Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ABUJA209
2010-02-25 14:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- FEBRUARY 25, 2010
how-toVZCZCXRO3194 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #0209/01 0561423 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 251420Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0424 INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0008 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUCXJAC/JAC MOLESWORTH JCDX RAF MOLESWORTH UK RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0022 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0019 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0021 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ABUJA 000209
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA
USAID FOR AFR/WA (DALZOUMA)
LONDON FOR POL (PLORD)
PARIS FOR POL (BAIN AND KANEDA)
ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER
NSC FOR GAVIN
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/25
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ECON CASC KISL KPAO NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- FEBRUARY 25, 2010
CLASSIFIED BY: Jeffery A. Salaiz, Deputy Political Counselor; REASON:
1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ABUJA 000209
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA
USAID FOR AFR/WA (DALZOUMA)
LONDON FOR POL (PLORD)
PARIS FOR POL (BAIN AND KANEDA)
ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER
NSC FOR GAVIN
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/25
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ECON CASC KISL KPAO NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- FEBRUARY 25, 2010
CLASSIFIED BY: Jeffery A. Salaiz, Deputy Political Counselor; REASON:
1.4(B),(D)
1. (U) Mission Nigeria provides the following compilation of recent
political, economic, and social developments not previously
reported. Included in this addition are:
-- CRISIS AVERTED IN NORTHERN NIGERIA'S JIGAWA STATE
-- LES IN CANADIAN EMBASSY IN NIGER BECOMES THE NEW PRIME MINISTER
-- AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA EXPERIENCES RAPID GROWTH
-- NIGERIAN LEADERS DISCUSS ELECTORAL REFORM
-- MAJOR ADVANCE IN MALARIA CONTROL
-- USAID AND PRIVATE SECTOR AGREE TO PROMOTE CLEAN ENERGY
-- RULE OF LAW ESSENTIAL TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
-------------- --------------
CRISIS AVERTED IN NORTHERN NIGERIA'S JIGAWA STATE
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) Prompt action by Emir of Kazaure Alhaji Najeeb Hussini
Adamu likely prevented a conflict in Kazaure town in Jigawa state
from escalating into a large scale crisis. According to local
media, a police traffic warden beat a local driver to death for
violating a traffic rule. Youth in the area who witnessed the
incident took to the streets near the Divisional Police
Headquarters and set buildings on fire, damaging several nearby
churches. To prevent additional violence, the Emir went around
town preaching peace and asking residents to remain calm. In
addition, the Emir also temporarily relocated his residence to the
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman's home. Local
pastors credited the Emir's actions in preventing additional
violence and assured that they will continue to preach peace and
unity. Speaking to PolOff on February 24, CAN Secretary General
Samuel Salifu agreed that the Emir and CAN Chairman provided an
excellent example of how religious leaders can work together to
defuse violence.
-------------- --------------
LES IN CANADIAN EMBASSY IN NIGER BECOMES THE NEW PRIME MINISTER
-------------- --------------
3. (C) An Abuja-based Canadian diplomat told PolMilOff on February
23 that Niger's newly appointed Prime Minister Mahamadou Danda is
the sole locally employed staff political reporting officer at
Canada's local office in Niamey. Danda previously served as
information minister following Niger's last coup in 1999. Danda
learned of the appointment on February 23 and sent one final report
to Ottawa that afternoon prior to taking up his new duties.
ABUJA 00000209 002 OF 004
-------------- --------------
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA EXPERIENCES RAPID GROWTH
-------------- --------------
4. (U) American University of Nigeria (AUN) School of Business and
Entrepreneurship Dean David K. Smith called on the Economic,
Political and Public Affairs Counselors on February 23 to discuss
potential cooperation between AUN and the U.S. Mission. Smith said
AUN is the personal project of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku
(1999-2007) and is located in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State,
because that is Atiku's home state. AUN opened with 124 students
in 2005, grew to 650 students in 2008 and 1440 in 2009. The first
batch of students graduated in May 2009.
5. (U) AUN was initially administered under a multi-year contract
with the American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., with many of
the senior faculty members having been hired in the U.S. and sent
to Yola by AU. AUN has been trying to reduce its large
administration and payroll costs, and the last AU-contracted
faculty members were converted to AUN employees at the beginning of
February. The faculty is largely expatriate, but there has been a
growing emphasis on hiring qualified Nigerian faculty members,
again as part of effort to reduce payroll costs. The student body
is almost entirely Nigerian, with all 36 states being represented
and an equal balance between the North and South, and between
Christians and Muslims. Over 50 of the 80-plus faculty members are
in the School of Arts and Sciences, 15 are in the School of
Business and Entrepreneurship, and 15 are in the School of
Information Technology. There are no graduate programs, although
there are long-term plans to establish an MBA program in the School
of Business and Entrepreneurship.
6. (U) Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell (2004-2007)
and other Americans are on the AUN Board of Directors. The current
interim President of AUN is the designated U.S. Embassy warden for
the estimated 70 U.S. citizens including faculty members in Yola.
AUN has the reputation of being one of the best private
universities in Nigeria, despite its very short existence. Atiku
is reported to have invested $100 million in the establishment of
the university. AUN and AU were among the subjects of a recent
U.S. senate sub-committee case study of foreign corrupt practices.
--------------
NIGERIAN LEADERS DISCUSS ELECTORAL REFORM
--------------
7. (U) At a February 17 Swiss-hosted diplomatic forum, the new
Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode,
ABUJA 00000209 003 OF 004
said "people of integrity will be called to run future Nigerian
elections," and that "the tenure of the chair of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) was meant to be for one
five-year term" when the commission was established. He commented
that "there never has been a perfect election, especially in a
developing society." Bayelsa East Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange said
that Nigerians are not interested in reform, and "Nigerians need
attitudinal changes; godfatherism and dictatorship of candidates
won't change unless the people want change." He concluded that
Nigerians think about family, then local, then state issues, and
finally the nation. Until that changes and legislative topics like
new state creation are dropped, nothing will change for Nigeria.
Ogun State Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, the daughter of former
President Obasanjo, concluded, "Most people are self-serving, and
there is nothing wrong with that."
--------------
MAJOR ADVANCE IN MALARIA CONTROL
--------------
8. (U) Increased resources from USAID and other donors have enabled
Cross River state to become the first of Nigeria's 36 states to
reach the national target of at least 60% of children and pregnant
women sleeping under malaria prevention treated bednets. This
accomplishment is a major advance in malaria control for Nigeria.
During a statewide measles and polio immunization campaign in 2009,
a total of 676,000 long-lasting insecticidal treated bednets, of
which USAID provided 115,000, were distributed to children under
five years in Cross River. A survey conducted after the
distribution of the bednets found that just over 60% of children
under five and pregnant women are now sleeping under treated
bednets. USAID plans to support a second campaign this year in
Cross River state to ensure that each household will have at least
two insecticide treated bednets. The Cross River model is being
duplicated in mass distribution campaigns, which are providing two
nets per household in other states.
-------------- --------------
USAID AND PRIVATE SECTOR AGREE TO PROMOTE CLEAN ENERGY
-------------- --------------
9. (U) On February 23, the Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, and
the President of the Independent Power Providers Association of
Nigeria (IPPAN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to
support the production of electricity by the private sector in
Nigeria. Under the MOU, technical assistance will be provided to
IPPAN by the USAID-funded Nigerian Energy and Climate Change
Project (NECC) to enhance IPPAN members' capacity to develop
commercially viable projects using indigenous resources and clean
technologies. NECC will support the use of flared gas to produce
electricity, promote the expansion of renewable energy projects to
reduce the impact of climate change, and expand the sister utility
partnership between the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission
and the U.S. National Association of Regulatory Utility
ABUJA 00000209 004 OF 004
Commissioners to improve the regulatory environment for electricity
generation in Nigeria.
--------------
RULE OF LAW ESSENTIAL TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
--------------
10. (U) The Initiative for Public Policy Analysis (IPPA),a
Lagos-based think tank, hosted a February 17 roundtable to discuss
the economic impact of Nigeria's listing as a TSA "country of
interest." In his opening remarks, IPPA Director Thompson Ayodele
noted that Nigeria has long enjoyed a beneficial economic
relationship with the United States. He said that in 2008 the
total bilateral trade between the two countries was valued at $42
billion. The President of Value Fronteira, Dr. Martin Oluba, added
that: "Good reputation, trust and the rule of law are essential
ingredients for economic development in Nigeria." He argued that
the bad reputation and limited trust would lead to loss of business
opportunities because Nigerian businessmen would find it difficult
to borrow money and transact businesses with other partners who
will need extended time to conduct background checks. However, the
Government of Nigeria's inability to end political, religious and
ethnic violence deters foreign investors, he lamented. Senior IPPA
Fellow Dr. Olajide Damilola contended that Nigerians may benefit in
the long run if politicians pass the anti-terrorism bill pending in
the National Assembly since 2006 and start investing on security at
the airports.
11. (U) The Embassy and ConGen Lagos collaborated on this telegram.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA
USAID FOR AFR/WA (DALZOUMA)
LONDON FOR POL (PLORD)
PARIS FOR POL (BAIN AND KANEDA)
ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER
NSC FOR GAVIN
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/25
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ECON CASC KISL KPAO NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- FEBRUARY 25, 2010
CLASSIFIED BY: Jeffery A. Salaiz, Deputy Political Counselor; REASON:
1.4(B),(D)
1. (U) Mission Nigeria provides the following compilation of recent
political, economic, and social developments not previously
reported. Included in this addition are:
-- CRISIS AVERTED IN NORTHERN NIGERIA'S JIGAWA STATE
-- LES IN CANADIAN EMBASSY IN NIGER BECOMES THE NEW PRIME MINISTER
-- AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA EXPERIENCES RAPID GROWTH
-- NIGERIAN LEADERS DISCUSS ELECTORAL REFORM
-- MAJOR ADVANCE IN MALARIA CONTROL
-- USAID AND PRIVATE SECTOR AGREE TO PROMOTE CLEAN ENERGY
-- RULE OF LAW ESSENTIAL TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
-------------- --------------
CRISIS AVERTED IN NORTHERN NIGERIA'S JIGAWA STATE
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) Prompt action by Emir of Kazaure Alhaji Najeeb Hussini
Adamu likely prevented a conflict in Kazaure town in Jigawa state
from escalating into a large scale crisis. According to local
media, a police traffic warden beat a local driver to death for
violating a traffic rule. Youth in the area who witnessed the
incident took to the streets near the Divisional Police
Headquarters and set buildings on fire, damaging several nearby
churches. To prevent additional violence, the Emir went around
town preaching peace and asking residents to remain calm. In
addition, the Emir also temporarily relocated his residence to the
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman's home. Local
pastors credited the Emir's actions in preventing additional
violence and assured that they will continue to preach peace and
unity. Speaking to PolOff on February 24, CAN Secretary General
Samuel Salifu agreed that the Emir and CAN Chairman provided an
excellent example of how religious leaders can work together to
defuse violence.
-------------- --------------
LES IN CANADIAN EMBASSY IN NIGER BECOMES THE NEW PRIME MINISTER
-------------- --------------
3. (C) An Abuja-based Canadian diplomat told PolMilOff on February
23 that Niger's newly appointed Prime Minister Mahamadou Danda is
the sole locally employed staff political reporting officer at
Canada's local office in Niamey. Danda previously served as
information minister following Niger's last coup in 1999. Danda
learned of the appointment on February 23 and sent one final report
to Ottawa that afternoon prior to taking up his new duties.
ABUJA 00000209 002 OF 004
-------------- --------------
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA EXPERIENCES RAPID GROWTH
-------------- --------------
4. (U) American University of Nigeria (AUN) School of Business and
Entrepreneurship Dean David K. Smith called on the Economic,
Political and Public Affairs Counselors on February 23 to discuss
potential cooperation between AUN and the U.S. Mission. Smith said
AUN is the personal project of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku
(1999-2007) and is located in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State,
because that is Atiku's home state. AUN opened with 124 students
in 2005, grew to 650 students in 2008 and 1440 in 2009. The first
batch of students graduated in May 2009.
5. (U) AUN was initially administered under a multi-year contract
with the American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., with many of
the senior faculty members having been hired in the U.S. and sent
to Yola by AU. AUN has been trying to reduce its large
administration and payroll costs, and the last AU-contracted
faculty members were converted to AUN employees at the beginning of
February. The faculty is largely expatriate, but there has been a
growing emphasis on hiring qualified Nigerian faculty members,
again as part of effort to reduce payroll costs. The student body
is almost entirely Nigerian, with all 36 states being represented
and an equal balance between the North and South, and between
Christians and Muslims. Over 50 of the 80-plus faculty members are
in the School of Arts and Sciences, 15 are in the School of
Business and Entrepreneurship, and 15 are in the School of
Information Technology. There are no graduate programs, although
there are long-term plans to establish an MBA program in the School
of Business and Entrepreneurship.
6. (U) Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell (2004-2007)
and other Americans are on the AUN Board of Directors. The current
interim President of AUN is the designated U.S. Embassy warden for
the estimated 70 U.S. citizens including faculty members in Yola.
AUN has the reputation of being one of the best private
universities in Nigeria, despite its very short existence. Atiku
is reported to have invested $100 million in the establishment of
the university. AUN and AU were among the subjects of a recent
U.S. senate sub-committee case study of foreign corrupt practices.
--------------
NIGERIAN LEADERS DISCUSS ELECTORAL REFORM
--------------
7. (U) At a February 17 Swiss-hosted diplomatic forum, the new
Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode,
ABUJA 00000209 003 OF 004
said "people of integrity will be called to run future Nigerian
elections," and that "the tenure of the chair of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) was meant to be for one
five-year term" when the commission was established. He commented
that "there never has been a perfect election, especially in a
developing society." Bayelsa East Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange said
that Nigerians are not interested in reform, and "Nigerians need
attitudinal changes; godfatherism and dictatorship of candidates
won't change unless the people want change." He concluded that
Nigerians think about family, then local, then state issues, and
finally the nation. Until that changes and legislative topics like
new state creation are dropped, nothing will change for Nigeria.
Ogun State Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, the daughter of former
President Obasanjo, concluded, "Most people are self-serving, and
there is nothing wrong with that."
--------------
MAJOR ADVANCE IN MALARIA CONTROL
--------------
8. (U) Increased resources from USAID and other donors have enabled
Cross River state to become the first of Nigeria's 36 states to
reach the national target of at least 60% of children and pregnant
women sleeping under malaria prevention treated bednets. This
accomplishment is a major advance in malaria control for Nigeria.
During a statewide measles and polio immunization campaign in 2009,
a total of 676,000 long-lasting insecticidal treated bednets, of
which USAID provided 115,000, were distributed to children under
five years in Cross River. A survey conducted after the
distribution of the bednets found that just over 60% of children
under five and pregnant women are now sleeping under treated
bednets. USAID plans to support a second campaign this year in
Cross River state to ensure that each household will have at least
two insecticide treated bednets. The Cross River model is being
duplicated in mass distribution campaigns, which are providing two
nets per household in other states.
-------------- --------------
USAID AND PRIVATE SECTOR AGREE TO PROMOTE CLEAN ENERGY
-------------- --------------
9. (U) On February 23, the Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, and
the President of the Independent Power Providers Association of
Nigeria (IPPAN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to
support the production of electricity by the private sector in
Nigeria. Under the MOU, technical assistance will be provided to
IPPAN by the USAID-funded Nigerian Energy and Climate Change
Project (NECC) to enhance IPPAN members' capacity to develop
commercially viable projects using indigenous resources and clean
technologies. NECC will support the use of flared gas to produce
electricity, promote the expansion of renewable energy projects to
reduce the impact of climate change, and expand the sister utility
partnership between the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission
and the U.S. National Association of Regulatory Utility
ABUJA 00000209 004 OF 004
Commissioners to improve the regulatory environment for electricity
generation in Nigeria.
--------------
RULE OF LAW ESSENTIAL TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
--------------
10. (U) The Initiative for Public Policy Analysis (IPPA),a
Lagos-based think tank, hosted a February 17 roundtable to discuss
the economic impact of Nigeria's listing as a TSA "country of
interest." In his opening remarks, IPPA Director Thompson Ayodele
noted that Nigeria has long enjoyed a beneficial economic
relationship with the United States. He said that in 2008 the
total bilateral trade between the two countries was valued at $42
billion. The President of Value Fronteira, Dr. Martin Oluba, added
that: "Good reputation, trust and the rule of law are essential
ingredients for economic development in Nigeria." He argued that
the bad reputation and limited trust would lead to loss of business
opportunities because Nigerian businessmen would find it difficult
to borrow money and transact businesses with other partners who
will need extended time to conduct background checks. However, the
Government of Nigeria's inability to end political, religious and
ethnic violence deters foreign investors, he lamented. Senior IPPA
Fellow Dr. Olajide Damilola contended that Nigerians may benefit in
the long run if politicians pass the anti-terrorism bill pending in
the National Assembly since 2006 and start investing on security at
the airports.
11. (U) The Embassy and ConGen Lagos collaborated on this telegram.
SANDERS