On July 19 2016, The Nigerian Community in Turkey (NICOT) had a peaceful demostration at the Taksim Square in support of Turkish President Erdogan and his ruling AKP Party after the botched coup attempt on the nation.

The Nigerian community which was led by their able president, Prince E. Magboh waved banners, flags and posters in full support of democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.

As has been widely reported in the media, around 22:00 on 15 July 2016, a military coup was launched in Turkey. The coup which saw Turkey's main bridges closed to traffic and parliament buildings bombed didn't succeed in ousting President Erdogan.

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#PrayForTurkey - Following the recent attack on Istanbul Turkey, the Nigerian Community in Turkey (NICOT), an umbrella body that protects the interests of Nigerians in Turkey, has come out strongly in condemnation of the airport attack that killed more than 40 people.

Unfortunately some Nigerians were injured in the blast, but no death has been reported. In a recent hospital visit to the injured Nigerians, the president of NICOT,  Prince E. Magboh commiserated with them and promised care and whatever help and assistance they can render.

Another terror attack shook Turkey late on June 28, just as the country has launched a multifaceted diplomatic move to mend its broken ties with both Israel and Russia following major disputes.

At least 40 people were killed, according to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, in the attack on Istanbul Atatürk International Airport, the biggest in the country, by at least three militants.

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Turkey and the United States agreed recently that a political settlement may be possible this year 2016 in Cyprus for a possible re-unification of the divided Island.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington recently, and both diplomats were upbeat about chances for a deal.

“We have also some good news from the eastern part of the Mediterranean, I mean Cyprus,” Cavusoglu was quoted as saying.

“We are hoping to reach a settlement in Cyprus in 2016. Turkey’s side is ready,” he said, confirming for the first time that a deal is possible this year.

On his part, Kerry said that he “couldn’t agree more”. “We are very deeply committed to and involved in the talks on Cyprus,” said Kerry, adding that both he and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden had recently visited the island.

“We have met with the folks on both sides as well as individual countries and we are going keep pushing very, very hard towards a resolution of the Cyprus crisis”, Kerry added.

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Denmark has emerged as the happiest nation in the world. The Scandinavian country, which has a population of around 5.6 million, knocked Switzerland into second place to take the title of the happiest country in the 2016 World Happiness Report.

A combination of a relatively high GDP, good healthy life expectancy and high levels of social support gave the country its edge over the other nations.

The report is the fourth of its kind to be produced, using a variety of factors to measure happiness around the world since the first World Happiness Report in 2012.

People's health, access to medical care, family relations, job security, political freedom and levels of government corruption are all among the measures used to assess happiness.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey is ready to help Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.

Addressing a joint news conference alongside his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, Erdogan said Turkey will help Nigeria bring peace to the region.

"As a country combating terrorism itself for a long time, any terror in Nigeria deeply hurts our hearts,” the Turkish president said.

Erdogan also extended his condolences to the victims of terrorism in Nigeria.

“There is evidence that terrorism is the same all over the world," Erdogan said, adding: “Terrorism has no religion or nationality”.

“We are ready to combat terrorism with Nigeria. We would like you to enjoy our experience in the field of defense,” he added.

There is no “distinction between terror organizations,” Erdogan said.

Buhari welcomed the Turkish president saying: “I thank you for supporting us in these difficult times that we have been through,” Buhari said.

The Turkish president also expressed his interest in boosting bilateral economic ties. He noted the growth of Nigerian economy in recent years and expressed Turkey’s willingness to make further investments in Nigeria.

“We have been following Nigeria’s economic growth closely. I am accompanied by a large number of businessmen…We hope to be able to obtain a positive outcome from this [Turkey-Nigeria business] forum [in Abuja],” Erdogan said.

“The population of Turkey and Nigeria is about 260 million people… that is a very important market if we combine our forces,” he added.

He also said that Turkey remains ready to share its experience and knowledge in the fields of irrigation and agriculture with Nigeria.

“It will be a pleasure for me to host Buhari as soon as possible,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish president also said the Grand National Assembly of Turkey will cooperate with the Nigerian parliament.

Turkey and Nigeria signed bilateral agreements on economic, scientific, and technical cooperation in 2011.

The Turkey-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1999. Their main areas of trade relations revolve around imports of clothing materials and automobile parts. Turkey also imports raw materials from Nigeria, including rubber and sesame seeds.

Turkish investments in Nigeria are in the areas of construction, quarrying, textiles, tourism, education, healthcare and hospitality.

Erdogan is currently on a four-nation tour of Africa. He visited the Ivory Coast on Monday and Ghana on Tuesday. He is expected to leave Abuja late Wednesday for a visit to Guinea.

Nearly 150 Turkish businessmen joined Erdogan on his tour of West Africa that began earlier last week.

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PRESS RELEASE: NANS TURKISH ZONE DEMANDS SUPPORT FOR NIGERIAN STUDENTS ABROAD FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

"It has come to our attention that more that 80 percent of Nigerian students in Turkish Zone are having difficulties in paying their tuition for the spring semester 2015-2016 academic sessions. Currently, many students are unable to register for the semester.

We would like to use this medium to deliver a message to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal government. It is necessary that our federal government considers the overwhelming impact of education upon the National economic development.

Since educated youth are a key component to Nation building, it is only rational and logical to provide all the means necessary to make it easy and possible to for Nigerian Students overseas at all levels to be able to register. 

After thorough deliberation and discussions with the leadership of NANS Turkish Zone, we concluded that we will do everything in our power to ensure that Nigerian students in all Universities of Turkish Zone are granted a safe passage to register. In an effort to deliver as stated; 

1. We sent letters to all Rectors of each University in North Cyprus, stating the seriousness of the crisis on ground and possible solution to our current situation.

2. We also an sent an official complain letter to Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government through the office of the Special Adviser to President on Youth and students affairs.

We are pleading with Nigerian students in each University in Turkish Zone that are confronted with the same difficulty, to exercise patience and know that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Turkish Zone is not just folding its arm at this difficult point in time.

We will do everything in our power to ensure that your welfare is secured without any hindrances to your progress."

Thanks

Yours in struggle
Comrade SALIM HAMZA RINGIM 
President NANS Turkish Zone

****

CC //  FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION - NIGERIA
      //  ALL CONCERNED UNIVERSITIES IN NANS-TURKISH ZONE

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TRNC Finance Minister Birikim Ozgur has said that Turkey finances 25% of the TRNC’s budget annually, Turkish daily ‘Milliyet’ reported.

He described this contribution as extremely import and added that the country would become bankrupt without Turkey’s financial contribution.

Ozgur noted that a new economic programme for the period 2016-2018 is expected to be signed by the end of the year.

Pointing out that Turkey has always supported the development of the Turkish Cypriots, Ozgur noted that Turkey’s aid pays for infrastructure investments, defence, private sector incentives and salaries.

Turkey’s annual aid and donations have exceeded one billion TL, Ozgur added. “The aid is absolutely necessary for the functioning of public finances. We also receive aid for salaries, a sum which annually exceeds 200 million TL on average. Otherwise, the public finances would become non-functional”, he said.

The Turkish Cypriots are fortunate because the Turkish government is stable, Ozgur argued. However, in the past Turkey had been giving aid to the Turkish Cypriots without a plan, but now this has changed and they have a programme which should continue. “We must defend the programmes we sign and abide by them”, he said adding that a North Cyprus with a strong economy will not remain an unfulfilled dream.

According to ‘Milliyet’, the TRNC pays 150 million TL in salaries and Turkey transfers 20 million TL every month towards these salaries. It also spends more than one billion TL for investments and defence.

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77th anniversary of Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s death was commemorated at EMU on 10 November 2015 through various activities. The first ceremony commemorating Atatürk took place with the participation of staff members and students at EMU Atatürk Monument at 8:45 a.m. on 10 November 2015. Following the national songs and Atatürk’s 10th Year Speech, a wreath was laid on Atatürk’s monument by Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam. At 09:05, a moment of silence followed by the National Anthem took place. Then, the ceremony continued with EMU Atatürk Application and Research Center chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu’s 10th of November Declaration about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

In his address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu commemorated Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the 77th anniversary of his passing and stated that the great Turkish leader will live forever with his principles and revolutions.

Following Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu’s address, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam delivered a speech and stated that the Turkish Nation miss Mustafa Kemal Atatürk more every passing day. Prof. Dr. Osam also added that it is due to Atatürk that we live in an independent country. Prof. Dr. Osam also highlighted the distinct meaning of each principle of Atatürk. All Vice Rectors, academic and administrative staff members and a crowded group of students attended the ceremony.

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FROM SCANTY GELA BLOG TEAM: Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and well wishers of the bomb victims who died in Ankara, Turkey on Saturday October 10th 2015. We pray that they will rest in peace. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones at this time. May the hearts of the families be comforted. May you all be consoled knowing God has a special place for all your loved ones. May God bestow a blessing on the families affected by this heinous and cowardly act.

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Political instability and clashes have been responsible for the drop in value of the Turkish lira and the week in which the US Federal Bank interest meeting is going to take place, see the Turkish Lira at an all time low against foreign currency rates.

In the TRNC the most used foreign currency of Sterling, Dollar and Euro were at a new record this week. Sterling on 14th September valued at 4.749 and 4,7500TL whilst the Euro was valued at around 3.500 and the dollar at 3.07. Turkey's market analysts noted that the this was the highest foreign currency rates were against the TL at any one time.

Economist Goksel Saydam said whilst terror events and political issues continued in Turkey, the Turkish lira would continue to lose value.

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The Turkish lira hit a fresh record low above 3.0 to the dollar on Friday September 4th and continued on Monday September 7th, against a background of political uncertainty and security concerns.

The lira peaked at a level of 3.0057 in late trade before edging back slightly to 3.0000 at 1507 GMT and is back to 3.00490 on Monday Sept 7th morning.

The lira began weakening on Thursday after August inflation data came out higher than expected, with annual consumer price inflation rising back above 7 percent on high food prices.

However, the political pressures generated by a looming snap parliamentary election on Nov. 1 were expected to discourage the Turkish Central Bank (CBT) from raising rates in response.

"It seems like the CBT is reluctant to go for a rate hike before elections hence the continued lira (TL) weakness," Tera Brokers said in a note.

"Ironically, it is becoming a vicious circle; TL depreciation pushing up inflation which then triggers more TL weakness," it said, noting that the currency had lost 22 percent of its value against the dollar this year.


At 0719 GMT the lira stood at 2.9850 against the dollar, having touched a low of 2.9983 in early trade - just off a record low of 3.0020 which it hit on Aug. 20.

Markets will be digesting the statement on inflation and the bank's real effective exchange rate data (1130 GMT).

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Prime Minister Omer Kalyoncu has issued a statement prior to the Council of Ministers’ meeting today with regards to the foreign currency exchange rate. As at 31st August, $1 = 2.92TL

As the TRNC has an economy based mainly on imports, the foreign currency exchange rate is being frozen for 90 days on imported goods at the rates of $2.70 dollars, £4.14 pounds and Euro 2.97. TRNC Central bank figures for March-August were taken into account when setting the rates.

Mr. Kalyoncu said that currently, it was not possible to take measures on loans.

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TRNC Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Onder Sennaroglu, has said that water via the Turkish pipeline will reach the TRNC on 28th October. Sennaroglu who is currently in Ankara, met with Veysel Eroglu, Turkish Minister for Forestry and Water Affairs.

Eroglu, said that he had witnessed the placing of the last water pipeline in the sea on 7th August. He reiterated that around 75 million cubic meters of water will be sent to the TRNC from the Alakopru dam in southern Turkey via a pipeline

He added that the cost of the water project, which includes a water treatment plant and water tanks, will be 1.6 billion Turkish liras.

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Private Turkish company Kilic Deniz is currently in the TRNC with the intention of establishing fish farming.

The sea products company which breeds sea bream and sea bass and is also involved in saline aquaculture works, is preparing to invest 40 million euros in fish farming.

Murat Dag, representing the company, told ‘Havadis’ that along with the investment, the new venture will employ about 2,000 people. The aim is to produce five thousand tons of fish annually.

Mr Dag said that the fish farms will lie around 1km offshore; the fish will be exported and the business should be profitable within three to four years.

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So it was early in the morning when I drove down to the Guzelyalı seashore pumping station and then walked out along the rock pier to board tPress filming the views from the boat tug “Captan Engin 3″ for the journey out to the larger boats we could see in the distance.

With the roar of the engine our boat surged forward with a parting of the waves and flying spray and the assorted media representatives on the boat were eagerly taking photographs or recording videos of this journey.

Soon we hove to at the side of the large orange and yellow Edda Fonn  and then boarded and climbed which seemed forever up the stairs to finally arrive in the control room which was so cool and everybody was relaxed.  With more media expected to arrive on other boats I had time to walk around and look at the control station from which the ship was maintained in a fixed position. There was also a video presentation being set up and a display of DSI posters showing the key points of this incredible and world first project which is to run a water pipeline between two countries.

Now the media was out on the upper deck and recording the activities on the Adams Aquanaut The DSI helicpter is landing on the boardvessel where the two sections were being brought together for joining and very soon we heard broadcast on the tannoy the news of the impending arrival of a DSI helicopter which had brought the Turkish Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs, Veysel Eroĝlu, and other dignitaries.

As the helicopter landed and the passengers disembarked the media people went back into the control room to await the Minister and his party. When he entered the room with great enthusiasm he was greeting everybody and as perhaps the only British representative I had my second thrill of the day when Minister  Veysel Eroĝlu came to me and asked me what I thought of this project and achievement and of course you can imagine my reply, which was summed up in a single word – “brilliant”.

The pipe is joined and floats free

Following this there were various presentations and speeches before the Minister’s party and eager media people went down to the helipad for more speeches and to watch the final release of the joined pipes which very soon will carry that liquid gold, cool water from the mountains of Turkey to flow by gravitational force under the sea and then to arrive at the Guzelyalı pumping station where it will be pumped up into the Geçitköy Dam.  After this is filled in the weeks ahead, it will then be pumped up again to the Çamlibel water treatment plant before being distributed around the vast network of water distribution pipes that are currently being installed around the TRNC.

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‘Language Transfer’ which was founded by a young Cypriot linguist as part of a socio-cultural activism project, offers a free downloadable language course using an innovative method of teaching the language.

A holistic approach is used, gradually building up knowledge of verbs, nouns and how the language is constructed by constructing sentences and without resorting to learning by rote.

He has now released a free audio in Turkish. The first 10 audios for introduction to Turkish are available online and more will be uploaded in the near future.

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Turkey FM Mevlut Cavusoglu: "Cyprus re-unification opportunity must not be missed"
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said it is the first time they have been so hopeful of a settlement in Cyprus and underlined that ‘this opportunity must not be missed’ [Click to read more] Learn more »

"Project of the Century" Water Project from Turkey to Cyprus delayed
The ‘Project of the Century’ Project which envisages to bring water to northern Cyprus via pipelines from Turkey has been delayed [Click to read more]

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TRNC President Mustafa Akinci: "Every issue on Cyprus re-unification has been discussed, All that is left is..." 
TRNC President Mustafa Akinci was speaking at a briefing of foreign diplomats who were on island for the 20 July celebrations. He said that it was the right time for a solution and the whole of the island should be included in [Click to read more] Learn more »

Preparations have begun for Australian schools to begin offering Turkish language instruction to students beginning in 2016 as part of the national curriculum.

From next year, students at public schools all over the country will be able to choose from Chinese, Italian, Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Greek, Spanish Vietnamese and now Turkish.

An agreement was reached in 2011 to offer the language following intense efforts by the country's 60,000-strong Turkish community.

This week, the president of the Turkish Teachers Association in Victoria, Yasar Duyal, called the decision "very important for pupils as well as for the future of the Turkish community." He said, "Indeed, the work does not end here, now it starts," adding that he hoped the lessons would raise the profile of Turks in Australia.

From 2016, the language will be offered to students from grade one in primary school to year nine in high school.

Duyal said he hopes pupils outside of Australia's Turkish community will take up the language, but also underscored its importance to Turks living in Australia. "If we do not protect the language, if we do not teach to our children, what will happen in the future?" he asked. "We would lose the Turkish language as well as our identity."

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