PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
UK's new visa requirements, Abacha loot, oil find in Lagos highlighted in Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - The new UK visa policy, newly-recovered Abacha loot, Nelson Mandela's health status and oil find in Lagos were the major stories in Nigeria this week.
The GUARDIAN, under he headline "Govt rejects proposed British visa bond policy, UK reacts", reported that the Nigerian government has stressed the need to review the diplomatic move, warning of the danger the proposed visa policy poses to the stability of the Commonwealth.
The proposed policy would compel visitors from some countries, including Nigeria, to deposit a 3,000-pound bond before being allowed entry into the UK.
The paper said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga A. Ashiru, Tuesday expressed the displeasure of the Federal Government over the new policy to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, describing the proposal “as not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family”.
The new development came as the Senate also Tuesday rejected the proposed policy, saying it would not accept Nigeria being part of the list.
The upper legislative chamber threatened that it would push for a similar policy against UK citizens in Nigeria or those seeking entry into the country by the time Nigeria is officially notified of the new development.
"UK cash bond: FG’ll protect Nigerians — Minister" -- the NIGERIAN TRIBUNE which quoted Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, as re-assuring that the interest of Nigerians would be protected under the new UK visa policy.
Ashiru gave the assurance a day after the British government announced a new immigration scheme of 3,000 pounds cash bond for Africans and Asians visiting the UK aimed at checking abuses.
Ashiru reiterated that the government was in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in the UK as it tries to make contacts with British authorities on the matter.
“We are taking proactive steps to re-assure our citizens that government is mindful of their concerns and ensure that the grey areas in its implementation are sorted our speedily before the November dateline when it commences,” he said.
He also said the ministry was yet to receive official notification from the British government on the issue, adding that “once we get it, we will study the document and react appropriately."
The PUNCH screamed "£3,000 visa bond: We will retaliate, FG warns British govt". It reported that there were indications on Tuesday that the Federal Government would opt for a retaliatory measure if the United Kingdom went ahead to implement its proposed 3,000-pound visa bond.
Nigeria was said to have made this known during a private meeting between Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, and the British High Commissioner, Andrew Pocock, in Abuja.
Nigeria is one of the six countries whose nationals would be required to pay the 3,000-pound bond under a proposed policy that will take effect in November. The others are India, Bangledish, Ghana, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The GUARDIAN reported the story on the recovery of fresh funds from the family of the late former Nigerian leader, Sani Abacha, under the headline "Fresh N28.3b Abacha loot recovered, says minister".
The paper said that the renewed stolen asset recovery drive of the Federal Government has yielded remarkable results as Government Thursday in Abuja said it had recovered another N28.3 billion (about US$ 175 million) from the Abacha family and companies associated with him in Liechtenstein.
It said that the indication was made Thursday by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), in Abuja during the 2013 ministerial press briefing to mark the mid-term report card of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Adoke also disclosed that the sum of 122.5 million pounds was recovered from one Raj Arjandes, an Indian and close associate of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.
He said the US$ 175 million recovered by government from the Abacha family and associated companies was the aftermath of a confiscation order by the Supreme Court of Liechtenstein.
But the companies said to have facilitated Abacha’s money laundering activities have filed an appeal against the confiscation order, which is already being executed and has yielded the said recovered sums so far.
The appeal for reversal of the confiscation order was said to have been filed at the European Court of Strasbourg.
Adoke said once the appeal is concluded in Nigeria’s favour, the huge sum would be repatriated to the country immediately.
While the NIGERIAN TRIBUNE headlined the same story "FG recovers N5.5bn Abacha loot", the VANGUARD called it "FG recovers £22.5m stolen assets abroad – Adoke".
On Nelson Mandela's health status, the news of Mandela's health deterioration, announced by the South African presidency on Sunday evening, received a massive play in the Nigerian media on Monday.
The South African media had quoted presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj as saying the former President's health was now in 'critical condition', and that President Jacob Zuma had visited him in a Pretoria hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for a lung infection.
''Mandela in critical condition - Jacob Zuma,'' was the headline in the VANGUARD. ''Mandela now in critical condition, says presidency'' (GUARDIAN); ''Nelson Mandela's health deteriorates'' (LEADERSHIP); ''World stands still for Mandela - last 24 hours very critical - Zuma'' (the NIGERIAN TRIBUNE); and ''Nelson Mandela critically ill in hospital'' (The PUNCH) were some of the other headlines.
The health of Mandela, who has been in and out of hospital in recent times over a recurring lung infection dating back to 1988 when he contacted tuberculosis while in prison, is being keenly followed across the world.
On the oil find in Lagos, the papers screamed that Nigeria’s commercial capital, LAGOS, is on the verge of joining the country’s oil-producing states with the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities in the coastal state.
According to the VANGUARD, whose headline was "Oil discovered in Lagos", Afren Plc and its partner, Lekoil Limited, Thursday announced significant oil discovery offshore Dahomey Basin in Lagos.
In separate announcements, the partners said they discovered a significant light oil accumulation based on the results of drilling and wire line logs from a high impact Ogo-1 well, located on the Oil Prospecting Licence, OPL 310 offshore Nigeria.
Afren is optimistic that the discovery is likely to be significantly higher than the anticipated 78 million barrels of oil equivalent, which encourages search to further high potential zones.
The discovery is subject to the authentication of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), which is expected in two weeks.
If certified and the partners produce the first barrel of oil, Lagos will become the 11th oil producing state in Nigeria, a club the south East Anambra State joined recently.
It will also boost the economy of Lagos, which currently generates about 29 billion Naira (about US$ 193 million) internally every month.
-0- PANA VAO 29June2013
The GUARDIAN, under he headline "Govt rejects proposed British visa bond policy, UK reacts", reported that the Nigerian government has stressed the need to review the diplomatic move, warning of the danger the proposed visa policy poses to the stability of the Commonwealth.
The proposed policy would compel visitors from some countries, including Nigeria, to deposit a 3,000-pound bond before being allowed entry into the UK.
The paper said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga A. Ashiru, Tuesday expressed the displeasure of the Federal Government over the new policy to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, describing the proposal “as not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family”.
The new development came as the Senate also Tuesday rejected the proposed policy, saying it would not accept Nigeria being part of the list.
The upper legislative chamber threatened that it would push for a similar policy against UK citizens in Nigeria or those seeking entry into the country by the time Nigeria is officially notified of the new development.
"UK cash bond: FG’ll protect Nigerians — Minister" -- the NIGERIAN TRIBUNE which quoted Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, as re-assuring that the interest of Nigerians would be protected under the new UK visa policy.
Ashiru gave the assurance a day after the British government announced a new immigration scheme of 3,000 pounds cash bond for Africans and Asians visiting the UK aimed at checking abuses.
Ashiru reiterated that the government was in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in the UK as it tries to make contacts with British authorities on the matter.
“We are taking proactive steps to re-assure our citizens that government is mindful of their concerns and ensure that the grey areas in its implementation are sorted our speedily before the November dateline when it commences,” he said.
He also said the ministry was yet to receive official notification from the British government on the issue, adding that “once we get it, we will study the document and react appropriately."
The PUNCH screamed "£3,000 visa bond: We will retaliate, FG warns British govt". It reported that there were indications on Tuesday that the Federal Government would opt for a retaliatory measure if the United Kingdom went ahead to implement its proposed 3,000-pound visa bond.
Nigeria was said to have made this known during a private meeting between Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, and the British High Commissioner, Andrew Pocock, in Abuja.
Nigeria is one of the six countries whose nationals would be required to pay the 3,000-pound bond under a proposed policy that will take effect in November. The others are India, Bangledish, Ghana, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The GUARDIAN reported the story on the recovery of fresh funds from the family of the late former Nigerian leader, Sani Abacha, under the headline "Fresh N28.3b Abacha loot recovered, says minister".
The paper said that the renewed stolen asset recovery drive of the Federal Government has yielded remarkable results as Government Thursday in Abuja said it had recovered another N28.3 billion (about US$ 175 million) from the Abacha family and companies associated with him in Liechtenstein.
It said that the indication was made Thursday by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), in Abuja during the 2013 ministerial press briefing to mark the mid-term report card of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Adoke also disclosed that the sum of 122.5 million pounds was recovered from one Raj Arjandes, an Indian and close associate of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.
He said the US$ 175 million recovered by government from the Abacha family and associated companies was the aftermath of a confiscation order by the Supreme Court of Liechtenstein.
But the companies said to have facilitated Abacha’s money laundering activities have filed an appeal against the confiscation order, which is already being executed and has yielded the said recovered sums so far.
The appeal for reversal of the confiscation order was said to have been filed at the European Court of Strasbourg.
Adoke said once the appeal is concluded in Nigeria’s favour, the huge sum would be repatriated to the country immediately.
While the NIGERIAN TRIBUNE headlined the same story "FG recovers N5.5bn Abacha loot", the VANGUARD called it "FG recovers £22.5m stolen assets abroad – Adoke".
On Nelson Mandela's health status, the news of Mandela's health deterioration, announced by the South African presidency on Sunday evening, received a massive play in the Nigerian media on Monday.
The South African media had quoted presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj as saying the former President's health was now in 'critical condition', and that President Jacob Zuma had visited him in a Pretoria hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for a lung infection.
''Mandela in critical condition - Jacob Zuma,'' was the headline in the VANGUARD. ''Mandela now in critical condition, says presidency'' (GUARDIAN); ''Nelson Mandela's health deteriorates'' (LEADERSHIP); ''World stands still for Mandela - last 24 hours very critical - Zuma'' (the NIGERIAN TRIBUNE); and ''Nelson Mandela critically ill in hospital'' (The PUNCH) were some of the other headlines.
The health of Mandela, who has been in and out of hospital in recent times over a recurring lung infection dating back to 1988 when he contacted tuberculosis while in prison, is being keenly followed across the world.
On the oil find in Lagos, the papers screamed that Nigeria’s commercial capital, LAGOS, is on the verge of joining the country’s oil-producing states with the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities in the coastal state.
According to the VANGUARD, whose headline was "Oil discovered in Lagos", Afren Plc and its partner, Lekoil Limited, Thursday announced significant oil discovery offshore Dahomey Basin in Lagos.
In separate announcements, the partners said they discovered a significant light oil accumulation based on the results of drilling and wire line logs from a high impact Ogo-1 well, located on the Oil Prospecting Licence, OPL 310 offshore Nigeria.
Afren is optimistic that the discovery is likely to be significantly higher than the anticipated 78 million barrels of oil equivalent, which encourages search to further high potential zones.
The discovery is subject to the authentication of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), which is expected in two weeks.
If certified and the partners produce the first barrel of oil, Lagos will become the 11th oil producing state in Nigeria, a club the south East Anambra State joined recently.
It will also boost the economy of Lagos, which currently generates about 29 billion Naira (about US$ 193 million) internally every month.
-0- PANA VAO 29June2013
