Month: January 2024

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said that he has noticed many man-made encumbrances regarding change of passport data by Nigerians.

The minister described as a ‘stupid thing’ married women being subjected to the rigours of travelling to the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS headquarters in Abuja just to effect a data change.

The minister said this at a dinner with members of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ABAT Media Centre and some social media influencers in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo said there is nowhere in the world where women are subjected to such inhuman practice on account of marriage.

“There is one stupid thing I have seen and it is that a woman gets married, changes her name and then she has to come to Abuja all the way from say Kaura Namoda or Enugu just to come and effect a change of name in her passport. It is absurd.

“I can’t just figure it that you want to change just your name and you have to be in Abuja. I have asked the immigration people, is it that immigration people in Abuja have more tha

The United Kingdom through its Home Office has announced the commencement of the implementation of its dependant visa ban which prohibits Nigerian students and other foreigners from bringing family members.

The announcement was made via X by the UK’s Home Office on Monday reiterating that only foreign students in postgraduate research or government-sponsored scholarship could bring their dependants through the study visas.

We are fully committed to seeing a decisive cut in migration. From today, new overseas students will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK. Postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships students will be exempt,” the Home Office said.

Recall that the Home Office under Suella Braverman, in May 2023, instituted the policy to stop Nigerian students, and others studying in the UK from bringing family as dependents except under specific circumstances.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery speaking on the policy explained that it was formulated to check the influx of immigrants to address the housing problems.

With the new policy, the UK will remove the permission for foreign students to switch out of the student route and into work routes before their studies have been completed to prevent misuse of the visa system.

A report by Sky News said, “There will also be a review of the maintenance requirement for students and dependents and a crackdown on ‘unscrupulous’ education agents who make use of inappropriate applications to sell immigration, not education.”

The Home Office, in a statement on the official site, disclosed that the dependant visa ban policy was to reduce migration.

read, “Restrictions to student visa routes came into effect yesterday, as the government continues to slash migration and curb abuse of the immigration system.

International students starting courses this month will no longer be able to bring family members on all but postgraduate research courses and courses with government-funded scholarships. The changes, first announced last May, have also seen people banned from using the student visa as a backdoor route to work in the UK and will see an estimated 140,000 fewer people come to the UK.

“The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that net migration was 672,000 from June 2022 to June 2023. In the year ending September 2023, 152,980 visas were issued to dependants of students, a more than 930% rise from the 14,839 in the year ending September 2019.

“The changes to student dependant rules are part of a wider package of measures to come into force that will drastically bring down the high numbers of migrants coming to the UK to sustainable levels, and crack down on those who take advantage of the flexibility of the UK’s immigration system.”

President Bola Tinubu has suspended Mrs Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator and chief executive of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

President Tinubu, according to Channels Television, approved Shehu’s suspension with immediate effect and ordered her replacement.

This comes merely three months after her confirmation for the appointment by the Senate.

Recall that Shehu worked as the National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, where she used her banking and career expertise to see to the digitalisation of the programme.

The former banker worked at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, from 2017 to 2022.

Abuja:  A former member of the House of Representatives, Robinson Uwak, has described Gov. Umar Bago of Niger as “a pan-Nigerian who believes in the country’s diversity devoid of any extremist agenda.”

Uwak, on Monday, stated this in a statement in Abuja in reaction to criticism of a directive purportedly made by the state government to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Bago had dismissed reports claiming that he had banned alcoholic drinks in the state, saying such directive was neither from him nor his aides.

Reacting, Uwak also described the governor, who was an ex-member of the lower house, as “a liberal, non-extremist who does not hate people of other faiths.”

He said Bago was a cosmopolitan and nationalist, who “does not discriminate against anybody on the basis of ethnicity or religion.
“I know His Excellency Bago to be a very devout Muslim who studies the Koran daily and prays fervently but I must add that I have accompanied him to honour invitations in several churches.

“He is known by many to have knowledge of Bible verses and many Christian hymns and songs.

“Governor Bago is a widely travelled man who I can describe as an International mind embracing diverse perspectives, cultures and ethnicity.

“I am aware he speaks a little bit of many languages like Ishan, Ibibio, Yoruba, Tiv, Idoma and many more.

“For a man who has turned the entirety of Niger State into a construction site with multiple people-oriented projects, alcohol ban is definitely not a priority for his government.

“Currently Bago stands tall in terms of performance and attracting several foreign investments into Niger State.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

By Flowerbudnews
Enugu: The Enugu State Fire Service has rescued goods worth multi-billion naira during a New Year eve inferno that broke out at Orba International Market within Udenu Local Government Area in the state.

The Director of Enugu State Fire Service, Mr Okwudiri Ohaa, disclosed this newsmen in Enugu on Monday.

Ohaa said that the timely intervention of officers and men of the service in its station in the Udenu council area prevented the fire from moving from its initial starting market line to other lines within the international market.

The director, who could not ascertain the cause of the fire, said that the state fire service operatives deployed two trucks that quenched the fire in record time.

“Immediately we got the information, and our office in Udenu area responded swiftly, and extinguished the fire from destroying more property in the big international market; thus, rescuing and saving multi-billion naira worth of goods.

“I must appreciate residents that contacted us on time, and I commend our gallant operatives that responded swiftly,” he said.

A resident of Orba community where the market is domiciled, Mazi Sunday Eze, said that shops affected are those selling foams, gallons, drinks, provisions and other materials.

“Millions of naira have been lost. It is a pity because the shop owners were not around. All the goods in the affected shops in that line were completely destroyed.

“It is sad to enter the New Year with such a disaster.

“However, we thank the Enugu State Fire Service for responding on time and securing the market from fire escalation,” Eze added. (Flowerbudnews)

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu:  The International Human Rights Observatory Africa (IHRO-Africa) has lauded Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for bringing forth the Peace In South-East Project (PISE-P) initiative.

Kalu’s PISE-P initiative, which is a non-kinetic solution centering on value reorientation and reconciliation, was launched on Friday, Dec. 29, was meant to tackle insecurity and restore socio-economic prosperity and lasting peace in the South-East.

The Special Envoy and Country Director of IHRO-Africa, Dr Chimbo Obieze, gave the commendation while speaking with newsmen on Monday after understudying the PISE-P Initiative document.

Obieze noted that “enough is enough for the needless blood-shed and economic retrogression” which those that hijacked the peaceful self-determination struggle had brought on the entire people of South-East.

He said that “peace must return to all parts of the South-East in 2024 through this initiative”.

The country director called on South-East people to be more practical about life and their desires adding: “Nobody’s life is worth any ambition”.

He said: “We appreciate the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for showing leadership in the direction of bringing the PISE-P Initiative to end the years-long killings and terror in the South-East.

“Kalu’s well-thought out PISE-P Initiative and his months-long pursuit of the buy-in of the South-East National Assembly caucus, his National Assembly colleagues, the Presidency and other major stakeholders to the initiative is welcomed and gratifying.

“Not just bringing out an initiative, he went ahead to set-up and funded a secretariat to drive the initiative and is currently meeting major stakeholders within South-East– traditional/religious rulers, notable personalities and illustrious sons/daughters – to get their involvement as well.”

He noted that IHRO-Africa, being an international organisation that stands out for Human Rights stance, would send a commendation letter to Kalu for his exemplary leadership and focusing on what matters most in the South-East, “which is peace”.

The country director said: “On behalf of the organisation, we will be meeting with the Deputy Speaker to present the commendation letter to him soon.”

The IHRO-Africa is an international civil society organization registered with its international headquarters in the USA; and its continental headquarters in France, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Kenya.

IHRO-Africa appoints special envoys globally for Diplomatic Missions. It supports the African Charter which was universally adopted at the OAU meeting of African Heads of State and Government held in Kenya on June 27, 1981.

Indeed, the Charter lists the rights and duties that should be respected at all times according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948. (Flowerbudnews)

Gov. Bago visits President Tinubu in Lagos, harps on Agricultural Initiatives.

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Farmer Governor Umaru Bago, highlighted agricultural plans for 2024, including the preparation of over one million hectares of land for farming

Bago stated this when he visited President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

He expressed condolences over the loss of Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Bago spoke highly of the late Governor, remembering him as a dedicated politician committed to improving the lives of his people.

He praised the late Governor’s significant role in advancing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and admired his determination to lead Ondo State effectively.

The Governor also extended New Year greetings to the President.

While answering questions from journalists, Bago highlighted plans for 2024, including the preparation of over one million hectares of land for farming.

The governor detailed initiatives to enhance rice and cotton production, as well as maize cultivation, to meet the high demand from poultry farmers.

The governor also mentioned Niger State’s prominence in sesame production and discussed irrigation investments.

Addressing the recent crisis in Plateau, Gov. Bago termed it ‘unfortunate’ and shared plans for a condolence visit to Plateau State by the North-Central Governors Forum.

He stressed the importance of strategic discussions on such matters, advocating for open dialogue to address issues and ensure the voices of the people are heard.

It would be recalled that Governor was accompanied by stakeholders from the state, including the former Minister of Sport, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, the immediate past Deputy Governor, Ahmed Ketso, Sen. Mustapha Sani, Professor Yahya Kuta, Chairman, Implementation Committee, AA Kure University, Minna

Others are the Member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal constituency, Hon. Saidu Musa Abdul, Hon. Lado Suleja and, a few others.