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Minister kicks against shooting of NIS officer, vows tough action against Chinese firm

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By Francesca Hangeior

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has condemned the recent shooting of an immigration officer allegedly on the orders of a Chinese company operating in Nigeria.

Describing the incident, which occurred in Niger State, as an “attack on Nigeria,” the minister vowed to escalate the matter to the highest diplomatic level, particularly with the Chinese authorities.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop on the implementation of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 in Abuja on Thursday, the minister stated that there was nowhere in the world such an action would be tolerated.

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He said, “I will not go to any country, open a company, and say the immigration service cannot come out. I will not do that.

“I don’t want to mention the company here, but they shot one of our immigration officers. They told their security attaché to shoot our officer, and he did— a foreign company?

“That happened a couple of weeks ago in Niger, and we are going to take it up with the Chinese embassy because it’s a Chinese company.

“I won’t go to China as a Nigerian, enter a company, and tell my security to shoot a government official in uniform. It’s never done anywhere in the world. That alone is an attack on Nigeria.”

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The minister stated that the officer was simply carrying out his lawful duties when the incident occurred.

“For a father to leave his children to fulfil his legitimate responsibility, go to a company, and say, ‘I need to see your expatriates, let’s see your list,’ just to ask questions— and the next thing, you lock the gate and shoot him?” he asked.

He vowed that such incidents would no longer be tolerated.

“That is a diplomatic issue, and we will handle it. It will not happen again. So we are going to be very firm. We will not disturb your business or overburden your operations.

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“But don’t make us inferior in our land. We are going to be very tough on this. I’m not just speaking with passion; I’m speaking with anger.”

The minister warned that the government has the authority to revoke business licenses and declare companies operating with impunity illegal.

“No company is above the law. We will not tolerate it. No agent, no company is above the law.

“We are doing our best to make things easier and to collaborate with businesses. But please, we beg you, do not insult us. We will not disrespect you. As long as the president remains in office, nobody will disrespect you in Nigeria. All we ask for is mutual respect,” he stated.

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Tunji-Ojo also announced the introduction of an Expatriate Administration System from May 1 to monitor foreign workers in the country.

“We will not allow the abuse of our immigration protocols. We will not accept that. By May 1, for expatriates and foreign workers in Nigeria, there will be a new Expatriate Administration System.

“We want to know where you are, what you are doing, and we want to be accountable for everyone in Nigeria. There will be a three-month window— from May 1 to August 1— for the regularisation of immigration status in line with our laws.

“After that, we will move into enforcement, prosecution, and deportation. Anyone who does not comply has ulterior motives for being in Nigeria.

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“We welcome foreigners, but only if they are ready to obey the laws of Nigeria.

“When I visit the U.S., the U.K., or China, I obey their laws. Nigeria is not inferior. If you come to Nigeria, obey its laws. It’s not too much to ask.”

The minister also announced the launch of an Online Visa Approval Center to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and reduce corruption in the visa application process.

Commissioned by the President in December, the new system ensures that applicants no longer need to visit a visa office, know anyone in the system, or lobby for approvals.

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“We don’t have a physical Visa Approval Center. If you apply for a Nigerian visa anywhere in the world, you do so online. We process it here in Nigeria, and if approved, you receive your e-visa in your email,” he explained.

To enhance efficiency, the government has set a 48-hour deadline for processing e-visas.

“It is unprofessional and unacceptable for the Nigeria Immigration Service not to approve or provide feedback within 48 hours,” the minister stated.

The Controller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, said the NIS would fully digitize its e-visa platform and reduce visa classifications from 79 to 44 to enhance accessibility, transparency, and efficiency in the new visa policy.

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She said, “At the core of this policy is the new e-visa platform. A fully digitized, centralized system that revolutionizes how foreign nationals interact with our country’s entry procedures. As part of this transformation, the Nigerian Visa Policy 2024 underwent a comprehensive review, resulting in a significant reduction in the visa classifications from 79 to 44.

“These categories have been logically grouped to simplify procedures, reduce complexities and greatly improve the user experience. Importantly, we have maintained the original purpose and intent of each visa class throughout this reform.”

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Adeboye advised me to pay my wife full salary after resigning from her banking job-Bakare

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Popular man of God Pastor Tunde Bakare has narrated how RCCG Senior Pastor Eunuch Adeboye advised him to pay his wife full salary after she quit her job.

Hear him:

“ Pastor Adeboye told me to be paying the full salary of my wife when she resigned from her bank job without telling me”.

“ When my wife told me she had resigned, I drove to my father-in -law’s house to report her but he told me that nothing concerns him with our marriage.

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“I then drove straight to Redemption Camp to report her to Pastor Adeboye. I told him how my wife just resigned from her bank job without telling me and that I just started my chambers and we were just making it little by little and her salary would help us augment whatever I gave her.

“Pastor Adeboye’s response shocked me. He said, “ Wow,she did that on her own! Don’t u think that’s a great thing to do? She did it to focus attention on your child. If all women would do that Nigeria would be a better place. He then told me that apart from house allowance, I must be paying her the salary she earned at the bank since she resigned to start working in my house and taking care of the children.”

“I wasn’t happy with the counsel because I was scared of how I would cope as the sole breadwinner of the house. The Holy Spirit then took me to Isaiah 54:5 and showed me a Scripture I will never forget,” I,the Lord your God,your maker, I am your husband. The Holy Spirit then said if I am your husband, treat your wife the way you want me to treat you! “

“I was sober and I prayed.The next month instead of giving her 375 Naira, her salary in the bank, I gave her 500 Naira and I also gave another 500 Naira for house allowance. It has grown since then!”

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* Culled from his autobiography, the last but definitely not the least*

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SAD! One casualty, six injured as bus collides with truck on Ikorodu road

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A terrible road crash at Majidun, inward Ogolonto, Ikorodu Road, has left one woman dead and six others grievously injured, the authorities have confirmed.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) revealed that the accident involved a Volkswagen commercial bus, registration number EPE 494 XM, and a stationary tipper truck.

In a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said that Preliminary investigations indicate that the bus, chartered to ferry passengers to a programme in Ogijo, suffered a sudden brake failure while reportedly speeding recklessly.

However, the driver lost control, slamming violently into the tipper truck parked at the roadside for diesel.

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The violent collision claimed the life of an adult female passenger instantly.

Five women and one man sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Benic Special Hospital for emergency treatment. The deceased was taken to General Hospital, Ikorodu, for formal documentation.

The statement read, “The brutal impact resulted in the instantaneous death of an adult female passenger, while five female occupants and one male sustained severe and life-threatening injuries. While all 5 injured casualties were rushed to nearby Benic Special Hospital, the remains of the deceased were immediately transferred into the custody of security personnel who conveyed them to the General Hospital, Ikorodu, for urgent formal documentation.

“In a swift and highly coordinated response, LASTMA operatives pursued and apprehended the tipper truck driver who attempted to abscond upon witnessing the enormity of the tragedy. The driver of the commercial bus was likewise arrested. Both individuals were thereafter handed over to officers of the Ipakodo Police Division for comprehensive investigation.

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“To re-establish order and ensure seamless vehicular movement toward Ikorodu Garage, LASTMA personnel efficiently removed the mangled remains of both vehicles from the roadway.

“The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, conveyed profound grief over the harrowing incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

According to the statement, “He prayed that Almighty God grants them the fortitude to endure the irreplaceable loss, and he wished the injured victims a swift and full recovery.

“Mr. Bakare-Oki further admonished motorists to exercise utmost restraint, vigilance, and discipline on the highways by avoiding excessive speed.

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“He stressed that overspeeding drastically impairs a driver’s capacity to respond to sudden mechanical failures or unforeseen hazards, thereby magnifying the risk of catastrophic outcomes.

“Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s resolute commitment to the protection of lives and the promotion of safer motoring culture across Lagos State.

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2027: Despite Ex-President Jonathan’s unusual silence, supporters storm PDP convention with posters(Photos)

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Despite Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s unusual silence towards his 2027 presidential aspiration, many Peoples Democratic Party members who support former President Goodluck Jonathan’s political comeback were seen at the party’s current elective convention in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

With Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, projected as Goodluck Jonathan’s running mate, the supporters were seen raising flags.

According to an online newspaper there has been conjecture on Jonathan’s potential return to run for president in 2027.

Despite the former president’s silence on the subject, his allies attested to his purported preparedness to run in the much awaited election.

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On Friday, posters of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde were seen at the convention site.

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