He and I were so close. He was only 42. David was kind, gentle, brilliant, and humble.

    “David had a PhD in Computer Engineering and was a Kaggle Competitions Grandmaster, the highest attainable skill level in practical Machine Learning. He introduced me to AI.

    “The algorithm he wrote for automatically detecting threats at Airports won a $125 Million contract from Department of Homeland security a wk ago. His code beat out companies backed by Billions of $. So in the future when you safely fly the skies, pls remember my brother David

    “Our hearts are broken. My poor parents, his wife and two young children. His 4 siblings. We are devastated. David & I were tremendously aligned in our interests and would often talk for hours. Our connection was rare & precious. We ended phone conversations with “love you”.

    “Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them. Though there may be sorrow in the night, joy comes in the morning. I’m comforted that David is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Stephen wrote via LinkedIn.

  • U.S. condemns military seizure of power in Guinea

    U.S. condemns military seizure of power in Guinea

    The U.S. has condemned what it called a “military seizure of power’’ in Guinea following reports that President Alpha Conde had been detained during a series of gun battles in the capital.

    “Violence and any extra-constitutional measures will only erode Guinea’s prospects for peace, stability, and prosperity,’’ State spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

    He warned that the actions could limit the ability of the U.S. and others to support the country “as it navigates a path toward national unity and a brighter future for the Guinean people.

    “We urge all parties to forego violence and any efforts not supported by the Constitution and stand by the rule of law,’’ Price said.

    Earlier on Sunday UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he strongly condemned any takeover of the government by force of the gun and called for the immediate release of the President.

    Several videos have been circulating on social media, purporting to show that Conde had been overthrown.

    In one of the video bearing the logo of the state broadcaster, several men in military uniform and carrying the national flag could be seen.

    One of them said the government had been deposed, that the constitution was suspended and the country’s borders were closed.

    In another video, Conde himself was seen with men in military uniform. The president’s whereabouts were initially uncleared.

    The French-language channel TV5 Monde and other media, however, reported that Guinea’s Defence Ministry had stated in the afternoon that insurgents had been repelled by the presidential guard and other security forces.

    Gunfights broken out in several areas of the capital Conakry, the British Embassy to the West African country said on Facebook on Sunday.

    An eyewitness in the city told dpa that the situation there was very tense, particularly in the area around the presidential palace in the Kaloum district, where there had been sustained gunfire.

    The military was meanwhile said to be patrolling the streets of Conakry.

    Conde, who has been in office since 2010, secured a third term in 2020 after a controversial constitutional amendment.

    The vote was preceded by months of political tensions and violent protests.

  • U.S. President Biden visits wounded soldiers in hospital

    U.S. President Biden visits wounded soldiers in hospital

    U.S. President Joe Biden visited wounded soldiers in hospital on Thursday, the White House said.

    Biden visited troops at Walter Reed military hospital in Bethesda, near Washington, on Thursday evening accompanied by first lady Jill Biden.

    One of the reasons Biden gave for deciding to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan was that he did not want to send further generations of Americans to war there.

    Biden has a special relationship with soldiers and the military. His son Beau, who died of a brain tumor in 2015, was an officer in Iraq in 2008/2009.

    Biden announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in April.

    He noted that he was the first president in 40 years who knew what it meant to have a child serving in the military in a war zone.

  • Another attack highly likely in ‘next 24-36 hours’ at Kabul Airport – Biden

    Another attack highly likely in ‘next 24-36 hours’ at Kabul Airport – Biden

    The United States military commanders believe that another terror attack like the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul airport is “highly likely in the next 24-36 hours,” President Joe Biden warned Saturday.

    After a briefing from his national security team, Biden said in a statement that a US drone strike targeting the Islamic State-Khorasan group, which claimed responsibility for Thursday’s carnage at the airport, was “not the last.”

    “The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high. Our commanders informed me that an attack is highly likely in the next 24-36 hours,” Biden said.

    Scores of Afghan civilians were killed in the Kabul bombing Thursday, along with 13 US troops — several of them born around the time US military operations in Afghanistan began 20 years ago.

    The Pentagon said Saturday it had killed two “high profile” targets — logistics experts for the jihadist group — and wounded another in a drone strike in eastern Afghanistan in retaliation for the suicide bombing.

    No civilians were hurt in the attack, Major General Hank Taylor told a news conference in Washington.

    “The fact that two of these individuals are no longer walking on the face of the Earth, that’s a good thing,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

    US troops have been scrambling in dangerous and chaotic conditions to complete a massive evacuation operation from the Kabul airport by an August 31 deadline.

    Biden has pledged to stick to the agreed cut-off and had vowed to punish those responsible for the suicide blast. He said Saturday that the drone attack would not be the last.

    “We will continue to hunt down any person involved in that heinous attack and make them pay,” he said. “Whenever anyone seeks to harm the United States or attack our troops, we will respond. That will never be in doubt.”