[War] Nigeria/USA: Negotiations and the Future of Nigeria

[lee.tarnow at utoronto.ca]

Negotiations and the Future of Nigeria
---
25 July, 2014
Washington, D.C.
HH Eheneden Erediauwa, 39th Oba of Benin, Edaiken of Uselu, Member of 
the Uzama, 3rd President of the Nigerian Fourth Republic
Pres. John Williams, United States of America
(and many more...)
---

Eheneden  looked out the window of the VH-71 Kestrel. NAF-001 had  
landed at Andrews AFB, but Eheneden and his entourage were immediately  
borded on Marine One to meet POTUS at the White House.

Ore-Oghene marveled at the size of the Kestrel. It had a crew of 4,  
and was a sheer behemoth of an aircraft. At a cost of US$400M, the  
Kestrel had capacity for 45 excluding the crew. It was nearly 23  
metres in length, and weighed 15 600 kg. Perhaps President Williams  
needed a helicopter f this capacity, but it was a prime example of  
American decadence none the less. He would not mention it to his  
father, Eheneden had caught on well with POTUS, but he smirked at the  
obvious penis joke in his head.

The Kestrel -was- a bit, um, excessive...But it was also a holdover  
from the last Bush Administration, POTUS recalled with a grin as he  
watched it swoop in for landing. No comment was necessary besides  
that, he decided mentally.

That said, his eyes watched the helo like a hawk as the door opened,  
and the joint-service honor guard came to present arms. He waited at  
the end of the red carpet, eyes fixed on those who exited.

The first member of the Nigerian entourage out of Marine 1 was  
Muhammadu Edem. Almost 7' tall, he wore dark sunglasses everywhere,  
even in the dark. He scared everyone (this was appropriate, as he was  
the Director General of the SSS), and made Ore-Oghene uncomfortable.  
Eheneden trusted him though, so that was all that mattered.

Also accompanying the Nigerian President were Minister of Foreign  
Affairs, Adamu Ogwu, the Minister of Energy, Baba Odey, the Minister  
of Finance, Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, and the Ministers of Defence, Commerce  
& Industry, and Education. Finally out of the Kestrel was Ore-Oghene,  
Aberle Roth, and another large African known simply as Simon Peter; he  
was with Edem.

Williams looked over each member of the Nigerian delegation in turn.  
Edem was regarded with extreme wariness by the Secret Service, but  
that may have been as much for the rumored sadism of the SSS as  
anything else. The Ministers were a near non-factor, in that regard -  
it was the Nigerian President and his son which got the rest of  
Williams's attention - particularly the younger of the two. There was  
almost nothing on the guy, and so POTUS's personal observations would  
in many ways set the tone for how the Secret Service - which handled  
security for the kids of foreign leaders studying in the US - handled  
him.

Eheneden approached the POTUS with open arms, ?Good morning, President  
Williams!? He smiled, ?It's a pleasure to finally meet you.?

Williams grinned, extending his hand for a handshake with each of the  
Nigerians. "And you as well, President Erediauwa." His eyes locked on  
the other leader, before taking in the other Nigerians. "I trust your  
preparations for the semester are going well?" he asked.

Ore-Oghene was stammered, ?I ? err... uh, yes sir.? He hadn't expected  
that. The truth of the matter was that the Iowa State University was  
taking care of most of his arrangments. As a student-athlete, the  
university was obliged to cater to him, especially with wrestling, a  
sport with a storied history in Ames. Eheneden laughed.

Williams grinned at the boy's stammering. "Good to hear. Now, if  
you'll all follow me, welcome to the White House." As he returned the  
Marine sentries' salutes, his pace slowed so that he was walking equal  
to President Erediauwa.

?We have much business to discuss,? Eheneden smiled at POTUS, ?EM may  
be filled with snakes, but young Dr. Roth,? he gestured to the young  
caucasian man with the African party, ?Is trustworthy, and full of  
suggestions. Perhaps I shall lend him to you when we're done.? The  
Nigerian president bore a toothy grin.

Williams just chuckled. "We'll see." Soon enough, they were sitting  
next to each other in the Diplomatic Reception Room, letting the press  
have their photos. It was the average, day-to-day press opportunity.  
No quotes for the newsies from Williams, but then...their questions  
were mostly aimed at the Nigerian today. A president *and* a king? Oh,  
how the press had enjoyed hearing that. Then a serious question.

?What do you have to say about the SSS repression of political groups  
in the Niger Delta region??

---
30 June 2013
Niger Delta
---

Splash. Cold water. A hard slap.

Ahmadu Scott wanted to die. The pain of living was too much for him.  
But they wouldn't let him die. They plucked out his eyes, gelded him,  
branded him, but he was not allowed to die. He was fed through a tube,  
kept in his own filth. Still alive.

One name. One name was all the cold man wanted.

He called him the cold man, because he was cold. His pulse was  
incredibly slow, if it existed at all. He barked out orders to the  
other SSS goons, and they did the work of the devil.

Then there were the IVs. Barbiturates in one arm, amphetamine in the  
other. The barbiturates were released first, and as soon as Ahmadu  
began to fall asleep, the amphetamines were released. Ahmadu would  
begin babbling incoherently at this point, and it was thought possible  
to ask questions and get useful answersout of him. But not yet. Ahmadu  
was stronger than that.

"Awake, Mr. Scott," it was the voice of the cold man. A deep baritone  
without a soul, "Don't fall asleep. If you're lucky, we may kill you  
today, and it would be the end of your suffering."

The rush of the Amphetamines. This time a prayer.

"The lord is my shephard," Scott began, "I shall not want."

"Who is calling the attacks, Mr. Scott?"

"He makes me lie in green pastures, he leads me besides the still waters."

Punch. Blood. It dripped down the back of his throat, from his broken nose.

"He restores my soul, he leads me in the paths of the righteous for  
His name's sake!"

Urine and feces stained his pants. He had not been changed in a week,  
not left this chair.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will  
fear no evil, for you are with me!"

Ahmadu strained against the wood. It was no use. He was strapped in,  
had no strength to struggle against the zip ties. Spat up some blood.

"Your rod and your staff, they comfort me! You prepare a table for me  
in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil, my cup  
runs over!"

"The name, Scott, tell us the name."

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,  
and I will dwell in House of the Lord forever!"

Gun shots. One in each knee. Ahmadu howled in pain.

One name. Only one came to mind...

---
25 July, 2014
Washington, D.C.
---

Erediauwa just smiled, ?My predecessors have not been the most forward  
thinking of individuals, but I hope to lead Nigeria into the future as  
a more friendly, global community-minded nation, with a reputation  
that Nigeria deserves. The United States is an important ally in these  
difficult times, and I hope to establish a long-term working  
relationship that can benefit both the American and Nigerian peoples.?  
He noticed Simon Peter stand behind the small, asian woman who asked  
the question. Muhammadu was trying to signal something to him.  
Eheneden gestured at Muhammadu and the career SSS man stopped what he  
was doing.

Williams watched the interaction - particularly the security goons -  
with concealed interest. As, he knew, did the Secret Service, who he  
kept in the shadows with barely a glance to his lead agent. The press  
was thick today, and he knew that exchange would hit the nightly news  
tonight.

"Yes, President Erediauwa, but how do you respond to allegations of  
SSS torture of political dissidents, sir?" That from ABC's  
correspondent, who got watched by all the other journos, eager to see  
if the Nigerians would respond. Williams didn't mind the hard  
questions thrown at his guest, it seemed.

Simon Peter grimaced in the crowd. Eheneden just smiled, ?Its happened  
in the past, but that was then, and this is now. I think I already  
answered that question. Next question??

No other questions. Soon enough, the group had moved on to the West  
Wing, where Williams said, without apology, ?I sense that was your  
first experience with the press??

?First with American press, you could say,? again the smile, ?I never  
knew you Americans were so fascinated by torture.?

"We're not. The press, however, sees you as a big, juicy  
target...standing up for their repressed comrades, you could say,"  
Williams replied as they reached the Oval Office.

Government security forces frequently harassed, arrested, and detained  
editors and reporters from journals critical of the Nigerian  
government through the beginning of the 21st century; 1997,  
especially, was a bad year. On 4 November 1997 Aoetokunbo Fakeye,  
defense correspondent for The News, was arrested. On 8 November,  
Jenkins Alumona, editor of The News, was arrested by SSS agents at a  
Lagos television station. On 9 November, Onome Osifo-Whiskey, managing  
editor of Tell magazine, was arrested by SSS agents in Lagos while  
driving to church with his children. On 29 October, Osifo-Whiskey had  
warned that the magazine had received a written death threat, which  
listed the names of 27 staff members. On 16 November, SSS agents  
arrested Babafemi Ojudu, editor of the News/Tempo. Rafiu Salau, an  
administration editor for the News/Tempo, was also arrested in  
mid-November. Former chairman of the editorial board of the daily The  
Guardian and a visiting professor of journalism at a US university,  
Olatunji Dare, was detained overnight and his passport seized upon his  
arrival from the United States on 2 June 1997. He was told to report  
to the SSS to retrieve his passport. After being interrogated on 17  
June by SSS officials about his activities abroad, his passport was  
then returned.

?Well now that that's over with, we can get down to brass tacks.? By  
this time Ore-Oghene, Simpon Peter, and Edem had left to explore the  
city. Now was as good a time as any to discuss business with the  
Americans.

A nod from Williams, as the doors opened to the Oval Office. As he  
escorted his visitors in, he looked about. "Before we begin, would you  
like anything?"

?A coffee would be lovely thank you,? the rest of the Nigerian party  
was looking around the office. It was darker than the 'The Villa' in  
Abuja, but had its own charm. They each asked for coffee, and took  
their places on the various chairs and couch in the office. Roth sat  
next to Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, the Minister of Finance.

?Do you think they shall give us what we want?? He whispered to Igwe.

?We shall see,? was the response, ?I don't think there is any reason  
for them not to, but you have to keep in mind, Aberle, that what you  
have suggested to us can be extremely sensitive.?

As the Navy stewards delivered the coffee carafe and poured each a  
cup, the President turned and smiled. "So, gentlemen. Where would you  
like to begin?"

Eheneden placed his hands on his lap, ?Would you like to start with a  
difficult subject, or an easy subject??

That got a grin. "Start hard."

Eheneden reclined gently. He sipped at his coffee. ?Igwe, I believe  
you can sum this up nicely for President Williams.?

The Minister of Finance nodded, ?Boeing.?

A raised eyebrow. "Oh?"

Igwe continued, ?Boeing has international offices, for example, Boeing  
Australia. However, the piece of the company that we wish to do work  
with is a subsidiary of Boeing Satellite Development Center (BSDC) and  
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (BIDS). As well, they are involved  
with testing at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and  
are involved with other DOE projects.?

Eheneden continued, ?We would like to make sure that we are not  
stepping on our friends' toes.?

"What's the project you want to work with them on?"

It was now Roth's turn, ?The company, Spectrolab, has recently  
demonstrated upwards of 60% efficiency with their high efficiency   
multi-junction solar cells, and a minimum average efficiency of  
roughly 40%. We would like to enter into business with Spectrolab,  
bring them to Nigeria, establish a lab in Lagos to work in conjunction  
with NREL, and share the technology.?

Williams brought up the company's info on his laptop, glancing at it.  
"Okay...Quick decision: It's an export-controlled item, so you'll need  
to get licenses from the Department of Commerce, but that shouldn't be  
a problem. However, I'm not ready yet to allow a research lab or  
similar to be set up - too much risk of controlled tech slipping out.  
If not to you, then to others with an interest."

Roth shook his head. He had a response for this, ?By preventing  
Nigeria from establishing modern research facilities, you're actually  
creating a higher risk environment for technology theft. This kind of  
atmosphere would create an environment that would encourage reverse  
engineering,? Aberle paused for effect, ?You would alienate the  
research staff, and set Nigeria's modernization back several years.  
You may block the research for awhile, but eventually it would be  
reverse engineered, and then you'd have a generation of resentful  
professionals that have the technology anyway.?

"Fair point, which is why I'm willing to compromise - we'll approve of  
and even assist technology transfer in certain fields, so long as this  
lab agrees to unannounced audits. In addition, the lab will stay under  
Boeing ownership - not the Nigerian government's. That's the one way I  
can get Congressional approval of the tech transfers."

This pleased Eheneden, ?Excellent,? again he smiled, ?On to the next  
matter. Have you met the Minister for Education, Ojo Anuku?? He  
gestured to the short and stockey main nursing his coffee. Ojo gave a  
friendly wave.

"Nope." Then, with his voice the clipped tones of a soldier, he spoke  
simply. "What's the topic, Minister Anuku?"

?The Spectrolab facility in Lagos,? Ojo began, ?Will be managed by  
Boeing, and the senior staff will be provided for by Boeing, but the  
rest of the staff will be interned by students from National  
Universities Commission (NUC). That being said, we will also need to  
be allowed to work with the American facilities and institutions that  
Spectrolab does business with. This includes the National Renewable  
Energy Laboratory (NREL) at Golden, Colorado, and various offices of  
the Department of Energy. In short, we're asking to pool our  
facilities together, including research and intern positions available  
to NUC students.?

"Sure, but American students get first preference at NREL. Everything  
else, you fly under Boeing's wing."

Ojo nodded, ?I think we can agree to that. However, we would like to  
make this industry wide, to a variety of energy companies, in similar  
research. Boeing is the most high profile of course, but we would like  
to ensure that the next generation of Nigerian minds is competitive on  
the world scene. Can we come to a general agreement, or should we go  
through one by one??

"I think this works as a general framework," Williams noted. "For  
legal reasons, though, I can't give a sweeping agreement - It'll each  
need the at least cursory approval of the government. So long as you  
keep to these general terms, though, it'll be a formality."

---
3 hours later...
---

?...and that should just about cover everything,? the entire room was  
smiling. A consensus agreement was reached on all topics. This  
included, Boeing, Spectrolab, and their partners (NREL, DOE), CH2M  
2HILL, Bechtel, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL),  
University of California, Babcock and Wilcox, URS Corp, Batelle, Texas  
A&M University System, EEStor and Lockheed-Martin, Stanford, Maxwell  
Technologies, AltairNano, Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS), FPL  
Group, Inc, A123Systems, General Electric, OnPoint, the Massachusetts  
Institute of Technology, Motorola, Qualcomm, Procter & Gamble, through  
its Duracell division ... The list spanned hundreds of high-tech  
companies, universities, laboratories, and facilities across multiple  
disciplines.

"Okay," Williams nodded, "I can agree to all of these, but they'll be  
subject to the same restrictions as any foreign grad student."

?Of course,? Ojo concurred, ?Any student interning in the United  
States will be subject to any restrictions applicable to a foreign  
graduate student who is conducting research in collaboration with an  
approved industrial partner.?

The conversation went on for another half an hour. Eventually, though,  
after a working lunch, even the gregarious President had other  
appointments. The State Dinner was that night.

---

Actions:
1)Negotiate with basically every industry to come to Nigeria, offering  
crazy government benefits and cooperation, plenty of interns,  
plentiful research grants, tax rebates, and all the other things that  
high tech companies like. Everyone from Coca Cola to Xerox, and even  
the ones that come before and after too.
2)Revise NUC to support corporate sponsorship, introduce Approved  
Industrial Partner (AIP) internship program this September, and make  
it available to all incoming, existing, and outgoing students.
3)Prepare construction of Design, Development, Engineering, and  
Research ((DDER) facilities and supporting infracstructure in relevant  
areas. This means ROADS, pipes, power, lines, etc. (ROADS especially)
4)Getting to know you banter, and other stuff.