Canada is currently witnessing widespread protests as approximately 70,000 international students take to the streets against the new immigration policies implemented by the federal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

These demonstrations, which have spread across various provinces such as Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, highlight the growing unrest among foreign students.

According to a report by City News Toronto, the discontent stems from a series of policy changes that have significantly impacted international students.

In 2021, Canada eliminated the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, which previously allowed international students to gain work experience after completing their studies.

Further tightening of immigration rules came last year when the federal government introduced a two-year cap on international student visas.

The changes have had a profound effect on the student population. By 2023, international students made up 37% of all study visa holders in Canada, contributing to the strain on housing, employment, and other services.

The new cap on student visas is expected to reduce the intake of foreign students by 35%, further exacerbating the situation.

In response to these challenges, the Canadian government announced in June that foreign nationals would no longer be able to apply for a PGWP at the border, adding to the difficulties faced by international students.

The protests have been fueled by fears that many graduates may face deportation when their work permits expire at the end of the year. The Naujawan Support Network, a student advocacy group, has been vocal in its concerns, warning that the situation is dire for many students.

The situation has been compounded by new provincial policies that have reduced the number of permanent residency nominations by 25%, making it even harder for international students to remain in the country.

Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student now facing deportation, expressed his frustration to City News Toronto: “I spent six years taking risks to come to Canada. I studied, worked, paid taxes, and earned enough Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, but the government has taken advantage of us.

A 71-year-old man has been admitted to lacing his wife’s Coca-Cola drink with drugs, including cocaine and MDMA, with the intention of killing her and marrying her daughter.

Alfred W Ruf pleaded guilty to spiking his wife’s beverages at least a dozen times in 2021, state court documents obtained by WXIN.

Ruf’s wife reached out to cops in January 2022 after Ruf admitted to attempting to poison her to death.

The wife said she had been to the hospital a half dozen times in a matter of weeks after experiencing headaches, diarrhoea and drowsiness, among other symptoms.

She tested positive for a few drugs she did not knowingly consume herself, including cocaine, MDMA and benzodiazepines.

Responding Richmond police officers reportedly heard Ruf say that he added an "unknown substance" to his wife’s drink that her own daughter had given to him.

The wife turned over to cops a pill bottle that was filled with an off-white coloured powder, as well as a Coke can with a similar residue.

Ruf then admitted that he tried to kill his wife in order to marry her daughter. He said the substance made his wife sleep for about 13 hours straight.

"He stated that he would do this to eventually kill her," stated the court documents.

Ruf claimed that the daughter and a friend told him to put the powder into his wife’s Coke can and wait for her to doze off, and that the pair would then go to his Indiana home to "put on a show".

He added that he had s3xual intercourse with one of the women while the other woman stole his wife’s possessions. Ruf said he paid the women for the s3x acts.

The daughter told Ruf to "get mom out of the picture" and cash in on her insurance policy, he claimed. Ruf said that the daughter planned to tie the knot with him after they "took care of" his wife

Ruf reportedly confessed to what he did to his wife "because he felt bad".

But the wife told authorities that Ruf admitted he was "drugging" her in order to engage in s3xual activities with the daughter and her friend.

Ruf on Monday, August 26, pled guilty in Wayne County Court to aggravated battery posing a risk of death. He had a charge of conspiracy to commit m*rder dismissed.

Ruf has been sentenced to four years behind bars, as well as five years of probation.

The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved the appointment of 12 new Permanent Secretaries (PMs).

The appointees were chosen from their respective constituencies to fill the available vacancies in the Kogi State Public Service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Head of Service, Elijah Evinemi, indicated that the governor highlighted the careful selection of permanent secretaries based on merit, fairness, and justice principles.

In a congratulatory meeting with the successful candidates, Mr. Evinemi urged the newly appointed permanent secretaries to meet expectations in their roles and demonstrate utmost loyalty, dedication, and integrity.

The newly appointed permanent secretaries are as follows: Momoh Aziz from Ajaokuta LGA, Negedu Muhammed Bala from Ankpa 1 Constituency, Haruna Jibo Muhammed from Bassa LGA, Ejigbo Akoji from Dekina-Biraidu Constituency, Enimola Enimola A. from Kabba-Bunu LGA, Fashoba Ayo-Sunday from Mopa-Amuro LGA, Adurodija Ebenezer O. from Ogori-Magongo LGA, Enehe Dorcas Omeneke from Okehi LGA, Sanni Haruna Muhammed from Okene 1 Constituency, Ochu Philips Omeiza from Okene 2 Constituency, Shaibu Danjuma Fabian from Olamaboro LGA, and Baiyegunsi Taiwo S. from Yagba-East LGA.

Appointment Of 1,192 Additional Aides

Naija News reports that Governor Ododo’s latest appointment comes days after controversies over his appointment of 1,192 additional aides to his government.

These appointments were confirmed in a statement issued last Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashde Ayoade.

However, the development has not settled well with opposition camps and other concerns of the state’s citizens.

SDP Reacts To Ododo’s Additional Appointments

The Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has criticized Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo

Reacting, the Director of Media for the SDP campaign organisation in Kogi State, David Ijele, faulted the incumbent administration, describing the appointment as a misplaced priority.

“They haven’t paid those who laboured for the state, yet they are employing youths to be used as thugs,” Ijele said.

The SDP chieftain stated that Governor Ododo’s days in office were numbered.

Speaking further on the party’s legal battle against the incumbent administration, Ijele insisted that the Supreme Court would rule in favour of the SDP candidate, Yakubu Ajaka.

“The Constitution is very clear on the BVAS, and we believe the Supreme Court will give justice to the people of Kogi State and chase these charlatans out of Lugard House,” Ijele announced.

The federal government has revealed the identity of the woman behind a viral video clip threatening the mass killing of Nigerians in Canada.

Her identity was revealed by the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

 The woman, in a viral video on social media, threatened to poison Nigerians living in Canada.

She added that she is a resident of Ontario, Canada, and dared anyone to report her to the Canadian authorities.

The woman, who spoke mainly in Pidgin English, is believed to have made the threat in a virtual meeting on Tiktok.

She vowed to take poisonous substances to her workplace and poison any Yoruba or Benin person she came across due to the ‘hate’ against Igbos.

She said: “Record me very well; it’s time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison for all una food for work. Put poison for una water, make una dey kpai one by one.”

“I want make Ndi Igbo get that heart of wickedness. Una too dey quiet,” the woman added.

“Enough is enough! If you have any means of kpaing them, kpai them commot for road,” she said.

However, on Wednesday, 28th August, Dabiri-Erewa identified the woman as Amaka Patience Sunnberger.

Amaka Patience Sunnberger

In a post via her X account, the NIDCOM chairman disclosed that the woman has deleted her Tiktok account but added that a group of Nigerians in Canada are reporting her officially to authorities in the North American country.

“This is the picture of the lady behind the voice.Amaka Patience Sunnberger. She has deleted her TikTok account and a group of Nigerians in Canada are reporting her officially to the relevant authorities in Canada . Thanks for alerting everyone,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

A Nigerian Navy officer, Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, has been arrested for the murder of Aminu Ibrahim, the son of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd).

During a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, revealed that Muhammad killed Aminu and stole his car two weeks ago. Igweh confirmed that the vehicle, a Prado SUV, has since been recovered.

“About two weeks ago, Aminu Ibrahim, the son of Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd), was robbed and killed in the Maitama area of Abuja, and his Prado SUV was stolen. I want to inform you that Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, a serving Nigerian Navy personnel, committed the murder. He has confessed to the crime, and we have recovered the Prado Jeep,” Igweh stated.

Speaking to journalists, Muhammad, a seaman in the Navy, admitted to the crime. He explained that he was assigned to the former Naval Chief’s residence as a security guard.

“I work at the house. He wanted to go out at night, around 11:30. He said he needed security, so I followed him with my gun. Along the way, he stopped to check his ATM, as if he was going to buy something. I thought maybe I was going to escort him to a market or somewhere. Then, when I came out through the other door, I shot him, took the car, and left. He did not do anything to me; I killed him to steal his car,” Muhammad confessed.

In a related development, 94 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were also paraded for their involvement in the death of two police officers on Sunday.

Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu might be in another trouble while serving his sentence in the UK.

Recall that he is currenlty serving 10 years in prison for human trafficking last year.

According to a new report by TheNation, Ekweremadu is currently under investigation by the London Metropolitan Police in a new case linked to him.

A documentary by Chude Jideonwo titled: “Daniel vs Ekweremadu,” the police are investigating a case involving Ekweremadu, although details are scarce due to the ongoing investigation.

Part 1 of the two-part docu-series was released on Friday, 23 August. It is written and directed by award winning filmmaker and TV host, Chude Jideonwo.

In an email from a spokesperson to the police, Alexandra Meek to the producers as shown in the documentary, she said: “With regards to the live investigation, which is linked – On Tuesday, 8 November 2022 detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime arrested a woman on suspicion of conspiracy to exploit for the purposes of organ harvesting.

“The woman, who is in her 50s, has been released under investigation. Enquiries remain ongoing.”

Ms Meek, who is senior communication manager for the MET Police, gave this as a reason for the police’s inability to participate in the documentary.

According to Chude: “‘Daniel’ is the name given by a journalist and adopted by the documentary filmmakers for the victim-survivor of the first conviction under the UK’s Modern Slavery Law – under which Ekweremadu became the first to be sentenced to jail alongside his wife, Beatrice and a doctor-friend, Obinna Obeta.

“It follows a directive from the judge of the case for the real name to remain undisclosed.

“‘Daniel vs Ekweremadu’ tells the story of Senator Ekweremadu’s fall from Nigerian deputy senate president to British jailbird upon his conviction for organ harvesting.

Shot in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, the series includes exclusive access to British prosecutors, police, the family of the survivor-victim amongst others in this first-of-its-kind thriller-style documentary from a West African independent studio.”

The Nigeria Immigration Service has deported a Zimbabwean Bishop, Eben K. Nhiwatawi, for participating in the Methodist Church leadership election process while on a tourist visa.

In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo, on Wednesday, the NIS described the Bishop’s actions as a clear violation of the terms and privileges associated with the tourist visa, as outlined in the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024.

The statement read in part, “On 24th August 2024, Mr Eben K. Nhiwatawi, a Zimbabwean Bishop, was apprehended in Yola, Adamawa State, for violating Immigration protocols.
“The Bishop arrived in the country on 21st August 2024, with a Tourist Visa (F5A) meant solely for tourism purposes.

However, he was found to be participating in the Methodist Church leadership election process, which is in clear violation of the terms and privileges associated with the Tourist Visa as provided in the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024.

“In light of the above, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, with Ministerial approval, has ordered his immediate repatriation from the country.

“While the Service encourages the lawful inflow of Foreign Direct Investment and individuals engaging in business and social activities, as key facilitators of economic growth and development, it will not tolerate any violation of the country’s Immigration laws.

“The Service remains committed to preserving the country’s national security and will continue to monitor the activities of foreigners for such purposes.”

A policeman identified as Inspector Collins Wilson has reportedly killed three individuals in an attempt to cover up a theft committed by his girlfriend, known only as Esther.

The incident occurred on Monday, August 26th, when Esther was accused of stealing a phone from a tricycle driver who had been transporting her.

Eyewitnesses report that the theft became apparent when the stolen phone rang in her possession, prompting a confrontation between Esther and bystanders. As tensions escalated, Esther called her boyfriend, Inspector Wilson, to the scene.

Upon his arrival, Inspector Wilson, in a desperate bid to protect Esther and conceal her crime, drew his service weapon and ordered her to stand behind him. He then opened fire at close range, killing two individuals on the spot.

One of the victims was the tricycle driver who was transporting Esther, while the other was a bystander who was attempting to mediate the situation.

A third victim, the motorcyclist who had brought Inspector Wilson to the scene, was critically injured, and initially taken to Garki Hospital but was reportedly rejected. He later succumbed to his injuries at the National Hospital were he could not get proper attention as the doctors are said to be on strike.

After the shooting, Inspector Wilson commandeered another tricycle and fled the scene with Esther. He later abandoned the tricycle and switched to a motorcycle to evade detection. However, the motorcyclist who transported Wilson back to his post was able to direct outraged residents to his location.

Residents swiftly mobilized and apprehended Inspector Wilson and Esther at the estate where he was stationed. The vicious was cop and his girlfriend were later handed over to the police.

Authorities of the Force have yet to release an official statement on the incident, but residents on Tuesday are said to have brought two of the victims’ bodies to the police command, demanding justice.

The 2023 PDP Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government for the 18-year age limit on NECO and WAEC exams, calling it absurd and a barrier to scholarships.

Recall that the Federal Government has banned individuals below 18 from participating in the NECO and WAEC exams.

This was revealed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during his appearance on Channels Television’s ‘ Sunday Politics’ program.

Mamman stated that the federal government has instructed WAEC, responsible for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, and NECO, which administers the Senior School Certificate Examination, to enforce the 18-year age requirement for candidates taking these exams.

In response, the former Vice President took to his verified Facebook page on Wednesday to criticize the policy as outdated.

Atiku labelled the policy as controversial and called for universal condemnation from those who value intellectual freedom and accessibility.

He stated, “Tinubu’s policy on age limit for tertiary education admission belongs in the Stone Ages.

“The recent policy of the Federal Ministry of Education pegging age limits for entry to tertiary institutions is an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship.

“The policy runs foul of the notion of delineation of responsibilities in a federal system of government such as we are practising, and gives a graphic impression of how the Tinubu government behaves like a lost sailor on a high sea.

“Otherwise, how is such anti-scholarship regulation the next logical step in the myriad of issues besetting our educational system?

“To be clear, the Nigerian constitution puts education in the concurrent list of schedules, in which the  sub-national government enjoys more roles above the Federal Government.”

The former Vice President highlighted that the most effective global approach is to allow sub-national governments to establish their education laws or regulations.

Atiku continued, “Therefore, it is extra-constitutional for the federal government to legislate on education like a decree.

“The best global standard for such regulation is to allow the sub-national governments to make respective laws or rules on education.

“It is discouraging that even while announcing this obnoxious policy, the government inadvertently said it had no plan to cater to specially gifted pupils. That statement is an embarrassment to the body of intellectuals in the country because it portrays Nigeria as a country where gifted students are not appreciated.

“The irony here is that should the federal government play any role in education, it is to set up mechanisms that will identify and grant scholarships to gifted students not minding their ages before applying for admission into tertiary institutions.

“This controversial policy belongs in the Stone Ages and should be roundly condemned by everyone who believes in intellectual freedom and accessibility.”

Several passengers were injured following a late-night collision involving two Bus Rapid Transit buses at the Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos on Tuesday.

The collision happened within the BRT lane on Lagos-Abeokuta Express Way, near Danco Filling Station.

According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the injured passengers were rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.

An additional statement by the head of the public affairs unit, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nosa Okunbor said, investigations revealed that the accident occurred when one BRT bus attempted to avoid hitting a commercial motorcyclist illegally using the BRT corridor, resulting in a collision with an oncoming BRT bus.

According to Okunbor passengers from both buses suffered varying degrees of injuries and were taken to the hospital before the arrival of the response team.

“However, passengers of both buses reportedly suffered various degrees of injuries and were all taken to the nearest hospital before the arrival of the Agency’s Response Team,” he said.

He added that two tow trucks were deployed to remove the damaged buses from the road, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic.