The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced 24/7 production of passport booklets and issuance to applicants within a week after data capturing.
The acting Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration and Head of the Passport and Other Traveling Document Directorate, Sadat Hassan made the disclosure in an interview with PRNigeria in Abuja.
Hassan spoke in the wake of the investigative story published by the Fact-Check medium over underhand practices by some immigration personnel who extort applicants and delay the issuance of their passports.
Recall that the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had also said that from December 2023, passports would be made available to applicants in two weeks.
DCG Hassan said: “The Controller-General of Immigration, Caroline Wura-ola Adepoju, has not only directed the 24/7 production of booklets including on Saturday and Sunday, she also provides transportation and other incentives to ensure that we meet the demands as well as the instruction of the Hon Minister of Interior.”
She revealed that so far, all outstanding backlog of passports had been cleared, adding that only Kwara and Edo have some backlog because of technical glitches.
The DCGI also announced that with the deployment of technology, passport production has now been centralised through which the Service can assess data of applicants, complaints, and other irregularities that can be easily tackled.
“Before now, we had what is called the e-Passport, NIS is currently moving to the production of a new enhanced one which is engraved with laser technology. Through this, we have a centralised platform to work with since the National Identification Number, NIN, is a requirement for application,” she said.
According to her, the movement to the new platform is now 80 percent complete.
“Interestingly, this process has also been completed in some of our offices in the diaspora including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America,” she added.
Contrary to a widely held belief that the booklets are produced outside the country by foreigners, DCG Hassan dispelled the rumour insisting that Nigerians’ international passports are produced in the country by Nigerians.
She emphasised that while immigration officers are responsible for the production, a Nigerian firm, IRIS Smart Technologies is the technical partner that handles the supply, installation, and maintenance of the machines.
On the alleged corrupt practices of some personnel, Hassan said that the Immigration service has in place a mechanism to checkmate and punish erring staff members involved in such malpractices.
“Our boss, CG Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola, has warned passport applicants to stop inducing our officers with monies in order to gain undue favour. After al, under the law, there is punishment for both the giver and the taker of bribes.
“Meanwhile, the NIS has anti-corruption and Servicom units where cases of erring officers are handled on a regular basis for investigation and prosecution if necessary.
“We have said it times without number, it is on our website and boldly written at facilities and premises displayed in sensitisation banners in all the passport offices nationwide warning applicants not to give bribes to NIS officers under any guise,” she said.
While applauding the CG as regards the welfare of service personnel and the provision of additional facilities, she said that the new Minister of Interior has proven his exceptional leadership qualities by motivating the service to do more.
“The movement of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, to the Ministry of Interior has further enhanced collaboration, harmonisation and synchronisation of data within the shortest times which eases our work. We no longer have to wait for information from other agencies under a different ministry to carry out our statutory mandate,” she added.
[EagleOnline]
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of 8 new Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) for Parastatals and Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
This disclosure is contained in a press statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Ngelale in the statement said that the former National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Lanre Issa-Onilu, was appointed the Director-General/CEO of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Other appointments include;
- Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) — Director-General / CEO — Mr. Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos
- Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) — Director-General / CEO — Dr. Muhammed Bulama
- National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) — Director-General / CEO — Mr. Charles Ebuebu
- Voice of Nigeria (VON) — Director-General / CEO — Mr. Jibrin Baba Ndace
- Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) — Director-General / CEO — Dr. Lekan Fadolapo
- News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) — Managing Director / CEO — Mr. Ali Muhammed Ali
- Nigerian Press Council (NPC) — Executive Secretary / CEO — Mr. Dili Ezughah
More to follow…
[Nairametrics]
A former Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation and economist, Bode Agusto, has passed away at the age of 68.
He was the founder of Agusto & Co., Nigeria’s first credit rating agency.
The news of Agusto’s passing was announced by the Chief Executive Officer, Founder, and Chairman of Proshare Nigeria, Olufemi Awoyemi, Thursday, via his X handle.
He tweeted: “@bodeagusto, the founder of @agustoandco, was the pioneer who taught us all how to respect facts and data in our engagements.
“A great human being and a fabulous teacher you were. Your teachings, delivered with conviction, will always be with all of us; our career paths were impacted by you.
“I pray to Almighty God to give enough strength to his family members to overcome this loss, and may his soul rest in peace.”
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Lagos from 1974 to 1977 and became a Fellow of the Institute at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in 1981.
[Vanguard]
A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Chalya Silas, was stabbed to death by yet-to-be-identified assailants suspected to be phone snatchers in Kaduna State.
Details of the incident are still sketchy at the time of filing this report, but it was gathered that the deceased was a graduate of the University of Jos.
It was gathered that she was killed on Wednesday morning, October 18, 2023, in the Barnawa area of the metropolis, and her phone was stolen.
When contacted the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident, saying she was stabbed by suspected phone snatchers.
According to him, the command has launched a manhunt for the suspected killers to bring them to justice.
While her killers are still believed to be at large, nothing has been heard from the security agents and the leadership of the NYSC.
Meanwhile, some of her friends have taken to social media to mourn her as they offered their condolences.
One of them, Comfort Elisha wrote, “No na. What is really happening to Jossite and the Special Education department? We haven’t finished mourning Kekefas Emmanuel and now it’s Chalya, brutally killed in Kaduna during her morning jogging while serving her fatherland. May your killers know no peace chalya. This is too much to bear.” (sic)
Also, Aluta Missile Blog said, “A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) identified as Grace Chalya Silas, was brut £ally mu rd£ered by some yet-to-be-identified assailants suspected to be armed r0bbers in Kaduna State while she was jogging. May her soul rest in peace.”(sic)
Moreso, “Miss Grace Chalya Silas who was on the compulsory NYSC was brut £ally mu rd£ered yesterday by some yet to be identified assailants suspected to be armed r0bbers in Barnawa, Kaduna State while she was on her routine early morning jogging. May her soul rest in peace,” Wakawa Paul Mwada said. (sic)
As for the microblog user, Bala DjAfman Alfred Joshua, he reacted by saying, “Corps member stabbed to death by suspected robbers while jogging in Kaduna. A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) identified as Grace Chalya Silas, was brutally murdered by some yet-to-be-identified assailants suspected to be armed robbers in Kaduna State.”(sic)
[DailyTrust]
There was a devastating fire outbreak at Watt Market, a popular market in Calabar, Cross River state, causing significant damage to goods estimated to be worth millions of Naira.
The fire, which started around 2:00 am on Thursday, affected a minimum of six shops within the market.
Mrs. Olumayowa Olomola, Commanding Officer of the Calabar Command of the Federal Fire Service, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), stating that the fire originated from a power surge at one of the shopping malls.
Although Olomola couldn’t ascertain the exact value of the destroyed goods, she mentioned that the impacted shops were well-stocked.
She emphasized that if not for the prompt response from her team, the fire would have spread to more shops.
Olomola stated, “Our response was swift, and we were able to contain the fire within the six affected shops.
“I urge everyone to take preventive measures, such as switching off all appliances, to avoid incidents like this in the future.”
In response to the increasing security issues in the nation’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned that it will take action to shut down illegal motor parks throughout the territory.
The FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, made this announcement during a conversation with journalists in his office. He was addressing the issue of ‘one-chance’ robberies in the capital city.
There have been multiple reported cases of ‘one-chance’ robberies, kidnappings, and other criminal activities in the territory, causing fear among residents. The criminals disguise themselves as commercial vehicle operators to target unsuspecting victims.
Speaking about the measures taken to address the security crisis, the minister revealed that a joint task force on cross-border crimes was established last week to combat the menace of ‘one-chance’ robberies.
“We receive many reports about kidnappings and ‘one-chance’ incidents. In most cases, we don’t disclose publicly what has been done. I can assure you that the security agencies have taken significant steps. Otherwise, the FCT would be in a completely different situation by now,” stated Wike.
He identified that the FCT is surrounded by states like Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Kaduna, which often experience banditry and kidnapping. Furthermore, the minister highlighted that the criminals often take refuge in shanties and uncompleted buildings.
“We cannot allow these criminals to occupy uncompleted buildings that have become shanties. We need to bring down these structures and eliminate their hiding places,” added Wike.
“Last week, we established a joint security task force consisting of the SSS, police, army, and navy to address the issue of ‘one-chance’ robberies and border control. This shows our concern and commitment to tackling these challenges,” he continued.
Additionally, Wike mentioned the presence of illegal motor parks and further plans to shut them down. He emphasized that while some may argue about the economic impact, it’s crucial to consider the security implications.
“We are also making preparations to close some of these illegal motor parks,” concluded Wike.
Kaduna-based renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has heavily criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his recent meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria in his office.
Gumi in a video sermon shared on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, referred to Wike as a malevolent individual for his meeting with the Israeli ambassador and discussing potential collaboration with Israel regarding security matters in Abuja.
Gumi alleged that the FCT Minister aimed to transform Abuja into an annexe of Tel Aviv, adding that there would be efforts to prevent President Bola Tinubu from serving for eight years.
The cleric asserted that Muslims occupying prominent security roles are merely symbolic figures and lack actual control over military command and operations. He argued that Christians and individuals from the Southern regions hold the reins of authority in Nigeria’s national security apparatus.
Gumi additionally characterized those Nigerians who vigorously promoted the concept of a Muslim-Muslim ticket as being of no genuine principle, labelling them as insincere hypocrites driven by avarice, solely pursuing financial gain for personal gratification and worldly interests.
He said: “The Minister of the FCT is a Satanic person; I said it before when he was appointed and some people were grumbling. He has gone and brought the Israeli Ambassador, that’s what someone sent and I am yet to watch it.
“But what is confirmed is he said they will collaborate with the Israelis on Abuja’s security issues. Abuja will now become an extension of Tel Aviv and when they see anyone with a beard like us, they will say it is Bin Laden and we will be killed.
“Where are those that worked for the Muslim-Muslim ticket? Hypocrites and worthless people. Abuja is becoming an extension of Tel Aviv and security is the bastion of the people.
“Have you not heard the silence? They know what they are doing. One Miyetti Allah leader came and told me that if they came to me with a proposal of negotiation with bandits, I should not be part of it, that I should leave it alone.
“It is a decoy. Muslims are the heads of the Ministry of Defence, of what significance is it? The real people in charge of Command and Control, those holding the guns and shooting, are we the ones? We are not the ones; they are playing us. There is an agenda. All means of money and economic power have been hijacked by them, they are planning to deceive us for four years and get eight years. They will not InshaAllah.
“I want to tell you, there is no way Northerners doing their legitimate business will get one billion nairas. Our rich people cannot get anything except those they trust. They only trust them because they are doing what they want. Anyone whose loyalty they are not sure of, will crush him in a few months.
“They will only come during elections like it is done to spread grains to chickens. If they spread grains to chickens, that’s all. Giving spaghetti to people is the solution, this spaghetti issue is a big deal. We are being cheated in this country and in a real mess.
“If Israelis enter this country, there will be a clandestine operation against any outspoken Islamic cleric; we have seen the signs. Why was Sheikh Jaafar killed? May his soul rest in peace, why did they kill Sheikh Albany? You can see how they are killing; there’s a hit list and we have known this for long.
“For you to understand, they will bring the MOSSAD into our country. Because of this, Tinubu should know that we know their plan, he must choose. He should remove the Minister of Abuja; if not, we will collide with him. On the day of a bath, the navel is not hidden.”
The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Roni Local Government, Jigawa State, has been suspended by the party.
Hon. Aminu Sani Gumel, the chairman, released a statement on Thursday to disclose the suspension.
Last Wednesday, NewsNow reported the arrest of Saleh Idris, a 56-year-old man, on allegations of raping his housegirl.
In response, the APC stated that “Following the allegation of rape and impregnation of a minor and the preliminary investigation carried out by the state chapter, the party has reached the following resolutions:
“Your actions are in violation of section 21.2 (viii) and (x) of the APC 2022 Constitution, as amended, hence the need for further investigations.”
The statement noted that based on these findings, the State APC has suspended the party chairman until the investigation is concluded.
The party has instructed him to hand over the party’s affairs to the vice chairman of the local government.
The Lagos state government has alerted residents downstream of the Ogun River of the likelihood of experiencing flood this month (October).
The government then directed residents of about 18 areas to relocate immediately.
In a statement, spokesperson for the ministry of environment, Kunle Adeshina, identified the affected areas as Alagbole, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Maidan, Lekki-Ajah and the Lagos Lagoon boundaries.
“The latest alert which emanated from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is a follow-up to a public statement issued by the Ogun Osun River Basin Authority on Monday showing rainfall and average water released monthly for the Years 2021, 2022 and 2023 till mid-October and warning of possible inundation by flooding which is already happening.”
“Lagos floods: List of areas at risk Alagbole, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku, Maidan, Lekki-Ajah, and Lagos Lagoon boundaries.”
Furthermore, Adeshina said the safety of the lives and properties of residents is paramount to the government and is the reason for the urgent call for citizens’ relocation
The Police Service Commission (PSC), on Thursday, justified the recruitment of “repentant thugs” as part of the police officers drafted to fight crime in the nooks and crannies of Kano State.
Daily Trust had reported how controversy trailed absorption of about 50 “repentant thugs” into the Kano State command of the force.
Nigerians had expressed displeasure and called on the authorities to be circumspect when recruiting for the force.
But defending the decision in a statement issued in Abuja, spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, argued that the “repentant criminals” were recruited as police constabulary because they had realised that crimes do not pay.
According to Ani, their (thugs’) engagement was obviously for visibility and to promote sustainable peace, economic growth and development of the state, adding they had gotten adequate training on policing system in the country.
The PSC spokesman added, “It is necessary to state that the men and women recruited as special constabulary are posted to work in their locality where they will be in a better position to fish out the criminals terrorising the place.
“Some of the repentant influential youths previously used in the past as political thugs and abandoned have realised that crime does not pay and have voluntarily offered themselves to assist fight for a crime free state.
“The Commission is also aware that the Kano Special Constabulary has received adequate training and are working in their local government areas as required by law but under strict supervision of the State Police Command.”
Ani further argued that the special constabulary were not policemen and that they are not recognised by the commission and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that the PSC would continue to recruit such persons since Police Act captured that.
He stated, “The commission wishes to state categorically that the special constabulary are not policemen and not recognised as such by the commission and the government.
“The commission, however, notes that the constabulary operations are covered and recognised by the Police Act and are readily useful and needed now that the nation is fighting to end the siege of criminals across the country.
“The commission is in touch with the Kano State Police command and is aware that the use of the constabulary is to support the police in building a crime free Kano State.”
Ani quoted the chairman of the commission, Solomon Arase as saying that security is not only a government responsibility but that of every Nigerian while calling for a citizen-based approach to security in Nigeria.
[DailyTrust]
More...
kraine intends to supply 57,000 tonnes of grain to Nigeria, Sudan and Somalia as humanitarian aid, Ukrainian Deputy Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Markiyan Dmitrasevich said at a meeting with Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Program Carl Skau.
Dmitrasevich and Skau discussed plans to dispatch ships with Ukraine's humanitarian grain cargo for Nigeria (25,000 tonnes) and Sudan (32,000 tonnes) under the Grain from Ukraine program, Ukrainian media said, citing the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry's press service. The possibility of supplying Ukrainian grain to Somalia as humanitarian aid was discussed as well.
The parties also discussed preparations for the next international summit on food security in Kiev.
"In particular, it is possible to expand the geography and the range of supplies as part of the Grain from Ukraine initiative," the ministry said on its website.
[interfax]
Thousands of tonnes of aid bound for Gaza remained on the Egyptian side of the border Thursday, after US President Joe Biden struck a deal with Egypt and Israel to allow relief in.
Biden said Wednesday that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had agreed to “let up to 20 trucks through to begin with” to the heavily-bombarded Gaza Strip, starting Friday, giving authorities time to repair roads.
Sisi — whose spokesperson said the pair had agreed on “the sustainable delivery of aid” — has maintained that Egypt “did not close” the border, but that four rounds of Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing have forced it shut.
An eyewitness told AFP that “150 trucks have been waiting at Rafah” — the only passage in and out of Gaza not controlled by Israel — in addition to those in the nearby Egyptian city of El Arish, where planes full of relief supplies have been arriving.
Humanitarian workers at the border again warned that the aid must be allowed in as soon as possible, as perishable supplies had already begun to spoil.
Israel cut off supplies of water, electricity, fuel and food to the long-blockaded Palestinian enclave following the October 7 Hamas assault on Israeli border communities near Gaza.
More than 1,400 people have been killed since the Hamas assault in Israel, which has responded with a withering aerial campaign that has so far killed nearly 3,500 people in Gaza.
United Nations humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has estimated that about 100 trucks per day were needed to meet the needs in Gaza.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly discussed the entry of aid with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on a visit to Cairo Thursday, as well as the evacuation of UK citizens.
Cairo is also expecting the arrival of UN chief Antonio Guterres later on Thursday, who has said the siege on Gaza must be lifted, calling for supplies of water, food, fuel and medicines to be allowed in.
Humanitarian groups have warned that basic supplies have run dangerously low in the impoverished territory of 2.4 million.
Israeli officials said the deliveries would be limited to “food, water and medicine” to the south of Gaza, but not fuel needed to power generators, including for hospitals.
AFP
Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has provided insight into his decision to leave the Senate chamber during a plenary session on Tuesday.
Ndume’s departure followed a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the session.
He had attempted to draw the Senate’s attention to what he perceived as violations of the Standing Orders of the Senate.
During the session, Senator Ndume cited procedural infringements, stating that they violated established parliamentary protocol.
However, Senate President Akpabio ruled him out of order, claiming that the order cited by Ndume did not apply to the matter he was discussing.
Ndume then left the chamber in apparent frustration.
He later clarified his reasons for leaving in an interview with BBC Hausa, in Abuja, noting that the situation arose when Senator Kawu Sumaila introduced a motion regarding the closure of the Nigeria-Niger border, which he claimed was urgent.
“At first, it was argued that the motion was not urgent, but the president of the Senate let him finish what he wanted to say.
After hearing the motion, it was agreed that, since it related to security, it should be suspended,” explained Ndume.
Senator Ndume added that he wanted to explain the importance of the motion but was not granted the opportunity to speak.
He clarified that the closure of the border was not initiated by the President of Nigeria but rather during his tenure as President of ECOWAS.
He stated, “In order to address this matter, it is imperative to involve the President of our nation, but I was not afforded the opportunity to convey this message.”
Senator Ndume clarified that he left the session to pray, a fact that was misinterpreted by his colleagues and the media.
“While this was happening, it coincided with the time of prayer, prompting my departure.
Consequently, my colleagues misconstrued my exit, and the journalists changed the meaning of my exit,” Ndume said.
[Tribune]
The Federal Government on Thursday announced closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos starting from midnight of Saturday, Oct. 21 to midnight of Sunday Oct. 22 to carry out repairs.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, in a statement, said the government was ready to begin comprehensive rehabilitation works on the bridge starting with repairs of the critical portions.
Kesha said the federal government wished to inform the motoring public that it was currently working on plans to carry out comprehensive repairs of Third Mainland Bridge.
“However, in order to alleviate the pains currently being experienced on the bridge, the Ministry would be carrying out palliative works on the most critically failed sections along the Adeniji bound carriageway on Sunday, Oct. 22 preparatory to the comprehensive repair works,” she said.
She advised motorists to cooperate with the traffic management officials by obeying and observing all diversions as directed for seamless movement.
“However, motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes where possible during the period of the palliative works as the Adeniji bound of the bridge will be closed to traffic from Saturday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, 22nd 12.00 midnight,” she said.
[TNG]