By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The gunmen who abducted a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), retired general Maharazu Tsiga, have demanded a N250 million ransom for his release.

A reliable source close to the family who preferred anonymity, revealed that the family was contacted and the amount requested.

Tsiga was said to have been abducted alongside nine other residents.

Weekend Trust reports that the incident occurred around midnight on Wednesday when over 100 gunmen surrounded the General’s residence and whisked him away.

The member representing Bakori/Danja federal constituency Katsina State, Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai, told newsmen that the attackers after surrounding the house, began to break doors, a situation that prompted the general to come out and asked them what they were looking for.

Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report, neither the army spokesman of 17 Brigade in Katsina nor the police spokesman had responded to messages sent to them on the matter.

Daily Trust

The management of Kaduna Electric has agreed to review its past actions after the two in-house labour unions promised to restore electricity to Kaduna State and all its franchise States with immediate effect.

The resolutions were reached after Governor Uba Sani convened a meeting, which ended around 8pm with both parties on Friday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

The labour unions of Kaduna Electric embarked on industrial action since last Sunday, following the decision of  the management to sack 444 workers, plunging Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States to darkness.

At the end of the meeting which lasted into Friday night, Governor Uba Sani promised to be the guarantor as he would ensure fairness to both sides after the parties agreed to  sit down and take a joint decision.

‘’The unions praised the Governor for his intervention. They  also commended  the Management, ably led by Dr Hashidu, for moving Kaduna Electric forward,’’ the resolution stated.

The unions also ‘’noted that the Management is operating under stringent conditions, given the prevailing economic situation in the country but promised to help it to succeed.’’

The parties also noted that the  Management of Kaduna Electric and the labour unions are partners in progress, adding that  what happened was as  a result of a  breakdown in communication.

The meeting also argued that ‘’there must be a give-and-take on the side of both the Management and Labour in order to find an amicable settlement of the dispute.’’

The resolution  was signed by  Dr Umar Abubakar Hashidu, the Managing Director of the electricity company, Comrade Wisdom Nwachukwu, the Vice President(Distribution) of National Union of Electricity Employees(NUEE), Comrade Rilwanu Shehu, Deputy President North of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

Other union members that signed the resolution include Comrade Muhammed Musa, Deputy President North  of NUEE and     Comrade Haruna Ahmed Tinau, Deputy Secretary General(North).

Engr Idris Ahmed Idris, the Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company also signed the resolution.

Nigerian passport holders can travel to 45 countries worldwide without needing a visa, according to a recent travel update.

This offers a convenient option for those looking to travel without the hassle of visa applications.

Of these 45 countries, 27 allow visa-free entry, while others provide options like visa-on-arrival or require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The entry requirements vary by country, making international travel easier for Nigerians.

This update, sourced from Visaindex, highlights the growing opportunities for Nigerian citizens.

With access to countries across different continents, Nigerians can travel for tourism, business, or family visits with less red tape.

The Gambia

In 2019, The Gambia declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travelers. The policy extends to visitors from Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and even select Baltic states. This openness has significantly boosted tourism and trade in the West African nation.

Benin

Inspired by Rwanda’s openness, President Patrice Talon announced in 2019 that Benin would eliminate visa restrictions for all Africans. This decision has strengthened Benin’s position as a hub for West African commerce and travel.

Kenya

In October 2023, Kenyan President William Ruto declared that by the end of the year, Kenya would eliminate visa restrictions for all African travelers. The goal? To enhance trade, strengthen economic ties, and position Kenya as a leader in African interconnectivity.

Rwanda

In November 2023, Rwanda announced its visa-free entry policy for all African nationals. President Paul Kagame emphasized that any African could now travel to Rwanda without paying a fee, reinforcing the nation’s reputation as a top tourist destination in Africa.

Ghana

Ghana recently joined the ranks of visa-free African nations, opening its doors to travelers from across the continent. This decision aligns with Ghana’s vision of becoming a major hub for trade, investment, and tourism in West Africa. The move is expected to attract business professionals, entrepreneurs, and tourists alike, strengthening Ghana’s economic position.

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Haiti

Kiribati

Liberia

Mali

Micronesia

Montserrat

Niger

Rwanda

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Vanuatu