Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1567
2008-08-08 10:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

MISSION NIGERIA WELCOMES STAFFDEL SMITH

Tags:  OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN NI 
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VZCZCXRO6360
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #1567/01 2211046
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081046Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3601
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0083
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0183
RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 0124
RUEHMV/AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 0081
RUEHFT/AMCONSUL FRANKFURT 0194
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 9749
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001567 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, H, AF/RSA
DEPT PLEASE PASS SENATE STAFFERS S.SMITH, S.MARGON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN NI
SUBJECT: MISSION NIGERIA WELCOMES STAFFDEL SMITH

REF: STATE 84656

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001567

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, H, AF/RSA
DEPT PLEASE PASS SENATE STAFFERS S.SMITH, S.MARGON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN NI
SUBJECT: MISSION NIGERIA WELCOMES STAFFDEL SMITH

REF: STATE 84656


1. U.S. Mission Nigeria warmly welcomes the visit of Senate
Foreign Relations
Committee staff Ms. Shannon Smith and Ms. Sarah Margon to
Abuja, Nigeria from
August 12-14, and Lagos from August 14-16, 2008. Embassy
Abuja and Consulate
General Lagos will work to schedule requested meetings. The
Mission looks forward
to greeting the Staffdel upon its arrival.


2. Control Officers for the visit are Political Officers
Patrick Ryan (Abuja) and Helena Schrader (Lagos).

Patrick Ryan
234-9-461-4141 (OFFICE)
234-703-064-9635 (CELL)
RyanPL/at/state.gov

Helena Schrader
234-1-261-0050 ext. 254 (OFFICE)
234-803-665-1326 (CELL)
234-1-261-1863 (FAX)
SchraderHP/at/state.gov

Administrative Point of Contact for the visit is John
Heinbeck:
234-9-461-4157 (OFFICE)
234-803-408-0949 (CELL)
234-9-461-4305 (FAX)
HeinbeckJC/at/state.gov


3. The Embassy has reserved two rooms at the Protea Hotel
Asokoro in Abuja at 27,000 naira 10% service charge (a
total of approximately $253 per night) for the nights of
August 12 and 13. Rooms include free WiFi internet access
and an in-room computer for use free of charge. Breakfast is
not/not included. The hotel address is: Bola Ige Close,
Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria and phone number is 234-803-408-0591.



4. Consulate-General (ConGen) Lagos has reserved two rooms at
the Guest Quarters (GQ) on Ikoki, Lagos Island run by the
Consulate Association for the nights of August 14 and 15.
Rates are $225 per night, payable in U.S. dollars. WiFi is
available throught the GQ and breakfast is included. The GQ
telephone number is 234-1-269-3720.


5. Embassy notes that visas are required for entry into
Nigeria and must be obtained prior to traveling. Airport
visas are not available.


6. SECURITY: There is no specific terrorist threat against
American citizens or American interests in Nigeria. Rather,
the main threat to U.S. citizens and U.S. interests is mostly
criminal based upon prevailing economic conditions. Violent
crime is endemic throughout the country. Armed street
robberies, carjackings, sexual assaults, residential
burglaries and credit card fraud threaten every person in the
country, foreigners and Nigerians alike. U.S. citizens and
official travelers have not been singled out, but they are
generally perceived to be affluent and are subject to the
same threat as all other persons in Nigeria. There have also
been incidents of violent communal unrest outside Abuja and
Lagos during the past several months, and innocent bystanders
have suffered. RSO has determined that most violent crimes
around Abuja take place between the hours of 2300 - 0600.
Embassy Abuja and ConGen Lagos will arrange for appropriate
security details to accompany the delegation.


7. MEDICAL: Malaria prophylaxis should be started one week
before arrival, continued through the length of stay and at
least four weeks after departure. Visitors must ensure that
their immunizations are up-to-date and carry their entire

ABUJA 00001567 002 OF 002


yellow book shot record with them. Avian influenza is
present in Nigeria among birds.


8. Further information on travel in Nigeria is available at
the following State Department website:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis pa tw/cis/cis 987.html
PIASCIK