I know Nigeria

Despite accusations of slavery in Libya, Nigerian migrants are still flocking the North African country to reach Europe. Latest reports said the Libyan coastguard blocked 324 migrants, among them Nigerians, who were trying to reach Europe, using the Mediterranean Sea. The migrants intercepted about seven miles off the western town of Zuwara on Monday included 35 women and 16 children, coastguard spokesman Ayoub Qassem said in a statement. They were mostly from four sub-Saharan countries: Chad, Nigeria, Mali, Ivory Coast.  “There are some others from Tunisia, Pakistan and Morocco. There are also 32 persons including eight women and six children from Libya, and three families among them,” he said. The number of migrants crossing from Libya has dropped since July as Libyan factions and authorities – under pressure from Italy and the European Union – began to block departures, especially from the smuggling hub of Sabratha.  But they have continued from the shoreline e...

A brand new cryptocurrency coin is launching with the mainstream African user in mind. KureCoinHub, a self-service banking platform built into a decentralised system based on smart-contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. It has been described as the largest cryptocurrency project in Africa. KureCoin was created as an investment solution to help Africans rise above the poverty line, by developing a unique access point for the mainstream user into the cryptoeconomy. The KureCoinHub is a trifecta of a bank, an exchange platform called KUREX and the coin called KURECOIN. KureCoinHub runs on a highly secure system, built with the proof of stake algorithm based on Ethereum smart-contracts, which have been said to be perfectly suited to direct buyer-seller interaction. According to the founder and CEO, Tega Abikure, KureCoin was created to function as a much easier way to buy and sell. His team identified an opportunity to use blockchain technologies to solve problems such as access to cap...

The World Bank on Friday approved an International Development Association (IDA) Credit of 486 million dollars for the rehabilitation and upgrading of electricity transmission substations and lines in Nigeria. Olufunke Olofon, Senior Communications Officer, World Bank, Nigeria, made this known in a statement released on Friday. She said that the investments would increase the power transfer capacity of the transmission network. The World Bank Country Director forNigeria, Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, said the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETP) would help address key bottlenecks in the transmission network. “It will also improve access to affordable and reliable electricity service to citizens. The credit will also enable distribution companies supply consumers with additional power. “Together with other investments and policy measures, the project will contribute to ensuring adequate and reliable electricity supply that is necessary forNigeria’s continued econo...

The Central Bank of Nigeria has stopped the payment of dividends to shareholders by Deposit Money Banks and discount houses with huge bad loans and low capital base.This is due to the rising non-performing loans and the need to stop further erosion of the capital base of the banks and discount houses. The directive is coming barely a week to the release of the 2017 financial year’s annual reports by commercial banks and discount houses in the country.The development has dashed the hope of many shareholders as a number of the banks will be affected by the directive and consequently unable to pay dividends. The CBN said the move was aimed at stemming the tide of rising non-performing loans and the consequent weakening and erosion of the banks’ capital base. The directive was handed down in a letter dated January 31, 2018.In the letter to the banks and discount houses, which was signed by the Director, Banking Supervision Department, CBN, Ahmad Abdullahi, the regulator said it had ...

NEXIM BANK offers a range of services The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) was established by Act 38 of 1991 as an Export Credit Agency (ECA) with a share capital of N50, 000,000,000 (Fifty Billion Naira) held equally by the Federal Ministry of Finance incorporated and the Central Bank of Nigeria. SERVICES NEXIM lends money directly to Nigerian exporters to fund their purchase of capital goods, raw materials, packaging materials, spare parts through their Direct Loans facility. The facility also covers the provision of infrastructure as well as revitalization and modernization of plants/machinery. Providers of export services in the areas of consultancy, tourism, oil and gas etc are also eligbile for support. Direct Lending Facility (DLF)NEXIM lends money directly to Nigerian exporters to fund their purchase of capital goods, raw materials, packaging materials, spare parts through our Direct Loans facility. Check details here

Austria has introduced a flexible new immigration system with the Red-White-Red Card (RWR card). The aim is to provide skilled workers from third countries and their family members with permanent and permanent immigration to Austria based on personal and labor market policy criteria. The most important criteria are: qualification, work experience, age, language skills, an adequate job offer and minimum wage. The RWR card is issued in two variants: RWR card: entitles to establishment and employment with a specific employer. RWR card plus: entitles to establishment and unrestricted access to the labor market. The following persons can receive an RWR card: Especially highly qualified specialists in shortage occupations Other key staff graduates The following persons can receive an RWR card plus: Family members of the mentioned groups of persons and holders of a Blue Card EU; Family members of foreigners already permanently resident. blue card EU The Blue Card EU implements the requirement...

Anyone who intends to stay in Austria for more than 6 months must apply for a residence permit instead of a visa.  Residence permits are requested at the embassy but issued by the authorities in Austria - and only for a period of more than 6 months.  The application for a residence permit must normally be submitted to the Austrian Embassy prior to departure.  It is not allowed to enter Austria unless an application has been approved.  As a rule, your foreign documents must be authenticated before applying for residence permits.  You will find more details in the chapter Certifications. Quota-requiring settlement permit  For the allocation of the quota places is not the arrival at the domestic authority relevant, but the submission date  at the Austrian representative authority abroad.  It is basically for each application to arrange a separate  appointment.  The application must be submitted in person.  Due to the rush, immed...

The Australian Government does not provide visa services at the Australian High Commission in Abuja. The preferred visa application method is online lodgement.  To start an application, you will first need to create your own online account, known as  ImmiAccount . ImmiAccount lets you create and manage all your online visa applications in one place. You can use your account to: lodge and pay for your visa application; continue a saved application; attach documents if required; and check the progress of your application. Alternative to online lodgement – Lodgement via TLScontact If you are not able to lodge the visa application online for any reason, you may lodge a paper application for some visa types at a TLScontact Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in Nigeria. Please note that an additional service fee is payable to TLScontact if you wish to use this service. There will be a service fee payable for the collection of biometrics at an AVAC,...

Sexual assault can happen anywhere to anyone. Sexual assault is an act of violence which violates a person's sense of safety and control and can leave them feeling powerless and dishonoured. Perpetrators of sexual assault may use drugs, threats, power, force and manipulation to attempt to control another person's body, senses and emotions. Assaults can happen to both men and women when travelling overseas, and in most cases, the perpetrator is a stranger. Things you can do to reduce your risk of being sexually assaulted. Be aware of your surroundings and if you feel uncomfortable, leave. Avoid walking alone or through poorly lit areas at night. Do not leave your drink unattended in public spaces. Do not drink to excess or take drugs that might make you disoriented. If any doors or windows to your accommodation are broken, do not enter. Instead contact the police. Avoid going into back rooms of shops where you cannot see the street. Be cautious of unsolicited invi...

Don't let a rip-off ruin your holiday We've all heard tales of pickpockets swiping wallets or taxi drivers speeding off with a car full of luggage, but some holiday horror stories are even more extraordinary. Unsuspecting travellers run the risk of a ruined trip, or worse, if they fall victim to clever scam artists who make a living off targetting tourists. We look at some of the sneakiest swindles around the world, how to avoid them and what to do if you get caught up in one. Airport scams Some travellers don't even get to experience culture shock before they're hit with the shock of being fleeced just moments after landing in a new country. Men in uniform "As we arrived at Denpasar airport in Bali, two uniformed men met us at the baggage claim area. They picked up our bags, said 'customs' and motioned for us to follow them. We followed them obediently (and nervously) to the airport exit where the pair promptly dropped our bags and stuck o...

Travellers of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds have fallen victim to scams overseas. The examples listed below will alert you to some common scams and suggest precautions you should take. Airport taxi scam What it is:  Unlicensed, unmetered drivers often congregate in airport arrivals halls and major tourist destinations, offering flat-rate fees to drive foreign tourists to their chosen destination. In many cases the fees are much higher than metered fares. What to do:  Before you depart, read up on what transport services are available at the airport. Only follow signage or advice of authorities to official taxi service providers who most often remain outside the terminal in their vehicle. Jet ski/motorcycle/car hire scam What it is:  When hiring jet skis, motorcycles and cars, Australian travellers have reported harassment and threats of violence by transport operators for returning vehicles that have allegedly been damaged. In some cases, ...