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Tag: United States

  • COVID-19: We cannot let cure be worse than problem itself- Trump

    COVID-19: We cannot let cure be worse than problem itself- Trump

    By Dayo Benson Editor Politics,Law/Human Rights New York

    As United States grapples with Coronavirus Pandemic, President Donald Trump, Monday evening, assured Americans that his administration would not allow cure for the ravaging disease to be worse than the problem itself, even as he reminded all that current situation called for sacrifice.

    The President stated this at the daily briefing at the White House. He however hinted that America would soon be opened for business again, after the situation was reviewed in 15 days, saying that the country was not created to be shut down.

    Trump’s assurance came as major States across the country were on pause, following lockdown imposed to stem further spread of the virus.

    “America will again and soon be open for business. Very soon, a lot sooner than three or four months that somebody was suggesting. A lot sooner. We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself”, Trump said.

    Monday’s briefing also coincided with deployment of National Guard to assist in the distribution of medical supplies to needy states.

    Speaking in a measured tone laced with confidence, the President told journalists that the country had taken delivery of millions of medical supplies which were already being distributed across the states in urgent need.

    Trump charged the Republicans and Democrats to put politics aside and come together to defeat the common enemy, even as he praised Governor Andrew Cuomo’s efforts in New York, the pandemic epicenter.

    He appealed to Americans to come together and fight the invisible enemy, even as he warned against hoarding personal protective equipments needed by medical personnel.

    The President revealed that he had signed an Executive Order which criminalizes hoarding of such equipments, saying that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been mandated to enforce the Order.

    Attorney General Bill Barr, spoke after President Trump. He stated that Section 102 of the Defence Production Act, prohibits profiting from such medical items.

    Barr explained that an individual could have more than enough toilet paper at home, he added that law enforcement agents would knock on the door of anyone who stockpiled masks in a warehouse.

    Earlier, former Vice President Joe Biden, had criticized Trump’s handling of COVID-19 crisis, in streamed address from his house in Delaware.

    The Democratic Presidential Nominee front runner, had been invisible since Coronavirus compelled the party to reschedule its primaries. He challenged Trump to act as “war time President” he called himself.

  • Three inmates test positive for Coronavirus

    Three inmates test positive for Coronavirus

    Three inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus in Georgia, raising concerns the pandemic could spread within tight prison quarters nationwide, CNN reports.

    The inmates at Lee State Prison in Leesburg suffered flu symptoms and were hospitalized Sunday and Monday, the Georgia Department of Corrections said in a statement. Three other prisoners under observation suffered similar symptoms.

    The entire inmate population at the facility will be screened and quarantined, the statement said without providing details.

    In Alabama, the Department of Corrections said an administrative employee tested positive for coronavirus this week, and anyone who may have had contact with the person is in self-quarantine for 14 days.

    Local authorities said this week that corrections officers in New York and Georgia had caught the virus, as well as an inmate at New York City’s Rikers Island. In Arizona, the state’s Department of Corrections said Wednesday that it would give inmates free hand soap after an advocacy group exposed a lack of cleaning supplies at local prisons and appealed to a federal judge to intervene.

    The Rev. Jesse Jackson has urged President Donald Trump to get coronavirus testing for the 2.2 million people incarcerated in the United States.

    “In prison there are too many people in proximity to each other who do not have the option of social distancing and there are literally millions of persons incarcerated who were arrested, but not convicted, who are languishing there awaiting trial,” he wrote in a letter to the President. “My concern is specifically with those arrested for nonviolent crimes.”

    Jackson urged Trump to consider releasing people who are under pre-trial detention for nonviolent offenses when they test negative for the virus.

    “Because ‘social distancing’ is not an option for prisoners … jail could become an incubator and death sentence for those incarcerated,” he said.

    Prison staffers have voiced worries about an unprepared system, with officials citing short staffing and a lack of proper protective equipment. Criminal justice advocates have also called for the release of certain nonviolent offenders, including those who may be at greater risk from the virus. High-profile inmates including Michael Cohen and Michael Avenatti have asked to be released.

  • COVID-19: How Pandemic paralyses activities in parts of U.S.

    COVID-19: How Pandemic paralyses activities in parts of U.S.

    By Dayo Benson Editor Politics,Law/Human Rights

    These, certainly, are not the best of times for President Donald Trump. Like most world leaders, the 45th President of the United States is grappling with an existential crises. A pestilence, a plague and a pandemic.

    Science has not established the exact origin of Coronavirus COVID-19, at least, World Health Organization (WHO). However, President Trump describes it as “China virus”.
    He insists the characterization is not racist. “No, it’s no racist, it came from China”, he told journalists in White House Tuesday March 17. It was a Presidential pushback to China’s earlier allegation that the virus came from U.S. soldiers. For International Relations experts, COVID-19 is a global virus that requires global, rather than individual country’s solution.

    “Other countries have a lot to learn from China, it is a battle no country can win alone”, says an American International Relations expert.

    Trump has picked up the gauntlet. He describes himself as a “war time President”. This, no doubt, is the toughest battle of his presidency. Nonetheless, a political battle is ahead. Outcome of the current one, may impact the one to come. United States, he says, is fighting “an invisible enemy and we are going to defeat the invisible enemy ”.

    Already, the ravaging enemy is infecting the population exponentially. All the 50 States have confirmed cases. Nationwide, casualty figures are climbing.

    Vice President Mike Pence, at the daily briefing Saturday, March 21, said there were 19,343 confirmed cases. Other sources put the figure at over 20,000. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) official figure of confirmed cases was 15,219 , with over 260 deaths recorded Friday, March 20,2020.
    This was a spike from 8,700 reported confirmed cases March 18, with 149 killed. Daily, more are succumbing to the suffocating clutch of Coronavirus, there is no let up. A family of 7 in New Jersey lost 4 members in one day. New York is the epicenter of the virus with over 10,000 confirmed cases Saturday. A major increase from the previous day figure of over 4,000. President Trump made a Major Disaster Declaration for New York, the first time in U.S. history.

    New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, agrees with Trump that the current situation is akin to war. “We are fighting the same war, we are in the same trench and his actions demonstrate that”, Cuomo said. In order to prosecute the war, President Trump invoked Defence Production Act.
    The Act, which came into effect after the World War II, empowers the President to command mass productions of defence materials. In this instance, mass production of nose masks and ventilators.

    Two Naval Hospital Ships with 1,000 beds would be deployed in New York in anticipation of a surge in cases of patients.
    The hospital ships are expected to arrive in coming days. Treatment and surgery can be performed on board. The governor had appealed to the Federal Government for help.

    New York City has the largest population in the country. Additionally, the Military Engineering Corp is expected to assist the City build more hospitals. Available spaces, including closed hospitals, abandoned dormitories and old cinema houses are to be converted. Governor Cuomo said bed spaces would be created inside Westchester County Center because of the pandemic prevalent in the area. The county has recorded the highest number of confirmed cases so far.

    These measures are not unexpected in the current situation which Trump described as “an uncharted territory” while fielding questions from journalists Thursday, during daily briefing.

    Late in the evening, California Governor Gavin Newsom , in a short broadcast, ordered the 40 million population of the state to stay at home. The order is to stave off half of the population from being infected with the deadly virus in the next eight weeks. California counts among the largest economies in the world. The governors of Illinois, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Oregon have followed California’s footstep. More states are likely to be on lockdown as the scourge ripples across the country.

    Ahead of the stay at home order to stem the virus spread, schools, businesses, public places and non essential services have been shut. For students, learning will be done remotely. Some states are providing digital learning materials to facilitate the process. Students who rely on school meals for breakfast and lunch pick up their meals at designated centers daily across counties. Among few exceptions, only hospitals, gas stations, fire service, police station and grocery stores are allowed to operate. For effect, violators may face civil fines. Some states threaten criminal charges.

    The every bustling New York City cut an unfamiliar image of itself last week. Streets, subways and stores were deserted as people adjust to new culture of social distancing to stay safe.

    It is same sombre story at the political front. All activities have been put on hold. Democratic establishment has suspended its remaining presidential primaries. Ohio opted out of March 17 Big Tuesday primaries to prevent spread of the pestilence. The late poll postponement at the behest of the governor created confusion among voters and poll workers.

    Apart from dead and those still fighting to live, there are many other victims of the virus. The crushing economic impacts on businesses and individuals are telling.

    Jobs are slipping away every second. Several businesses are folding up and workers are routinely laid off. An unprecedented helpless Americans have filed for unemployment insurance.

    In New York, it was the worst week at the stock market on Wall Street. As Coronavirus spreads, the economy shrinks. Citizens and businesses await the government promised lifeline.

  • Nigeria commences implementation of reduced visa fees for US citizens

    The federal government has commenced implementation of reduced visa application fees for citizens of the United States of America.

    In August, the US increased the cost of visa application for Nigerians, saying the measure was taken to reciprocate the extra visa fee the Nigerian government charges American citizens.

    The consulate had said while America charged Nigerians $160 for visa application, its citizens seeking Nigerian visa were paying $110 extra.

    About 24 hours after the increment, Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, announced a reduction in the Nigerian visa fee, thereby directing US citizens to pay $160.

    But the US embassy responded that the additional cost for visa application still applies to Nigerians, adding that it had not received an official communication from the Nigerian government on the issue.

    In a memo dated February 5, Muhammad Babandede, the comptroller-general of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), directed all Nigerian missions in the US to immediately implement the new visa charges payable by US citizens, and “discontinue charging processing or expedient fees”.

    The memo, marked NIS/HQ/CGI/806/7 and addressed to the permanent secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs, is based on a review of the US visa reciprocity policy for Nigeria.

    “Our Missions are to issue up to two years multiple entry visa to frequent short visit travelers on request in line with reciprocity,” he said.

  • Nigeria hails United States for development assistance, fight against insurgency

    Nigeria hails United States for development assistance, fight against insurgency

    The Nigerian Government has commended the United States of America (USA) for its development assistance to the country and interventions in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.

    Mr Mustapha Suleiman, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave the commendation on Thursday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 243rd Independence of the US organised by the US Embassy in Nigeria.

    Suleiman, who was represented by Mr Obioma Nzewuji, Director, American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry, said that the U.S has been very supportive to Nigeria in different fields, urging both countries to sustain the collaborations.

    “Today, as we join the United States in commemorating its independence anniversary, we celebrate the very essence of American progress, the spirit that defines the unity of its people for more than two centuries.

    “Both countries have collaborated in different fields and the United States have demonstrated to be a trusted and reliable friend to Nigeria.

    “We express profound appreciation to the United States government for the various forms of assistance given to Nigeria over the years, especially more recently in our fight against insurgency in the North- East.

    “The humanitarian aids provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is a demonstration of goodwill and cordiality existing between our two countries.

    “The US have been very supportive to Nigeria during and after the just concluded elections.

    “It is a good time for Nigeria and United States relations and I hope both countries will continue to sustain this momentum in the years to come,” Suleiman said.

    On his part, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington said that the greatest resources Nigeria had was the people of Nigeria, urging Nigerians to build on its human resources.

    Symington explained that the wealth of Nigeian in human resources rest in the unity of the country in spite of its ethnic diversities.

    He said that this was a challenge in other countries but Nigeria had effectively overcome the challenge of ethic diversities and have built the country into a “Big Idea”.

    “The greatest resource Nigerians have is themselves as individuals.

    “Nigeria is more than a country, Nigeria is an idea, the idea of Nigeria is that you can take 500 tribes, put them in a place and get them to think of themselves as one nation bond in freedom, peace and unity.

    “This is no easy task. We in the United States have been after unity, and freedom and unity since before the song was written in 1812.

    “The idea is that Nigeria is bigger than Nigerians, this idea of bringing the world together so that we truly are not just one nation under God and indivisible but one family under God and indivisible.

    “This is the greatest challenge the world faces today and I am convinced that we got the answer.

    “Thank you for coming here to celebrate this idea that we all have the right to live and to unite in freedom and prosperity and justice for all,” Symington said.

    In his remarks, Mr Sterling Tilley, Cultural Affairs officer, US Embassy in Nigeria said that the Embassy was supporting in strengthening the relations between both countries.

    Tilley said that the most important thing to remember was that Nigeria is the number one country in Africa that is important to the US policies for the whole continent.

    He debunked reports that the Embassy was unnecessarily denying visas to Nigerians seeking to travel to the US.

    Tilley told the media that the Consular section was ensuring that people trying to legitimately travel to the US acquire visas.

  • Nigeria can’t afford to ‘mess up’ 2019 polls – United States

    The United States Government has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure the conduct of a peaceful election to sustain the nation’s fragile democracy.

    The United States Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs Tibor P. Nagy Jr. made the plea before the U.S. House of Representatives, Sub-Committee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organisations.

    His submission shows that the United States believes the general elections put Nigeria at a crossroads.

    Read excerpts from his speech:

    Introduction

    The title of this hearing is “Nigeria at a Crossroads: The Upcoming Elections.” The Department of State agrees with the view that Nigeria’s February 2019 national elections are a critical test. The conduct of the elections could have significant consequences for the democratic trajectory of Nigeria, West Africa, and the entire continent.

    The conduct of the 2015 Nigerian elections, although by no means perfect, was a step forward for Nigeria’s democracy. That contest resulted in Nigeria’s first-ever democratic transfer of power to a non-incumbent party, thereby increasing capacity and improving conduct of Nigerian democratic institutions and election bodies.

    Key Goals and Actions

    In advance of the 2019 elections, the U.S. government continues to support the Nigerian goal of free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. Through diplomacy, robust public engagement including with Nigeria’s youth and civil society, and democracy and governance programs, we are helping the country to strengthen its democratic institutions and processes. The United States does not support any single candidate. We support a democratic process that is free, fair, transparent, peaceful, and reflects the will of the Nigerian people.

    The U.S. government has developed a comprehensive election strategy to plan and coordinate our efforts. We have three main objectives:

    Support a free and fair electoral process, including technical assistance to Nigeria’s election institutions, civil society, and political parties as well as U.S. government monitoring of the election around the country; Prevent and mitigate electoral violence, including conflict monitoring, peacebuilding programs, and peace messaging; Support civic and political engagement, including support to Nigerian civil society election observation and parallel vote tabulation, social media campaigns to engage youth including through our Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), “get out the vote” campaigns, voter education, and Nigerian efforts to counter disinformation.

    To advance our strategy, we have sustained high-level diplomatic engagement from Washington as well as robust and regular engagement by our Ambassador, Consul General, USAID Mission Director, and other officials based in Abuja and Lagos. Earlier this year, President Trump welcomed President Buhari to the White House and conveyed our expectations for a credible election. Two Secretaries of State, USAID Administrator Green, Deputy Secretary of State Sullivan, and many others have either traveled to Nigeria or met with senior Nigerian officials in the United States to underscore our commitment to free, fair, transparent, and peaceful Nigerian elections in the last twelve months.

    The State Department also hosted the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman in late October to observe U.S. preparation for mid-term elections and discuss challenges surrounding Nigeria’s elections. During this visit, INEC Chairman Yakubu observed early voting in Maryland, and met with Congressional staff, U.S. electoral civil society and legal experts, and U.S. government officials. The Chairman also met with USAID Administrator Green and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Hale.

    I recently returned from Nigeria as part of my first trip to the continent. It was great to be back in Nigeria where I served as Charge d ‘Affairs in 2016 and Deputy Chief of Mission from 1993-1995, and convey our expectations and concerns for the elections in person. I met with leadership from the two main political parties, INEC Chairman Yakubu, and civil society organisations, delivering public messages on the elections in a speech and in press engagements and private messages with key stakeholders.

    That is just a summary of our Washington-focused diplomatic engagement on these elections. Our Ambassador and the Mission in Nigeria are working to advance our goals every day. My colleague from USAID will tell you more about the USAID programs in support of our three objectives. And, I can assure you that the U.S. government will remain intensely focused on the Nigerian elections in the coming months.

    Expectations and Concerns

    I know many of you are watching the election closely. We share many of the areas of concern that you have voiced. We are monitoring and messaging – both publicly and privately – to mitigate a few key areas of risk that could jeopardise a free and fair process. For example: potential attacks on the legitimacy of INEC and the electoral process for political gain; intimidation and partisanship by security forces; heightened insecurity, terrorist attacks on elections institutions, or violence towards voters, observers, or electoral officials; an inability of large numbers of internally displaced persons or persons with disabilities to vote; voter suppression, the use of armed gangs for voter intimidation, and other drivers of electoral violence, including a lack of official condemnation of hate speech and disinformation; wide-spread vote buying that challenges the integrity of the electoral process.

    On November 18, the start of official campaigning, our Mission in Abuja released a statement with 25 like-minded missions to express our desire to see free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections, specifically naming many of these concerns. I can assure you we will be watching closely for instigators of violence or those attempting to undermine the democratic process.

    Many of you have expressed particular concern about violence around these elections. I can tell you from my impressions during my travels and my previous service in Nigeria that I fear there will be some violence around these elections, as has been the case with previous elections. I do not anticipate large-scale nation-wide conflict, but rather localised violence. We are already seeing increased tensions and polarisation as the election approaches. We assess that politicians are turning to narratives of identity politics in an attempt to improve their popularity, with potentially serious consequences for national unity. However, Nigeria’s political system and society have weathered such tensions before.

    But, let me underscore that the U.S. government takes the risk of any loss of human life extremely seriously. As I just mentioned, preventing electoral violence is one of our three main objectives for our diplomacy and programs. When I was in Nigeria, I asked officials from both major parties to sign pledges that their candidates would conduct peaceful campaigns, and both major candidates have now signed a peace pledge. In assessing potential “hot spots” for violence, we look at places that are historically volatile around elections such as Rivers and Borno states. We look at states that are currently tense, especially if state-level politics are contentious like those in Benue, Plateau, as well as those in high-stakes locations with large populations such as Kano. We regularly engage with civil society organizations working in these “hotspots” and support their peacebuilding efforts. USAID programs and our public diplomacy campaigns also support peace campaigns across the country, such as #VoteNotFight. Through our YALI Network Nigeria campaign, Nigerians have made over 10,000 pledges to boost voter participation, reject violence, and vote with integrity.

    Conclusion

    As I said in a speech in Nigeria, only the Nigerian people can determine lasting solutions and a path forward toward peace and stability. 2019 will be a significant year for Nigerian democracy – it has been 20 years since the country returned to democratic rule and this election’s youngest voters have never known a Nigeria without democracy. The upcoming elections provide Nigerians an opportunity to shape their country and solidify its place as a democratic leader in Africa.

  • U.S. supports full inclusion of persons with disabilities

    U.S. supports full inclusion of persons with disabilities

    The United States Consulate in Lagos on Thursday called for more concerted efforts to ensure the full inclusion of persons living with disabilities in every aspect of social, political, economic, and cultural life.

    Delivering remarks at a program organized by Project Enable Afria in commemoration of the 2018 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer Russell Brooks, reaffirmed the U.S. government’s support for the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

    Brooks explained that the United States, as part of its foreign policy, works to remove barriers and create a world in which disabled people enjoy dignity and full inclusion. According to him, promoting disability rights is an integral part of the promotion of human rights.

    “In pursuing diplomacy that is inclusive and empowering of persons with disabilities, the United States opposes discrimination against persons with disabilities everywhere and in all its forms. If we permit anyone in our society to be accorded less than their full human rights, we are all diminished as a result,” Brooks stated.

    At the event, rights activist and President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, and Access Bank’s Head of Sustainability, Ms. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, emphasized the importance of the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society.

    In 2017, Project Enable Africa, a Nigerian civic organization that promotes the rights, empowerment and social inclusion of persons with disabilities established a disability-friendly digital hub in Lagos with funding from the U.S. government.

    To date, the hub has trained 20 young persons with disabilities in various information and communication technology-based skills, and supports them through mentorship. During today’s event, Project Enable Africa announced a second cohort that will be trained next year. Project Enable Africa is also the winner of the Google Impact Challenge Funds Competition in Nigeria and will receive an award of $250,000.

    Project Enable is led by Mr. Olusola Owonikoko, a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow and 2014 Fellow of the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI).

  • Melania Trump shuns Nigeria as she begins 4-day visit to Africa

    Melania Trump on Monday afternoon boarded Executive One, the government jet assigned for her travel, and left the United States for Africa on her first major solo journey as first lady.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Melania is billed to visit Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt, with Nigeria left out of her itineraries.
    While details of her visit widely remain imprecise, the first lady is expected to make stops at local schools and hospitals visiting with children and taking in regional cultural experiences.
    Also, Melania is expected to be promoting her “Be Best” platform of helping kids in a broad spectrum of categories, ranging from wellness to cyberbullying.
    “When I launched ‘Be Best,’ it was with the goal of combating some of the issues that children face today by shining a spotlight on successful programs and organizations that teach children the tools and skills needed for emotional, social and physical well-being.
    “Since the launch, I have had the opportunity to meet children all over the world, with the goal of talking to them about the importance of healthy living and responsible habits,” the first lady stated in New York City last week.
    In Ghana and Malawi, Trump said in her remarks that she will focus on health care and education, joining on the trip with USAID to see which programs are working to support each country.
    Similarly, in Kenya, early education and disease prevention and care are on her agenda, as is conservation.
    In Egypt, Trump will likely visit that country’s most popular tourism site, the Great Pyramids.
    “I know that through USAID, we have worked with the people of Egypt to promote an environment in which all groups of society — including women and religious minorities — can lead productive and healthy lives,” she said.
     

  • Meeting with Trump yields results on economy, security, anti-corruption – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump yielded positive results in areas of the economy, security and anti-corruption.

    Buhari, announced this during a joint press conference by Buhari and Trump after a one-day official working visit to the White House.

    The Nigerian president lauded the shared history of close and cordial relations between the two countries , saying it encompasses political, economic, military, social and cultural cooperation.

    He said: “Our two countries maintain a strategic partnership for peace and security, conflict resolution as well as the global fight against terrorism.

    “We also share common features as secular federal states, practicing a similar democratic model of governance and committed to the universal values of fundamental human rights and freedoms, free enterprise, social justice and the rule of law.

    “President Trump and his team and myself and the Nigerian team discussed issues related to security, trade, governance, human rights and humanitarian crises.”

    He recognised the strong U.S. support in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and also appreciated very much the U.S. agreement to sell 12 Super Tucano A-29 war planes and weapons to Nigeria to effectively fight terrorism.

    “​We expressed gratitude for U. S. support in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the North East of Nigeria, as well as humanitarian assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), through agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other international partners.

    “The USA has been to date the biggest contributor to the humanitarian response and last year gave approximately 500 million U.S. Dollars in cash and in-kind contributions through the United Nations and other inter-governmental organisations.

    “These have mainly supported protection activities, health, food assistance and shelter. We are doing all we can to secure the release of the remaining abducted school girls from Dapchi and Chibok.

    “In this context, we will continue to welcome U.S. collaboration in intelligence gathering, hostage negotiations and information-sharing,” Buhari said.

    On violent attacks by herdsmen, Buhari said the government was taking necessary steps to promote the peaceful co-existence of herdsmen and farmers, by focusing on boosting security and enforcing legislation that will guarantee herders and farmers access to land.

    On economy, he said Nigeria very much welcomed increased US investment in the Nigerian economy, especially in the non-oil sector.

    Buhari said: “​Nigeria’s trade volume with the United States stood at 6.07 billion dollars, according to 2016 statistics and comprised 4.176 billion dollars worth of Nigerian exports to the U.S. and 1.894 billion dollars U.S. exports to Nigeria. We urged greater effort to increase these figures substantially.”

    He thanked the U.S. government for the cooperation Nigeria had received in its effort to recover stolen funds.

    “Our two governments have put the machinery in place for their respective Attorneys-General to collaborate in ensuring the return to Nigeria of over 500 million dollars of looted funds siphoned away in banks around the world.

    “In this connection, we congratulated the US government on launching a Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative which was spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering.

    “We hope that we could continue to count on U.S. support in this area,” he said.

  • Over 70 Ghanaians deported from US

    Over 70 Ghanaian immigrants have been deported from the United States for visa-related offenses, including staying illegally and overstaying their permits in the country.

    3news reports that all the male deportees arrived on Wednesday at the Accra’s Kotoka International Airport in handcuffs, before they were handed over to local authorities.

    Although, the actual number of the deported immigrants was not officially revealed, the deportees were screened by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana Police Service and were reported to have been given 100 Ghana Cedis ($23) each, after clearance as some of them had no means to contact their families.

    This is the second mass deportation of Ghanaians from the United States in recent times.

    Last year, the United States deported 108 Ghanaian immigrants for reasons including drug-related offences, staying illegally, overstaying their permits and other crimes.