June 22, 2022

[GIST] Three Million Passports Issued To Nigerians In 3 Years; Lagos, Edo Top Demand List –Minister

[GIST] Three Million Passports Issued To Nigerians In 3 Years; Lagos, Edo Top Demand List –Minister

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The Minister of Interior Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola, Tuesday, disclosed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) issued 3 million passports to Nigerians within three years.


He said the 3 million passports were issued to Nigerians between 2019 and 2022.

Rauf Aregbesola

Aregbesola, however, warned NIS personnel against extorting Nigerians and hoarding passports to create an undue scarcity in the system.


The minister spoke at the launch of the enhanced e-Passport in Benin, Asaba and Warri passport offices and the inauguration of the passport production centre at the Benin Passport Office, Edo State command, according to Daily Sun.


He stated, “It will interest you to know that between 2019 and now, as difficult as that era, the Nigeria Immigration Service has issued over 3 million passports to Nigerians. It is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.
 
“Last year alone, 1.3 million passports were issued. Also, last time I checked, over 250,000 passports remained uncollected by applicants."
 
He assured Nigerians that the era of exploiting applicants seeking to get passports was over, warning that any officer caught doing that will be made to face the music.
 
“Whoever disregards any Nigerian, whoever exploits any Nigerian in their quest to get this document will be dealt with personally by me. This is the last time I am going to warn,” he said.
 
He said President Muhammadu Buhari is not happy about how Nigerians are being denied passports, stressing that with the enhanced e-Passport, the situation will greatly improve.


Aregbesola explained that setting up the office in Benin City is due to the high demand for the passports in Edo and Delta states, maintaining that Edo ranks next to Lagos State in terms of demands.


Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, thanked the federal government for setting up the office in the state, adding that it will ease the stress of getting passports in the state.

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[GIST] Nigerians Looking For Alternatives To PDP, APC, We Must Curb It –Governor Obaseki

[GIST] Nigerians Looking For Alternatives To PDP, APC, We Must Curb It –Governor Obaseki

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The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday stated that the future of politics in the country is changing along with the fortunes of the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party.
According to Obaseki, Nigerians are no longer looking in the direction of the APC and the PDP.


He said many Nigerians are looking for an alternative to the two parties.
Obaseki made this observation during an interview with African Independent Television on the just concluded Ekiti governorship election.
He, therefore, urged the leadership of his party, PDP, to work towards curbing the trend by making their party attractive to Nigerians again.
He said, “How can PDP, the party; not win? They were not even number two. So, you can see that something is going on and we do not want this to be a trend. The future of our politics in this country is changing.
“I do not know whether you are closely watching what is going on; the level of disenchantment within the parties.
“I am sure in all of our homes now, we have so many people now who call themselves ‘Obidients’. I don’t know whether you have them in your house. Just ask them, ‘Which party are you?’. They say ‘Obidients’, you understand.
“They do not want us; they are not talking about PDP or APC. They are looking for alternatives and they are many. You see all of them queuing for their PVCs (Permanent Voter Cards) now. They are not looking at the direction of PDP or APC now. They are looking for alternatives.
“If we do not curb this, if we do not make our party attractive, I do not know what will happen in the next elections.”
People who call themselves ‘Obedients’ are supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. 

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June 21, 2022

[GIST] Gunmen Bomb Imo Market, Injure Traders, Set Vehicles Ablaze Over Sit-at-home Order

[GIST] Gunmen Bomb Imo Market, Injure Traders, Set Vehicles Ablaze Over Sit-at-home Order

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Gun-wielding hoodlums have reportedly bombed the Izombe market in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The hoodlums on Monday carried out the dastardly act while they were said to be enforcing every Monday’s sit-at-home order which the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had since called off.

File photo used to illustrate story.

IPOB had in 2021 ordered every Monday sit-at-home across South-East and some parts of South-South to demand unconstitutional release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu who had been in detention at facility of the Nigeria secret police, Department of State Services (DSS).

Sources said the incident caused uneasy calm as the traders and customers in the market scampered for safety, according to Daily Sun.

One of sources said the gunmen had stormed the market, warning the traders of the implications of coming out on Monday for their business transactions.

Angered by their defiance, the hoodlums set two vehicles ablaze in the market which caused serious pandemonium before bombing the market.

The source disclosed that everybody in the market sensing danger scampered for safety, while many attempting to escape danger got wounded in the process.

Meanwhile, in the midst of the commotion, traders in the market seeking safety got wounded while struggling for survival.

“They came and threw a local bomb inside the market, everybody started running for safety, they poured fuel on two vehicles and everywhere was in flame."

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[GIST] My Good Friend, Peter Obi Should Wait Till 2027 To Be President – Ex-Governor, Babangida Aliyu

[GIST] My Good Friend, Peter Obi Should Wait Till 2027 To Be President – Ex-Governor, Babangida Aliyu

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A former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, has said that 2003 is too early for the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, to rule Nigeria.

Aliyu during an interview on Channels TV on Monday monitored by SaharaReporters advised Obi to wait for either 2027 general elections or 2031 to become the president of Nigeria. 

The former governor described Obi as an excellent person. 

He said Obi would have been the running mate of Atiku Abubakar if he had remained with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He said, “Peter Obi is my good friend and a former member of (my) Nigerian Governors’ Forum. A very excellent person; his candidature, in terms of the Presidency, – I think he will make some name now. But he may be able to make it only in 2027, 2031. But 2023? Too early.”

He also said he doubted if Nigerians were ready for him as president.

“Even though the young people might go for him, the name is not dropping everywhere else. I doubt if Nigerians are ready for him now as a presidential candidate. I would have loved him as a Vice-President. Many of us were rooting for him to be running mate to Atiku again.”

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[GIST] Buhari Government Has Betrayed Us – Deported Nigerians From Germany Lament, Face ‘Brutal Evacuation’ From Lagos Hotel

[GIST] Buhari Government Has Betrayed Us – Deported Nigerians From Germany Lament, Face ‘Brutal Evacuation’ From Lagos Hotel

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Several Nigerian nationals who were deported from Germany have been struggling for good living at the Quarantine Hotel, along Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos State, due to the government's neglect.

According to a report by Network Refugees4Refugees, the government failed to take care of the deported citizens which had made life unbearable for them, particularly during the period of quarantine.

The group in the report said Nigerians risked a brutal evacuation from the hotel without anything to fall back on.

The group said, "Quarantine period for the batch of 34 deported persons from Europe to Lagos State will end today; the affected persons will be expected to check out from the hotel by tomorrow morning or face violent evacuation as the case may be. These deported persons were deported on Tuesday, June 14 on board an Evelop Machine to arrive after midday at the cargo session of the Lagos Airport.

"Notwithstanding our criticism, challenging the Nigerian government to own up to its responsibility for deported persons to Nigerians and at the same time take a bold stand to confront Germany’s arrogance and disrespect for Nigerian and its citizens; it seems clearer now that this deportation is big either for some elements of the Nigerian Government.

"After the April deportation incident, some deported persons informed the press about their traumatic experiences from the deportation and further exploitation in the quarantine hotel. They blamed the government for its lack of concern for their situation. The press took further steps to contact our network after being informed about our quick intervention to de-escalate the situation and avoid further trauma for the already vulnerable deported persons.

"So far on the scandalous deportation experience, the only new development from the government was to have a delegation appearing in the usual ceremonial style at the cargo airport landing to observe the deportation arrival. Quoting a statement of one of the deported persons we have been communicating with on phone; “it's not enough to just say welcome back to your country, whose country? A country that does not have any value for its citizens. We are being treated in a very hostile way because this country Nigeria has betrayed us.”

"Quoting another deported person who spoke to us; “we expected the Nigerian officials to listen to our different experiences of violence especially the trauma from the mishandling of parents in front of the children onboard. It was an absolute abuse of the right of a child. These children were born in Europe and only heard about and watched the country Nigeria on TV. How can they survive in this hostile country? With today being the last day to end the quarantine, no official of the Nigerian government or migration stakeholders has visited us here in the hotel. The hotel expenses are even borne by the German government.

"According to a family who was deported with two kids, one of the kids had been through a major operation between the ear and the neck. There is still a metal chip in there and she requires constant checks up. Her pregnant mother narrated her experiences with the violent arrest that caused her miscarriage at the scene. Notwithstanding the massive bleeding, the doctor assigned for the deportation operation certified her as fit for the flight and the deportation was enforced.

"With no provision of medical care for the deported persons, the lady is left without further treatment alongside the many others who may require medical attention. Any health situation reported at the hotel is turned down as they claim it is not their duty to handle their medical care. Our local team had in December taken responsibility for the medical expenses for a deported and seriously sick lady in this same quarantine Hotel “Excel Oriental Hotel along Airport Road, Ikeja."

They, therefore, urged well-meaning Nigerians, the media and other concerns to observe the possible evacuation of the deported persons by tomorrow morning.

Most of them are complaining about being stranded tomorrow.

The group noted that considering the previous incidents and threats from the hotel administration.

Any attempt to stay longer than the checkout time would be meted with the police and military evacuation.

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[GIST] High Court Awards N20,000 Against Nigerian Attorney-General, Malami In Public Interest Case

[GIST] High Court Awards N20,000 Against Nigerian Attorney-General, Malami In Public Interest Case

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded the cost of N20, 000 against the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami for failure to respond to court processes in due time. 

Justice M. O. Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Abuja (Court 8) awarded the cost in the matter between the attorney-general and Sesugh Akume with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/43/2021.

Malami

In the suit, Akume challenged section 84 Sheriffs and Civil Procedure Act (SCPA) 2004, “asking the court to determine whether it makes meaning, whether it is lawful for the law to provide that after a person wins a case against the government where it is to pay, and such a person (the judgement creditor) is required to go to the same government (specifically to the attorney-general of the state or the federation) to get consent before a valid court order is obeyed? 

“Whether doing so does not put the court under the attorney-general to decide whether or not to obey a valid court order? Etc. We ask the court to nullify such an unconstitutional, obnoxious, and vexatious provision of the SCPA 2004."

The Office of the Attorney-General replied by saying Akume does not have the locus standi (the right to sue) in the matter; that the provision is constitutional, etc.

He said after several adjournments to hear the case, the case came up for hearing on Monday (adoption of written notices). However, rather than going on with the case as slated and closing it to await the judgement, the prosecution lawyer, J. I. Gbim-Gbande Esq. notified the court that the respondent had a process to regularise.

“The respondent (the attorney-general) was served the court processes since March 2021 and they did not respond within the 30 days allowed. Having filed out of time, they more or less have nothing before the court. 

“The opportunity our attorney gave them was to correct this defect. The respondent’s counsel had not paid attention to this until it was pointed out. They, therefore, asked for time to put their house in order.

“Whereas our counsel did not oppose adjourning the matter for them to correct the defect, he asked for a modest 200,000 naira in punitive costs, on the grounds that the attorney-general as leader of the bar in Nigeria and chief law officer cannot be sloppy to the extent of not respecting the court by answering to suits as and when due, and not pursue cases diligently, it is a betrayal of public trust and of high office."

The opposing counsel was said to have countered the issue on untenable grounds but the court awarded N20,000 in costs. The matter was been adjourned to October 12 for hearing. 

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[GIST] Africa Is ‘Hostage’ Of Russia-Ukraine War, Food Prices Rising Unjustly – President Zelensky Tells African Union

[GIST] Africa Is ‘Hostage’ Of Russia-Ukraine War, Food Prices Rising Unjustly – President Zelensky Tells African Union

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President of war-torn Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said that Africa was “a hostage” of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Zelensky noted that the war which brought about global food shortages, has particularly spurred fears of famine across the African continent as the war had led to blockage of food exportation from the two countries which are the major producers of grain.

He however said that Kyiv was engaged in “complex negotiations” to unblock the grain trapped at its Black Sea ports by Russia’s naval blockade.

President Zelensky, according to Channels TV, said this in an address to the African Union (AU) that “Africa is actually a hostage…of those who unleashed war against our state.”

According to him, “This war may seem very distant to you and your countries. But the food prices that are catastrophically rising have already brought (the war) to the homes of millions of African families,” he said.

“The unjust level of food prices, which has been provoked by the Russian war, is being painfully felt on all continents. Unfortunately, this can be a particular problem for your countries.”

Recall that since Russia invaded Ukraine, it blocked Ukraine's ports, thereby paralysing grain exports from the country which is one of the world’s largest producers of grain.

This blockage sparked dramatic grain and fertiliser shortages and put hundreds of millions of people across the world at risk of hunger.

The President said Ukraine was trying everything possible to free up its ports while also trying “to build a new logistical supply chain” for the 25 million tonnes of grain blocked inside its borders.

He said, “We are conducting complex multilevel negotiations to unblock our Ukrainian ports. But there is no progress yet because no real tool has yet been found to ensure Russia does not attack them again.”

It could be noted that for now, global organisations had not found a way to convince Russia to surrender its weapons and end the war in Ukraine.

“That is why the food crisis in the world will continue as long as this colonial war continues.”

Zelensky added that Kyiv wanted to “intensify” dialogue with African Union member states and would soon appoint a special representative for Africa.

The Ukraine President further proposed to open discussion on a “major political and economic conference” on ties between Ukraine and Africa.

Reacting to Zelensky’s proposal, Senegalese President and Chairman of the African Union, Macky Sall extolled him on Twitter, saying that Africa “remains committed to respecting the rules of international law, the peaceful resolution of conflict and the freedom of trade.”

Similarly, the Chairman of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in a Twitter post noted that there is “the urgent need for dialogue to end the conflict to allow peace to return to the region and to restore global stability.”

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June 20, 2022

[GIST] I Poured Out My Mind When There Was Gang-up Against Me Before APC Presidential Primaries—Tinubu

[GIST] I Poured Out My Mind When There Was Gang-up Against Me Before APC Presidential Primaries—Tinubu

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Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos Governor on Sunday returned to the state for the first time after clinching the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress earlier in June in Abuja. 

Tinubu was welcome by various groups, cultural troupes and musical bands. 

The APC presidential candidate and his entourage visited the palace of Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu. 

SaharaReporters on Sunday reported that his convoy was attacked. Two journalists in the press crew of the state governor,  Babajide Sanwo-Olu, were injured during the attack. 

Tinubu at the Oba of Lagos Palace said his victory at the APC presidential primaries did not come easy, noting that he fought a hard battle to clinch the ticket, a statement by Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Sanwo-Olu on Sunday said. 

Tinubu was quoted as saying: “There is no Lagos indigene that has had the opportunity to become President of Nigeria, despite the contribution of the State to the national stability and progress. The highest position attained by any Lagosian in national leadership is the position of Chief Judge of the Federation.

“I took up the fight to break this jinx. The battle to secure the APC ticket was hard. When I was almost fed up, I resorted to prayers. I also poured out my mind when I felt there was a gang up against my person. Thank God that I have brought home the presidential ticket.

"The task ahead is to galvanise our people to get their voter cards and vote to enable us realise this ambition. Getting our people to vote is the most important task before all of us. We need to take this message to our people across communities and sensitise them on the need to vote in the general elections.”

At 3:40 pm, Governor Sanwo-Olu, in company with his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, received Tinubu and his entourage, which included the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, Senator Kashim Ibrahim, former APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and Kashim Ibrahim-Imam.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, Senator Solomon Adeola, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Lagos APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and members of Lagos Executive Council were some of those who received the APC presidential candidate at the airport. 

Akiolu, who described Tinubu as his “stubborn son”, said it was time for political leaders in the Southwest region to close ranks and work for the victory of Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election. 

The monarch said: “Your emergence as presidential candidate of your party is the beginning of another journey in your political career. All Yoruba ancestors shall be with you on this journey to make our fatherland a better place.”

Tinubu left the palace to his house on Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, where some APC governors, led by Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu, were waiting to receive him.

Some of those who received Tinubu at his Bourdillon home included Jigawa State Governor, Muhammed Abubakar Badaru, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and former Ogun Governor, Gbenga Daniel.

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[GIST] Jailbreaker Stabs Pregnant Woman To Death For Refusing To Give Him Money In Imo

[GIST] Jailbreaker Stabs Pregnant Woman To Death For Refusing To Give Him Money In Imo

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A young man said to have escaped during a jailbreak in Imo State has reportedly stabbed a pregnant woman to death in Umuejechi, Nekede, in the Owerri Local Government Area of the state.

The fugitive identified as Justice Anukam, was said to have stabbed the victim on Sunday when she refused to give him money.

The suspect had reportedly demanded money from the victim at a bus stop where she was waiting for a cab but she refused to part with any money. 

Angered by her refusal to give him money, he allegedly brought out a knife and stabbed her. 

She reportedly bled to death before she could get help. 

Daily Sun reported that the identity of the victim was yet to be identified as of Sunday evening, however, sources said the deceased was a tenant in the area and hailed from Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of Imo.

An eyewitness, Mr Kelechi Osuagwu said the suspect since his escape from prison in April 2021 had been terrorising residents of the area.

He said, "The victim was a pregnant woman who came out at the popular Ama-Ato junction while going to church. The suspect accosted her and demanded money from her and when she refused, he stabbed her with a sharp knife and ran away while the pregnant woman bled to death."

Another source who spoke on condition of anonymity said some youths in the area chased the fugitive and apprehended him after he had made several attempts to also stab them.

Meanwhile, it took the intervention of police officers from the Ihiagwa Police Division to save the suspect from being lynched by a mob after he was handed over to vigilantes in the community. 

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[GIST] BREAKING: Hoodlums Attack Convoy Of APC Presidential Candidate, Tinubu, In Lagos, Two Injured

[GIST] BREAKING: Hoodlums Attack Convoy Of APC Presidential Candidate, Tinubu, In Lagos, Two Injured

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Hoodlums have attacked the convoy of the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu in Lagos State. 
Tinubu, according to a report by AIT, was attacked at the Adeniji end of Isale Eko after the former Lagos governor paid a visit to the Oba of Lagos.


Tinubu was heading to his Bourdillon Avenue, Ikoyi residence from the palace.
According to the report, the hoodlums who were wielding swords and cutlasses, threw stones at the convoy as it drove from the palace. They also smashed side glasses and front windshields of vehicles in the convoy.


Though Tinubu was not affected by the attack, the bus conveying journalists and the backup security car on the convoy were the most affected. 
Two journalists who sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention.
The former Lagos State Governor arrived in Lagos on Sunday after the Ekiti State governorship election and was received at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja before proceeding to the palace of the Oba of Lagos.

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