News
Tony Ikpasaja assumes duty as MD of EDOGIS
Former Principal Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Dr. Tony Ikpasaja, has stepped in the saddle as the Managing Director of Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS).
Ikpasaja, who was recently appointed by the State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has now resumed duty following the retirement from the State Civil Service of the former Managing Director, ESV Osaro Grace Aihie.
Ikpasaja, who resumed on Monday, January 6th, 2025, met with top management staff members of the Agency, outlining the expectations from the Governor of the State.
He was subsequently conducted round the various departments and units.
He interacted with members of staff on the operations of the agency and charged the management and staff members to work as a team.
He underscored the need to upscale their strategy to take the agency to greater heights..
Ikpasaja holds a Ph.D. from the University of Abuja, specialising in infrastructure development and multinational agencies.
He started his journalism career in the Vanguard newspapers and later joined Thisday Newspapers from where he was appointed as Press Secretary to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih in 2003.
He was also a Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor of Edo state in 2007 and Special Assistant (Media) at the Federal Ministry of Works in 2011.
Ikpasaja is also a trained data analyst and worked at the Road Sector Development Team (RSDT), a World Bank/FG Collaborative Agency, from 2015 to 2021.
Dr. Ikpasaja was also a lecturer at the University of Abuja until last year and a member of the 2024 Transition Committee in Edo State.
Until his new appointment, he was the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
As a team player, he brings to the table a wealth of experience from the media, ICT, and infrastructure development sector.
His hobbies include lawn tennis and football. Ikpasaja is married to Mrs. Kate Ikpasaja, and both have three lovely children.
Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, was among the twenty eminent Nigerians including seating governors of four states who were honoured by the Verbatim Magazine at the Late General Yaradua Centre recently.
He was recognized by the investigative journal for excellence and quality leadership in legislative performance for year 2024 based on his contributions in the plenary of the House of Representatives, the number of Bills and motions he has sponsored so far.
Professor Nnamchi was last year rated the most performing legislator from the southeast by the authoritative organ of the National Assembly, “The Order Paper” which evaluates the work rates of the legislators annually.
As at the end of March, 2025, the lawmaker who represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives has sponsored thirty-six Bills and over twenty impactful motions in the House. Over twenty of the Bills have passed second reading.
Speaking at the well attended Verbatim 13Th Anniversary Lecture delivered by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, the magazine Editor, Mr Tobs Agbaegbu, affirmed that the awardees were carefully selected through in-depth evaluation and investigation by its team of editors.
He stressed that the magazine has established itself as a leader in investigative journalism and as such would not be associated with questionable awards that lack merits.
The award recipients cut across private and public sectors’ practitioners, governors, legislators, military officers and journalists all of whom had distinguished themselves in leadership as Trail Blazers in their chosen careers.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The presidency has debunked reports that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu has been replaced, describing it as ‘fake news.’
“Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman.
“Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or the any other official source.” – O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and India, as part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
Officials speaking to ARY News said, “The suspension of Umrah, business, and family visit visas is aimed at preventing unregistered individuals from attempting to perform the pilgrimage.”
The move comes amid concerns over the rising number of pilgrims attempting to join Hajj without official permits. In recent years, many visitors have overstayed their visas, contributing to overcrowding and serious safety risks.
Authorities also expressed concern over the misuse of business or family visit visas by individuals who enter the Kingdom and work illegally, a violation that “disrupts the labour market and breaches visa conditions.”
The Saudi foreign ministry stated that the new measures were implemented “to streamline travel procedures and enhance safety during Hajj.
It added, “Individuals found to be staying in the Kingdom illegally may face a five-year entry ban.”
The countries affected by the ban are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
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