News

NIS cleared 204,332 passport applications in 10 months – Minister

Published

4 months ago

September 28, 2024

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) cleared over 204,332 backlog of passports in 10 months.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known while reeling out his ministry’s achievements in the last year, at a media event organised by the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

He said assured Nigerians that never again will there be backlogs of passports in Nigeria, with the reform measure in place.

“In the last year, we introduced advanced border management technologies, including GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and other surveillance tools and infrastructure, to enhance national security.

“This technology allows for better monitoring and control of Nigeria’s extensive borders, ensuring that our immigration services are prepared to face modern security challenges.

‘As you are aware, we embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of the passport issuance process, addressing long-standing issues that have frustrated millions of Nigerians.

“One of our key accomplishments was clearing a massive backlog of 204,332 passport applications, a backlog that had left many citizens stranded for months if not years,” he said.

He said,” Today, I can proudly say that we have not only addressed this challenge but we have introduced home delivery services for passports.”

Tunji-Ojo said that the innovation was to ensure that Nigerians no longer have to endure the stress of traveling long distances or waiting in long queues all in the name passport.

“Passports are now delivered directly to the homes of applicants, a service that has brought immense relief to thousands.

“The NIS has also implemented contactless technology, streamlining the passport application process and improving overall efficiency.

“The days of bottlenecks and endless paperwork are behind us. Today, Nigerians experience a faster, more transparent, and seamless passport issuance process.

“We have also established a cutting-edge data center at the NIS with an impressive storage capacity of 1.4 petabytes.

“This state-of-the-art facility is designed to securely house and manage a vast array of critical national information, including the biometric data and personal records of Nigerian citizens,” he added.

The minister explained that the efforts were to ensure the safe storage and retrieval of sensitive information and enhance the efficiency of national security operations, identity management, and service delivery across the country.

Tunji-Ojo stated that the Federal Government had also embarked on the installation of a total of 41 e-gates at the five international airports across the country for a seamless screening of people who arrived in the country.

According to him, eight are to be installed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, 21 slated for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, and four each at Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt airports.

“This is to offer diasporan Nigerians and returning citizens an automated, hassle-free screening process. This innovation not only improves efficiency at entry points but also ensures that our citizens abroad return home with pride and ease.

“We also made tremendous progress in international collaborations by enhancing our partnerships with global agencies to combat transnational crimes such as human trafficking, illegal immigration, and smuggling.

“These partnerships have bolstered our efforts to safeguard national security while contributing to the global fight against organised crime.

“Furthermore, the integration of Nigerian passports into global standards (ICAO PKD and PKI) has further solidified the NIS as a key player on the international stage,” he said.

The minister added that the initiatives were to enhance both access and security, thereby, making Nigerian passports more secure and respected worldwide.

News

JAMB Postpones 2025 UTME Registration to February 3

Published

10 minutes ago

February 1, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a shift in the commencement date for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration. Initially scheduled to begin on Friday, January 31, 2025, the registration will now start on Monday, February 3, 2025.

According to JAMB, the adjustment is necessary to implement crucial changes to its registration templates. The modifications follow the recent suspension of certain law programs in selected universities, as communicated to the Board by the Council for Legal Education.

A statement issued by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, also revealed that the Board discovered that some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers had secured approval through fraudulent means. This development has necessitated further scrutiny and the disqualification of such centers to ensure the integrity of the examination process.

“The Board acknowledges the disruption this may cause to candidates and other stakeholders and sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience,” Benjamin stated.

He assured that the additional time would be used to implement all necessary adjustments to facilitate a seamless registration process.

News

Anambra monarch fingered In Community’s Insecurity Scandal

Published

14 minutes ago

February 1, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

There is looming tension in Enugwu-Agidi community over the arrest of a suspected kidnapper Chukwudi Tansi by Soludo’s Agunechemba team .
Recently , the Social media was awash with news about the arrest of Chukwudi Tansi, a member of the Enugwu-Agidi Community Vigilante, apprehended with a cache of firearms, which exposed his alleged involvement in criminal activities that have long plagued Enugwu-Agidi community.

What adds more fuel to the fire is the implication of the traditional ruler of the community in the unfolding drama, as revealed by the President General (PG) of the community, Hon Chukwuebuka Onuorah

Speaking to journalists, the PG, Mr. Onuorah, expressed vindication . He pointed fingers at the traditional ruler for nominating Tansi to the community Vigilante despite prior warnings from the PG about Tansi’s possession of firearms.

Speaking further, Onuorah said he went as far as writing to the Inspector General of Police, citing threats to his life and the illegal possession of weapons by Tansi, a willing tool in the hand of the traditional ruler.

Part of his letter to the Inspector-General of Police reads:

“After my inauguration, I have received series of threats from the Traditional Ruler of Enugwu-Agidi HRH Mike Okekeuche of Umuakwuelo-Etiti village, Enugwu-Agidi in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria, ranging from forceful invasion of my residence and privacy and restriction of my free movement.
On Friday, 29th March, 2024 at exactly 11:07am, my residence was surrounded and invaded by heavily armed unknown faces who later introduced themselves as members of the Nigeria Police Force, claimed to be acting on the instructions of HRH Mike Okekeuche, took me to an unknown destination, but I return glory to God, that the unknown gun men vehemently warned me to denounce my position as the President General of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union Nigeria (EBU-NIG) so that Igwe’s choice will be installed and later released me unhurt.
“The Igwe HRH Mike Okekeuche, through one Chukwudi Tansi and Okonkwo Clement Ugochukwu, well-known members of outlawed IPOB, who parade themselves as soldiers and moving around the community with AK47 rifles have on several occasions attacked me with their guns, threatening to kill me, except I resign and step down from my position as the President General of my Community, and Igwe’s choice installed, that even the local Police are afraid of them. The confidence reposed on me by the good people of Enugwu-Agidi, I do not wish to give away; hence I had to run away for my dear life.
“Sir, in this circumstance, I am writing this petition with hope of consolation vis-a-vis calling attention of Police IRT, Abuja whose track record in tackling heinous crimes is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf in Nigeria, to arrest, and prosecute the above named unscrupulous criminal elements and all that are involved no matter whose ox is gored. Peradventure my complaints get to you late, and my life taken away, you should at least know my killer for I do not wish to join the long list of unresolved murders”.

Corroborating the PG’s account, a social media user from Enugwu-Agidi, Ezeobi, raised pertinent questions about influential figures aiding Tansi’s evasion of justice despite his involvement in serious criminal activities.

In light of these revelations, the PG is now urging for a thorough police investigation to expose the support network shielding individuals like Chukwudi Tansi.

News

Nigeria Needs Thinkers and Builders, Not Spectators – Speaker Abbas

Published

2 hours ago

February 1, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…highlights youth as key to progress

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker House of Representatives,Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasised the need for Nigeria to have active thinkers, builders, and leaders rather than passive observers.

Giving a Convocation Lecture at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna), Speaker Abbas described Nigerian youths as the country’s most valuable assets, urging them to embrace innovation and technology to drive national development.

His lecture, titled “From Crisis to Prosperity: Harnessing Technology to Drive Nigeria’s Transformation,” focused on the role of technology in shaping the country’s future.

He said: “In an age characterised by rapid technological advancements that are fundamentally altering economies and societies, it is imperative for Nigeria to seize opportunities for growth and innovation. By strategically leveraging technology, the nation can effectively confront pressing challenges, stimulate economic development, and improve the overall quality of life for its citizens.”

Speaker Abbas explained how the strategic adoption and implementation of technological solutions can transition Nigeria from its current crises toward a trajectory of sustainable prosperity.

He noted that in Nigeria, there exists a pervasive belief that university degrees are inherently superior to diplomas from technical polytechnics and colleges.

“As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria faces many socioeconomic challenges that hinder its development trajectory. Addressing these issues is crucial for the nation’s progress. This lecture focuses on how technology can transform Nigeria from a state of crisis to one of prosperity, offering innovative solutions to longstanding problems.

“This perception has led to an overwhelming demand for university admissions, often at the expense of technical and vocational education,” he said.

Abbas further noted that there is an erosion of technical skills essential for industrial development.

“Ironically, many university graduates find themselves pursuing vocational skills after graduation, such as hairdressing, makeup artistry, and catering, which could have been more comprehensively acquired through technical education.

“In contrast, countries like the United Kingdom and Germany have robust technical education systems, where polytechnics and vocational schools are integral to driving industrial innovation. Nigeria must learn from such models by strengthening its technical education sector to meet industry demands.

“The declining quality of graduates from Nigerian universities, is a reflection of broader systemic issues, particularly the insufficient number and lack of quality of academic staff. Nigeria faces a significant shortage of qualified lecturers, with the lecturer-to-student ratio far exceeding global standards.

“This overcrowding severely limits the ability of lecturers to provide personalised attention and quality instruction, undermining the learning experience for students,” he stated.

Speaker Abbas also noted that there was a shortage of qualified academic staff, which he said is further aggravated by inadequate remuneration and limited opportunities for professional development.

“Compounding these challenges is the commercialisation of education, which has led to unethical practices such as exchanging grades for money or sexual favours. These practices not only tarnish the integrity of academic institutions but also erode public trust in the quality of education being delivered.

“The consequences of these systemic issues are evident in the poor performance of Nigerian universities in global rankings”, he asserted.

To address these challenges, the Speaker said there was an urgent need for targeted interventions, including increased funding for higher education, improved remuneration for academic staff, and expanded opportunities for professional development.

Additionally, he said stricter enforcement of ethical standards and the implementation of transparent evaluation systems could help curb academic corruption and restore the integrity of Nigerian universities.

“Nigerian universities face chronic underfunding, which has severely impacted infrastructure, research capabilities, and overall educational quality. While the expansion of universities aims to increase access to higher education, it often leads to stretched resources and diminished quality.

“A more strategic approach would focus on enhancing existing institutions through improved funding and resource allocation, drawing lessons from successful funding models employed by universities globally and within Africa”, Speaker Abbas said.

While noting that globally, universities adopt diverse funding models that reduce reliance on government allocations, the Speaker said Nigerian universities must rise to this challenge by envisioning and developing a ‘Nigerian Innovation Corridor’ that fosters collaboration between academia, industry, and government.

Speaker Abbas added that by positioning themselves as drivers of technological transformation, Nigerian institutions can create a thriving ecosystem that competes globally and propels the nation into a future powered by innovation.

The youths of Nigeria represent an invaluable assets to the nation. They exemplify qualities of intelligence, resilience, and a strong inclination towards innovation, particularly in the realm of technology. It is essential to leverage digital tools for personal development and entrepreneurial ventures.

“Young Nigerians are encouraged to utilise online learning platforms, engage in coding boot camps, and participate actively in technology communities to enhance their skills and entrepreneurial capabilities. The imperative for youth engagement is more pressing than ever, particularly in a rapidly evolving global economy driven by technology and innovation.

“The Nigerian government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has demonstrated its commitment to fostering an environment that supports young innovators through various initiatives. These initiatives aim to promote technological advancement by implementing policies that facilitate access to funding, mentorship programs, and platforms that stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship”, he added.

By prioritising youth engagement and increasing funding for technology and innovation, Speaker Abbas said the Nigerian Government is laying the foundation for a more inclusive and dynamic economy.

“These initiatives empower young Nigerians to harness their creative potential and position the country as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa,” he said.