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First set of deportees from US will be convicted Nigerians – Envoy
…arrival point is Lagos
The United States envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr. has said first set of deportees from US will be convicted Nigerians.
He also revealed that Nigerian deportees would be dropped in Lagos.
Mills Jr. also explained that convicted prisoners would be among the first set of Nigerian deportees.
He spoke during an audience with Nigeria Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The envoy said: “Those to be repatriated would be dropped in Lagos.
There wouldn’t be room for whether it should be in Port Harcourt or Abuja.
“The first group will be convicted prisoners. Those who committed crimes and are in US prisons. Some of them are those who have clearly violated US immigration laws. They appealed but were denied yet they are still in the US. They have committed immigration crime, people who have been ordered to leave.”
He also spoke on AGOA which ends September this year but noted that it is left for the parliamentary group to push for its renewal.
I think this administration will concentrate more on trade and commerce. This relationship is strong and we want it sustained,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Odumegwu-Ojukwu has called on the US government to follow laid down conventions on deportation of persons in repatriating immigrants in their country.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that Nigerians in the US deserved dignified repatriation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu asked the US Government to find a way of ameliorating the trauma of those to be deported including allowing them ample opportunity to retrieve their assets in America.
Nigeria also expressed concerns over the likely suspension of the Drop Box Visa System of the US Government.
Amb.Odumegwu-Ojukwu bemoaned the emotional and financial pains that many Nigerians in the United States were already experiencing since the new administration of the country indicated its resolve to repatriate some categories of people from the US.
She explained that the effect was far-reaching even to the hinterlands of Nigeria where for instance, several families including children relied on remittances from the US for their survival and education.
“With the new administration in the US, we want a situation where there will be commitments. If there will be repatriation, we want a dignified return.
“At the moment, we’re told that about 201 Nigerian nationals are in US immigration camps, and about 85 have been cleared for deportation.
Will there be any way of ameliorating their pains? This has been of great concern to not just Nigerian nationals in the US but family members in Nigeria who depend on them for survival, children whose school fees are paid for by these diasporans.
“We are asking as a country whether they will be given ample time to handle their assets or will they just be bundled into planes and repatriated? It will really be traumatic especially for those who had not committed any violent crime,” Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The minister also urged Washington DC to reconsider its possible suspension of the Drop Box Visa Policy such that Nigerians who had been travelling to the US for genuine reasons would not have to suffer unduly in procuring US Visa.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says there will be a seven-hour power outage in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the affected areas will experience blackout on Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.
She attributed the action to scheduled annual preventive maintenance on two transformers.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria informs the public that its maintenance crew will conduct annual preventive maintenance on the 2x100MVA, TR3 & TR4 transformers at the Apo 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Abuja,” the statement read.
“The planned power interruptions are unavoidable, as Abuja DisCo will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the transformers during the maintenance period. Power supply will be restored to the affected areas upon completion of the maintenance exercise.”
Transmission Line Tower – TCN
Mbah explained that on Saturday, February 22, the power disruptions will affect the National Hospital, G2 Injection Station, Garki, Area 1, and Asokoro for seven hours.
According to the statement, areas including Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo Resettlement, Gudu, Apo Mechanic, and surrounding areas will also experience a seven-hour power outage.
Mbah explained that the interruption is necessary as Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the affected transformers during the maintenance period.
TCN apologised for any inconvenience caused to the affected customers during this time.
“Power supply will be restored once the maintenance exercise is completed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause the affected electricity customers,” the company said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of over 100 senior officers to higher ranks within the force.
The decision includes the elevation of 38 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners, alongside 100 Chief Superintendents of Police.
The approval was confirmed in a statement by the PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, following an extraordinary plenary session held on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
The meeting was chaired by the PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), and attended by key officials, including retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galmuje, DIG Taiwo Lakanu, and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani.
Notable officers promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police include Emmanuel Deenom, Olufemi Takeet, and Yusuf Doki Sani, while others like Ibrahim Mohammed Agava and Akinloye Joseph Oyegade were promoted to Assistant Commissioners.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal University Lokoja has been shut down following students’ lingering protest.
The students began the protest on Monday following the killings of their colleagues by a trailer who rammed into the school shuttle bus, killing seven people instantly.
The closure of the school was disclosed in a circular with Ref. Number FUL/R/GEN/REGC/03 issued on Thursday by Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, Registrar and Secretary to Council, and copied Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command Director, DSS Kogi State.
The circular reads “Following the unfortunate loss of the lives of five students to a tragic trailer accident at Felele city centre on Monday, 17 February, 2025, students have barricaded the gates of the university despite magnanimous interventions from the the State Government as well as frantic efforts and appeal by the University Management for calm.
“Accordingly, arising from the advice of the State Security Agencies and to forestall further loss of lives, the Vice-Chancellor after due consultation with Management, has decided on behalf of Senate, that the University (both campuses) be closed down Indefinitely within one hour of release of this circular.
“Students are therefore to vacate the campuses on/or before 12 noon today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025. Please note for strict compliance.”
TCN envisages seven-hour blackout in parts of Abuja
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