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Tag: Washington DC

  • 9 people shot and wounded in D.C., including 2 juveniles, as violence continues to mar July 4th

    9 people shot and wounded in D.C., including 2 juveniles, as violence continues to mar July 4th

    Nine people were shot and wounded, including two juveniles, early Wednesday in Washington, D.C., police said.

    Shortly before 1 a.m. police responded to a report of a shooting on Meade Street in the northeastern quadrant of the US capital, Assistant Chief Leslie Parsons of the Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement on Twitter.

    Upon their arrival officers discovered multiple shooting victims, including a 9-year-old and a 17-year-old, Parsons said.

    A dark colored SUV seen driving through the neighborhood, stopped and then shot at the victims outside enjoying the July Fourth holiday, Parsons said, calling the shooting targeted.

    Several victims were transported to local hospitals by D.C. Fire and EMS while others transported themselves. All the victims suffered non-life threatening injuries, Parsons said. None have been identified.

    It was not immediately clear if there was more than one shooter in the vehicle and no arrests have been made.

    The D.C. shooting is the latest in a string of mass shootings over a violent holiday weekend. Twenty-eight people were shoot, two fatally at a block party in Baltimore early Sunday. Authorities say many of the shooting victims were under 18.

    On Monday night, a gunman in a bulletproof vest has opened fire on the streets of Philadelphia, killing five people and wounding two boys, 2 and 13, before he surrendered to responding officers, police.

    Three people were killed and eight others injured when several men fired indiscriminately into a crowd of hundreds that had gathered in a Texas neighborhood following a festival in the area, authorities said. The shooting in the Fort Worth neighborhood of Como happened late Monday night, about two hours after the annual ComoFest ended.

  • Washington DC proclaims October 1 Nigerian American Day

    Washington DC proclaims October 1 Nigerian American Day

    The City of Washington DC, United States, has proclaimed October 1 as Nigerian American Day in celebration of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day anniversary.

    The proclamation was made in a statement by the Mayor of Washington DC, Muriel Bowser.

    Bowser said the District of Columbia had one of the largest Nigerian immigrant populations in the U.S., adding that DC residents saluted the contributions of Nigerian Americans as civic leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

    According to her, Nigerian music and art, particularly Afrobeats and Nollywood, enrich the cultural economy and strengthen cultural ties.

    “The Nigerian Center, an immigrant and cultural center in Washington, DC, provides a platform for the African diaspora to learn about their Nigerian heritage and expands pathways for recently arrived Nigerian immigrants to become Nigerian Americans.

    “The city’s Office on African Affairs works with the Nigerian Center to foster economic inclusion and advancement and to promote Nigerian culture,” Bowser said.

    The Nigerian Center is the first immigrant and cultural center for the Nigerian diaspora in the U.S.

    It was established to connect to the Nigerian culture while offering financial inclusion and social justice opportunities for members of the Nigerian American community in the U.S..

    The center also curated cultural programs for first-generation Nigerian-Americans and supported  newly arrived immigrants.

    Also, the Nigerian center is opening a walk-in immigration clinic in Washington, D.C.  for community members who required legal assistance regarding immigration and naturalisation.

    The center and several community organisations serving the Nigerian American community will  announce the opening  on Oct. 4.

  • Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons confront world champions USA again

    Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons confront world champions USA again

    Nigeria and USA women National Senior Teams clash in Washington DC on Tuesday in the second of a two-match tour of the United States by the nine-time African champions.

     

    Three-time world champions USA trounced the Falcons 4-0 in the two teams’ first encounter at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday, with a brace from Sophia Smith and one each by Lindsay Horan and Alex Morgan.

     

    Both USA and Nigeria have qualified to participate at the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals to be staged by Australia and New Zealand in the summer of next year.

     

    Tuesday’s encounter will take place at the Audi Field in Washington. Audi Field is utilized by National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit and Major League Soccer team, D. C. United and though the USWNT have played 10 times previously in Washington (all at the RFK Stadium), it is their first run-out at the Audi Field.

     

    The game will commence at 11pm Nigeria time (6pm in Washington DC).

     

    Meanwhile, prior to their clash with USWNT in Kansas City, the Super Falcons took time to have a ‘Meet and Greet’ session with some prominent Nigerians based in the State of Missouri, including Adeola Ajayi (ex-Nigeria basketball team player), Chioma Atanmo (Community Manager, Sporting KC), Olofu Agbaji (ex-Nigeria basketball team player), Tijani Idris (ex-Nigeria basketball team player) and David Ehindero (a U.S –based Nigerian businessman).

     

    Also at the simple but lively session were John Allagh (ex-Nigeria basketball team player), Prince Tega (a player with NFL football team, Kansas City Chiefs), Ochai Agbaji (ex-Nigeria basketball team player) and Victor Ejelonu.

     

  • Urhobo son emerges top judge in United States [Photos]

    Urhobo son emerges top judge in United States [Photos]

    Edirin Okoloko, a judge of the Snohomish County Superior Court in Washington DC, USA has emerged as the overall best in a members rating conducted by the Snohomish County Bar Association.

    Okoloko, a native of Delta state came ahead of six other judges with an average result of 4.12 in press release by the Snohomish County Bar members newsletter.

    The release reads “Introducing our top two Superior Court judges per member ratings in 2021. Judge Langbehn and Judge Okoloko”.

    “Those pictured here had the highest averages. An honourable mention also goes out to our highest scoring commissioner, Patricia Nelson. A special thank you to the fearless SCBA board for tabulating these results”.

    Okoloko’s results is as follows: Decision making Average 4.03, median 4.00; Efficiency average 3.81, median 4.00; Demeanour average 4.47, median 5.00; Impartiality average 4.15, median 5.00. overall performance average 4.12 median 4.00.

    Judge Okoloko was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to fill a vacant seat on Snohomish County Superior Court bench in January 2020 after the retirement of Judge Linda C. Krese.

    The governor previously appointed Okoloko to the Snohomish County Superior Court in September 2018 and he took office in October. He lost a close retention election in November 2019.

    Prior to his judicial service, Okoloko served for 13 years as a Snohomish County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, where he prosecuted cases involving homicides, sexual assaults, child abuse, elder abuse, and other violent and property related crimes.

  • Senate President, Saraki leads NASS delegation on parliamentary visit to U.S

    Senate President, Saraki leads NASS delegation on parliamentary visit to U.S

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, will on Monday, lead a National Assembly Delegation to Washington D.C, United States of America, on a Parliamentary visit.
    Members of the delegation include Leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda, Chairman, Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, Chairman, Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations and Diaspora, Senator Rose Oko and Chairman, House Committee on Telecommunications, Hon. Fijabi Saheed Akinade, Chairman, House Committee On Justice, Hon. Rasak Atunwa and Hon. Hassan Saleh, Chairman House Committee on Local Contents.
    Also on the trip are the Chairman, House Committee on Women in Parliament, Hon. Evelyn Oboro Omavowan, Chairman, House Committee on Freedom of Information, Hon. Gabriel Okoye Onyenwife, Hon. Sunday Marshal Katung and the Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Ladi Hamalai.
    The visit, among others, is meant to strengthen the parliamentary and diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
    During the trip, Saraki is expected to deliver a speech on Nigeria /US Relations and opportunities at the Council On Foreign Relations while the delegation is expected to meet with the U.S. State Department and USAID Officials to discuss Energy Development, Health, Education, Gender Development Initiatives and Agriculture.
    Other highlights of the trip include meetings with select Members of the U.S. House Foreign Relations Committee led by Sen. Ed Royce, Ranking Member Eliot Engel, Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Subcommittee Chairman, Chris Smith and Ranking Member Karen Bass to discuss issues of mutual interest to Nigeria and the U.S.A.
    The delegation will also hold meetings with select members and staff of the Committee on House Administration, including, Chairman Gregg Harper, Ranking Member Bob Brady and Chairman, Cedric Redmond, and Members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
    In addition, the team will hold talks with the U.S. Congress Leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, President Pro Tempore, Senator Orrin Hatch as well as with members of Foreign Relations, Committee on Africa and Global Health.
    The delegation will also partake in a Policy Forum on “Doing Business and Investing in Nigeria” hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where Saraki will make a presentation.

  • Sanusi chides ministers for missing meeting with investors in Washington DC

    The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has lambasted Nigerian ministers for missing a meeting with investors in Washington DC despite some of them being in the US.

    Speaking to journalists on Saturday at an investment programme organised by the Nigerian Embassy, Sanusi said Nigeria might lose investors because of the attitude of the ministers.

    According to the emir, there was no reason for the absence of the officials and the challenges faced at the beginning of the event.

    Sanusi said, “We had a meeting today with investors, we were supposed to start by 9am; we started at 10. When I came in, they took me to the ambassador’s office to sit, when investors were waiting there. We had a list of people who were to be here, Vice-President, ministers, some of them are in town, but they haven’t come up.

    “You invite top investors, your ministers are in Washington and they do not come to talk to the investors about Nigeria. That is not how you attract investors. If you have this forum in the Rwandan embassy, I assure you President Kagame himself would be there telling people to come to Rwanda.”

    According to The Cable, some of the ministers, who were absent from the event, included the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu; and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    Others, who shunned the event, included the Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola; the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi; the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; and the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh.

    The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Yewande Sadiku; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and all governors were absent while only the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, was present.

    The emir added, “Sometimes, it is about how we market ourselves, how we package ourselves. There is absolutely no reason for the Nigerian embassy to arrange a ‘Nigeria is open for Business’ forum with ministers in town, with governors in town, and not have the coordination that they are actually here to meet with these investors.

    “There is no reason why we should start one hour late, and there is no reason why the public address system should not work. Because at the end of the day, this is the first point of the country.

  • Washington DC show: Osinbajo commends Nigeria’s robotics team

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has praised the effort of Team Nigeria to the First Global Robotic Olympics in Washington DC, U.S., in 2017 for its outstanding performance at the challenge.

    He made the commendation while receiving the six-member team, their project Director, Mentor and sponsors to the July 14 to July 19, 2017 event on Monday in Abuja.

    Osinbajo said that Nigeria had so many young talents who could do the nation proud in any international competition.

    “We very strongly believe that this country has the talent and these young people demonstrated it eloquently.

    “They have the talent and the creativity and all that it takes to make the kind of difference that could be done in technology,’’ he said.

    He said that he was glad that they youth were working as a team, which was the best way to go, adding that it was an indication that personalised achievement was no longer viable.

    He said that having seen a team of dedicated young people, the government would have to support and encourage them.

    Osinbajo said he looked forward to a better outing of Team Nigeria in the next Olympic challenge to hold in Mexico in August this year.

    He said that the next challenge would be interesting to the country as it focused on energy impact.

    He said it would support the country’s work on green energy for which it set up the first green bond as part of efforts to create green environment and looking at how to mitigate the effects of climate change.

    “We do have some resources that we can commit to that and it will be very useful if we work with you on this coming challenge.

    “It is important that this team stays together and that they are able to grow their ideas,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo said it was important to institutionalise a scientific challenge in the country by involving young scientists even if it occurred during the long holidays.

    He said that an endowment could be created to fill the technology gap.

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, pledged the support of the Ministry of Education and that of Science and Technology toward the August Olympiad.

    The leader of the delegation, Mrs Remi Willouby, a retired robotics teacher, said that the Team Nigeria came first in one category and second in another out of the 10 categories of awards.

    She said out of 163 teams from 157 countries in the competition, the country placed 25th globally and emerged third of the 41 African countries in attendance.

    “What is important is that we are building a group of children that can change this country using innovation,’’ she said.

    Willouby stressed the need for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education being a critical component in the development of the country.

    She called for Federal Government support in the 2018 challenge.

    Mr Faisal Jarmakani, the Managing Director of Aramex and Mr Omar Jarmakani of Doculand, who sponsored the team Nigeria, said the company’s mission was to give the young ones the international exposure in science and technology.

    They expressed the hope to build on the platform to enable it excel and achieve something bigger.

    Team Nigeria built and demonstrated a robot used in the purification of water for consumption at the U.S. challenge.

     

  • Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC speaks on disengagement of staff

    Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC speaks on disengagement of staff

    The Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, has said that the recent disengagement of some workers at the embassy followed due process.

    Senior officials at the embassy told newsmen that the benefits of the 15 local workers, who were recently laid off, would be paid soon.

    They said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, approved the disengagement of the workers due to some ongoing rationalisation of workers at the embassy.

    The officials, however, said the ministry had also approved the payment of gratuities to the workers, some of whom had worked with the embassy for more than 30 years.

    Some of the affected workers had alleged that the decision to lay them off was arbitrary.

    They also alleged that the embassy had no plans to pay their gratuity and other severance benefits.

    Further, the local staff, who were mostly Nigerians, had accused the Mission of retaining the non-Nigerian employees at the expense of those who are of Nigerian nationality.

    However, the embassy officials denied that there was no prior notice to the disengaged workers, saying they actually agreed to the arrangement since February 2017.

    They also assured the workers that the processes for the payment of their entitlements had reached an advanced stage.

    One of the officials said: “In February 2017, there was a decision to disengage some of the local staff.

    “However, they pleaded to an arrangement to be on contract for another one year, which lapsed in February 2018. The ministry from Abuja approved their disengagement.

    “As I am talking to you, we have received approval from Abuja to pay their benefits and they would be paid very soon. It is true that some of them have put in up to 30 years of service.

    “They were engaged on contracts and it is the decision of the government to either continue to renew their contract or to terminate it if their services are no longer needed.

    “Some whose contracts were terminated in 2013 were not paid in full but we are working out their benefits to make sure that those whose appointments were terminated receive their full benefits.

    “It is also not true that they were arbitrarily disengaged; they were aware of the contract and they signed on to it since last year”.

    Recall that the embassy, in 2017, had several disagreements with the local workers over the non-payment of salaries spanning several months, leading to protest at the embassy at the time.

    Some of the workers also embarked on work to rule, which disrupted consular services at the embassy before they were paid following approval of three months’ salary by the ministry.

     

     

  • Hackers ‘to leak’ emails of UAE ambassador to US

    Hackers ‘to leak’ emails of UAE ambassador to US

    A computer hacking group that calls itself “GlobalLeaks” has reportedly said it plans to release emails taken from the inbox of Yousef al-Otaiba, the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States.

    The Daily Beast reported on Friday that it had been approached by the hackers, who offered a sample of the emails they said demonstrated “how a small rich country/company used lobbyists to hurt American interests and those of it allies”.

    The group said the leaks “reveal how millions of dollars were used to hurt [the] reputation of American allies and cause policy changes”.

    The leakers said they plan to publish the material themselves on Saturday, the report said.

    According to the Daily Beast, the hackers said the documents had been provided to them by a paid whistle-blower in a Washington, DC lobbying group and contained emails from Otaiba’s Hotmail account.

    It also said the sample provided included several emails between Otaiba and Robert Gates, former US defence secretary in the administrations of George Bush and Barack Obama.

    Otaiba is well-known figure in US national security circles – he has been called “the most charming man in Washington” – and has participated in Pentagon strategy meetings at the invitation of the defence officials.

    Khalil Jahshan, executive director of the Arab Center in Washington, DC, said depending on the substance of the emails, the leak could prove to be “very embarrassing” for the UAE, “particularly if it … reveals any new information pertaining to the source of the hacking that took pace of Qatar News Agency (QNA)”.

    The news of the potential leak comes as the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is believed to be helping Qatar investigate the source of a cyberattack that has led to diplomatic tension among Arab Gulf countries.

    An FBI team has been in Doha for the past week after the Qatari government asked the US for help following a security breach by hackers last month who posted fake remarks on its QNA official media platform.