By Bosede Olufunmi

Genus Inverters Company has donated 30 traffic control shelters to Kano State Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) to enhance safety on the road.

Representative of the company, Mr Adeyemi Olanrewaju-Ismail handed over the traffic shelters to the agency in Kano on Tuesday.

He reiterated commitment of the company to work with relevant government agencies to better the working conditions of their personnel.

According to him, government at all levels are overstretched due to huge demands, and urged well meaning Nigerians to support government to make life meaningful to its citizens.

We discovered that the agency is committed to ensuring traffic safety and sanity, and to also relieve Kano state government of some burdens, he said.

The company, he said, committed to work with relevant government parastatals as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the state.

He said the donation was necessitated by the working condition of the traffic warders, who stand under the sun to do their work.

Responding the Managing Director of the Agency, Baffa Babba-Danagundi lauded the gesture, adding that it was worthy of commendation.

He urged other organisations to assist government to fast track sustainable social and economic development of the state.

It is always amazing to see our personnel identified with and attract companies to expend its resources on it, he said.

He pledged that the traffic stands would be distributed to various streets in the metropolis.

While commending the personnel for a job well done, Baffa-Agundi tasked them to ensure effective utilisation of the traffic stands. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Rabiu Sani-Ali

Source: NAN News

Stakeholders during the inauguration of the NIMASA Abuja Zonal Office on Tuesday

By Lucy Ogalue

Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Muazu Sambo, has urged members of staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to double their efforts to ensure improved service delivery and economic development.

Sambo gave the advice while inaugurating the new NIMASA Abuja Liaison office on Tuesday.

He said that establishing a permanent Zonal office for the agency was imperative because of its strategic role in the sector.

Apart from the reduction of cost of governance, the New Abuja Zonal Office will serve as the centre piece of government relations on matters with bilateral and multilateral implications on international trade and cooperation.

It will enable the agency to host foreign diplomats and other key maritime stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory, thereby helping the agency to speedily achieve its mandate.

All these led to the acquisition of the office and served as further proof of the growth in capacity of NIMASA due to its deepened role in Nigerias economic development, the minister said.

While expressing the ministrys commitment to NIMASA and all other departments under it, Sambo said this project was a pointer to its determination in that regard.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for approving the procurement of the office, the NIMASA Chief executive and all who made the project a reality.

Sambo thanked everyone who contributed to the realisation of the project, saying more of such projects would subsequently be inaugurated in the country

Earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, thanked the transportation minister and the Federal Government for ensuring the acquisition of the state-of-the-art edifice.

Jamoh said the project signaled the agencys commitment to providing conducive, favourable and supportive working conditions to boost staff productivity.

The director-general said todays ceremony is just one more step in living up to what the world has come to expect from us.

If we train our staff internationally, we must provide them with a working environment that matches with those international standards.

This edifice reflects managements commitment to providing a world-class working environment in addition to the recently reviewed and improved conditions of service for all employees.

With this investment, we have taken things up. Top- notch by providing support, infrastructure environment, regarding safety and security.

He, however, pledged NlMASAs commitment to ensure a culture of maintenance to extend the lifespan of the building. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Adeleye Ajayi

Source: NAN News

FEC meeting

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the universal implementation of the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed this on Monday after an emergency FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the minister, the law, operated by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), is a replacement of the old Employee Compensation Actcalled Workmen Compensation in the olden times.

Today, the council has approved it for universal implementation, meaning that apart from private sector, that is already implementing, the public sector, which comprises federal, state and local governments have now to adopt this for the protection of their workers.

The Act provides that the worker, who is injured or had an accident or contacted a disease or disabled or dies in the course of work, should be compensated, remunerated and even the family, pay something when the man is no longer there.

So, today is a good day for the Nigerian workers because the decent work agenda that is contained in Convention 102 of the ILO has a major branch on what they call workers protection in the course of work.

He said there was a directive that all workers in the ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government should be covered with a percentage contribution.

It is an insurance premium, one per cent of remuneration.You pay it and it insures your worker against these workplace accident injuries.

That is what the council passed today and directed the Minister of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation to make provision for it in annual budget as social contributions.

Under the subject of social contributions in our annual appropriation, as of today, you only have two items there; number one is Pension Contribution of employers.

Second one is the Health Insurance Scheme by the employer, he said.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

Some of the returnees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, on Saturday in Abuja

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The Federal Government has announced the closure of its situation room on the evacuation of stranded Nigerian students in the war-torned Sudan.

It, however, said that attention would now shift to repatrating other Nigerians resident in Sudan.

Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Chairman of the Situation Room, disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

Gwarzo said that government has set up committee for a rescue operations to assist in repatriating other Nigerians residence in Sudan that wish to return home.

We recognise the presence of other Nigerians in Sudan, such as recent travellers and long-established families who desire to return home.

The ministry has established a dedicated committee to facilitate their repatriation, replicating the successful efforts made for the students.

As the evacuation operation concludes, the Situation Room responsible for its oversight is officially close today.

Although a standby team will remain prepared for any future emergencies, he said.

The Permanent Secretary encouraged students to report any of their colleagues who may have been missed during the evacuation.

An inspiring example of the operations effectiveness lies in the story of a young girl with chronic asthma, unintentionally left behind due to hospitalisation.

Through diligent efforts, she was located and successfully brought back to Nigeria in one of the final evacuation flights, underscoring the operations efficacy.

Majority of Nigerians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have already been repatriated from Sudan with only 13 individuals remaining, and prompt efforts are underway to bring them home.

In Ndjamena, Chad and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, all Nigerians have returned, except for Nine and seven individuals respectively, who will soon reunite with their families.

Notably, all 800 travelers who transited through Egypt have successfully returned home, he said.

Gwarzo said that the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan has actively profiled these individuals and has established a committee dedicated to facilitating their safe passage to Nigeria.

While the exact number of those awaiting repatriation remains undisclosed, the committee has already begun assessing logistics and examining necessary paperwork.

To streamline the process, Port Sudan has been designated as the official collection center, and we advise all evacuees to relocate there, he said.

He said that the successful evacuation exercise of 2,518 stranded Nigerians from Sudan was a testament to the governments commitment to the welfare and well-being of Nigerian citizens abroad.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

Sugar

By Perpetua Onuegbu

A non-governmental organisations, National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR) has urged the Federal Government to increase the taxation on sugar beverages from N10 to N30.

A representative of the coalition, Mr Edozie Chukwuma, made the call on Monday during a sit-out in Abuja to discourage consumption.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the federal government in 2021 introduced a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax.

NAN reports that is is embedded in the Finance Act of 2021, which levies a 10 tax on each litre of all non-alcoholic and sugar sweetened carbonated drinks.

We are basically asking the government, Ministries of Finance and Health to protect the lives of Nigerians. Sugary drinks are very cheap and accessible, but the health implications of consuming these drinks are very deep.

They actually cannot be taken on by the ordinary man, so our ask is basically that soft drinks are taxed, currently there is a N10 per liter tax on sugary drinks and we are asking that this tax is sustained in the Finance Act of 2023.

We are asking that it should be increased to N30 per liter. It is recommended by the World Health Organisation that above 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks would see behavioural changes and reduction in the consumption.

We are also saying that funds generated from taxing sugary drinks should be ploughed back into public health, Chukwuma said.

The coalition representative said treatment of non-communicable diseases were high and ordinary Nigerians find it difficult to make out of pocket payments for medical bills and medications.

He said that if the proceeds of the taxation is ploughed back into the health sector the average man would be able to access proper

There is more value in using the revenue generated from the SSB tax than letting people consume soft drinks that basically provides no nutritional value to them.

We believe that they would be able to utilise these funds and also appropriate them properly, we believe that if these taxes are first earmarked for health it will help better lives.

Chukwuma said the coalition had been able to reach ten million people via social media outlets but hoped to reach more people especially the young who are energetic.

He added that the coalition believed that the message would definitely resonate with them and in extension the larger society.

Also speaking at the event, Glory Okwu, Programme Coordinator, Project Pink Blue said the coalition is pro-health and looked forward to a situation where Nigeria would be free from NCDs.

We know that increasing taxes in sugar based beverages is going to reduce consumption and also reduce non communicable diseases at the long run.

We are just seeking for a way to better the health of Nigerians especially the poor people who cannot afford to cushion the effect of living with NCDs in Nigeria.

10 per liter is just about 6.8 per cent meanwhile WHO recommends 20 per cent increase.

So we have not even gotten to the point where we should be where we can begin to see a lot of changes with this tax.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NASR is a coalition of non-governmental organisations advocating for policy measures to curb health challenges in consuming sugar-sweetened beverages..

NAN also reports that Nigeria ranks the fourth highest soft drink consuming nation with over 38 million litres of soft drinks sold yearly. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

A news analysis by Chijioke Okoronkwo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Africas place in economic relations and global politics has continued to attract attention beyond the shores of the continent.

Recently, in Nairobi, Kenya, prominent Africas political and business leaders, civil society organisations, multilateral and regional institutions and Africas international partners gathered to brainstorm on issues vital to Africas interest on the global scene.

The event tagged, Ibrahim Governance Weekend (IGW), came under the aegis of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

During the three-day event, in which Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, and President William Ruto of Kenya featured conspicuously, discussions focused on: Global Africa.

At the forum, Africas potential and deliverables in a world confronted by multifaceted challenges such as climate change, pandemics, conflicts, under stress global financial architecture were put in the front burner.

Speaking at the event on the theme Africa in the World: Multiple Assets, Osinbajo said it was imperative for Africa to develop an education curriculum that is relevant to the dynamics of a changing world.

The vice-president participated in the session alongside Donald Kaberuka, AU Special Envoy and former President of African Development Bank and Hafou Toure, Deputy Director of Cabinet for the Minister in charge of promoting Small and Medium Enterprises in Cte dIvoire.

Osinbajo said the creative industry remained one area that African countries can tap into to boost job and wealth creation without much intervention from government.

The creative industry in Africa was a phenomenon that many would say happen without government.

I think that in many ways what is important is to see how the creative industry can be supported.

It is evident that there is a huge amount of talents and its evident also that the regulatory environment favours it because there are no impediments.

One would say that, as much as possible, what we should seek to do is to see how we can expand that space and to support with credit where that is possible and infrastructure that will be helpful, he said.

He said that in Nigeria the National Theatre as an entertainment hub had shown great promise in supporting the industry.

He said there was the need to strike a balance between governments intervention in the industry and the desire to allow it to function on its own without governments meddling.

I would say that we should be cautious in not interfering too much; at the same time, we need to provide infrastructure, we need to provide credit with such an exposure that they may need, he said.

According to him, there is need to have a clarity of vision on where Africa is headed in terms of education.

So understanding what such of educational programmes we need to put in place and even the vision for that programme you have to understand that we are dealing with several demographics.

We are in a new place where the world has changed so dramatically and particularly in the past 10 years; where we have robotic, artificial intelligence; what sort of education makes sense to create job opportunities today?

This is the time to think through the educational curriculum.

It is the time to decide how this curriculum will be relevant and would deliver the sort of persons that we want and create the sort of opportunities that we require, he said.

Earlier, Mo Ibrahim, who is also the founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said it had become urgent for Africa to adjust to the fast-paced world.

The world is changing; I think everybody knows that; all the previous assumptions are being broken; we see different powers rising; tensions, camps being formed, where exactly is Africas place.

Things are really changing around us and where are we? What is our relationship with these people?

We need to understand and define our relationship with rest of the world; what does Africa offer the world and what does the world offer Africa? he asked.

As part of activities lined up for event, the Osinbajo also participated in the Africa Europe Foundation (AEF) themed Earthshot 2023 Milestone.

At the event he posited that Africa had the potential to change the narrative and become the solution to the net zero ambitions of the world.

I think that agenda is importantthe Climate Positive Growth Agenda

For me, the next steps are crucial; first, we need to get African governments and Heads of State around this agenda and that is crucial because it is one climate positive that is a win-win situation for Africa and the rest of the world, he said.

The Osinbajo said there was need to present to each government, where the benefits and trade-offs might lie so that consensus could be reached quickly and effectively.

He said Africa should be clear about what it wants from the rest of the world, adding that African leaders needed to take a common stance on climate change.

In his submission at a session with Ibrahim and Ruto, he argued that the global financial system was struggling to respond the challenges of the time.

The whole system was focused on prescriptions from the World Bank, IMF and other institutions and most times, the prescriptions went the wrong way.

There wasnt room for emerging frontier, new ideas on how to finance development; and as a result, you find out that the system has not responded to frontier economies, emerging economies, he said.

While it is true that you can get overseas development assistance at 0.5 per cent; concessional facilities at 0.5; but when you need real development resources, you want to run your own development the way know how, you end up with 10 per cent 15 per cent, 20 per cent.

Which means that the current financial architecture, to put it bluntly, is rigged against those of us in the global South.

This is because we cannot meaningfully address our development need using the financial resources from this architecture, he said.

Stakeholders are of the view that Africas common interest can only gain traction in international discourse if there is a concerted pursuit of the continents interest by African governments. (NANFeatures)

Source: NAN News

NASS Complex

By Femi Ogunshola, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

On May 8 the National Working Committee of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) came up with a list of its preferred candidates for the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The anointed candidates are Sen. Goodwill Akpabio from Akwa-Ibom and Sen. Barau Jubril from Kano for the post of Senate President and Deputy Senate President

In the House of Reps, the party picked Rep. Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna State and Rep. Benjamin Kalu from Abia for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

The move for consensus candidates for the leadership of the 10 National Assembly has raised dust among many lawmakers with the members-elect joining the fray.

The result is alignments and re-alignments as ambitions swell among ranking APC national lawmakers and the civil society organisations canvass a leadership that will emerge through a democratic process, not one imposed on the nation by any interest group or party.

Many have faulted the move by APC. Some critics say it is against the principle of natural justice for the South East to be edged in race for Senate President while others say it would be insensitive for the North West to produce both the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Reps, leaving out the North Central in the leadership equation.

Since the APC defied dissenting voices and announced the list of chosen ones, some lawmakers have upped their agitation for a more liberal and democratic process to be used in determining those who will pilot the affairs of the legislature in the next four years.

Among them are the aggrieved aspirants from the Senate including Abdullaziz Yari (Zamfara), Orji Kalu (Abia), Sani Musa (Niger) and Osita Izunaso (Imo).

At the lower chamber, some of the aspirants for Speaker have formed a pressure group known as G-7 and recently took their protest to the APC National Secretariat to warn the party of the consequences posed by imposing a leadership on the Green Chamber.

The aspirants are: Rep Ahmed Wase, the Deputy Speaker, Rep Aliyu Betara, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman, Navy, Rep. Miriam Onuoha (Imo), Sada Soli (Katsina) and Sani Jaji (Zamfara).

The arrangement has also received reactions from party heavyweights.

It is trite to aver that it stands logic on the head that one geo-political zone, North-west, in this regard, will be favoured with two presiding officers positions out of four while North-central suffers the consequences for its innocence and shrewd loyalty by having none, Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State governor said in a recent statement.

Akeredolu is also the chairman

Senators-elect across the North-Central geopolitical zone cutting across different political parties.

In an open letter to APC National Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, they rejected the arrangement which they say did not recognise the regions contribution to the current political dispensation.

The North Central as a geopolitical zone in Nigeria has paid its dues in the political stability of the country and shall continue to do so.

But, where we see an open denial of our rights and privileges, we will have no option than to voice out in the interest of the zone and its people we represent, they said.

If the issue of zoning has been done democratically the APC would have carried other contenders along said Abubakar Chika, a lawmaker in the 8 Assembly speaking about zoning,

He said the legislature is an independent body therefore should be allowed to elect its own leaders.

I have been speaking about the injustice we have been having within the APC and it is not because I have an interest in Aliyu Betara but because I am speaking as a former legislature who dont want to see that arm of government being bastardised.

You can see that in terms of sharing the seat of legislature how APC exclude the North Central, he said.

Worried by the looming crisis and need have a united Legislature that will have a good working relationship with the Executive, Vice President-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima on May 12 held a meeting with a group of lawmakers named Joint Task.

He told the group that: given the very circumstances that we found ourselves, the stability of the nation is much more important than all other considerations.

He noted that a rancorous National Assembly would not augur well for the executive.

Going down memory lane Shettima alleged that: When former President Olusegu Obasanjo lost grip of the National Assembly, his first tenure of was a failure, again, President Muhammadu Buhari could do little in his first tenure because of rancorous relationship between the executive and the legislature.

What was accomplished in the last four years was because of the harmonious relationship between the executive and legislature.

When former President Goodluck Jonathan lost grip of the National Assembly when Aminu Tambuwal emerged as the Speaker, that rancorous relationship culminate into his defeat in 2015 general election, he further alleged.

A member of the 8 House of Representatives from Anambra, Rep. Emeka Anohu called on the 10 Assemblys members-elect to prioritse the interest of the nation as they align with interest groups in the run-up to the election of the Speaker.

Anohu said the office of the Speaker should occupied by a patriot, adding that such a person should be trustworthy, confident, firm, fair, just and must be generally accepted by his colleagues.

APC has moved to douse the tension generated by its action and assured that it would not be an acrimonious National Assembly as witnessed in 2015.

The National Vice-Chairman (Southwest) of the party, Mr Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke, said the party leadership would bring all aggrieved members together to pacify them.

Kekemeke spoke at a lecture organised in honour of Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti to mark his 97 birthday where he represented President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

He urged all angry members to suppress their ambition and work with the leadership of the party as family.

While APC tries to put its house in order observers of developments in the nations political scene urge the party to expedite action on the matter before it is too late.

They argue that an inclusive and democratically elected leadership would give all lawmakers a sense of belonging and create a harmonious atmosphere which is crucial for the effective discharge of their responsibilities to Nigerians.

Source: NAN News

EFCC operatives

By Isaac Aregbesola

The EFCC has confirmed the death of its operative, Inspector Abel Dickson, after a scuffle with his colleagues over the custody of items belonging to a suspect in detention.

Spokesman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the death during a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Uwujaren said that the deceased and two other colleagues, Assistant Superintendent Apata Odunayo and Inspector Ogbuji Tochukwu, were attached to the Sokoto State Command of the commission.

The spokesman said the two suspects had been arrested and handed over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.

Uwujaren said the incident happened on May 5, 2023, while the victim died on May 7 at Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, where he was receiving treatment.

There was nothing like shootout among the officers, it was just a scuffle among the three officers who disagreed over discrepancies in the items deposited in the suspects locker and the items include medication and some cash, he said.

He said that the incident was the first of its kind and the commission would ensure that the erring officers were brought to justice.

They had disagreed over procedures for the custody of items belonging to a suspect in detention, leading to a fight, a conduct which the commission frowns at.

The two officers with whom he had a disagreement have been suspended by the commission and handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The latest information, is that a two-count holding charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide has been filed against them at a Chief Magistrate Court, Gwiwa in Sokoto.

According to him, both offences are punishable under Sections 60 and 191 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019.

Without prejudice to the Police investigation, they will in addition, face further disciplinary measures in line with the Commissions staff regulation, he said.

Uwujaren said the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was saddened by the incident, and had extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

He has, in addition, assured that the commission will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those implicated in the death of the officer are brought to justice.

He equally warned staff of the commission to ensure that their conduct at all times is moderated by the established code of behaviour as no act of indiscipline would be tolerated.

Meanwhile, the remains of the late officer were interred on Saturday May 13 in Jos, Plateau, he said. (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

Jos PPP Agency boss, Rwang-Dung receiving appointment letter from DG ICRC and Co president of AP3N, Michael Ohiani - Rwang-Dung is appointed as Chairman of the Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Committee of the Africa Public Private Partnership Network (AP3N)

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The Plateau State Infrastructure Promotion and Regulatory Agency has called for upgrading of the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, to an International Cargo and Agro-allied Airport.

The Director-General of the agency, Felix Rwang-Dung, made the call when he visited the Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Michael Ohiani in Abuja on Monday.

Rwang -Dung said the purpose of the visit was to intimate Ohiani of the progress recorded so far in the Plateau State Public Private Partnership (PPP) Agency.

He said the visit was an opportunity to work with the ICRC and take advantage of resources that could be provided to establish an effective PPP agency covering various sectors.

The support of the ICRC will be required to advance the upgrade of Jos airport so that it can become attractive for private investment participation.

We are confident that with your distinguished leadership and the ICRC teams guidance and support, we can establish a model sub-National PPP agency.

This will attract private sector investments for developmental growth in Plateau.

We believe that the following areas of support from the ICRC will be vital for ensuring that we get the optimum results for the state PPP project, he said.

Rwang-Dung listed areas of support to include technical assistance, capacity building, stakeholders mapping and introduction to investment communities.

On technical assistance, Rwang-Dung said the ICRC could help the agency to establish and develop its regulatory policy, contract and risk templates, and frameworks.

He appealed to the commission to sponsor capacity building programmes for members of the team and key civil servants on site.

These programmes will help enhance the knowledge and skills of our staff members and key government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, he said.

Rwang-Dung solicited the guidance of ICRC to provide support on stakeholder engagement strategies, which he said was a critical element towards ensuring the success of any future PPP projects.

He said it was optimistic that the ICRC would accede to its requests.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Rwang-Dung was officially presented with his letter of appointment as the Chairman of the Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Committee of Africa Public Private Partnership Network (AP3N) by Ohiani.

NAN also reports that Ohiani was the Co-President of the AP3N.

Ohiani, while presenting the letter, assured Rwang -Dung of the support of the ICRC.

Present at the event included AP3N Regional Coordinator for Central Africa, Femi Pat-Natson, and Regional Coordinator for West Africa, Mrs Ijeoma Ogoke. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

Prof. Maurice Okoli, President Nigerian community in Russia

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Nigerian community in Russia has commended the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbosola for his intervention at ensuring Nigerians abroad get their international passports in real time.

Prof. Maurice Okoli, President Nigerian community in Russia gave the commendation in a statement issued on Monday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Okoli stated that Aregbesola dismantled all obstacles in passport procurement, noting that the minister had blamed enemies of the country as undermining the effort of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS).

He described Aregbesola as very knowledgeable about the problems facing so many Nigerians in obtaining passports and visas at various Nigerian missions abroad.

Your innovative management approach and styles intrigue the Nigerian community in Russia.

The honorable minister in his own words has said what is in the minds of many Nigerians, that corrupt officials are undermining the effort of the Nigerian immigration services at sanitising the passport application process.

The minister went further to say that the excuse of passport shortage is a lie being circulated by a few corrupt officials of the service to extort the applicants.

He went even further to describe them as unscrupulous people who are making the situation difficult by the day.

He told Nigerians not to tolerate them and said that they will not exist if Nigerians fiercely resist them, Okoli quoted Aregbesola as saying.

Okoli urged the immigration department of the Nigerian Embassy in Russia to take note of the ministers opinion in serving Nigerians in Russia.

This, he said would go a long way in complementing the effort of His Excellency, Amb. Shehu Abdullai Yibaikwal in tackling the problems facing Nigerians in Russia due to the Russian Special operation in Ukraine.

Okoli said it would also tackle the problems facing Nigerians in Russia due to sanction slammed on Moscow. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Ekemini Ladejobi

Source: NAN News