Japa: We Issued 2.1m passports In 2023 – Immigration.

Japa: We Issued 2.1m passports In 2023 – Immigration.

Not less than 2,141,300 international passports were issued in 2023, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said on Tuesday.

Its Controller-General, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju disclosed this during the diaspora virtual lecture series with the theme, “New passport policy/processes for Nigerians in the Diaspora confirmation” organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

She fingered the JAPA syndrome” for the unprecedented increase in the number of passport applications, stating 1.3m passports were issued in 2021 and 1.5m in 2022 representing about a 50 percent increase.

According to her, the reform of the passport process would reduce pressure on the overstretched facilities of NIS nationwide as applicants wait endlessly with their children and the vulnerable just to be captured.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said Nigerians in the Diaspora would no longer go through pain just to acquire their passports.

He said in the era of Renewed Hope, every Nigerian at home and abroad must enjoy improved service delivery from the immigration service.

Oyo will soon achieve energy sufficiency, says Makinde.

Oyo will soon achieve energy sufficiency, says Makinde.

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has said the State will be the first to achieve energy sufficiency.

The Governor, who stated that achieving energy sufficiency in Oyo State has always been a major focus of his government, expressed the readiness of the State to partner with the British American Tobacco (BAT), Ibadan Plant, to achieve this.

Makinde spoke when he attended the 20th Anniversary of the BAT Ibadan Plant at the company’s premises in Ibadan..

Makinde said: “You are going to be commissioning a 1.4 megawatts solar plant. This is pretty much in line with our aspiration in Oyo State.

“For us, energy sufficiency is a big part of this administration. When I came in, there was no Energy Ministry but we now have and the Commissioner for the Ministry is here.

“Less than 3km from here, you have the City Gate for the gas coming into Ibadan. So, we should be able to work together to utilize Nigerian gas in this environment.”

Makinde, who maintained the State will also within the next few weeks, commission its 11 Megawatts Power Plant with 10 Megawatts gas-driven while 1 Megawatt is solar-powered, said he would soon sign the Bill establishing the Oyo State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

He added that States can perform optimally if the constitution is amended in some aspects, stating that dependence on Abuja will reduce drastically..

FG laments high cost of food.

FG laments high cost of food.

The Federal Government has expressed concern over the continuous rise in the prices of food and other commodities, prompting protests in Niger and Kano.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, addressed a bilateral meeting with a visiting German delegation led by the country’s Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Svenja Shulze, in Abuja on Monday.

Edun explained that the situation, which has sparked growing discontent among the citizenry, was driven by the forces of demand and supply in the country.

Worried by the increasing price of commodities, some youths and women resented what they perceived as the mass purchase of food items for hoarding and exporting outside the country.

The state government blamed food speculators for the protests.

The police noted they used “minimum force” to disperse protesters who blocked the Minna-Bida Road and arrested some whose activities were obstructing vehicular and human movement.

Similarly, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, lamented on Monday that many people in his state were living in misery amid starvation and acute hunger.

Yusuf said inflation had terribly outpaced incomes, resulting in deaths, as several residents could not cope with the rising cost of living.

In response to current realities, Edun said the only way to address the situation was to boost agricultural production, in particular, to force down inflation.

Speaking alongside Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Edun said, “I think the issue of rising prices is of concern to the government and everybody in Nigeria,” and some major steps were being taken to address the situation.

He said, “It is the issue of demand and supply and a lot of emphasis has been placed on increasing agricultural production, in particular.

“The president has intervened in that sector to provide grain, fertilisers to farmers and to bring additional acreage, rice, wheat, maize, and cassava – to increase the output and thereby bring down prices and that will help bring down inflation.

“And, of course, we are in the middle of the dry season farming and we are looking forward to a good dry season harvest that will ameliorate price, in particular, and the price level in Nigeria, in general.”

Edun highlighted that the partnership with Germany presents an opportunity for skills development between both parties, emphasizing its potential to enhance job creation and alleviate poverty.

While corroborating Edun, Uzoka-Anite said the partnership with Germany was aimed at developing Nigeria’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) subsector.

She added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would soon be signed by both countries in this regard to improve access to finance for women-owned enterprises.

The minister said the collaboration will further enhance talent acquisition and challenge, and develop renewable energy, in line with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which partly aimed at industrialising the country.

She said supporting the SMEs could add about 55 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that though both countries currently have strong mutually beneficial relationship, it could get better.

On her part, Shulze said both countries had established cooperation in common interest, pointing out that there are currently over 90 German companies operating in Nigeria.

She attested to the abundance of creative young talents in the country, saying Nigeria’s security challenges can only be addressed by tackling the underlying causes, including jobs and education, rather than militarily.

She stressed that Germany was looking to deepen its cooperation with Nigeria.

The federal government through the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, had earlier announced the government had commenced the massive production of food crops to bring down the prices of food items across the country.

He said the target of the government was to reduce food inflation, describing it as the major reason for the high rate of inflation in Nigeria’s economy.

Kyari disclosed this to journalists after hosting the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja.

SUBEB records 240,000 children out of school in Ondo.

SUBEB records 240,000 children out of school in Ondo.

The Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board has expressed worry over the rate at which children are out of school.

The board disclosed that no fewer than 240,000 children were out of school in the state. This development, SUBEB described as alarming.

It, however, noted that the state government was making efforts to stop the menace.

The Chairman of the Ondo SUBEB, Mr Victor Olabimtan disclosed this on Tuesday at a meeting with some journalists in the state.

“From the statistics, Ondo has 240,000 out-of-school children. This is alarming. But it is not happening only in Ondo State, that is how the problem is in other states of the federation.”

Olabimtan, however, stated that the government has put in place some measures to ensure all children of the state are educated.

Part of the measures, according to him, is the plan to employ more teachers in the primary schools and make the school attractive to the pupils. He added that a total of 900 public primary schools have been completely renovated to be conducive to the learning of the pupils.

He said, “As part of the efforts to combat head on the growing menace of Out of School children in the State, UBEC in conjunction with Ondo SUBEB under the Better Education Service Delivery For All training project organised weeks-long training for stakeholders in the sector on the Basic Attendance Management Information System. The training was very successful as over 900 schools were provided with digital devices for attendance management of pupils in classrooms.

“This is to be done side by side with the traditional means of attendance marking through the use of daily registers. To ensure seamless operations of devices and effectiveness of the project education secretaries, Zonal and Area Education Officers and Education Management Information System officers also undergone training.”

The chairman also stated that the board had been able to do the renovation of the schools and provide educational materials for the pupils from the UBEC fund after the state had been able to pay its counterpart fund of N3.9 billion.

“When this government came on stream on February 24, 2017, the state of infrastructures and quality of curriculum in most of our schools were nothing to write home about. Most of the structures in our primary schools were in a state of despair, becoming a haven for dangerous reptiles and men of the underworld and miscreants who have taken over schools as their homes thereby endangering the lives of the pupils and the teachers alike.

“This was the situation the present government inherited and the government latched onto the opportunity by paying the matching grants put at over N3.9 billion with an additional same amount from UBEC. The government was able to turn around the narrative for the better.

“With the fund, the board has been able to construct, reconstruct and Rehabilitate over 900 classrooms, fences, bole – holes, toilets, provided learners chairs and desks, tables for their teachers, ECCD equipment, sporting equipment as well as Instructional materials for pupils and their teachers value at over N2.2billion to make our schools more attractive for both teaching and learning,” Olabimtan said.

The SUBEB chairman noted that the effects of this investment of the state government had already been yielding positive results in the performance of teachers and pupils in the internal and external examinations.

“Last year, our students performed excellently at a National JET Competition in far away, Nasarawa State, where they came first and third in both primary and junior secondary school categories respectively,” He stated.

According to statistics from the United Nations Children’s Fund, 1 in 3 children are out of school in Nigeria with 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary school level1 while 12.4 million children never attended school and 5.9 million left school early.

UNICEF added that Nigeria’s out-of-school population accounts for 15% of the global total.

Ekiti State University's JAC III Applauds Governor Oyebanji for Increased Subvention.

Ekiti State University's JAC III Applauds Governor Oyebanji for Increased Subvention.

The Joint Action Committee of the Ekiti State University, known as JAC III, has extended their gratitude to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his decision to increase the subvention to the university. Comprising three unions - the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) - JAC III expressed appreciation for the governor's commitment to prioritizing higher education and maintaining Ekiti's position as the education capital of Nigeria.

Governor Oyebanji had previously pledged to uphold the importance of higher education and ensure that Ekiti State remains at the forefront of educational excellence in the country. The decision to augment the university's subvention is seen as a concrete step towards fulfilling this promise.

The union leaders believe that the increased subvention will address longstanding issues related to irregularities in staff salaries and benefits, providing much-needed stability and support to the university community. They expressed confidence that this gesture will enhance the overall functioning of the institution and improve the working conditions of academic and non-academic staff members alike.

In addition to acknowledging the support of Governor Oyebanji, JAC III also expressed gratitude to the Alumni Association for their continued involvement and assistance. They emphasized their commitment to working collaboratively with the government to further enhance the quality of education and facilities at Ekiti State University.

The commendation from JAC III highlights the importance of governmental support in ensuring the success and sustainability of higher education institutions. By prioritizing investment in education, Governor Oyebanji's administration aims to foster a conducive learning environment and empower future generations of students in Ekiti State.

The union leaders affirmed their dedication to working closely with the government to address any remaining challenges and to collectively strive for the continued advancement and prosperity of Ekiti State University.

President Tinubu on phone with me everyday till abducted pupils were released, Oyebanji tells Afenifere leaders.

President Tinubu on phone with me everyday till abducted pupils were released, Oyebanji tells Afenifere leaders.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was with him on telephone everyday till the abducted school pupils were released.

The Governor stated this while receiving a delegation of the Yoruba Socio-Political group, Afenifere, who came on a condolence visit to his office in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

The Afenifere delegation, led by the Ondo State Chairman of the group, Chief Korede Duyile, was sent by the National Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti to commiserate with the Government and people of Ekiti State over the killing of two traditional rulers and abduction of some pupils of a private school and their teachers last week. The pupils and their teachers have since regained freedom from the kidnappers’ den. 

Governor Oyebanji, who described the gruesome killing of the two traditional rulers as sacrilegious and “an affront to Ekiti people and the Yoruba race”, assured that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

He also described the kidnapping of the school pupils and their teachers as a dangerous dimension, hence the need to mobilise forces to rescue the children.

He said he remained grateful to the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu staying on top of the situation, a development, which he said motivated everyone involved to put in their best in rescuing the children.

 

“It will be a mark of ingratitude on my part, if I don’t say this here today, Mr President really tried, from the minute it happened till the last day the children were released, the President was talking to me on daily basis, giving appropriate directives on the way out. And I want Afenifere to thank him”, he said.

Governor Oyebanji said in spite of the release of the children, security agencies have continued the search for the perpetrators of the heinous crimes, and bring them to justice. This, he said, was necessary in order to put an end to the dastardly acts.

 

Speaking further, Oyebanji said the entire Ekiti Obas have taken it upon themselves to defend their citizens. “because, the question is if this happened to two Obas, then what is the fate of the subjects. So, they are putting in place structures to defend their people.”

“And I also plead with Afenifere that they should be united, so that they can work together, it is only in unison that this organization can achieve its vision as espoused by the founding fathers. So, we need a united front, collectively, we can combat this menace that is steering us in the face.

 “I am grateful to Baba Fasoranti for sending this delegation of eminent leaders to commiserate with us. This speaks to the unity of our people. Afenifere had foreseen situation like this long ago, and that is why you have been clamouring for restructuring. Those opposed to the call then, have now joined Afenifere in championing restructuring, state or multi-level policing, among others. We need Afenifere to keep speaking objectively.

On calls on southwest governors be united on the issue of security, Oyebanji said: “It will interest you, sirs, to know that all the governors of the southwest states, are united on this matter of security. And we are collaborating on the issue. We have a common position, the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) slowed things down. We feel it would be proper to accord him the respect, and continue the process after his burial.”

Earlier while condoling the governor, the Afenifere leaders, who lamented the killing of the obas and abduction of school children, called for the restructuring of the country to tackle security and other challenges.

The Afenifere leaders affirmed the need to strengthen the South West Security Network codenamed Amotekun with necessary ammunition that would make the officers effective in tackling all forms of security infiltration into the region.

They expressed the group’s appreciation to Governor Oyebanji and commended the various steps he had taken to tackle the security challenges in the state and urged him to do more to protect the people.

They also called for an urgent review of the Constitution which they opined had become obsolete looking at the realities of the present situation.

Also at the meeting were the Deputy Governor,  Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, APC Chairman in the State, Barr. Paul Omotoso, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Inter-Party Affairs, Chief Jide Awe; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode and Special Adviser on Governance, Hon Odunayo Ayeni.

Gov Oyebanji Inspects Disposal Trucks and Dino Bins, Kickstarting Waste Management Initiative in Ekiti State.

Gov Oyebanji Inspects Disposal Trucks and Dino Bins, Kickstarting Waste Management Initiative in Ekiti State.

By Olamide Akinwumi.

Governor Oyebanji, on Tuesday, the 6th of February, conducted an inspection of disposal trucks and Dino bins at the premises of the Waste Management Board in Ado Ekiti. These disposal trucks and Dino waste bins are slated for deployment to aid waste management efforts across the state, beginning with the state capital.

Accompanied by the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, and the DG Waste Management Authority, Sunkanmi Onipede, Governor Oyebanji toured the facilities at the center to assess their readiness for the upcoming waste management initiatives.

The inspection marks the commencement of a concerted effort by the Ekiti State government to combat waste accumulation and promote environmental cleanliness. Governor Oyebanji's proactive approach underscores his administration's commitment to ensuring a safe and clean environment for all residents of Ekiti State.

Addressing the press during the inspection, Governor Oyebanji emphasized that the war against dirt has officially begun. He highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining a clean environment and lauded the efforts of the Waste Management Board in facilitating this crucial initiative.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji reiterated his administration's dedication to providing the necessary tools, facilities, materials, and personnel to support effective waste management across the state. By investing in modern waste disposal infrastructure and equipment, the government aims to streamline waste collection processes and enhance overall environmental hygiene.

The deployment of disposal trucks and Dino bins represents a significant step forward in the state's waste management strategy. These resources will enable more efficient and systematic waste collection, transportation, and disposal, thereby contributing to the overall cleanliness and health of Ekiti State.

Governor Oyebanji's leadership in spearheading this waste management initiative demonstrates his proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development in Ekiti State. With the support and cooperation of citizens, the government is poised to achieve its goal of a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for all residents.