News
Japa: U.S. to fast track visa process for Nigerian graduates with job offers
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to bolster the US economy and retain top talent, the Biden administration has announced new steps to speed up employment based nonimmigrant visas for recent US college graduates with job offers.
The initiative aims to streamline immigration processes and attract skilled workers to the the country.
By July 18, the Department of State will release new guidelines for consular officers on recommending that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approve waivers of ineligibility, a critical step in speeding up the visa application process while maintaining thorough screening and security protocols.
During the recent election season, the administration outlined plans to prioritize international students who graduated from US colleges and secured job offers, promising faster visa issuance if they meet the necessary criteria.
Employment-based nonimmigrant visas, such as the popular H-1B visa, allow foreign nationals to work temporarily in the country. The visa process typically begins with the employer filing a petition for the worker.
Applicants initially denied visas are usually informed of the reasons for denial by the consular officer, and some may qualify for a waiver, providing another opportunity to obtain their visa.
The DHS and US Customs and Border Protection’s Admissibility Review Office handle these waiver requests. Before applying for an H-1B or other temporary worker visa, employers must first receive approval for a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved, the prospective employee can proceed with their visa application, including completing the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160) and scheduling an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
In fiscal year 2023, USCIS and the Department of State issued over 192,000 employment-based immigrant visas, ensuring no visas went unused for the second consecutive year.
News
Umahi Frowns At Slow Pace Of Suleja-Minna Road Construction
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed sadness and disappointment over the slow pace and poor quality of the Suleja-Minna federal road construction, which has been ongoing for 14 years.
Despite reports of 84% completion, Umahi stated that the work executed does not match the reported progress.
Umahi’s comments came during a Town Hall Meeting and stakeholders’ engagement on the construction of the 1,068-kilometer Sokoto-Badagri superhighway in Minna, Niger State.
The minister emphasized the need for improved quality and speed in the project’s execution and added that all contractors handling federal government projects in Niger State will be invited for assessment.
The Minister had passed through the Suleja-Minna Road to attend the meeting and express disappointment over the snail pace of work.
In addition to addressing the Suleja-Minna Road project, Umahi announced that the Federal Government is redesigning the Kano-Abuja Expressway. The new design will feature the use of concrete, which is expected to increase the road’s lifespan to between 50 to 100 years.
Governor Umaru Bago praised the value addition captured along the corridor of the road, particularly the irrigation potentials that the proposed 68 dams will avail farmers in the State. He also declared support for the choice of concrete in road construction.
Other stakeholders at the event raised concerns over funding and completion time of the projects.
News
Bitcoin hits $90,000 for the first time as Trump backs crypto
Bitcoin reached a record high above $90,000 on Wednesday, as the world’s largest cryptocurrency gained from President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to ease regulation on digital assets.
Bitcoin surged to a peak of $91,000 before settling at $90,670.
The volatile asset has soared since Trump’s US presidential election victory last week, repeatedly setting new records.
Trump had pledged during his campaign to make the United States the “Bitcoin and cryptocurrency capital of the world.”
His previous term included corporate tax cuts that boosted market liquidity, encouraging cryptocurrency investment.
In September, Trump announced he and his sons, along with entrepreneurs, would launch a digital currency platform called World Liberty Financial. However, its sales launch earlier this month was lacklustre, with only a fraction of tokens sold.
Cryptocurrencies have drawn global attention, marked by extreme volatility and the collapse of major industry players, including the FTX exchange.
In the lead-up to the election, Trump reportedly became the first former president to use Bitcoin in a transaction, buying burgers at a New York restaurant that hailed it as a “historic transaction.”
AFP
News
NYSC announces date for ‘2024 Batch C’ registration
The management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, on Wednesday, announced the date for the online registration of prospective 2024 batch C stream I corps members.
The management said the exercise will commence on Thursday, 14 November, 2024.
This was made known in a post on the official X handle of the NYSC on Wednesday.
“Online Registration for 2024 Batch ‘C’ SC Stream I commences 14th November 2024,” the statement read.
The orientation course will commence later on a date to be announced by the NYSC management.
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