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Japa Setback: Canada Cancels 10-yr Multiple Visa For Nigerians

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Ekiti Cargo Airport
The Canadian government says it has cancelled the automatic 10-year multiple-entry visa for  Nigerians and other foreign citizens.
The development followed a decision by the government in October to reduce permanent residency for immigrants from 500,000 to 395,000 in 2025.
The government said the reason why it earlier adopted the policy, which is increase skilled workers into the country post COVID is no longer necessary.
The country’s authority said it experienced the surge of immigrants after adopting the policy, which allowed holders to enter and leave Canada freely.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC, said “Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document.”
IRC said immigration officers have now been granted the discretion to decide between issuing single-entry or multiple-entry visas and to determine their validity periods.
Meanwhile, experts familiar with immigration issues said this is a big set back for Nigerians and other African immigrants planning to relocate abroad in search of greener pastures.
This is because Canada has recently become the target of not a few Nigerians after some European nations tightened their immigration policies.

Why Govt, Security Institutions Must Collaborate – Uzodinma

By
The Source
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Imo State and Security Institutions

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has underscored the importance of collaboration between government and security agencies in the country, commending in particular, the Nigerian Army for her contributions to national unity and security.

Uzodimma gave the commendation on Thursday when he received participants of Course 33 of the National Defence College who were on a five day study tour of Imo State at the Government House in Owerri.

Represented by the Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, Barr. Jerry Egemba, the Governor reiterated the importance of collaboration between government and security institutions, and thanked the College for choosing Imo State for her study this year.

He urged participants of Course 33 from the to apply the knowledge gained during their tour to Imo State towards their professional development and for national good.

“I’m aware that you stand strategically at the centre of not just the unity of Nigeria but the defence architecture of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have felt your impact, not just with your visit to Imo today, but with the impact in the peace and security Imo enjoys today,” Uzodimma said.

Earlier, the team leader of the College’s study tour to the State, Brig.-Gen. Kabiru Sidi said the aim of the exercise was to study the dynamics of the various States of the country.

Sidi said for the 2024 Course 33, the College chose five States – Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Plateau, Imo, and Sokoto – for the study tour.

He said the theme for the 2024 Course is “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria.”

The team leader noted that the National Defence College serves as the premier training institution for the Nigerian Armed Forces, focusing on strategy and policy formulation.

His words: “Each team is sent out to different States with a topic to research on. At the end, they file reports back to the headquarters and as well make recommendations to State governments for implementation.”

Sidi described the Nigeria Defence College as a “strategic level training institution and the final level of training that any person will receive in their career.”

“It is the apex institution in the Nigerian Armed Forces, and therefore, nothing is left unturned because it teaches strategy and policy making.

“It also sharpens the analytical skills of participants so that at the end of the day, when they depart the College, they will become assets to every nation that they come from,” he further explained.

The National Defence College is the apex military training institution in Nigeria, established in 1992 to train senior military  and other security officers.

Its main objectives include analysing the socio-economic and political environment’s impact on national security and development as well as preparing officers for strategic-level responsibilities.

Various papers were presented during the visit.

Egemba who spoke on “The Geography, History and Culture of Imo State,”  emphasised that Governor Uzodimma holds the security institution in high esteem, the reason Imo State was selected out of the five States of the federation, for the study tour.

Another resource person and Commander 34 Field Artillery Brigade Obinze, Brigadier General Usman Lawal who spoke on “The Challenges Militating Against Strengthening institutions in the Contemporary Security Environment and Measures Taken To Address Them.”

Lawal drew attention to issues such as inadequate manpower, insufficient training, limited funding, and bureaucratic hurdles as some of the significant obstacles that ought to be dealt with.

Dissecting the topic, “The Effect, Impact and Challenges of Institutional Reforms in the State,” the Commissioner for Homeland Security, and Vigilant Affairs, Hon. Modestus Osakwe recommended the establishment of a crime forecast centre, the creation of a South East Security Agency, and the adoption of advanced security technologies to combat crime effectively in the South East.

For the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E- Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi, whose paper was on “Citizens Participation and Engagement in Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Security and Developmental in imo State,” he highlighted several people-oriented policies introduced by the State government under Governor Uzodimma aimed at rebuilding public trust.

Sidi who lauded the hospitality spirit of Imo State thanked Governor Uzodimma for always providing the College with a condusive atmosphere to meet and brainstorm.

He appplauded the resource persons and described their papers as enriching and educative. The resource persons were, thereafter, presented with plaques and books as a momento for their participation.

Sidi appealed to the Governor to always keep the State’s door open for the College anytime the members come calling.

The report of the participants, comprising 31 senior officers from both military, police, paramilitary and civil service sectors in Nigeria and abroad, at the end of the day, will be used for possible implementation of the critical decisions reached in the State under focus.

Abia Pension Disagreement: NUJ Calls For A Review Of Disputed MoU

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Alex Otti - Abia State Governor

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists, NUJ, has appealed to the State Government to revisit the contentious Memorandum of Understanding,  MoU, entered into with the Pensioners.

The appeal is coming on the heels of the unending disagreement between the State Government and the umbrella body of the retirees, the National Union of Pensioners, NUP, over the tenability or otherwise of the MoU.

The NUP leadership in the State has consistently accused the State Government of arm twisting and cajoling the State’s senior citizens into signing away over 60 % of their entitlement including gratuities.

A few months ago, the state Government, paid out a fraction of the over nine years pension arrears owed to the retired workers.

According to the State Government, the NUP leadership willingly signed to forfeit part of the accumulated pension.

However, the NUP leadership, has insisted that they were deceived and forced to sign a document they were not allowed  to first go through its contents.

The pensioners have, therefore, continued to demand for the payments of their remaining months of arrears, as well as gratuities and other statutory benefits that were denied them as a result of the MoU.

Rising from its monthly Congress held at the NUJ Press Centre in Umuahia on Friday, November 8, 2024,  the Abia NUJ, while thumbing up the state authorities for the restoration of full payments of pensions in the State urged a review of the case of the agitating pensioners.

In a 12 point communique signed by Chidi Asonye and Ikechukwu Onuegbu, Acting Chairman and Secretary respectively, the body also appealed to the Government to fast-track the processes towards paying other categories of retirees their severance allowances and other entitlements .

Only last week, about 30 retired Permanent Secretaries, as well as hordes of other senior civil servants, lamented that several months after their retirements ,they are yet to receive their benefits nor been captured in the monthly pension payment schedule.

The NUJ also decried the resurgence of criminal activities and  regime of insecurity in most urban centres of the state, particularly, Aba the Commercial hub and Umuahia, the state capital .

The body called on the State authorities to work in concert with security agencies to enhance the security architecture of the state, more so with the fast approaching Christmas festivities.

However, the NUJ, expressed happiness with the state Government’s decision to light up the World Bank Housing Estate in the capital, noting that the project has added tremendous value to the security arrangements in Umuahia.

The Union also appealed to the State Government to impress it on the Federal Government the urgent need to expedite reconstruction efforts on the strategic Umuahia/ Ikot Ekpene road.

Meanwhile, the NUJ has called on the Abia State Government to urgently consider some palliative measures on the road, to avert further loss of lives.

Profligacy: Amidst Serious Hunger, Tinubu Spends Whopping N5bn To Renovate VP’s Lagos Residence

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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VP Kashim Shettima
VP Kashim Shettima

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ministration has taken a step further in its perceived profligacy following reports that the government renovated the Vice President’s officials residents in Lagos and Abuja with an whopping over N5 billion.

The is the umpteenth time that the administration has come under severe criticisms from Nigerians for being so insensitive to the current economic situation in the country.

Not a few Nigerians are shocked that so much could be expended on the official residence of the vice president at a time they are going through a devastating economic hardship.

The huge amount could have a positive impacts on the suffering people, who have been affected by the harsh economic policies of the administration, critics of the government said.

The Punch reports that the funds for the renovation of Vice President Kassim Shettima officials residence in Lagos, has been captured in the 2024 Budget of the federal government.

According to the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget passed in November 2023, the federal government had budgeted N3 billion for the renovation of the vice president’s official residence in Lagos State and another N2.5 billion for the renovation of his official residence located within the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

Citing  GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the federal government’s spending, the newspaper revealed that a total of N5,034,077,063 was spent in May and September this year for the renovation of the VP’s Lagos residence.

A monthly breakdown of the amount showed that on May 31, 2024, the State House paid N2,827,119,051 to an engineering firm, Denderi Investment Limited, for the renovation of the official quarters of the vice president in Lagos.shuffles

Similarly, on September 5, 2024, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President paid the same firm N726,748,686 for additional renovation work on the vice president’s Lagos home.

On the same day, the Chief of Staff’s office paid N1,480,209,326 to the same firm for Phase 2 renovations of the vice president’s Lagos residence.

Instructively, the administration has been trenchantly criticised by not a few Nigerians for spending a hugely N15 billion for the construction of a new official residence for the vice president in Aso Rock, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Other alleged profligacy by the Tinubu’s administration include the purchase of a yacht and presidential aircraft for the Presidency barely one year after it came to power.

NDLEA Arrests 25 Suspected Hard Drug Kingpins, Dismantles Network In Kano

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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NDLEA officers

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National Drug Law  Enforcement Agency NDLEA ,has again reinstated its determination to rid Kano of hard drug traffickers.

This is just as it announced on Friday November 8, 2024, the arrest of no fewer than 25 suspected drug lords.

NDLEA Kano State Sector Commander, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, said the arrests of the suspected  hard drug traffickers, represents a great milestone in the fight against illicit drug activities in the commercial enclave.

The Source reports that Kano is, unarguably, the epicentre of both hard substances trafficking and consumption in the Northern region of the  country.

This bitter fact is equally not lost on the authorities at all levels in the State who have been seriously committed to halting the trend.

Instructively, in the count down to the October 24, 2024 Local Council Polls, in the State, the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission KANSIEC, had made drug test by aspirants a prerequisite for qualification.

In a statement issued by the Sector’s spokesperson, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, the Commander, emphasized the commitment of the agency to rooting out all hard drug- related criminal activities in Kano state.

“We will continue to disrupt drug trafficking networks and apprehend individuals involved in such criminal activities.

“This is a clear message that drug related crimes will not be tolerated in Kano state”,  the Sector Commander warned.

According to the statement, over 10kg of different types of illicit substances, including cannabis, sativa and diazepam, were also seized from the drug dealers.

Other hard substances recovered were Exol, “suck and die” ( a local term for dangerous substances) ,rubber solution, pregabalin and other locally fabricated weapons.

Most of the arrests according to Ahmad were made in identified hot spots within the Kano metropolis, including Danagundi area inside the city centre.

Six of the arrested suspects were apprehended in the Danagundi quarters, a densely populated part of the old kano city.

The Sector Commander, however, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to take the battle to the strongholds of the drug dealers with a view to dismantling their criminal networks.

He equally noted that most of the drug trafficking hot spots are also known for other criminal activities, such as phone snatching, and thuggery.

Anambra LGA Chairman Arrested In US

By
The Source
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Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo

By Charles Igbo

The people of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, are, for now, without their newly inaugurated Chairman. That is because he is said to be under arrest  in the United States of America.

His arrest of the Chairman took place in the State of Texas, comes about one month after he was elected and sworn into office.

It is not known for what reason Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo traveled to the US so soon after he was sworn-in as Chairman, but on arrival, reports say, he was quickly arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, and taken into custody, allegedly, for fraud.

Nwadialo is to be charged for his alleged involvement in a romance scam with a number of women as his victims. He is, alleged, to have defrauded his unsuspecting victims to the tune of about two million US Dollars.

Aged 40 years, the arrested Chairman has a 14- count wire fraud charge linked to romance scam on his neck.

Such charge in the US carries a 20-year jail term in a Federal Prison if the suspect is convicted.

Nwadialo’s arraignment is expected to be in Washington where he will be transported to from Texas. He is being prosecuted by an Assistant US Attorney, Sok Jiang.

It is not known yet if his Vice Chairman would be sworn-in to replace him, or not, as he is deemed to be innocent until proven guilty.

At the time of this report, there has been no reaction from the Anambra State Government.

33m Nigerians Face Food Crisis In 2025 – Report

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Food Stuffs in the Market

By Akinwale Kasali

Report has it that Nigeria’s Food Insecurity will worsen by 2025 and may throw nothing less than 33 million Nigerians into hunger if not earnestly addressed.

Nigeria, the most populous Black Race with an estimated population of  around 223.8 million, is presently battling with economic hardship. Its citizens are lamenting over hike in food commodities.

Sadly, a report by Cadre Harmonisé led by the Federal Government and supported by partners, including the United Nations World Food Programme, warned of deteriorating food security in Nigeria, with 33.1 million people projected to face high levels of food insecurity during the next lean season (June-August 2025).

Analyzing the danger that lies ahead, the report states that the resulting annual production losses for maize, sorghum, and rice in flooded areas could total 1.1 million tonnes – enough to feed 13 million people for a year, with financial losses nearing USD 1 billion.

Another cause of the looming Food Insecurity is the persistent violence in the North Eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, which hinders food availability and access.

Also, Armed Banditry and Kidnappings in the North West and Farmer-Herder Conflicts in North-Central states, including Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Niger, aggravated the ongoing economic struggles.

Trends in the North East have shown persistently high or rising food insecurity levels since 2018, with at least 4 million additional people requiring urgent assistance each lean season since June 2020. The northwest and parts of the north-central region now exhibit critical levels of severe food insecurity and malnutrition, marking them as hunger hotspots that urgently demand action from decision-makers.

Representing Dr. Nuhu Kilishi Mohammed, the director of nutrition and food security, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Temitope Fashedemi emphasized the importance of the Cadre Harmonisé in planning food and nutrition security interventions nationwide.

FAO’s representative ad interim in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dominique Koffy Kouacou, reiterated FAO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria, stating, “Working with our partners, FAO is dedicated to implementing durable solutions that tackle the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition. By enhancing agri-food systems, we aim to meet immediate needs while promoting sustainable progress.”

Highlighting the ongoing issue, WFP’s country representative, David Stevenson said, “The hunger crisis in Nigeria, driven by the conflict in the northeast, requires urgent attention. Restoring peace is essential to achieving the northeast’s potential as the country’s food basket.”

UNICEF’s country representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate stressed the urgent need for action, stating, “Children are at the heart of the crisis, facing irreversible physical and cognitive consequences, and potentially even death. We must ensure that every child’s right to adequate food and nutrition is upheld.”

The United Nations called on the Nigerian Government, donors, and stakeholders to commit resources to prevent a potential food and nutrition disaster, emphasizing the need for immediate, multi-sectoral support.

The report follows a $50m World Bank support for Nigeria’s food nutrition challenges.

Country Director of the World Bank, Ndiame Diop revealed this during a meeting with Vice President, Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa Abuja during the week.

According to Diop, the fund was earmarked under the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project 2.0 programme which is a crisis response window.

Gov Aiyedatiwa To Consolidate On Late Gov Agagu’s Achievements

By
Ayodele Oni
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Aiyedatiwa campaign

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has assured people in the Southern Senatorial District of the State that his second term will facilitate rapid development of the region.

Aiyedatiwa, who hails from the area, stated that his administration will consolidate on the development strides of late former Governor Olusegun Agagu, also an indigenes of the area.

Aiyedatiwa, who continued his statewide governorship campaign tour, took a message of comprehensive development to the people of Okitipupa Local Government Area.

Meeting with traditional rulers of the area at the Okitipupa Local Government Secretariat, the Governor said he considers himself fortunate to be the second civilian governor from the region, following in the legacies of service established by his predecessors.

Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the foundational infrastructure established by the late former governor, Agagu, and promised to build on those achievements, especially in the area of road construction.

To further support growth in Ikaleland, the Governor pledged to facilitate the establishment of an airstrip facility in the local government.

“This will make it easier for investors to access the region, facilitating business and economic opportunities and growth.”

He also pledged that work would commence on the proposed deep seaport project in the south, after the election in the coming year.

The Governor also disclosed that a 20-kilometre road construction project in the Southern Senatorial District has already been approved, aiming to enhance connectivity in the region.

Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Abodi of Ikaleland, Oba George Babatunde Faduyile, expressed their support for Governor Aiyedatiwa, remarking that, true to his name, “Lucky,” the governor had indeed brought fortune to the Ikale people.

“We are blessed to have a leader like you; there is already a sense of peace and stability in the land,” the Abodi said, just as he prayed for the governor’s success in the coming election.

“Gov Otti, Abians Deserve To Know Who You Paid N90 Billion Of Their Money” – PDP

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Alex Otti - Abia State Governor
Alex Otti, Abia State Governor

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

“Your Administration has, allegedly, enriched Signature Bank with N90b” – PDP to Otti

The Peoples Democratic  Party, PDP, Abia State, has disputed claims of the  existence of  N90 billion, or any related debts incurred by the immediate past PDP administration in the State.

This is even as the party, on Friday, challenged Governor Alex Otti to make public the list of the contractors who are the beneficiary of the N90 billion debt he claimed his adminstration paid off.

The Source reports that Governor Otti, at his monthly interactive session with the Media Thursday night November, 7, 2024, informed that his adminstration, within the short period in office, has paid off about N90 billion out of a total debt profile  of N 191 billion inherited mostly from the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Governor Otti also claimed that his Government, so far, has not incurred any new loan either locally and or internationally.

According to him, rather than borrowing to execute its numerous infrastructural projects, his adminstration, apart from operating within the limits  of its financial resources, has also defrayed

N90 billion, out of the state’s debt profile as majorly incurred by former Governor Ikpeazu .

But in an open letter addressed to Governor Otti, by its newly elected Chairman, Abraham Amah, a copy of which was made available to The Source on Friday, November, 8, 2024, the PDP, said it is not in the know of any such debts left behind as being claimed by the Governor.

The party, however, noted that it will be in the interest of Abians, if the Government could reveal the identities of the contractors who were paid the acclaimed debts .

“The attention of Abia PDP has been drawn to recent claims you made regarding the payment of N90 billion to contractors in our State which you alleged to be debts incurred by the previous PDP-led administration.

“To be clear, the Abia PDP is not aware of the existence of such a debt incurred by the immediate past PDP administration

“It will serve the interest of Abians if you put out the records as proof of your claims.

“We must express our profound concern regarding your assertion that such a significant sum can be disbursed to settle debts that, as per our understanding, lack verifiable documentation and due process.

“This staggering amount warrants immediate scrutiny and we urge you to provide clarity on how this figure was determined and the basis for these payments.

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, it is vital that you disclose the names of the individuals and companies that have benefited from these financial transactions .

“The citizens of Abia deserve to know who received these payments as it will help foster public trust in your administration and its financial dealings .

“Moreover, speculations surrounding these payments raise alarm bells among our constituents with your administration, allegedly, enriching Signature Bank with an additional N90 billion.

“It is crucial that you assure the public of the integrity and legitimacy of these transactions. Our people deserve to have confidence in their leaders and without clear communication such confidence is eroded” part of the PDP letter reads .

The Party, therefore, called on the Governor to take immediate action to clarify the present expenditure, as it relates to the payments of a whopping N90 billion”

“How I Paid N90bn Of N191bn Debt Inherited Without Taking Loan”, Gov. Otti

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State

By Akinwale Kasali

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has disclosed that he inherited a whopping debt of N191 Billion from his predecessors, and within 15 months, paid N90 Billion out of the debt without borrowing a dime.

Otti made this disclosure at a Media Parley in Umuahia, the State Capital. He added that Abia State has recorded $159 Million Foreign Direct Investment between June 2023 and June 2024 under his administration.

Otti, also, declared that his administration had not borrowed money from any institution so far.

He explained that he had been judiciously deploying the resources of the State for infrastructural development, payment of salaries and pensions, as well as other financial obligations of Government.

Otti said: “I inherited N191.3 billion from my predecessor in May 2023. My predecessor inherited about N35 billion from his predecessor in 2015.

“But today, my administration has paid over N90 billion of the debt we inherited.

“We still pay salaries and pensions every month. And I have not borrowed a kobo from anybody.

“The achievements you see today are a product of prudent management of scarce resources.”

As regards the foreign direct investment, Governor Otti said that Abia had moved from the 27th position to the 3rd position in the States with highest foreign direct investment.

He explained that the efforts of his administration to put in place the necessary infrastructure and other investment-friendly factors, had made Abia a destination for investors.

According to Otti: “We saw the need to lay the foundations upon which investment drives would stand. And that is why a lot of investors are now coming into the state.”

The Governor argued that it does not make sense chasing investors around, submitting that they would naturally come when the needed environment is provided.

“Investors don’t listen to platitudes, they look at actions. Without any campaign, we have had investors coming to set up their investments in Abia.

“Apostle Chibuzor of OPM, the other day, brought a team of investors – one from Italy, another from Turkey and one from the US.

“That’s why we are making sure we make Abia investor-friendly.

“Aka Ikenga Think Tank also came, and we are discussing on how they would set tech hub in Abia. We want our people to come back and invest at home,” Otti noted.

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