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Nigerian In US, Canada Need Not Travel Home To Obtain Passport; 80,000 Booklets In Reserve- Minister

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has assured Nigerians living abroad that they don’t have to travel home to obtain their international passport.

The Minister said a situation where diaspora Nigerians travel form one country or the other to obtain passports due to scarcity has become a thing of the past.

He spoke in Abuja on Friday, saying the government has decided to make the process seamless by October.

Tunji-Ojo who spoke to journalists in the nation’s capital, also stated that all passport backlogs have already been cleared, adding that “we now have about 80,000 passports” in reserve.

The reserve, he said, include the 32 and 70 pages, stressing that the federal government has now made passport services seamless for Nigerians who want to obtain locally and those living outside the country.

He explained that the federal government has decided to activate the Automated Application system, by October this year,  which will enable Nigerians wherever they live to apply and obtain their passports.

According to him,  “Henceforth Nigerians in the diaspora would not need to travel from one country to another to obtained Passports, saying the era of wasting working hours, resources and risking their lives on long journey is gone.

“We are going to do a pre-launch of this automated systems very soon. And by October they will be fully operational. We have a situation in London where we have 16,000 Nigerians applying for Passports, and the capacity of our systems in the Embassy is about 200.

“But now that we have this systems in place, Nigerians would not have to embark on different journeys across the world for Passport acquisition.”

The minister however justified the recent increase in the passport fee, saying it was necessary because of the exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar.

“Obiano Left Behind A Crippling Debt Burden For Me” – Gov Soludo Laments

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Charles Soludo - Governor of Anambra State
Charles Soludo - Governor of Anambra State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Anambra State Governor Professor Charles Soludo, on Friday, September 27, decried  the huge N22.2 billion backlog of gratuities, bequeathed to him by the immediate past administration in the State.

At a meeting with Heads of Primary Schools in the State, the Governor said his predecessor in office, Willie Obiano, left the mountain of retirees’ arrears and other entitlements covering between 2018 and 2022.

Willy Obiano
Willie Obiano

The Source reports that former Governor Obiano took over the reigns of governance from Peter Obi in 2014, and managed the affairs of the State for eight years.

According to Governor Soludo, about N14 .6 billion out of the N22.2 billion represents accumulated arrears owed retired Local Government staffers and primary school teachers.

Over N 7.6 billion is the amount being owed other civil servants and secondary schools’ retired teachers.

He noted that the amount is a serious burden to any  administration, particularly,  in this period of  economic meltdown.

However, he informed that his administration is  working assiduously to defray the arrears.

In addition, Governor Soludo stated that the situation will not deter the Government from promptly and regularly meeting its monthly salary payments obligations to the State’s workforce .

The Source reports that with his re-election project just a few months away, and in the face of a stiff challenge expected from opposing camps, Governor Soludo is under serious pressure to seek a last minute truce with public servants and other members of the vocal middle class who are believed not to be too comfortable with his style of governance.

Abia LG Polls: PDP Confirms Participation, APC Remains Mum

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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APC and PDP

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The main opposition party in Abia State, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, has signaled its intentions to fully participate in the November 2, 2024 Local Councils polls in the state.

The election to herald Local Government officials in line with the June 20,2024 Supreme Court ruling on Councils autonomy, is being organized under the supervision of the Labour Party, LP- led administration in the State.

The Source reports that after much prevarication, the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, last Friday, September 20, finally rolled out the timetable for the crucial election.

The electoral umpire on Saturday September, 21, held an interactive session with the political parties and other relevant stakeholders to further discuss the direction of the Polls.

Arising from the meeting, the Caretaker Chairman of the PDP in the state, Dr Alwell Asiforo Okere, on Friday September 27, confirmed that the party, which 24 years hold on Abia, was only broken during the 2023 General Election will be  fielding  candidates for the Council Election.

Dr Okere, who spoke at a PDP stakeholders meeting in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, noted that despite being ousted from the State’s seat of power, the Party still maintains  a towering influence in Abia.

According to him, the PDP, which is the majority party in the State House of Assembly with 12 lawmakers as against  LP’s 11, is still the beautiful bride and the party to beat in any election in the State.

He informed that the party’s nomination forms for  Chairmanship aspirants has been fixed at N200,000, while those for the Councilorship will pay N25,000.

Similarly, in a bid to encourage more women participation in the exercise, interested female aspirants will pay 50% of the nomination fees for any of the positions they are going for.

The Caretaker Chairman, whose main tenure as elected boss of Abia PDP elapsed in August this year, urged interested party members to visit the Party Secretariat to purchase both their expression of interest and nomination forms.

Dr Okere, however, called on the Commission to provide an a level playing ground for all parties and also to resist the temptation of succumbing to manipulative tendencies.

According to the  election timetable released by the  Prof. George Chima-led  ABSIEC, all political parties in the State, interested in participating at the polls, have been given between September 24, and October 2 to conclude their primaries and any other in-house selection processes for their candidates.

However, as at the time of reporting, the All Progressive Congress, APC, with one member at the State legislative body, was yet to make its intentions known.

Kebbi Seeks FG’s intervention As Flood Ravages State

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nasir Idris - Governor of Kebbi State

By Ayodele Oni

Kebbi State Government has sought the Federal Government’s  intervention as flood has submerged 858,311 farmlands, and displaced 329,092 households.

The State appealed to the Federal Government to urgently come to its aid following devastating floods that hit the State.

Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, the State Commissioner for Information, made the plea in Birnin Kebbi, while addressing a press conference on the magnitude of flood that wrecked havoc on people and their property across the state.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ahmed Idris, explained that the flood led to the death of many persons whose number are yet to be ascertained.

The Commissioner said: “It is worthy to note that a total of 329,092 households were displaced by floods in the state, 858,311 farmlands submerged, while a number of people lost their lives.

“In Birnin Kebbi local government, two people lost their lives, Ngaski LG, seven people, Maiyama LG, eight, Kalgo LG, five, while Jega LG lost seven people to this year’s devastating floods.”

Ahmed-BK observed that considering the high impact of the floods in Kebbi State, “the state government cannot do it alone, hence the decision to request the federal government to urgently extend helping hands to bring succour to the affected victims.”

According to the commissioner, the state has already compiled its report and forwarded same to Abuja for consideration and subsequent action.

He, however, commended the Federal government for its pledge to assist states affected by flood across the country.

N177 Billion Foreign Loan: We Have Never Collected Any Facilities Since We  Came On Board – Kano Govt

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Abba Yusuf - Governor of Kano State
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State authorities have strongly rejected any claims of a N177 billion foreign facility.

The Source reports that the social media was, on Thursday, awash with news of a loan secured from France by the Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration.

However, the State Government has insisted that such claims are not only false and malicious, but also a calculated attempt to distract it from delivering on its  mandate to the people.

In a statement on Friday September 27, Hamisu Sadi Ali,the Director General DG of the Kano State Debt Management Office, DMO, said the agency is not aware of any such foreign debt portfolio.

According to him, apart from inherited foreign debts such as the 64 million euros secured in 2018 by the immediate past administration in the State, the Kano State Government has never requested, nor received any loans both foreign or  domestic.

He noted that former Governor Abdullahi  Ganduje secured a 64- million Euros  loan from the French Development Agency for the purpose of  financing the National Urban Water Sector Project .

According to the DG Kano  DMO, only 13 million Euros out of the 64 million Euros loan package has been drawn down and disbursed .

Furthermore, Ali noted that under the Kano state Public Debt Management Law of 2021, no borrowing by the Government can take place without the knowledge of the DMO.

Besides, he maintained that  such loan will equally be managed by the DMO which also must follow some rigorous procedures before it is granted.

The DG DMO, insisted  that the major preoccupation of the Governor Yusuf led administration is not to further plunge the State into the abyss of debts, but on how to effectively service the already accumulated debts by the previous Government .

“The loan was secured  by the Ganduje administration and that has been the most recent foreign facility contracted by the State .

“That loan is intended for the provision of affordable water services. Since coming into power on May 29, 2023, this NNPP  administration has not taken any new loans either domestically and/or internationally ” the DG DMO stated.

Multinational Force Apprehends Boko Haram’s Most Wanted Supplier In Lake Chad

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Soldiers on Duty - Nigerian Army

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A wanted major supply link for the infamous Boko Haram terrorist group,  Garba Buda. has, finally, been nabbed.

The Spokesperson for the Multi-National Joint Taskforce, MNJTF, LT.Col. Olaniyi Osoba, in a statement on Friday, September 27, 2024, said that Buda, who has been on the radar of the N’djamena, Chad-headquartered MNJTF for the past two years was apprehended in the Guzamala area of Borno state by operatives under sector 3 of the Multinational Force.

The 30 year old Buda is believed in Military circles to  be  at the  head of logistical supply chain of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency group.

According to the MNJTF statement, Buda had been top on the wanted list of the Military for his alleged invaluable roles in supplying essential items, including arms to the terrorist organization.

Col Osoba informed that Buda’s  interception while on transit to Monguna town was aided by credible human intelligence ,and surveillance efforts.

The MNJTF Spokesman, expressed the optimism that the arrest of Buda, one of the live wires of the terrorist organization ,will be a huge blow to the operation of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Region .

Within the Military, Buda is well known and reckoned with when it comes to the business of facilitating supplies from Monguno town to the Southern Timbus in the Lake Chad vicinity.

The arrested suspect, the MNJTF said, is currently being detained while he is undergoing a comprehensive profiling and investigation.

The MNJTF expressed its commitment towards  dismantling the Boko Haram and other terrorist groups network within the Lake Chad region .

Ondo Settles N3.5 Billion UBEC Counterpart Funding, Set To Receive N70 Billion

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State government has approved a N3.5 billion counterpart fund for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to support the construction and renovation of public primary schools across the state.

The decision was arrived  at during the meeting of the State Executive Council, chaired by the Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Briefing journalists at the Governor’s Office on Friday, the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Olaolu Akindolire, announced that the approved counterpart fund paid to the UBEC, would fetch the state over N7billion for the construction and renovation of public schools across the three senatorial districts of the State.

Akindolire commended the governor for prioritizing education and achieving significant progress in the sector.

The Council expressed the state government’s sympathy to the people of Aiyetoro in Ilaje local government area, who have been impacted by recurring sea incursions.

It noted that the government had completed a technical review of the Aiyetoro shoreline protection project and would soon implement both temporary and long-term solutions to prevent further flooding.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, announced the government’s satisfaction with the low incidence of Lassa fever in September, alongside zero cases of cholera and monkeypox.

He urged communities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to maintain public health.

Prof. Odimayo also highlighted the upcoming “Project 10 Million,” a nationwide health initiative scheduled for next month, aimed at screening residents for hypertension and diabetes, two major causes of sudden death.

As part of ongoing healthcare improvements, the government has also approved the renovation of primary healthcare facilities in all 203 wards of the state.

The renovations will include security fencing, staff accommodation, solar power, and borehole installations to ensure the facilities are well-equipped and secured.

Bishop Oyedepo @70: “He Is Dedicated Servant In  Lord’s Vineyard – Obi

By
The Source
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Bishop Oyedepo and Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has described the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church, Bishop David. O. Oyedepo is an exceptional servant in God’s vineyard.

In a congratulatory message to the Bishop on his 70th Birthday anniversary today, Obi said the cleric exemplifies the true purpose of God’s creation.

Writing on his X handle, the former Anambra State Governor said Bishop Oyedepo has remained “A remarkable figure in faith, a dedicated servant in God’s vineyard, and a leader who exemplifies the true purpose of God’s creation.

“Your life continues to be a source of blessing, reflecting dedication, tireless work, and a commitment to God’s mission.

“Through your ministry, countless lives have been touched, embodying faith, hope, and love. Outstanding Institutions such as Living Faith Church, Covenant University, and Kingdom Heritage Model School stand as lasting testimonies to your pursuit of excellence.

“Today, we honour your enduring legacy, your compassionate outreach, and your immense contribution to humanity. May God continue to strengthen, guide, and bless you in all your endeavours.

“Thank you for being a beacon of God’s grace. Your remarkable journey will inspire generations to embrace faith, integrity, and purposeful living.

“May your continued intervention through prayer in the affairs of our country help us to find direction for a new Nigeria.

Southern Governors Forum Mourns, Describes Death Of Akwa Ibom First Lady As Tragic

By
Ayodele Oni
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Pastor Mrs Patience Umo Eno

By Ayodele Oni

The Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) has joined Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom to mourn the death of his wife, describing the death of Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno as sad and tragic.

The Akwa Ibom First Lady reportedly passed away on Thursday after a brief illness.

In a statement by the SGF Chairman, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is also the Governor of Ogun State, the Forum described the late Pastor Eno as a remarkable woman who was the pillar behind her husband’s success in both the private and public sectors.

The statement said that the invaluable contributions of Mrs. Umo Eno would be greatly missed.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Governor Pastor Umo Eno on the tragic passing of his beloved wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno.

“A remarkable woman, Pastor Patience was not only a devoted partner to the Governor, but also a pillar of strength and inspiration to countless individuals in Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigeria in general.

“Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno dedicated her life to serving others, embodying the values of compassion, faith, and resilience.

“Her tireless efforts in uplifting the less privileged and advocating for the welfare of women and children in Akwa Ibom State have left an indelible mark. She was a beacon of hope whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of many.

“In this time of profound grief, we stand in solidarity with Governor Umo Eno and the entire Umo Eno family. The loss of a cherished spouse is a pain that words cannot fully express.

“We encourage our friend and colleague, Governor Umo Eno, to find solace in the love and memories shared with Pastor Patience, as well as in the support of family, friends, and the people of Akwa Ibom State who mourn alongside him.”

Edo 2024: Atedo Peterside Asks  Nigerians To Challenge Governorship Results

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Mr Atedo Peterside

By Adesina Soyooye

One of Nigeria’s most accomplished bankers, Mr Atedo Peterside has asked all Nigeria’s who care for democracy to stand up and challenge the outcome of the September 21, Edo Governorship Election.

The much condemned Election has been described by not a few people as a sham. Over 22 Election Observer-groups have dismissed it as a no-no.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo winner of the exercise. To consolidate his victory, INEC on Thursday, presented him and his running mate, their Certificates of Return.

But two of the frontline Candidates, Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, LP, have both rejected the outcome. While Ighodalo dismissed it as daylight robbery, insisting he won the election, Akpata dismissed it as bizarre.

However, Peterside, the founder of Stanbic IBTC and Anap Foundation, has raised the ante.

In a post he shared on his X account, he showed how results from IREV were manipulated, and urged “all right thinking Nigerians to challenge the outcome.”

The result declared by INEC showed that Okpebholo, the Senator who represents Edo Central in the Senate, won 11 out of 18 Local Government in the State.

But Peterside in his post says that from what was posted on IREV, the declared results were manipulated.

Ighodalo of the PDP won seven Local Government  Areas with 247,274  while Labour Party (LP)’s Olumide Akpata came a distant third with just 22,763 votes.

But in  four different results posted by Peterside, the APC won, garnering more votes than the number of voters accredited.

For instance, “in one of the manipulated results obtained from INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV), 213 voters were accredited while the APC got 352 votes. 52 votes were recorded for the PDP in the polling unit located at Osholo Primary School, Osholo in Etsako East LGA.

“Another result from the same local government showed that the APC secured 377 votes, which is more than 275 accredited voters at the polling unit.

“Other results where APC won also showed 98.5% voter turnout at the polling units, despite 22.2% turnout recorded across the state on Election Day.”

In response,  Peterside said, “Edo Governorship Elections; In sample Polling Unit results from @inecnigeria IREV shown below, @OfficialAPCNg recorded more votes than total no. of accredited voters or they achieved over 98.5% voter turnout versus a State-wide turnout of 22.2%. @Aighodalo @OfficialPDPNig & all right-thinking Nigerians must challenge this #EdoDecides2024″.

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