Ukraine-Russia story briefs Monday February 28

Latvian citizens will be able to volunteer to fight for Ukraine

Latvia's parliament in Riga unanimously passed the necessary legal framework on Monday, allowing its citizens to join the fight against Russia's military advances in Ukraine.

IOC wants Russia and Belarus athletes banned; Putin loses Olympic order

In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) called on sports federations to deny athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus entry into international events on Monday. In an unprecedented move, Russian President Vladimir Putin and two other top political figures have had their Olympic Orders revoked.

Over 500,000 people have flee Ukraine

The number of people fleeing war in Ukraine has risen to over 500,000, while a scandal erupted at the country's border with Poland over alleged racist treatment of African refugees. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, over 500,000 people have fled the conflict in Ukraine to neighboring countries.

US closes its embassy in Minsk and authorises diplomats in Russia to leave.

According to the State Department, the United States is suspending its embassy operations in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. It has also authorized the voluntary departure from Russia of non-essential personnel from the US Embassy in Moscow, as well as their family members.

Russia declares tit-for-tat closure of 35 countries' airspace.

In response to multiple countries' decisions to close their airspace to Russian aircraft, Russia's aviation authority Rosaviatsiya announced on Monday that it would close Russian airspace to 35 countries.

All EU member states and Canada are affected by the indefinite ban.

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As a Russian ally, Japan imposes sanctions on Belarus

Japan intends to impose sanctions on Belarus as a Russian ally, according to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, as Moscow continues its attacks on Ukraine. According to Kishida, Tokyo's sanctions will target Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and other government officials.

FIFA expels Russia from Qatar 2022 World Cup

The governing body of football FIFA and UEFA, the European Union's governing bodies, have suspended Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions "until further notice," the federations announced on Monday. As things stand, Russia will be unable to compete in the World Cup play-offs next month or the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to FIFA's decision.

Russian-Ukrainian peace talks end without a breakthrough

On Monday, peace talks between Russia and Ukraine ended without a breakthrough.

"We're travelling back to the capitals for consultations," Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said as he exited the meeting on the Belarus-Ukraine border.

Homecoming to Nigeria Is Dangerous

                                                                                                                                                                              

Reviewing the Assassination of Ogacheko Atanu and a Warning to Nigerians in Diaspora on the State of Insecurity in Nigeria

                                                             

Ogacheko Atanu, an Idah born, world acclaimed and Saudi Arabia based drilling engineer was assassinated by unknown gunmen on Saturday, 9th of January, 2021 while holidaying in his country home in Idah, Kogi State of Nigeria. He was scheduled to travel back to Saudi on the morning of the next day before he was killed on that night in his hometown.

Ogacheko had such a brilliant career while he was at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigeria. It was his sheer brilliance and distinction while at Shell that got him headhunted by Saudi Aramco, the world largest oil company based in Saudi Arabia, where he worked until his assassination in his house in his hometown of Idah.

Homecoming for Ogacheko has had a bad history. Some years ago, after he started work at Saudi Aramco, he decided to visit his hometown and in course of the journey, on his way to Idah, he had a terribly fatal car accident which broke his limbs. Saudi Aramco did not take chances regarding the treatment of one of its best executives. So the company flew a special air ambulance (a chartered plane equipped with specialised medical equipment) into Nigeria and evacuated Ogacheko for treatment in Saudi Arabia. That’s how valuable he was to the company. And it didn’t matter whether he was a Nigerian and a non-national of Saudi Arabia.

So why would Ogacheko choose to come to his hometown under the present circumstances and be brutally murdered in his country home in such a wicked manner? Reports say he was asked by the gunmen to say his last prayers and despite offering them so much money, probably in dollars, they shot at him several times and he died instantly. Why?

Shouldn’t Ogacheko have taken the state of affairs in local security seriously enough to stay away from Nigeria at this time? With his status, he had enough money to arrange armed private guards or special police protection but why didn’t he do that? He also had the means to obtain a licence to own guns with which he could have repelled the assassins or defended himself. Why would uneducated, barbaric, unskilled hoodlums just kill an expatriate of that repute just like that without any resistance? Ogacheko was helpless even in his hometown; he was murdered mercilessly in his country home. Why?

Some Nigerians in diaspora get so accustomed to their host countries which have secure environments that they underestimate the Nigerian security situation. These members of the diaspora should seek proper travel advisory before coming home for holidays and other purposes. But they are usually overconfident in their belief that Nigeria is their original country where they started. So they don’t feel so threatened as if things are not as bad as when they were once here. No! Things are no longer as they were. The security situation in Nigeria seems to be deteriorating by the day. Those of us who live here know the daily risks we face and we trust in God in unusual terms, everyday for our security. Why do you think many Nigerians say crazy prayers using terms like ‘fire and die’ and ‘Holy Ghost fire’?

The Nigerian government needs to do more to assure Nigerians in diaspora and indeed all Nigerians that there is enough security before certain travels can be made in our country.

In the meantime, all Nigerians in diaspora, especially the successful ones who are popular for their generosity, should weigh carefully all their travel plans to Nigeria. A direct advice is for them to stay away completely until the security situation improves or they should be prepared to learn and adopt the needed skills together with resources required to survive in Nigeria, in these precarious times of insecurity, whenever they visit.

Frank Tietie
Human Rights Lawyer
& Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER),
Writes from Abuja

French woman told not French enough for Quebec residency

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Montreal: A French woman seeking permanent residency in Quebec was turned down on grounds on her French was not good enough.
Emilie Dubois, 31, has lived in the mainly French-speaking province since 2012, completed her doctoral thesis at Laval University in Quebec City in French started a small business in the province and even passed a language test.
But all that wasn't enough to convince Quebec officials to give her an immigration suitability certificate that is a prerequisite to gaining permanent residency.
"It's absurd," she told AFP.
French is the official language of government, commerce and the courts in Quebec -- a former French colony ceded to Britain in 1763.
But the province's French majority has often faced criticism for its arguably heavy-handed defense of the language of Moliere.
Most recently a backlash ensued over plans to require anyone wanting services in English to prove their ancestral English roots in the province.
According to a letter from the Quebec immigration ministry, Dubois was turned down because she had not completed her dissertation entirely in French.
One chapter of her doctoral thesis on cellular and molecular biology was written in English because it was a scholarly article published in a scientific journal. But the other four chapters were written in French.
"It's absurd, but I must believe that someone just made a mistake," said Dubois, a Francophone from Burgundy in eastern France.
"You just have to look at the reality of things and not consider that we are just boxes, folders, numbers, but that we are real people and if they have doubts, they can also reach out to us."
Quebec's immigration minister, Simon Jolin-Barrette, is reportedly aware of the case and has asked for a review.
Determined to press on, Dubois said "my desire to stay in Quebec is stronger."
 

AFP

The University of Ibadan ranked 17th top university in Africa

The University of Ibadan has been named the top university in Nigeria and the 17th best university in Africa for 2019, according to US News & World Report’s sixth annual Global Universities survey. 

The Best Global Universities rankings encompass the top 1,500 institutions spread across 81 countries. Universities were ranked on 13 indicators, including global and regional research reputation, publications, conferences, and international collaborations.

The University of Ibadan, UI as it is fondly referred to, overall ranked 733rd of all universities worldwide and the University of Nigeria Nsukka is ranked at 1393.

Ul ranked 299 in the world's top universities for clinical medicine. The University of Lagos ranks 560 and the University of Nigeria 740. The world's top universities for clinical medicine have shown strength in producing research related to a variety of medical and biomedical topics. These include anesthesia, cardiology, general and internal medicine, gastroenterology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, radiology and surgery. These are the best global universities for clinical medicine, based on their reputation and research in the field.

Established in 1948, the University of Ibadan is the first university in Nigeria.

 

 The full details on 2019 Best Global Universities can be found here: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities.

Strong first half of year for German incoming tourism

With an increase of 3.3 percent in June, German incoming tourism is continuing its steady growth. According to provisional figures from the Federal Statistical Office, 39.8 million international overnights were registered across hotels and accommodation establishments with more than ten beds between January and June – a three percent (1.2 million) rise on the equivalent period of the previous year.

“Destination Germany is positioning itself well within the increasingly competitive market“, says Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB).“According to the latest trend analysis by IPK International to develop international travel in line with the World Travel Monitor, Germany’s incoming tourism is performing better than the worldwide average (plus 3.5 percent) with an increase of 3.7 percent. Germany is even generating a growth of four percent from European source markets, according to IPK, placing it well ahead of the European average (plus 2.5 percent).“

There was a 4.7 percent increase on comparative figures of the previous year in flight bookings made by overseas visitors throughout the first half of 2019, according to analyses by market research company Forward Keys. The segment of advance bookings (at least 120 days prior to departure) grew far above average by 11 percent.

Destination Germany’s partners confirm positive development

Gabriela Ahrens, Senior Director of Leisure Sales Home Markets (DACH) at Lufthansa Group, explains: “As our home market, Lufthansa’s focus is on Destination Germany. We have recognised the importance and potential of Germany’s incoming tourism, and are increasingly targeting the segment with various target group-orientated activities with the German National Tourist Board.” Andreas von Puttkamer, Head of Aviation at Munich Airport, adds: „In the first half of 2019, Munich Airport registered a new record of 22.7 million air passengers, with an increase just short of five percent (more than one million additional passengers). Once again, the intercontinental segment proved to be the driver of growth, seeing a rise of over ten percent within this period.” And there is a further record year in sight for Germany’s hotels, according to Markus Luthe, Managing Director of the German Hotel Association (IHA): “Holidays in Germany are back in trend in Germany in particular. In addition, bookings made by international guests are continuing to rise. With an increase of four percent, the average return per room (RevPAR) is even above the European average of 3.3 percent.”

With its “German Summer Cities” campaign, the German National Tourist Board has already been able to strengthen the popularity of Destination Germany this year. Visitor attractions are enjoying an especially dynamic increase in demand. Dr.-Ing. h.c. Roland Mack, Managing Partner of Europa-Park GmbH & Co Mack KG, explains: “Europa-Park kicked off the 2019 season with many new, exciting attractions. “Krønasår – The Museum-Hotel” was completed in May and is welcoming its first guests. In addition, we have recently celebrated the reopening of the Scandinavian themed area. These highlights have played a role in increasing our overnights from France, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates within the first half of the year already.“

Evelina Hederer, Director of Business Development at Expedia Group Media Solutions, comments: “The demand from Germany’s TOP 5 incoming markets – the USA, Great Britain, Japan, Canada and Australia – increased by more than five percent in comparison to the previous year within the first half of 2019. Berlin and Hamburg were particularly popular with steady growth throughout the first six months, as were Cologne, Düsseldorf and the Black Forest, which even registered double-digit growth.”

Cautiously optimistic outlook for second half of year

Early indications for the second half of 2019 suggest ongoing stable development. According to Forward Keys, the advance bookings for flights from overseas markets to Germany were 2.1 percent above the comparative figures of the previous year at the end of July.

Petra Hedorfer adds: “These latest analyses should not let us forget that we still have major challenges such as weaker economic growth in the eurozone, climate discussions, trade conflicts and the possibility of a no-deal Brexit to overcome.”

Worshippers seek TB Joshua's blessing in Nazareth

NAZARETH: Celebrity Nigerian Pastor TB Joshua attracted Evangelical Christians to Israel for a crusade, a mass faith-healing service outside Jesus's hometown of Nazareth on Sunday.

Some worshippers sang in various languages during the powerful gathering, presided over by TB Joshua, who has amassed millions of followers on social media from his base in Lagos.

"Jesus's father, Joseph, and his mother, Mary, came from here. What a blessing. No other place would have been better for Jesus to come from. It was God's design," Joshua told the crowd gathered in a sun-baked stadium on Mount Precipice.

When the self-described prophet descended from the stage to bless attendees, placing his hand on their heads, several declared themselves healed from sickness or infirmity. Attendants stood ready to catch those who fainted in excitement.

Minerva Resendiz, from Mexico, said she had come to see Joshua as part of the two-day gathering "to ask for healing, for a breakthrough ... to resolve conflicts in the family".

"I would like that (all people) could see a miracle through Jesus Christ," Resendiz, 40, said. Other pilgrims came from China, Russia, and African and South American countries.

Joshua founded and leads an evangelical ministry called The Synagogue, Church of All Nations. His Christian television network, Emmanuel TV, says its Youtube's channel is the most subscribed with well over one million followers.

Evangelicals made up roughly half of the more than 2 million Christian pilgrims who visited Israel in 2018, according to the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, which oversees evangelical outreach to Israel. 

REUTERS

Nigeria’s Oshoala scores in record crowd women's match between Barca and Atletico

Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and Toni Duggan scored in Barcelona’s women’s 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in Spanish Liga Femenina with a record crowd of 60,739 Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, less than three months before the start of the World Cup.

The attendance is the largest ever for a top-flight club match in European women's football while Atletico claimed the number also sets a new world record.

"A historic record attendance for a club match! Today we have at the Wanda Metropolitano 60,739 spectators!” read a post from the club's official Twitter account.

"The crowd cheered up our girls and set a world record for attendance at a women's club match," Atletico added in a statement.

The 2-0 win means the Catalan giants now sit just three points behind Atletico at the top of Liga Femenina.

The bumper attendance exceeds the previous European record set, also in Spain, on January 30, when a crowd of 48,121 turned out to watch Athletic Bilbao play Atletico Madrid at San Mames stadium.

The overall record for women's football remains the 90,185 spectators that attended the final of the 1999 World Cup at the Rose Bowl in California, when the United States beat China.

This year's World Cup in France will begin on June 7. Spain have qualified and will be in Group B, with Germany, China and South Africa.