PHOTOS: President Obama gives award to Nigerian scholar

– Deji Akinwande, a Nigerian professor in the USA, received America’s highest research award

– Akinwande was awarded by President Barack Obama on May 5 at the White House, where the 105 researchers were hosted

– Obama congratulated the awardees on their achievements and urged them to continue to lead the way in driving discovery and innovation 

Deji Akinwande was awarded for his “outstanding research accomplishments in nanomaterials, graphene device physics, and opto-electronics.” Nigerian professor Deji Akinwande received a 2016 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the US government’s highest honor for scientists and engineers engaged in the early stages of research. Akinwande was awarded by President Barack Obama on May 5 at the White House, where the 105 researchers were hosted.

The latest recipients of PECASE spent two days in Washington, D.C., where they met with administration leaders and shared the insights of their work.

During his visit with these awardees, President Obama congratulated them on their achievements and urged them to continue to lead the way in driving discovery and innovation. He also noted that the recipients, all of whom are either employed or funded by the federal government, underscored the importance of our Nation’s investments in research and development. 

– Nigerian Scholar Akinwande was awarded for his “outstanding research accomplishments in nanomaterials, graphene device physics, and opto-electronics, and for dedication to the education of future scientists and Annoucing the winners earlier in the year, President Obama said:

“These early-career scientists are leading the way in our efforts to confront and understand challenges from climate change to our health and wellness.

“We congratulate these accomplished individuals and encourage them to continue to serve as an example of the incredible promise and ingenuity of the American people.”

President Buhari coming to Lagos on Monday, state govt advises residents on traffic diversions

Read the press statement below..

The Lagos State Government will formally welcome President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, May 23, 2016 on a two-day working visit to the State. It will be President Buhari's first official visit to the state since he assumed office about a year ago. 

A statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, stated that this is the first time in about 15years that a sitting President will be visiting the State on a working visit and is a testimony to the landmark achievements in the last one year of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as well as the good working relationship between Lagos State and the Federal Government.

 Ayorinde added that President Buhari during the visit, would formally commission the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit in Cappa Oshodi built by the State Government to ensure prompt and swift response to emergency situations in the State. 
He said the President would thereafter commission the newly constructed Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo after which he will pay homage to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Rilwanu Aremu Akiolu at the Iga Iduganran, Lagos Island. 
The Commissioner disclosed further that the President would later in the day be hosted to a reception rally by the State Government at the Tafawa Balewa Square, (TBS) Lagos where he will also commission and hand over security equipment and vehicles contributed by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to securities agencies to beef up security in the state. 
The release added that activities for the first day of the President’s visit would be rounded up with a State Banquet in his honour at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.   
The President will on Tuesday participate as the Special Guest of Honour at a breakfast session with Corporate Lagos to be hosted by Governor Ambode at the Lagos State House, Marina, after which he will have a short session with the public service at the State House, Alausa-Ikeja. 

The Commissioner quoted Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as being joyous over this landmark presidential visit to the State that contributed so much to his emergence as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  
He added that Lagosians are looking forward with excitement to receive the President in the State, just as he urged residents to bear with law enforcement agents and traffic control authorities who will effect road diversions in some of the routes that the President motorcade will pass through during the visit. 
SIGNED
 STEVE AYORINDE
 COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND STRATEGY
 LAGOS STATE 
 MAY 21, 2016.

President Buhari Condoles President Al-Sisi and Egyptians On Crash Of Flight MS 804

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday evening, called President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt on the telephone to commiserate with him and the people of Egypt on yesterday’s EgyptAir crash which claimed about 66 lives.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the President’s media aide, Garba Shehu.

Condoling the Egyptian leader on the loss of 66 lives in the crash, President Buhari assured President Al-Sisi and the people of Egypt of the sympathy of all Nigerians as they mourn the passengers and crew of EgyptAir MS804.

The statement read in part:

President Buhari told President Al-Sisi that the thoughts and prayers of Nigerians are with the families and friends of bereaved Egyptians and other nationals who are in sorrow as a result of the tragic air crash.

The President prayed that God Almighty will comfort all those who lost relatives and friends in the crash and grant eternal rest to the souls of those who died.

President Al-Sisi thanked President Buhari for his condolence and sympathy.

Photos: Buhari meets with Shell team

President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of State for Petroleum Ibe Kachikwu met with Shell Upstream team at the State House on May 20, Friday.

The team was led by the Shell Global Upstream Director, Mr. Andrew Brown. Royal Dutch Shell’s joint ventures account for more than 21% of Nigeria’s total petroleum production (629,000 barrels per day (100,000 m3/d) (bpd) in 2009) from more than eighty fields. Shell recently evacuated its workers at Nigeria’s Bonga oil field in the southern Niger Delta following a threat from Niger Delta militants.

Earlier s Shell spokesman stated that oil output was continuing at its oil fields in Nigeria while it was monitoring the security situation. A group known as the Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Shell oil pipeline in February which closed down the 250,000 barrel-a-day Forcados export terminal. Niger Delta militancy is a new challenge for the Buhari administration faced with the Boko Haram sect in the northeast and violent attacks by Fulani herdsmen in different parts of the country.