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FG Nominates Okonjo-Iweala As DG WTO, Replaces Earlier Nominee, Agah

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The Federal Government has tipped Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to replace Ambassador Yonov Agah, whose name President Muhammadu Buhari initially sent as Nigeria’s nominee for Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

A note indicating the move by Nigeria and soliciting the support of other embassies at the African Union said the Federal Government has withdrawn the candidacy of Ambassador Yonov Frederick AGAH for election to the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) adding that President Muhammadu BUHARI has approved the nomination of OKONJO-IWEALA to replace AGAH, as Nigeria’s Candidate for the position for the term 2021— 2025 at the elections scheduled to hold in Geneva, Switzerland in 2021.

The note adds: “Dr. OKONJO-IWEALA, a renowned global finance expert, is an economist and international development professional with over 30 years of experience, having worked in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. Dr. OKONJO-IWEALA is presently the Chair of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

“Since its creation in 2000, Gavi has immunized over 760 million children across the globe. She also sits on the Boards of Standard Chartered PLC and Twitter Inc. She was recently appointed as African Union (AU) Special Envoy to mobilise International Financial Support in the fight against COVID-19, as well as Special Envoy for the World Health Organization’s Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator.
Dr. OKONJO-IWEALA served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, from 2003-2006, 2011-2015, and briefly as Nigeria’s Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions.

“She had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the No. 2 position of Managing Director (Operations). As Finance Minister, Dr. OKONJO-IWEALA steered Nigeria through varying degree of reforms, particularly on macroeconomic, trade, financial and real sector issues.

“As Managing Director (Operations) at the World Bank, her several portfolios included oversight responsibility for the World Bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala spearheaded several World Bank initiatives to assist low-income countries during the 2008-2009 food crisis and later in the trying period of the global financial crisis. In 2010, she served as Chair of the World Bank’s successful drive to raise $49.3 billion in grants and low interest credit for the poorest countries in the world.

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International

Some Top Republicans Secretly Pray for Kamala Harris Massive Win

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By Dan Ladden-Hall

It seems it’s not just Democrats who are hoping that Donald Trump will be dealt a devastating defeat in November.

Several notable Republican figures also want the former president to lose to Kamala Harris but aren’t saying so publicly, according to Politico. Some GOP lawmakers see the possibility of a new Trump term as bad news for the party, the outlet reports.

Among those concerned are proponents of free market economic policies who are concerned by Trump’s proposed import tariffs, while abortion rights opponents are also skeptical of his inconsistent messaging on that issue, according to Politico.

They’re also reportedly concerned that Trump winning in 2024 could hurt the GOP’s electoral chances in the future.

“There’s a lot of anxiety about what Trump does to Republican ability to win in 2028—and what he also may do to the party in terms of policy long term,” one anonymous conservative leader told Politico. “There is just this concern that like, ‘OK, if the party just goes in that direction, then what kind of party is it going forward? And can conservatives, then, have a home going forward?’”

The outlet also claims concerned Republicans hope Trump’s loss is by a wide margin in order to help stifle any attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of his hypothetical defeat.

In a separate column, Politico’s columnist Jonathan Martin claimed the best outcome for the future of the Republican Party is for Trump to “lose soundly” in November.

“For most Republicans who’ve not converted to the Church of MAGA, this scenario is barely even provocative,” Martin writes. “In fact, asking around with Republicans last week, the most fervent private debate I came across in the party was how best to accelerate Trump’s exit to the 19th Hole.”

In a statement, Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes told the outlet that Trump has “unified the GOP like never before” and “expanded his coalition of support across partisan lines to Democrats and Independents.”

“Our campaign and down-ballot Republicans are poised for a great result in November, despite a few hand-wringing, anonymous sources who are not bold enough to attach their names to this drivel,” Hughes added.

* Reuters

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International

Canada Ends Visitor-to-work Permit Policy

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The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada.

The IRCC introduced the policy in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic–related travel restrictions.

Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country.

In addition, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.

“While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, the IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system,” the Canadian government said in a statement published on its website on Wednesday.

The IRCC was also aware that “some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorisation.”

It however noted that it would continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy.

The development is likely to have a huge impact on intending migrants including Nigerians who might want to explore the avenue to seek a stay in the country.

See also  Senate seeks Nigeria’s inclusion in $147billion Global Bitumen Market …passes Bitmen Development Commission Bill for second reading

The development is also coming amid tensions that heightened earlier this week when tens of thousands of international students took to the streets across Canada to protest new immigration policies introduced by the government that could see about 70,000 of them deported.

Canada is a destination for many Nigerians seeking greener pastures and education, especially in the wave of ‘Japa’ that has hit the country. (Punch)

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International

Abuse of Visa Laws: Nigerian Immigration Deports Zimbabwean Bishop

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Comptroller-General, NIS, Kemi Nandap

By Sule Musa

After discovering he misused his tourist visa and breached immigration protocols, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on August 24, 2024, repatriated Zimbabwean Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatawi for a violation of immigration laws. NIS apprehended Nhiwatawi in Yola, Adamawa State.

He entered Nigeria on August 21, 2024, using a Tourist Visa (F5A), strictly meant for tourism activities. However, authorities discovered him participating in the Methodist Church leadership election, which violated the visa terms under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024. Read Also: NIS Suspends Mendicant Officer as FAAN Urges Reporting Misconduct

Following the infraction, the Comptroller General of NIS, with ministerial approval, immediately ordered his repatriation. The NIS emphasized that while it encourages lawful entry for investment and business activities, it will not tolerate any violation of immigration laws.

“The Service encourages lawful FDIs and business activities, recognizing their role in economic growth and development. However, it will not tolerate violations of immigration laws”, the statement signed by DCI Kenneth Udo, Service Public Relations Officer, stressed.

The NIS reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national security by closely monitoring the activities of foreign nationals.

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