Headline

Canada Denies 13,000 Nigerians Asylum

Published

6 months ago

March 23, 2025

No fewer than 13,171 Nigerians who applied for refugee protection from January 2013 to December 2024 were turned down by Canadian government, Sunday PUNCH reports.

This includes 811 Nigerians rejected in 2024.

Official data from the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada placed Nigeria among the top five countries with the most rejected claims. It ranked 5th.

Others are Mexico with 2,954 rejections, India (1,688), Haiti (982) and Colombia (723).

The IMRB grants refugee protection in Canada if the RPD satisfactorily confirms that an applicant or claimant meets the United Nations definition of a Convention refugee, “which has been incorporated into Canadian law, or that the applicant is a person in need of protection.”

The 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees defines refugees as persons who have a substantiated fear of persecution because of their race, nationality, religion, political ideology or membership in a particular social group.

Such social groups can include sexual orientation, gender identity, being a woman and persons living with HIV/AIDS.

However, persons asking for protection in Canada must show evidence portending danger of torture, risk to their life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment should they return to their country of nationality.

Typically, such protection claims are made when immigrants notify the Border Services Agency at any port of entry upon arriving in Canada or report to an immigration officer.

“The officer decides whether the claim is eligible to be referred to the IRB.

READ ALSO: Canada Gets New Prime Minister

“If the claim is eligible, it is sent (“referred”) to the RPD to start the claim for refugee protection process,” an application guideline by the Refugee Board reads.

Within the timeframe reviewed, 94 claims from Nigerian passport holders were abandoned. The RPD says a claim may be abandoned if “the completed Basis of Claim Form was not provided on time, the claimant’s current and correct contact information was not provided, or the claimant did not attend their refugee protection claim hearing or the special hearing on the abandonment of the claim (if required).”

Seventy-eight claims were withdrawn, representing cases where “the claimant does not continue with their claim,” the RPD said, while 19,889 claims were still pending.

The breakdown of the rejections since 2013 showed that 127, 241 and 248 Nigerians were denied protection in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, under the new system for determining refugee protection claims made in Canada—which took effect on December 15, 2012.

476, 917 and 1,777 claims were rejected in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively.

2019 saw the highest number of rejected claims, with 3,951 Nigerian applicants turned down. Meanwhile, 1,770, 1,686, 728, 439 and 811 persons were denied protection in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Nevertheless, 10,580 Nigerians were granted refugee status within the decade under review, with at least 2,230 from January to December 2024.

Official data placed Nigeria among the top 10 countries with the most claims accepted. It ranked 8th on the list.

Others are Turkiye with 4,866, Mexico with 4,363, Colombia with 3,340, Iran with 3,200, Pakistan with 2,556, Haiti with 2,211, Afghanistan with 1,921 and Kenya with 1,653 claims accepted.

They include less than 20 in 2013, 308, 394 and 389 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. 389, 764, 755 and 1,733 Nigerian protection seekers were accepted in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, 1,534, 2,302, and 1,315 persons were granted protection, respectively.

Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi is the Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation.

She told our correspondent that irregular migration motivated by economic hardship is often the leading cause of rejections.

However, she said those who genuinely need protection should be accepted whether or not they migrate outside the regulatory norms of their receiving country.

“Most times, many Nigerians miss it when they don’t understand the laws governing refugee status as adopted in their chosen destination. Every country has its regulations for absorbing people into its system.

“For one, documentation is crucial because coming irregularly will get you rejected from their system. But ultimately, everybody’s rights must be protected. Migration must be safe, orderly and regular. Even if their status is irregular, those who really need protection should be protected,” Ladipo-Sanusi told The PUNCH.

Meanwhile, a development economist, Aliyu Ilias, argued that the exit of more Nigerians and their permanent settlement in Canada means less skilled labour for the country.

According to Ilias, the country is running at a loss, given the subsidised education some professionals receive from Nigerians and deploy their skills elsewhere.

“It’s definitely a cause of concern because our professionals are moving, and it takes a whole lot to train these professionals. In the medical sector, Nigeria subsidises a lot to get people trained.

“You cannot get trained as a medical doctor or an engineer abroad for a cheaper cost compared to what we get in Nigeria. So, it is a total brain drain in the long run and for the economy, it is reducing our GDP.

“The appalling part is that most of our Nigerian brothers and sisters who go out do not return. They get permanent residency, and they become valuable to the immediate country,” he explained.

Citing reports revealing that Nigerians in the Diaspora remitted an average of $20bn annually from 2019 to 2021, Ilias said, “Perhaps, the only hope is that these Nigerians send back some of their incomes home.”

However, the Convener of the civil society group, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, said the country could not thrive long-term on tokenism.

He argued that the monies received as remittances were no match for the economic contributions the fleeing Nigerians would have made if they remained in the country.

“So, can we develop our economy with tokenism? How can professionals migrating from a country be a good thing?” Adeyanju queried.

He added, “The health sector is struggling. When your best brains leave your country and go to build other economies all around the world, how can that be good for any nation?

“Innovators, scientists, doctors, surgeons, even lawyers are leaving the country. Look at how our doctors and university lecturers are being treated. Why should any professional stay behind? This has become what we call the Japa syndrome.”

Headline

US Reality Star, Rolling Ray, Dies At 28

Published

41 minutes ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Reality TV star, Raymond Harper, popularly known as Rolling Ray, has died at the age of 28.

His mother confirmed the news to TMZ, while his home network, Zeus, also announced his passing.

In a tribute on Instagram, Zeus Network described him as “gone way too soon,” praising his impact on their productions, including Bobby I Love You, Purr and The Conversation.

“Gone way too soon. #RestInPeace to the BIG hearted, most Raw, & Real FRIEND & #Zeus Star #RaymondHarper aka @iamrollingray. Your Laughter, Light, & Loving Spirit will Live on FOREVER,” the network wrote.

Rolling Ray first gained attention in 2018 after appearing on MTV’s Catfish: Trolls before going viral in 2019 with his appearance on Divorce Court. He built a strong social media presence, amassing over 449,000 Instagram followers and a growing TikTok audience.

He is also widely credited with popularising the catchphrase “purr,” now used globally as a slang expression of excitement and approval.

Born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 3, a genetic condition that weakens muscles over time, doctors once predicted he would not live past 14. However, Ray defied expectations and went on to live a full life.

Reflecting on his journey in a 2023 interview, he said:

“At first, they said I was going to die at 14 years old. The doctor was wrong. Science changed, and doctors are not always right. God is good.”

Headline

6 CEOs Fired Over Secret Affairs

Published

2 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are expected to be professional, have boundaries and uphold ethical leadership. This is because, in most cases, one must have climbed up many ladders to become a CEO.

And if not careful, those years of experience can fade away in a single stand.

This is because some companies have policies that forbid workers from having a romantic affair with each other.

And if found culpable. The punishments are not novel. Some CEOs have been fired over secret affairs that failed to align with their companies’ principles hence.

Here are the CEOs fired over secret affairs:

1. Laurent Freixe
Laurent Freixe was the former CEO of Nestle. He was fired on 2 September 2025 after an investigation revealed that he was having an affair with his subordinate.

This action by Freixe violates the code of business conduct of the company. His case was investigated and chaired by Paul Bulcke and Pablo Isla alongside other independent counsel.

In Freire’s place, Nestle appointed Philipp Navratil as the new chief executive officer.

2. Alan Shaw
Alan Shaw is an American business executive. He was the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Norfolk Southern Corporation, a provider of rail transport services.

His tenure which lasted two years, ended on 11 September 2024, after he was found guilty of having an affair with Nabanita Nag, the company’s executive vice president corporate affairs, chief legal officer and corporate secretary, effective.

Shaw, whose tenure was described as “turbulent”, was replaced by Mark George, the former CFO of the company.

3. Ashley Buchanan
Ashley Buchanan was dismissed in May 2025 as the head of Kohl (a retail company) months after his appointment.

After a thorough investigation, the company discovered that Buchanan was in a romantic relationship with a woman called Chandra Holt, the founder of Incredibrew, a coffee business.

Ashley made her do business with Kohl; unknown to the management they were lovers until it was unraveled.

4. Steve Easterbrook
Steve Easterbrook was the former CEO fired from an American fast food company, McDonalds.

He was appointed in March 2015 but his appointment was terminated on 1 November 2019 by the board of directors after Steve was found guilty of having a romantic affair with an employee — a violation of the company’s policies.

5. Nadine Ahn
Nadine Ahn is an experienced and expert in banking, capital markets, corporate development and strategy.

She was the chief financial officer of Royal Bank of Canada. Unfortunately, Ahn was dismissed for having a romantic relationship with one of her subordinates. She was caught hugging and kissing Ken Mason as they exited the elevator of the Royal York Hotel, Canada.

6. Andy Byron
Andy Byron, a seasoned software executive, was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Astronomer, a private company focused on building reliable data products and power data-driven applications.

Bryony became famous after being caught on camera caressing (which actually went viral on social media) Kristin Cabot, the company’s HR officer during a concert.

Bryony was compelled to resign or better put: fired.
(TRIBUNE)

Headline

Daniel Levy Makes Shock Decision To Quit As Spurs Chairman

Published

20 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

Daniel Levy stepped down as Tottenham executive chairman in a shock move on Thursday after a controversial reign lasting nearly 25 years.

Levy was the driving force behind Tottenham’s £1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) stadium and state of the art training centre.

But the 63-year-old was a polarising figure among Tottenham fans, with numerous protests against him during difficult spell for the Premier League team.

Levy, who was the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League, had come under fire more than ever over the last few seasons.

A series of failed managerial appointments and the club’s transfer policy infuriated supporters and turned up the heat on Levy, who was accused of caring more about the club’s financial profits than success on the pitch.

Tottenham endured their worst top-flight finish since 1976-77 last season, coming 17th before salvaging the campaign by winning the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League.

That success — which ended Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought — was not enough to spare boss Ange Postecoglou from Levy’s wrath as the Australian was sacked after two turbulent seasons in charge.

Levy hired Thomas Frank from Brentford to replace Postecoglou in the last significant decision of his reign.

“I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees. We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level,” Levy said in a statement.

“More than that, we have built a community. I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years.

“I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately.”

Vinai Venkatesham was hired as Tottenham’s chief executive officer in April, while Peter Charrington joined the board in March and will step into the newly created role of Non-Executive Chairman.

– ‘A new era of leadership’ –

“I am very honoured to become Non-Executive Chairman of this extraordinary Club and, on behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Daniel and his family for their commitment and loyalty to the Club over so many years,” Charrington said.

“This is a new era of leadership for the club, on and off the pitch. I do recognise there has been a lot of change in recent months as we put in place new foundations for the future.

“We are now fully focused on stability and empowering our talented people across the Club, led by Vinai and his executive team.”

Since Levy took the reins in 2001, Tottenham had won just two trophies, with the 2008 League Cup followed by the long wait that ended with last season’s Europa League final victory over Manchester United.

Levy became renowned for his ruthless sacking of managers as the likes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino and Nuno Espirito Santo were dismissed.

Tottenham’s best period under Levy came during Pochettino’s spell.

The Argentine led Tottenham to three successive top three finishes in the Premier League and reached the 2019 Champions League final.

Even Pochettino couldn’t escape Levy’s axe, but the spotlight eventually turned on the chairman.

Tottenham fans were furious as their side spluttering badly last season and a difficult summer transfer window, which saw the club miss out on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze only increased the pressure on Levy.

One banner displayed last season at Levy’s pride and joy — the gleaming 62,000-capacity stadium that opened in 2019 — summed up the divisive nature of his reign.

“24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy – time for change” it said.

While Tottenham eventually added a trophy to that meagre haul in the Levy era, the disillusioned supporters have finally got their wish.

There will be no changes to the ownership or shareholder structure of the club following Levy’s departure.