EUROPE

Berlin-based practising lawyer Efosa Ogieriakhi is no longer content with complaining about the situation in his home country Nigeria. He now wants to be part of the solution of a problem he describes as “stagnant development”. A former Legal Adviser to Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) and one-time Chairman of the Edo Diaspora Worldwide, Barrister Ogieriakhi has been actively …

Since 1988, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded by the European Parliament to individuals or organisations that have worked to defend human rights and freedom of expression. The prize is named after Russian scientist and dissident Andrei Sakharov.Vanessa Nakate from Uganda is a candidate for the 2023 Sakharov Prize. Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana*, member of the European …

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in for a second five-year term on Monday, a week after securing an absolute majority in the country’s presidential election. Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, MEP, a member of the European Union observer team that witnessed the controversial polls, reports—— General elections were held throughout Zimbabwe on 23 and 24 August 2023 to elect the president, …

The European Union has given its final approval to a new post-Cotonou partnership between the EU and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) States. After two years of waiting, this important document has finally been signed. Dr. Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the Delegation for Relations between the European Union and the ACP countries, writes …

During a recent trip to the DRC, on the invitation of His Greatness Dominique Khonde Mpolo, Universal Minister for Peace of Nations and Continents (CULPAC), members of the European Parliament’s Development Committee also had a meeting with Denis Kadima, President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), in Kinshasa. Dr Pierrette Herzberger Fofana, German member of the European Parliament representing …

A former chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE), Dr Alistair Soyode, has called for the appointment of qualified Nigerians living abroad into government positions in their home country. Speaking during a live panel discussion on the Nigerian private broadcaster AIT on Friday, Soyode said the diaspora with their knowledge, networks and experiences would add value to governance in …

Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament representing Germany on the platform of the Green Party, was recently in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo to speak to young people. She writes about her impressions of young Congolese and her views on how they can take charge of their homeland’s destiny—- By Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, …

Dr. Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, member of the European Parliament, writes on a recent visit of the European Parliament’s Development Committee to Zambia where its delegation met the country’s president and discussed the recent African leaders’ initiative to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. —– From 19 to 21 June 2023, the European Parliament’s DEVE Development Committee carried out a joint …

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has invited David Olatokunbo Alaba to invest in Nigeria, the homeland of the Austrian international footballer’s father. The Nigerian leader made the plea when he addressed Nigerians in Paris on Thursday in his first formal engagement with the diaspora. Asiwaju Tinubu, who is in the French capital to attend the Global Financing Pact Summit convened by …

Nigerians living in Europe under the aegis of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDO-Europe) have congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his assumption of office. In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr Bashir Obasekola, and General Secretary, Michael Otogo, the organisation pledged its total support to the new leader, who was sworn into office as the 16th …

Six members of the European Parliament’s Development Committee (DEVE) visited Kenya recently to consult with Kenyan government, civil society and business community on the impact of the humanitarian crisis caused by the cumulative effect of climate change, drought, food insecurity and its corollary famine, on the country’s economy. Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana MEP, head of the delegation, writes on what the …

As from 1 January 2024 at the latest, Kosovo passport holders will be able to enter the European Union (EU) and the Schengen area twice a year for 90 days without a visa. Following agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on a proposal by the Commission, passport holders from Kosovo will be allowed to travel to the EU …

Nigerians living in the diaspora are determined to influence the government that will succeed the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, who will step down on 29 May. The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) is currently collating ideas from its chapters worldwide to enable it formulate a paper which the group will hand over to President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu who will …

Accusations of racism against the British police are not new. A new study, triggered by a shocking case in London, shows that they are not unfounded. —- There are renewed allegations of racial discrimination as well as humiliation against the British police. A report published on Monday by child protection commissioner Rachel de Souza shows that police officers carried out …

Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament representing Germany on the platform of the Green Party, is attending the ongoing 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, part of activities commemorating this year’s International Women’s Week. She writes about the conference and her views on how to address gender inequality—- By Dr Pierrette …

Switzerland is Europe’s best country to drive in, new research has revealed. The study, conducted by the International Drivers Association, analysed several factors surrounding driving in Europe and scored 33 countries based on how congested the roads are, the quality of the roads, petrol prices and how safe driving is. The study found that Switzerland is the best European country …

People of African Descent who were victims of fascist violence during the Third Reich should not be forgotten, writes Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana*. The European MP narrates her efforts in the past twenty years to promote an increased awareness of the ‘other’ victims of Nazi barbarism who are often neglected in the mainstream history books and argues why it’s important to …

Over 13,000 residents from the Ogale and Bille communities in Nigeria file claims against Shell for devastating oil spills The group register in the Ogale claim has now been filed and 11,317 Ogale individual claims have been issued at the High Court. Together with the existing Bille individual claims, overall 13,652 people are bringing individual claims against Shell. Shell has …

Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has rejoiced with a Nigerian woman, Tracy Eboigbodin, who won the ‘MasterChef Italia’, an international Cooking Contest, in Italy recently. In a statement issued in Abuja by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Ms Dabiri-Erewa described Eboigbodin’s victory as well-deserved and a product of hard work and …

Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a member of the European Parliament representing Germany on the platform of the Greens, writes on the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the European Parliament which took place on 22 November in the French city of Strasbourg —– Genesis of the European ParliamentThe European Parliament celebrated its 70th anniversary on 22 November in Strasbourg in the …