Machias Seal Island is a small, yet very interesting island which is located at the border of Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine, being part of the Grand Manan Archipelago, with Canada and the United States of America are claiming that it belongs to their territory.
With only 8 hectares (20 acres) in area, the small rocky islet is considered to have been used as a fishing point by the Passamaquoddy Nation, before the arrival of the Europeans.
When the British and French started exploring this part of the world, Machias Seal Island was somewhat ignored by them even before the end of the American Revolutionary War.
Soon after, when the hostilities ended and the border was somehow ‘drawn’, it soon became clear that the rocky islet will be an apple of discord.
According to Article 2 of the 1783 Treaty of Paris that the United States of America has the rights to any territory which is less than 20 leagues off its coast, as long as it was south of the mouth of the St. Croix River and north of coastal Florida.
That was perfect for the Americans, since Machias Seal Island was well within the territory of the States, nonetheless, the Canadians disputed this and referred to a land grant from 1621 when the founder of Nova Scotia, Sir William Alexander, claimed any island that is within six leagues of Canada’s coastline.
As the island can be considered part of both nations, it was Canada that began “occupying” the land since 1832 when a lighthouse was constructed which was manned by light-keepers from the Canadian Coast Guard.
These lighthouse keepers are rotating every four weeks in order to protect the claims that Canada has, in addition to the protection of the birds and natural life found in the ecological reserve that now covers the island.
Described by visitors as one of the most unique places to visit, it is a heaven for the bird watchers as the islet becomes home to thousands of pelagic birds during the nesting season.
The most notable and most interesting of course is the Atlantic puffin, but there are also the razorbills, common murres, common and Arctic terns, Leach’s storm-petrels, and common eiders.
There are tours being organized to the islet, but they are very limited and the movement is restricted in order for the wildlife not to be disturbed.
All in all, when the dispute will be solved it is certainly unclear, as the USA is still pretending that there is no lighthouse constructed on the islet, while Canada is pretending that there is no dispute and continues have presence so that it would “protect” Machias Seal Island.
1480 Great Stand on the Ugra river: Standoff between forces of Akhmat Khan, Khan of the Great Horde and Ivan III, Grand Prince of all Rus. Ends with a Tatar-Mongol retreat, leading to the disintegration of the Horde.
1769 Captain James Cook lands in New Zealand at Poverty Bay on the East Coast of the North Island
1856 The Second Opium War or second Anglo-Chinese War: begins with the Arrow Incident on the Pearl River
1915 Battle of Loos on WWI Western Front ends, German forces contain British attack (85,000 casualties)
1917 Leon Trotsky named chairman of the Petrograd Soviet as Bolsheviks gain control
1945 Microwave oven patented by US inventor Percy Spencer
2001 US President George W. Bush announces the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security
Historical Events Today
Today in Film & TV
1927 “The Second Hundred Years” silent short film released starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy – 1st Laurel and Hardy film with them appearing as a team
Today in Music
1971 John Lennon releases his megahit single “Imagine”
Today in Sport
1818 Jack Broughton designed padded gloves first used in a competitive boxing match between 2 unnamed English boxers at Aix-la-Chapelle in France
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2004 Kenyan Wangari Maathai is the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace”
1871 Forest fire destroys Peshtigo, Wisconsin, killing between 1,200 and 2,500 people, making it then the deadliest wildfire in recorded history
Famous Weddings
1824 Salt Lake City founder Brigham Young (23) weds first wife Miriam Angeline Works (18) in Port Byron, New York
1842 Princess Sophia weds her cousin duke Charles Saksen-Weimar-Eisenach
1846 Prime Minister of Canada Charles Tupper (25) weds Frances Amelia Morse (20) in Amherst, Nova Scotia
It is a pleasure be back to the grounds of this great citadel, University of Oxford.
Today, I will speak briefly and then interact with you on “Trends and Prospects of Nigeria’s Economy: Broader implications For Africa’s Development.”
You will no doubt have heard the name Nigeria mentioned with various superlatives: the world’s most populous Black Country with a population of over 217 million; Africa’s largest economy, and a significant trading partner with the United Kingdom.
Nigeria, indeed is a large and prosperous nation. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranks Nigeria the world’s 27th largest economy in the world. That is significant, but here is the reality. Nigeria is also a challenged country.
In February 2023 She will hold her next presidential elections; in doing that she will like the U.S. canvass for electoral legitimacy, that will hopefully translate to governance legitimacy. We are involved in that process.
Our primary goal is to enhance government performance legitimacy and reform the machinery of government. Nigeria and the UK are historically linked by democratic values, and by global trade and commerce; and inextricably so, by the global supply chain.
While we don’t expect that Nigeria will always remain the centre of U.K. Strategic engagement in Africa, we envisage that for long she will enjoy a prominent status in geopolitical and geostrategic consideration.
Nigeria remains a key member of the Commonwealth. A United, secure, stable and productive Nigeria, is of great interest to the U.K. Given her historical leadership role in west Africa and Africa as a whole. Her role remains vital to U.K strategic interest in Africa.
Nigeria-UK collaboration and constructive engagement in and era of globalization is anchored on three main policy areas : trade and investment, economic assistance through a variety of instruments; collective security and humanitarian support.
From my vantage position, I believe U.K’s long interest and support for Africa should transcend the promotion of democracy, and include a broad range of economic related issues, in particular support for Africa continental free Trade Area.
Current outlook, Nigeria the U.K. and many other countries were adversely impacted by the covid-19 pandemic in the post – pandemic period, the so called recovery mode and economic recovery, Nigeria is showing discernible she strength on the back of services and agriculture, with GDP growth reaching 3.6% year on year in the first quarter of 2022. While Nigeria is dealing with inflation like so many countries right now, we have a healthy economic report card and look to more prosperous times ahead, given the country’s huge growth potential.
But we must have peaceful ad credible elections to sustain the required stability for growth. But investor interest is increasingly motivated by other opportunities that we offer, notably in agribusiness (Nigeria and the 52 other African nations are home to 65% of the world’s arable land), in infrastructure and manufacturing, in technology, and the production of consumer goods. Of course, we want this investment because this is what will help us create jobs, strengthen our economy even further and improve the quality of life of our people. It is also good business sense for investors. Africa is the last frontier for smart investors and Nigeria offers some of the largest investment opportunities.
Nigeria is poised to lead African countries as we leverage more private funds to meet our continent’s infrastructure financing needs. Those needs are estimated to be between $68 billion and $108 billion annually.
Accordingly, we anticipate opportunities for leveraging more private capital to finance regenerative infrastructure projects—as part of public-private partnership. Availability of such funds will help free public funds to projects shunned by the private sector.
In the face of all these challenges, though, the UK remains one the largest foreign investor in Nigeria today, those UK firm conversant with Nigeria, understand, despite some reservations, that Nigeria has a large and growing consumer market.
My administration, when I am elected President of Nigeria, will make sure that we do everything to sustain these crucial investment inflows. I do not like to talk much about Nigeria’s “potential” because ‘potential’ is a word that we have come to over use.
We should have long reaped the fruits of that potential by now if we had had the serious leadership commitment to do so. That said; let me say that Nigeria does have the potential to be a key exporter of agricultural produce to the world.
My country—richly endowed with God-given resources—has over 84 million hectares of arable land. To put this in geographical context, Nigeria’s arable land is larger than the entire land mass of Turkey. And barely 40% of this arable land is cultivated today.
Nigeria’s arable land is her new oil and gold. The Obi-Datti administration, from its inception will continue to encourage investment in infrastructure – energy, transport, irrigation, and telecoms—to grow these and other sectors. We are eager to quickly close the infrastructure gap between now and 2030. That is the Nigeria and the Africa that we want by the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals target year.
That is the Africa we want by our own African Union 2063 framework. Nigeria will remain a highly valued contributor to the global economy. We will invest in security, in diplomacy, and in economic engagement with our partners like the UK and other democratic nations.
With the kind of reforms that my government will make, we will ensure that investment—both domestic and foreign—will grow our agriculture sector to feed Nigerians and the wider world.
My last points could easily have been my first, but I preferred not to lead with them. It is the issue of corruption and investment protection. It is no secret that corruption has been endemic and one of the biggest obstacles to our economic progress in Nigeria.
We are not proud of this, and my administration, when we come in, will tackle this challenge head on. We will have zero tolerance for corruption. You can expect a sledgehammer approach.
We look forward to the international community supporting Nigeria’s efforts to promote economic growth and social inclusion; to our boldly tackling corruption from its roots.
Furthermore, we will enforce the legal framework protecting foreign investors and their indigenous partners. This is the only way to tamper capital flight.
The Lagos State Government has declared its readiness to construct a new airport on the Lekki-Epe axis of the State.
The Special Adviser Governor on Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Mr. Ope George disclosed this while speaking at a media parley organised by the State Government and held at Alausa, Ikeja.
He revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government has sought and obtained approval from the Federal Government for the construction of the new airport in Lagos.
According to him, the project, which is expected to take off in the year 2023 will be constructed on 3,500 hectares of land, noting that the master plan and aeronautical designs are in place; while studies are ongoing about strategies, funding and other issues, after which the project will be taken to the market place.
The Special Adviser also stated that the airport, which is expected to cater to a minimum of five million people yearly, will be constructed in partnership with local and foreign investorsThe Lagos State Government has declared its readiness to construct a new airport on the Lekki-Epe axis of the State. The Special Adviser Governor on Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Mr. Ope George disclosed this while speaking at a media parley organised by the State Government and held at Alausa, Ikeja on Thursday. He revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government has sought and obtained approval from the Federal Government for the construction of the new airport in Lagos. According to him, the project, which is expected to take off in the year 2023 will be constructed on 3,500 hectares of land, noting that the master plan and aeronautical designs are in place; while studies are ongoing about strategies, funding and other issues, after which the project will be taken to the market place. The Special Adviser also stated that the airport, which is expected to cater to a minimum of five million people yearly, will be constructed in partnership with local and foreign investors
The Department of Correctional Services on Friday said former president Jacob Zuma has served his 15-month sentence.
The department added these concluded administrative processes related to Zuma’s sentencing.
Zuma said he felt mixed emotions but expressed gratitude he was free to “do whatever I want without restrictions”.
The Department of Correctional Services says former president Jacob Zuma’s 15-month sentence expired on Friday.
The former president was sentenced on 29 June last year and started serving his sentence on 8 July.
The Constitutional Court ordered his arrest after he defied its order to appear and testify before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry.
Zuma only served two months of his sentence.
He was released in September after former correctional services head Arthur Fraser controversially granted him medical parole.
In December, the Gauteng High Court judge Keoagile Elias Matojane ruled against Fraser’s decision and ordered Zuma to return to prison.
Zuma challenged the ruling, which is now with the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
News24 reported this week Matojane would not comment on his ruling after Judicial Service Commission commissioner Julius Malema asked if he thought incarcerating elderly people benefitted society.
Matojane was a candidate for the judge position in the SCA. He did not make the cut.
“That matter is pending before the Supreme Court of Appeal. I am out of it. Whether I am right or wrong, a higher court is going to relook at the evidence, and then they will decide. If I am wrong, they will say so. It is not really for me to answer that question, Mr Malema with due respect,” he said.
Correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the expiration of Zuma’s sentence also meant the end of administration processes.
“Medical parole placement meant that Mr Zuma was to serve the remainder of his sentence under Kranskop Community Corrections. Essentially, Mr Zuma complied with his conditions for medical parole as set out during his placement,” added Nxumalo.
Zuma said he had mixed emotions about the end of his sentence.
He felt the same sense of freedom after his release from Robben Island in 1973 but, this time around, was sad the apex court ordered his arrest without trial, he added in a statement.
Zuma said he was grateful he could now “do whatever I want without restrictions”.
“I am relieved to be free again to walk around and do whatever I want to do without restrictions and having to seek permission, in the same manner that I felt in 1973 when I was released from Robben Island.
“Only this time, I am also filled with sadness. It was the first time ever that the Constitutional Court sentenced any person to a term of imprisonment and without even the benefit of a trial. I never expected this to happen during the freedom and democracy we fought so hard to attain,” he added.
The Algerian government is investing in the English language as a tool for the future.
In September, primary schools across the country have introduced English to Year 3 students, a move that brings it on par with French.
Many parents welcome this change.
“I’m the father of two children studying in primary school. Teaching English in primary school is sensible. We should prepare for it because most parents of Algerian students aren’t ready to teach English to their children in primary school. It requires means for the students to join the classes and learn the language properly. And we here in Algeria, are lacking the means”, said Farouk Lazizi, father of two students in primary school.
For others, the decision is about moving away from French, a language associated with colonial times.
“This will be our first step away from the French language, which is characterised by administrative complications and has brought nothing. Well-off French people are starting to teach their children English . If you, a French person, are teaching your child English, then I should also have the choice to change the language I teach my son. I want to drop the language of the coloniser and adopt the language used worldwide”, said Hacene, father of a primary pupil in the capital, Algiers.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced the decision at a cabinet meeting on June 19th.
During the summer, the education ministry was in a race against time to implement the presidential instructions.
“It’s a good thing God’s willing, that our children can speak foreign languages. We’re happy and we hope that our Algerian children will learn more, especially English, because we’re sick of French, the language of colonialism, we want to move forward”, said retired primary school teacher, El Hadi.
In Algeria, children have to learn four languages from primary school. These are Arabic, Berber, French and English.
Olam Nigeria Limited, an agri-business company, says the price of rice will go up by December as massive flooding from River Benue damaged the company’s crops and infrastructure.
Vice-president, Olam Nigeria Limited, Ade Adefeko, said the incident affected the company’s $20 million investment and about 25 percent of Nigeria’s rice needs.
Adefeko described the situation as “very terrible”, adding that climate change is real despite all efforts put in place to prevent the damage.
“The entire team from the farm worked very hard to prevent the colossal damage that arose there from the dam broke the likes of the dam the dikes of the farm, and that affected us to a large extent we supply about 25 percent of Nigeria’s rice needs and that has been affected and have lost over $20 million,” he said.
“Of course, we are insured, But you can insure crops, you cannot replace crops. So, the crop has been insure, but you cannot be replaced. So you have to grow again. So we are talking about 4400 hectares of farmland gone submerged due to climate change. So it’s very serious.
“Well, like I spoke to the fact that climate change is real. There’s not much you can do about the fact that climate change is real. We’ll continue to do what we have to do. I think NiMET had warned about the impending floods, I am sure you will notice what happened in Kogi as well.
“When they say it rains. It’s not really raining, it’s pouring. So it’s terrible.”
According to Adefeko, Olam farm, located in Rukubi Doma LGA of Nasarawa state, was flooded after River Benue burst its banks and broke the dyke.
“For example, we have been battling this water for the last two to three weeks. But finally, the water pressure from the dam took over and broke the dykes and multiple spots, which we couldn’t control. It was the burst from the seams of River Benue and River Niger. Two major rivers in Nigeria are very close to Benue,” he added.
“Doma, where we are, is where we have the largest facility. We have the largest rice farm and mill on the continent. It is a $140 million investment, the national $20 million investment, which brought everything to $160 million.
“On our journey to the communities where we operate, it’s terrible. I mean, you need to come and see what is happening. We have over 57 kilometres of dikes surrounding the farms. The farm was built 12 kilometres by 7 kilometres and 57 kilometres of dikes were meant to stop the flow from entering but this was made after the 2012 major crisis. Based on that, we put a lot of things in place, but you know what? Climate change is real.”
Adefeko, however, said with such loss and damage, the price of rice will increase as the company will be forced to double production.
“Well, what happened on October 2, I will tell you that 25 percent of the crop for rice has been taken out. We should expect an increase in rice prices in December. Of course, that goes without saying, because the entire crop has been lost. We produce 25 percent of that crop to a large extent. Nigeria consumed 7 million tonnes of rice, and we produce 5 million tonnes, and we imported about 2 million tonnes,” he added.
“So right now, the quantum of rice that we’ll have to meet the shortfall will increase. So maybe two or 3 million tonnes or thereabout or 4 million tonnes. So that’s massive.”
The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has secured a camping base for the U23 men national team, otherwise known as Olympic Eagles, ahead of the team’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against their Tanzanian counterparts this month.
Camping and prosecution of qualifying campaigns and tournaments of the U23 men and women teams for the Olympic Games and the African Games fall within the ambit of the Youth and Sports Development Ministry, but President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Friday commended the Ministry for securing the camp as it will aid the preparation of the Olympic Eagles for their qualifying campaign.
Tanzania will host the first leg of the fixture in the weekend of 21st – 23rd October, with the return leg due in Nigeria on Saturday, 29th October. The NFF has already scheduled the return leg for the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Head Coach Salisu Yusuf has invited 32 players who will resume camping in the Oyo State capital this weekend.
Nigeria won the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal in 2015, and then went ahead to win the bronze medal at the Olympic Men’s Football Tournament in Brazil the following year. However, the class of 2019 failed to reach the knockout rounds in Egypt and thus could not earn a slot at the Olympics in Tokyo last year.
Nigeria won gold at the Olympic Men’s Football Tournament in Atlanta, USA in 1996 and followed up with silver in Beijing, China 12 years later.
Nigeria have dropped one place in the latest FIFA men’s rankings for the month of September.
The Super Eagles, who were ranked 30th in the world in the ranking released in August, dropped six points to 31st.
The Eagles’ drop in the rankings was largely due to their 2-1 away defeat to Algeria in their international friendly played in the month under review.
Jose Peseiro’s men were conquered by the Desert Foxes in a friendly game at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex, Oran, in September in what was their only game in the month.
However, the three-time African champions are still the fourth-ranked team in Africa, with Senegal also retaining their number one spot on the continent and 18th in the world. They are followed by second-place Morocco, who also moved one place in the world to 22nd.
Tunisia maintained its position as the third-best team in Africa and 30th in the world, while Algeria leapfrogged Egypt to complete the top five places in Africa while also moving three places in the world to the 37th position.
Meanwhile, Brazil remain the number one ranked side after winning their two matches in the month of September against Ghana and Tunisia in international friendlies.
Belgium are second, with Argentina occupying the third position. France and England maintained their positions to remain the fourth and fifth-best teams in the world.
Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, and Denmark complete the top 10.
The Super Eagles will confront the senior national team of Costa Rica in a prestigious international friendly in the country’s capital, San Jose on November 9.
Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport, told thenff.com, yesterday, that the three-time African champions have been invited to the Central American nation as part of major activities to send forth the Los Ticos to the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.
Thenff.com learnt that the game, scheduled for the National Stadium in San Jose, will kick off at 8.00 p.m. Costa Rica time (3.00 a.m., November 10 in Nigeria).
Costa Rica hosted this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals where Nigeria’s Falconets reached the quarterfinals, defeating France, Korean Republic and Canada in the group phase.
The Super Eagles have another prestige friendly lined up against Portugal in Lisbon on November 17.
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