e-passport facility for Nigerians in Doha soon

DOHA NIGERIAN expatriates in Qatar could acquire electronic passports in Doha itself in mid-September.

However, the opportunity to get the new passport in Doha will be available for a limited period of just three days.

Thereafter, it can be obtained only from the Nigerian embassy in the UAE.
The initiative for this comes from the Nigerian embassy in the UAE and the Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO Qatar).

OJ Millar, president of NIDOQatar said, “As the December 31, 2010 deadline for phasing out the old machine readable passport (MRP) approaches, all hands must be on deck to ensure that all e l i g i b l e Nigerians, outside the country who wish to have the chip-based e-passports are issued the same.” “As a measure of our commitment and diligence in serving the community, we have liaised with the Nigerian Embassy in the UAE for a three-day exercise to issue the epassport to residents who have not acquired theirs saving them the trouble of travelling to Abuja or Lagos for that purpose,” he said.

December 31, is the deadline set by the Federal Government of Nigeria after which (from January 1, 2011) only those Nigerians who hold e-passport would be allowed to enter or go out of Nigeria.

In order to check the growing cases of forgery, duplication, identity theft and other related crimes, which continue to dent the country’s image, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in 2007, introduced the e-passport.

OJ Millar also pointed to the implication that if you have residential status, you need a new passport, given that travelling with your old passport with a Qatar ID to Nigeria automatically nullifies it if it is not embedded in the e-passport.” The harmonised ECOWAS smart electronic passport issued by the Nigerian Immigrations Service is powered by biometric technology in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) specifications for international travels.

The e-passport is supported by a powerful data base that ensures verification of data claims from any point of entry or departure; the traveller’s identity can be ascertained and any ambiguity arising from identity problems addressed.

Nigeria is the first country in Africa to acquire the e-passport technology and among the first five nations of the world to adopt the biometric technology to the delight of International Migration Experts and security agents worldwide.

Welcoming the move for issuing of e-passport at Doha, Frank Idozie, a Nigerian resident said, “I’m happy with the idea of getting my e-passport here without having to travel all the way to Abuja.

It will save me not only the pain of a long journey to the country and back, but also lots of money.” “This is a welcome development and we appreciate the efforts of government.

I enjoin Nigerians in Diaspora to sustain the enlightenment campaign so that everybody gets the new passport before the deadline expires,” said Florence Ijachie, a resident.

Golden Jubilee: Govt, US-based Nigerians Plan Huge Celebrations In New York

LEADING Nigerians abroad under the banner of a US-based foundation and their friendly international associates and foundations are collaborating with the Federal Government to host a historic 50th Independence Anniversary celebration in New York next month.

It will hold at the world-class Waldorf Astoria Hotel, on the evening of September 23, according to the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) and the Nigeria Mission to the United Nations.

President Goodluck Jonathan will be the keynote speaker at the compelling gala to mark the nation’s Golden Jubilee.

The celebrations would be held on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly, which is expected to draw well over 100 world leaders, including President Jonathan, who is already listed by the UN as one of the early speakers at this year’s world summit of the General Assembly.

Nigerian Governors and ministers are also participating at the US-based independence celebrations including Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Peter Obi of Anambra State, and the Ministers of Education and Health, Professors Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i and Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu respectively.

Highlights of the 50th Independence celebrations in New York include a day-long symposium entitled, ‘Nigeria at 50: Education… The Imperative for Nigeria’s Future,’ before the gala and dinner on the same day.

Dr. Ferdinard Ofodile, an award-winning American plastic surgeon and Professor of Medicine at the prestigious Columbia University in New York, said the NHEF is collaborating with the Federal Government through Nigeria’s Ambassador and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Joy Ogwu, to organise events.

Ofodile, who is also the Vice President of the NHEF, explained that the foundation wants to use the opportunity of the 50th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria to raise awareness about higher education in the country.

It is also to highlight the need for continuous collaboration between Nigeria and her international friends to ensure that federal universities fulfil their objectives in the country.

NHEF, formed in 2004 by a group of top Nigerian professionals in the US, and is currently led by notable New York investment banker, Wale Adeosun, actively raises money and uses its base here in the US to create international linkages for some federal universities in Nigeria.

Lorrete Nixon, the Executive Director of the foundation, in a press release over the weekend, said that the anniversary celebrations in New York would also feature renowned international economist, Professor Jeffrey Sachs of the Columbia University ’s Earth Institute and Mr. Fred Hochberg of the US Export Import Bank.

Others are lgwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi), Obi of Onitsha; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olufemi Bamiro and his counterpart from the Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha; Ambassador Bunu Sheriff Musa, Chairman, Ahmadu Bello University Governing Council and other distinguished participants from Nigeria, the US and around the world.

At the Gala, following the symposium, the NHEF will host an Annual Awards, where US-based Nigerian, Mr. Jide Zeitlin, an Obama nominee as US Ambassador to the UN and notable investment banker in the US, Mr. Jonathan Fanton of MacArthur Foundation and US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, would be honoured.

It is at this gala that President Jonathan will deliver a keynote address.

It was Jonathan Fanton, as the head of the MacArthur Foundation, who announced the donation of a major $250,000 grant to the UI in 2005, and also provided seed money for the takeoff of the NHEF in 2004.

Since then, the NHEF has been raising international support through funds and programmes for Nigerian universities.

The press released stated that “the events are a reminder of how important higher education is and how seriously Nigerian officials and its international supporters are in assisting these institutions (to) reach their goals.”

It noted that the symposium would serve as a forum for exchange of ideas about the role of education in accelerating the economic development of Nigeria.

The talkshop will feature presentation on topics such as:

• Altering the trajectory of cultural, health and economic development in Nigeria through education.

• Are Nigeria’s institutions of higher education relevant to Nigeria’s development in the 21st Century?

• Capacity building in Nigerian Universities — The case for links between business-education-government and the global campus as incubator.

Also, according to the release, “like much of the continent, many African nations are preparing to celebrate their 50th year of independence, but not many of them will do it at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City with the nation’s president in attendance.

The NHEF, which is composed of several high-flying US-based Nigerian medical doctors, lawyers, bankers, academics and other professionals, “seeks to promote excellence in higher education in Nigeria.”

This it does by raising awareness about the role of Nigerian universities in the social, economic and political development of the nation, as well as introducing a broad base of organisations, donors and professionals to these institutions.

Currently, NHEF is working with various universities in different capacities but its initial focus is on five federal universities including Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, University of Ibadan, University of Port Harcourt and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Online sale of AFC Asian Cup tickets commences in Doha

FOOTBALL fans can now buy tickets online for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011.
The ticket sale for Asia’s flagship soccer event was initiated at the Fours Seasons Hotel by the Qatar Local Organising Committee (QLOC) Executive Board member Mohammed Mubarak al Mohannadi.
The continental football feast will be held in Doha from January 7-29, 2011 and will showcase the best 16 teams of Asia.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune on behalf of QLOC Chief Executive Officer Saoud al Mohannadi, Mubarak said: “We are proud to launch the website for the online ticket sale of our tournament, a most convenient purchasing method which is now used in most international sports championships.” Al Mohannadi said in a message for the launch: “In coordination with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), this will be the first time that a major sporting event in Qatar has been able to provide its own official online ticket sales service.” AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam also urged fans to book their seats early in the five stadiums for their favourite teams.
“The AFC is pleased to launch the online ticket sales of the Asian Cup Qatar 2011.You can now start buying your tickets to watch the top 16 teams in action in Doha”, said bin Hammam.
Dr Athanasios Batsilas, the Chief Operating Officer, said the system developed by the organising committee and the AFC is dynamic, effective and userfriendly.
‘The organisers spared no effort in producing a website that is user-friendly right from the time of purchase to witnessing the matches.” Fans buying tickets will receive an immediate confirmation email listing his or her details as well as all details of the purchase.
The customer can go with his or her confirmation to any ticket outlet to collect the tickets.
The counter ticket sales will be launched later in the year.
At that stage, tickets will be available on a first-come-first-served basis at select tickets outlets in Doha.
“We have worked closely with the AFC to provide this dynamic, user friendly service.
It will give thousands of fans across the Asian continent an opportunity to reserve their seats six months before the start of the tournament”, said al Mohannadi.
Different categories of the tickets have been reasonably priced to ensure that they are within the reach of all soccer fans, and the AFC will monitor closely with the ticketing service provider to ensure smooth sales of tickets and distribution, al Mohannadi added.

Nigeria community elects new executives

NIGERIANS in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO-Qatar, Nigerian community in Qatar previously known as DOHANAIJA elected new executive members at the Millennium hotel recently.
Around 100 Nigerian expatriates gathered to elect new office-bearers of the organisation which paved the way for the dissolution of DOHANIJA and adoption of a new constitution.
Formation of NIDO-Qatar is in line with the directives of the Federal Government of Nigeria which has just established a Diaspora Commission.
In view of that, amendments were made to the previous constitution as advised by the community to reflect the visions and missions of the new organisation.
The newly elected NIDOQatar officials are Olu Jimoh Millar(President), Raymond Bob-Ume (Vice- President), Godfrey Awinoron (Secretary- General), Sunday Aigbomian (Assistant Secretary-General), Ebele Ume (Treasurer), Olayemi Adams (Financial Secretary), Victor Okwusah (Social Secretary), Victor Ikoli (Public Relations Officer), Noimot Olayiwola, Taofeek Bello, Mary Dehinbo, Adeboye Dehinbo(Welfare Officers) and ex-officio Hafeez Muhamed.
The president, OJ Millar, who was also the immediate past president of DOHANAIJA, was elected unopposed to serve as the first President of Nigerians in Diaspora, NIDO-Qatar.
He thanked members of the community for their commitment to the development of the association, especially during its transformation period.
The new public relations officer assured members of the community of prompt information dissemination.
He also promised to ensure that the organisation is wellprojected both in Qatar and Nigeria.
A member of the community, Effion Ebong expressed his happiness that new faces were elected into the new executive committee.
He urged the executive to work on integration and orientation of Nigerians arriving in the country.
The Association operates as a charitable organisation.
It renders assistance to Nigerians in Qatar, in areas of welfare, legal, immigration support, education advisory, resolution of disputes with sponsors and employment assistance.

Eight out of eight for Paul the Octopus

Eight picks, eight correct, eight tentacles. Paul the Oracle Octopus is clearly the biggest winner of the World Cup after recording a perfect prognostication record whether he knows it or not (he probably doesn't).

The big question was whether Paul's predictive superpowers would translate to the final - the first match he was asked to predict that did not involve his native Germany. But such piddly concerns did not bother Paul. Mostly because he's an octopus. Just as he predicted, the European champions Spain became world champions for the first time with an Andres Iniesta goal in extra time. And as the Spanish celebrated, Paul floated in his tank, sure of his genius and probably craving a fresh clam.
Since Paul is an international celebrity of the highest order now, everyone wants a piece of him - both literally and figuratively. Italy is trying to claim that he was caught in Italian waters, Spanish businessmen are trying to buy him for €30,000 ($38,000), and Dutch priests tried to dismiss him.

But in Spain, Paul is an icon. The Spanish prime minister has already spoken of his desire to protect "Pulpo Paul" and the mock up of a new version of Spain's flag could be dangerously close to becoming real.

So what becomes of Paul now? Well, he'll probably continue to live out the remainder of his days at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, no longer forced to pick his food out of flag-covered boxes while surrounded by an obscene number of media types. He will swim at his leisure and continue to be oblivious to the existence of sports. He will retire a winner and a global sensation - what every other octopus (and even a few pundits) wishes they could be.

All hail Paul.

Shakira - Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (The Official 2010 FIFA ...

Iniesta delivers first World Cup to Spain

For 116 minutes, the Netherlands and Spain had battled and bruised, fought and flopped and produced a game that became more pressure packed by the second. Each side was stopped on a breakaway. Each had headers fly high and clear shots curve wide.
And with the moments growing lonely and the air getting colder, with a penalty kick shootout looming, Spain’s Cesc Fabregas made a brilliant pass to set up Andres Iniesta on the right side of the goal.
Iniesta touched it once and blasted it past Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and inside the far post. It was a kick for glory and a shot for history that set off a series of celebrations and heartbreaks across not just a jammed Soccer City here but across Western Europe.
In one corner of this stadium, Iniesta, the 26-year-old, son of bartender from the little village of Fuentealbilla, had ripped his shirt off in mid-run to expose a tribute to his friend and Spanish footballer Daniel Jarque, who recently died of a heart attack.
“We wanted to pay tribute to him and we thought this was the best opportunity to do so,” Iniesta said of Jarque.
Soon Iniesta was mobbed by his teammates in a hug for the ages. The Dutch players either sprawled out in exhausted depression or charged the referees demanding an offside call – when in fact Iniesta was fully onside.

Minutes later, after extra time with extra drama, Spain would capture the nation’s first World Cup and cap a dramatic month of soccer in Africa. The Dutch and their army of frantic, orange-clad fans were bridesmaids for a third difficult time.
It was a fitting conclusion if only because not everything at the 2010 World Cup was pretty or perfect. There were controversies and complaints and a dearth of goals (the second-lowest scoring tournament after Italy ’90).
What the event never lacked, though, was competition. And while it took nearly two hours for the scoreboard to move a bit, the fight on the field was fierce.
The game would conclude with 14 yellow cards, nine of them called on the Netherlands, who finished the game with just 10 players.
The Dutch had said for days that they weren’t going to be intimidated by Spain and its precise passing game that had delivered 30 wins in their last 32 international games and made it the favorite with everyone from bookmakers to octopi.
The men in orange proved it immediately by getting physical, knocking the Spaniards off their balance and their timing. They came out and kicked them in the shins and let them know they were there. Then the Netherlands withstood early Spanish pressure, found its timing and launched waves of attacks of its own.
Andres Iniesta celebrates with the World Cup trophy following Spain's victory over the Netherlands.
For a game with just one goal, there was no lack of opportunities.
The Netherlands’ Arjen Robben had one clear breakaway and another semi-breakaway only to be stoned by the acrobatic Iker Casillas. Not to be outdone, Stekelenburg made game-savers on Fabregas and David Villa.
Because this is an event that comes just every four years, the pressure to perform is impossible to quantify in American pro sports standards. It’s not that players don’t feel immense pressure in a Super Bowl or NBA Finals, but here, there is no next year.
Even elite players make just two or three World Cups and to get just one chance at a final can define a career.
Yet with the world watching, with their countrymen everywhere overcome with nerves, with each minute passing adding to the urgency, the play seemed to improve. The Netherlands would lose but leave every bit of its life on the field. The Spaniards would win, but they’d know they needed every bit of their own reserve to get it done.
At the end of this game, at the end of this month, it was just Andres Iniesta and the ball and the opportunity of a lifetime. He’d grown up in a 2,000-person village, his entire family working in the small tavern, Bar Lujan, which his grandfather owned.
Once, when Andres was 12, his father took him on the nearly five-hour drive to Barcelona to see the professional clubs play. The boy was hooked. He dreamed big. He practiced hard.
And in the most desperate minute in the history of his nation’s soccer fortunes, he never hesitated.
One hard-fought World Cup in the books, with the legends from this epic to only grow from here.