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Japa: New UK Gov’t Confirms Opportunities For International Students

Published

2 years ago

July 27, 2024

The United Kingdom has pledged to make its educational system more accessible to international students.

The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, gave the assurance at the Embassy Education conference on Tuesday.

Phillipson emphasised the UK’s commitment to fostering global educational partnerships. “I want to refresh old partnerships and grow new ones, not just at home but around the world too. By joining forces in education, we can build new bridges between our nations.”

Addressing the inconsistent policies of previous governments towards international students, Phillipson highlighted a history of mixed messaging and exploitation for political gain.

She criticised the former government’s approach, noting that international students were often treated as “political footballs” rather than valued guests.

She pointed out that while their tuition fees were welcomed, their presence was resented.

LEADERSHIP reports that in what is now commonly known as the ‘Japa Syndrome’ in Nigeria, skilled Nigerians and education seekers were leaving the country for Europe and other developed countries in search of greener pastures.

Phillipson however assured that the current government would take a different and more supportive approach towards international students.

She also emphasised that international students are welcome in the UK and that the new government values their contributions to universities, communities, and the country.

Phillipson expressed a desire for Britain to welcome those who come to study and meet the requirements, highlighting a commitment to fostering a supportive environment for international students.

While highlighting the importance of international partnerships in spreading opportunity, she said, “Our international partnerships are central to this drive to spread opportunity far and wide. The more we work together, the more progress we will see in the world – partners in the push for better.”

Phillipson commended the bravery of international students, acknowledging their significant courage in moving to a new culture far from their homes and families.

She highlighted their willingness to take a leap of faith to develop new skills and chase new opportunities. Expressing pride in the UK’s appeal to these students, Phillipson stated that she is enormously proud that so many choose to come to the UK.

She assured that the government would do everything possible to support their success and help them achieve their goals.

The Secretary of State for Education further emphasised the post-study opportunities available to international students in the UK, noting the government’s commitment to supporting their transition into the workforce.

She mentioned that international students can remain in the UK on a graduate visa for two years after completing their studies or three years for PhD graduates, allowing them to work, live, and contribute to the community.

She concluded by acknowledging the significant impact of international students on the UK.

“The UK wouldn’t be the same without them. Arts, music, culture, sport, food, language, humour – international students drive dynamism on so many levels. And of course, their contribution to the British economy is substantial.

“Each international student adds about £100,000 to our national prosperity. This impact is not just a national statistic. It’s felt in towns and cities right across the country,” Phillipson said.

Headline

‘Pioneer Of Cable TV News’: Key Facts About CNN Founder, Ted Turner

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2026

Editor

Ted Turner, the media businessman who founded CNN died at the age of 87. He died peacefully on Wednesday, surrounded by family, according to Turner Enterprises.

Contents

Launched 24-hour news television

Built a media network

Expanded through sports

Recognition and influence

Philanthropy and global causes

Environmental efforts

Health and later years

Early career path

Leadership and legacy

Personal life

Exit from business

Family

Below are key facts about his life and impact:

Launched 24-hour news television

Turner founded CNN on June 1, 1980, introducing the first 24-hour news channel and changing how audiences follow global events.

Built a media network

He moved from billboards into broadcasting, turning an Atlanta TV station into a national superstation in 1976. His business later grew to include CNN International, TNT, Turner Classic Movies and Cartoon Network.

Expanded through sports

Turner invested in sports broadcasting and owned teams including the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks, using television to reach wider audiences.

Recognition and influence

In 1991, he was named Time magazine’s Man of the Year for his role in shaping modern news coverage.

Philanthropy and global causes

He founded the United Nations Foundation and supported campaigns against nuclear weapons. In 1997, he pledged $1 billion to the United Nations.

Turner supported conservation work, including reintroducing bison in the United States, and backed environmental education through the “Captain Planet” cartoon.

Health and later years

In 2018, Turner revealed he had Lewy body dementia. He also recovered from a mild case of pneumonia in early 2025.

Early career path

He took over his father’s billboard company at 24 after his father’s death and later expanded into radio and television, despite limited experience in journalism.

“I worked until 7 o’clock, and when I got home the news was over,” he once said. “So I missed television news completely. And I figured there were lots of people like me.”

Leadership and legacy

“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, said in a statement. “He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world.”

Personal life

Turner married actress Jane Fonda in 1991, and they later divorced after 10 years, though they remained close.

“I would never love anyone like I love him,” she said. “But I just couldn’t keep moving in his world, along the surface for the rest of my life. I knew that I would get to the end of my life and regret not doing the things that I also needed to do for me.”

Exit from business

He sold his company to Time Warner in 1996 and later stepped away following its merger with AOL.

Reflecting on his life, Turner once said: “I lost Jane. I lost my job here. I lost my fortune, most of it. Got a billion or two left. You can get by on that if you economize.”

Family

He is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Headline

Iran’s Nationwide Internet Shutdown Hits 70 Days

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2026

Editor

NetBlocks, a monitoring group, has disclosed that an internet shutdown enforced by the Iranian regime has entered its 70th day, severing key access from swathes of the population under the shadow of war.

NetBlocks reported on Friday that the blackout has now surpassed 1,656 hours, marking more than two months since US-Israeli strikes pounded Tehran and escalated across the Middle East.

“Digital connectivity is vital in times of crisis,” NetBlocks said in a post on X. “Limiting service harms those most in need – people with disabilities, students, small businesses and the general public.”

According to CNN, Iran imposed a separate internet shutdown on the country’s 92 million people earlier this year, when it launched the most lethal crackdown on anti-government protesters since the Islamic Republic’s founding 47 years ago.

CNN further reports that the latest blackout has cut off another potential lifeline for Iranian residents faced with high unemployment and economic pressure exacerbated by the US-Israeli campaign.

(CNN)

Headline

Gas Prices In US Edge Down After Two Weeks Of Increases

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2026

Editor

The cost of a gallon of regular gas in the United States (US) has edged down a little more than a penny to $4.55.

According to AAA’s readings, this marks the first decline in the average gas price after 15 straight days of increases.

The decline is minuscule compared to the large increases in gas prices over the last two weeks.

According to CNN, gasoline costs rose an average of nearly 4 cents a day during that period and had several daily increases of between 7 and 9 cents.

Also Read: Trump insists US-Iran ceasefire intact despite recent exchange of fire

CNN also reports that based on past gas spikes, it will likely take weeks for gas prices to get down below $4 a gallon.

The report, however, states that a previous two-week stretch of gas price declines only shaved 14 cents off the average price, taking the average price to $4.02, before the recent 15-day run of increases.

According to CNN, it could take months for the average price to fall below $3 per gallon, as it did before the war in Iran.

CNN further reports that only one state – Oklahoma – now has an average price of less than $4 a gallon, and its average stands at $3.98. California has the highest average price at $6.16.

(CNN)