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US Govt Suspends Processing Of Passport Applications With ‘X’ Gender Marker
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Donald Trump’s executive order says that all government agencies will ensure that official documents, including passports, visas and Global Entry cards, “accurately reflect the holder’s sex.”
Reports that the US State Department has suspended processing passport applications seeking the gender marker of “X” and will only process and issue passports for people identifying as male or female, according to a department spokesperson.
The move aligns with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday that says it is US government policy “to recognize two sexes, male and female” and that “these sexes are not changeable.”
In line with that Order, the Department’s issuance of U.S. passports will reflect the individual’s biological sex as defined in the Executive Order,” the spokesperson said Friday.
In addition to the suspension of processing the applications with the X marker, the State Department is no longer issuing US passports with this marker, the spokesperson said.
They said that “guidance regarding previously issued X sex marker passports is forthcoming.”
The Trump executive order reverses changes made under the Biden administration meant to accommodate non-binary, intersex and gender non-conforming persons. Beginning in April 2022, Americans had been able to select X as their gender marker.
The federal government will also shift from using the term “gender” to “sex,” and that sex is “an individual’s immutable biological classification,” a Trump administration official told reporters Monday.
Trump’s executive order says that all government agencies will ensure that official documents, including passports, visas and Global Entry cards, “accurately reflect the holder’s sex.” Employee records will also adhere to the executive order, as will federal departments’ messaging.
Trump promised on the campaign trail to ask Congress to stop the use of federal dollars to promote and pay for gender-affirming procedures. He has also said that his administration would not allow hospitals and health care providers to meet the federal health and safety standards for Medicaid and Medicare if they provide chemical or physical gender-affirming care to youth.
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LANDMARK! Wike receives commendations for signing 1,000 CofOs to River Park Estate
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike has been commended for signing over one thousand Certificate of Occupancy to house owners in the sprawling River Park Estate, Abuja.
Mr. Paul Odili who now acquires full ownership of the estate commended the magnanimity of the minister in signing such a huge number of C- of- Os for an estate at once.
He said the kind gesture of the FCT minister will go a long way in encouraging investment in real estate and build robust confidence in house owners .
Odili on Saturday alongside other dignitaries at a brief ceremony held during a meeting at the estate handed over the Certificates to lucky house owners.
Lauding Wike, he said “the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike has graciously signed over a thousand Certificates of Occupancy for beneficiaries on River Park Estate.
“I want to commend him, appreciate him for this noble gesture. He has helped us build more confidence to invest in real estate in Nigeria, Abuja especially.
“And I want to use this medium to thank the Director of Land in the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA) .
“He has done marvelously well in ensuring the signing of these C – of – Os and it has greatly helped our project on this Estate
“I also thank all staff of FCDA secretariat like the Urban and Regional Department, Mapping and Survey Department, Estate Department and most especially the Land Department. My sincere gratitude goes to the administration of the FCT.
On the issuance of the Certificates, Odili said “this meeting was called to give them their C- of- Os because it was given to us in trust for those who are beneficiaries.
“That is why we have to call the Press to witness that it was actually delivered as was agreed by the FCT administration that, I Paul Odili, the developer, should take it and give it to them because I am the one that allocated these properties to them and that is why I have to make sure it is seen by all, that they were delivered as told”
During the meeting, Odili informed investors in the estate that he has fully acquired 100 percent stake in the business and he owned the estate completely.
Speaking on the new ownership, Odili said “Houses for Africa Holdings was owned by John Townley- Johnson who has 80 percent stake and he became our international partner for the development of the estate.
“But now, he has sold all the shares owned by Houses for Africa to me and now, I Paul Odili is now 100 percent owner of the River Park Estate, Jonah Capital Limited and Houses for Africa Nigeria.
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“Adrian Ogun was the founder of Jonah Capital before Houses for Africa Holdings came to invest here.
“Now, both of them have relinquished their shares to me. Payment has been made, agreement signed and by January 30th, 2025, I will become the 100 percent owner of River Park Estate”
Confirming the new ownership status, John Townley – Johnson said “we no longer have interest in Houses for Africa Nigeria and we have now transfered our rights to Mr. Paul Odili.
“We think it was the best thing to do because he is credible in the real estate developing sector.
“We have absolute confidence in him, Odili, to handle the business. I think his involvement shows that the houses will be completed to the standard he has set for the estate”.
Also, Mr. Adrian Ogun confirmed the new ownership and expressed confidence in the new ownership.
He said he has come a long way as business partner with Paul Odili and was sure that the estate is in a good hand and that house owners will enjoy full services for their investments in the estate.
Some of the lucky house owners whose certificates of occupancy were issued praised the sincerity of Mr. Odili in dealing with investors on the estate.
Engr. Benjamin Ogwuche, President of KRPC Cooperative Society, Kaduna said “this is dream come true. We have come a long way with Paulo Homes. We have over 100 properties here . I am delighted that our members own houses here. These C- of- Os issued to us today are proof of ownership”.
Mr. Daniel Okoebor said he felt very happy receiving the certificate. He said “this show that my investment is now secured. It shows that I have title document and that my house is safe”.
News
Reps Committee Summons Emenike Over Land Dispute in Rivers State
By Gloria Ikibah
The Public Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives has summoned Ifeanyi Emenike, a representative of FGlobal Properties Limited, to appear before it on January 30 regarding allegations of land grabbing and incitement of violence.
This was sequel to a petition submitted by Collins Adele on behalf of 23 beneficiaries of a Federal Government land scheme in Rumueme, Port Harcourt.
The petitioners alleged that they have been prevented from developing their legally allocated plots due to threats from armed individuals allegedly acting on Emenike’s instructions.
According to the petition, the armed men, reportedly over 20 in number and equipped with guns, machetes, and other dangerous weapons, warned allottees to stay off the land or face severe consequences.
Committee Chairman Mike Etaba, while issuing the summons, cautioned that the matter could proceed in Emenike’s absence should he fail to honor the invitation.
News
SHOCKING! 30 Graves, Shrine discovered in a Popular Hotel
A strange discovery has been made in Anambra state, where a newly launched security outfit, “Agụnechemba”, has found over 30 graves in a popular hotel located in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
The hotel, identified as the Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites, aka “La Cruise Hotel” along Onitsha-Owerri Road is alleged to serve as a den of kidnappers and hideout for other criminals.
It is reportedly one of the most popular and frequented hotels in the area, with a CAC registration number of 201966.
Viral videos from the scene show multiple exhibits recovered from the facility, including well-partitioned graves of human beings discovered on the last floor of the hotel.
Mr Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to the governor on Sunday confirmed the raid and some exhibits discovered at the last floor of the hotel by the state security outfit.
He told our Correspondent that full investigation of the hotel had been directed to the appropriate authority.
However, this shocking finding has sent shockwaves throughout the community, evoking memories of the infamous 1996 Otokoto incident in Imo state.
The Otokoto Riots were a series of spontaneous protests and looting that erupted in Owerri, Imo state, following the brutal murder of 11-year-old Anthony Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, who was buried in the hotel called Otokoto.
The subsequent investigation and arrest of hotelier Vincent Duru and members of the Black Scorpion gang led to a lengthy court trial, ultimately resulting in their death sentences.
The recent discovery in Anambra state raises concerns about the prevalence of ritual killings and corruption in the region.
As the investigation unfolds, the community remains on high alert, demanding justice for the heinous crimes committed.
The hotel was promptly demolished in line with the Anambra Homeland Security law.
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