News
Immigration Service clears 195,795 Passports backlogs
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cleared a total of 195,795 Passports application backlogs out of 204,332 Passports following the deadline given to the NIS on September 7 by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Piqued by delays in issuance of passports and the harrowing experiences of Nigerians home and abroad, the Minister addressed a meeting of stakeholders attended by top officials of the Ministry, the management of NIS led by its Acting Comptroller General, Mrs Wura-Ola Adepoju and Dr Yinka Fisher, the Managing Director of Iris Smart Technologies.
The Minister said President Bola Tinubu was not happy about the unpalatable experiences of Nigerians regarding Passports issuance, and has ordered a change forthwith. He therefore gave the NIS two weeks to clear the backlogs across the country.
It was learnt that as at Thursday last week, the total outstanding of backlogs of Passports stood at 8,537.
Findings by our Correspondent revealed that in the first five days of the Minister’s deadline over 55,000 Passport backlogs were cleared across the country.
It was gathered that besides the normal working days of the week, the frontline Desks of the NIS were made to work on Saturdays and Sundays to ensure compliance with the directive of the Minister.
Our Correspondent also recalled that within three weeks, 97, 000 Passports backlogs were cleared as the Minister insisted on being briefed everyday by the authorities of the NIS.
Reports from across the country showed that some Desks have cleared all Passports backlogs. Kaduna, Portharcourt, Kano, Katsina, Ilesha, Abuja and Gwagwalada among others recorded zero backlogs.
As at Thursday 28th September, 2023, out of a total backlog of 204,332 Passports waiting for clearance, 195,795 have been cleared, leaving an outstanding balance of 8,537.
It was learnt that the frontline Desks with backlogs are still being challenged by the Minister to deliver within the shortest periods. The breakdown so far showed that Ikoyi Passport Desk produced 2,172 Passports booklets and has a backlog of 5,423 to clear.
Festac in Lagos, one of the busiest in the country like Ikoyi produced 1,151 and has 1,119 backlog to clear. Ibadan produced 1,333 with 111 backlog to clear, Ilorin has 1,017 Passports backlog to clear while Sagamu has 867 backlog to clear.
Our Correspondent gathered that Ilorin, Abeokuta, Sagamu are co-producing the booklets with Ibadan.
The Minister, it was discovered, has established a mechanism for surveillance and monitoring of developments in all Passports offices across the country to ensure the sustainability of the momentum and prevent any relapse to the old order.
News
Former Miss Nigeria dies in London
Ex-Miss Nigeria and former First Lady of Delta State, Mrs Edna Ibru (nee Park) is dead.
Edna Ibru, wife of Olorogun Felix Ibru, the first civilian Governor of Delta State between 1991 and 1992, died in her 80s on Wednesday, in a London hospital after a brief illness.
The deceased, who was Miss Nigeria 1964, and the first Nigerian/African to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, had two children for Ibru.
The Ibru family of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom in Delta State confirmed the death of the former first lady in a statement issued by her son, Dr Paul Ibru, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.
“Our amazing mother passed onto glory on Wednesday 15, January 2025 after a brief illness”, the statement partly read.
It continued, “Until her death, she was full of life and we never expected her to leave us so soon but we cannot question the will of God in her precious life.
“She was a lover of people, a mediator, a mother to many, outrageously humorous, deeply caring, down to earth, full of stories all of the time, and we will miss her very dearly.”
Paul added that arrangements for her burial would be announced by the family later.
News
Tinubu administration has no plan, no vision – Bauchi Governor
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that while he initially celebrated Tinubu’s victory, he has since observed a lack of clear vision and effective policies that are hindering national progress.
Mohammed, who was an opposition governor during the 2023 elections, admitted to having high hopes for the new administration due to Tinubu’s successful tenure as Lagos State Governor.
However, he now believes that freedom and development remain elusive under the current leadership.
Speaking at a courtesy visit by Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, in Bauchi, Mohammed emphasized that President Tinubu appears to have entered office without a concrete plan or manifesto.
He also criticized the president for surrounding himself with individuals who he described as “misfits,” and warned that the administration’s direction is likely to lead Nigeria down a path of destruction.
The Governor clarified that he holds no personal animosity toward Tinubu, but expressed concern over the impact of the current policies, particularly those that he believes could negatively affect Nigerians.
He urged the president to be more inclusive and develop a comprehensive, well-thought-out vision for the country.
Mohammed called for reforms that would be beneficial to all citizens, stressing the need for unity and respect for Nigeria’s diversity.
He cautioned against divisive policies and practices of impunity, urging for governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people and ensures their aspirations are not stifled.
News
Yahoo Boys shoot EFCC officer dead, injure another in Anambra
Armed internet fraudsters fatally shot an officer after opening fire on a team of anti-graft operatives in Anambra on Friday.
The officers were on a mission to corner a cluster of suspected cybercriminals, widely known as Yahoo Boys, when they were met with lethal violence on Friday morning.
One officer was shot dead on the spot and another sustained serious injuries and remained hospitalised in critical condition as of Friday night.
The officers had travelled to Anambra on the assignment from their zonal headquarters in Enugu.
A male suspect has been taken into custody for the murder, an official said. His identity was not immediately disclosed just as the motive of the attack is yet to be ascertained.
A spokesman for the EFCC said he would find out about the incident when contacted.
A police spokesman in Anambra did not immediately comment on the development.
The attack came as chairman Ola Olukoyede was recalibrating the agency’s protocol on raiding white-collar criminals. Yahoo Boys were hitherto largely known to be unarmed and, therefore, easily to take into custody.
The deceased officer was identified as an assistant superintendent who had recently completed a promotional examination.
It was learnt that the identity of the officer was kept secret to allow time for his family to be officially notified.
Anti-graft agents expressed apprehension over the development saying the agency’s personnel insurance had been moribund for years.
“We no longer have life insurance,” an officer said under anonymity to discuss internal administrative policies.
“The last time family members of an officer who died on duty were compensated was under Farida Waziri.”
“So the families of the officer that died today won’t be getting anything,” another officer added. “So can we say he died for nothing?”
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