Headline

Japa: Six Must-have Documents To Study In Canada

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2023

For many Nigerians, the study route is one of the easiest and fastest way to ‘japa’ and Canada is one of the most preferred destinations for international students.

Each year, hundreds of Nigerians migrate to Canada. The government recently revealed that it was opening doors to 1.5 million migrants between 2023 and 2025.

So, are you seeking to move to Canada through a student visa? Here are six must-have documents required for a successful ‘japa’ trip.

1. Valid passport

You cannot successfully migrate to Canada without a valid passport. Your passport is your identity, as it shows the country you’re from and whether or not you migrated legally, as well as the type or category of visa approved.

A passport is usually issued by your country of origin. The Nigeria Immigration Service is charged with the responsibility of issuing passports in the country.

It is important to apply for and be issued this document before starting your admission process.

2. Previous Degree Certificate

Lastly, as an international student seeking to be admitted into a Canadian university, you will usually be asked to upload a copy of your university certificate.

However, for undergraduate admission, an o-level or diploma certificate will be required.

3. Academic transcript

As an international student seeking admission in Canada, particularly for Masters, you must be able to provide your academic transcript from your university here in Nigeria.

An academic transcript, also known as Transcript of Records is a vital record when applying to study abroad and it aids the higher educational institutions in gauging the abilities, qualifications and understanding of the candidate for a particular course.

4. Statement of purpose

Universities abroad will require you to submit your application with a Statement of Purpose that articulates your career path and goals. This helps them in choosing the right candidate for the courses offered by them.

A statement of purpose is usually a document which gives reasons why you are applying to the school and why you should be given admission to study your chosen course.

Knowing how to prepare this document and writing it according to the demands of the school you are applying to is a plus.

5. Reference letters

A majority of universities abroad require a reference letter. A reference letter is a recommendation from someone who knows you well and can vouch for your abilities.

This letter helps the university admission committee to know and understand more about you. It is a great tool that showcases your skills and abilities as recognised by your referee.

It serves as a validation of your resume for both academic and/or professional experiences · It gives a third-person opinion of your candidature. If you’re seeking to study in Canada, you should get at least three reference letters. However, the number of reference letters required from international students depends on the school.

6. Proof of English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)

Although many Africans can speak the English Language, Africa as a continent does not have a common language. So, you will be required to prove that you understand the language.

English Language proficiency scores are essential both for admissions as well as while applying for visa

It is for this reason that many schools in Canada require you to sit for IELTS/TOEFL or any other standardised English test. However, in recent times, some schools have stopped requesting this.

It is important to note that depending on university, requirements may defer, however, the six documents listed above are most times a most-have for international students seeking to study in Canada.

Headline

19-year-old Nigerian Artiste Beaten To Death In Ghana

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Editor

A 19-year-old upcoming Nigerian artiste identified simply as Destiny has been beaten to death in the Volta Region area of Ghana.

According to The PUNCH, the incident happened on May 28.

It was gathered that a yet-to-be-identified Nigerian based in Ghana accused him of failing to remit funds related to a business venture they introduced him to.

The male adult, who was also said to be among those who facilitated his trip to the country, stormed his apartment alongside two others to question him about the funds.

However, Destiny’s failure to provide answers led to a severe assault meted out to him.

A source privy to the incident told The PUNCH on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity because he lacked the authority to speak with the media that the Edo State-born artiste thereafter succumbed to the injuries sustained from the assault.

“Destiny went to Ghana to further his education, and the travel was facilitated by someone he called his street brother. These are the same people who provided an apartment for him over there. Those who broke the news to us from there said the men introduced him to a business, which they later accused him of diverting some funds meant for the business. This angered them, and they went to his apartment and beat him up. The beating was so intense that he felt weak and gave up the ghost in the process,” the source narrated.

It was further learnt that the suspects left the deceased’s body in the room after they discovered that he was motionless.

Another source who spoke to newsmen said the police later discovered the corpse a few days after the incident.

“The police were alerted to the incident, and some officers were deployed to the apartment where Destiny’s remains were found. We were told that no suspects had been arrested since his death. We hope the Ghanaian authorities find his killers and bring them to justice.”

In a video obtained by The PUNCH, Destiny was seen speaking about himself and what his plans were.

He said, “I am Destiny and I am a streamer from Nigeria. I want to apply to Streamers University, and this will be a great joy for me, my mother, and everybody. I am also an artiste and a gamer. I do all sorts of things.”

Recall that in April a 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver, Olatunji Bolaji, was killed in a shooting outside a hookah lounge in Philadelphia, United States.

Bolaji, who lived in Norristown, Pennsylvania, was on duty around 2 a.m. on Wednesday when he picked up a passenger, a 22-year-old man, outside the Byblos Hookah Bar near Rittenhouse Square in Centre City, CBS reports on Friday.

Police said shortly after Bolaji picked up the young man, another vehicle pulled up behind his SUV, and two men got out.

One of them opened fire, shooting both Bolaji and the passenger.

Headline

Nine Dead In Austria School Shooting

Published

1 day ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

A mass shooting at a secondary school in Austria’s second-largest city has left nine people dead and at least 10 others injured in what authorities are calling one of the country’s worst school attacks in recent history, Al-Jazeera reported.

Police were called to BORG Dreierschutzengasse school in Graz on Tuesday morning after reports of gunfire. Emergency services responded swiftly and secured the area.

Authorities later confirmed that the suspected shooter had died by suicide, bringing the total number of dead to ten, including the attacker.

According to local officials, at least seven of those killed were students. Graz Mayor Elke Kahr described the shooting as a “terrible tragedy.” One adult was also among the dead, though their identity has not yet been released.

The incident reportedly began shortly after 10 a.m. local time and unfolded across two classrooms. Students, many aged 14 and older, were evacuated and are now receiving psychological support alongside their families.

The attacker is believed to have acted alone and is reported to be a former school student. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

Headline

17 Palestinians Killed In Israeli Strikes Near Gaza Aid Site

Published

1 day ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

At least 17 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured on Tuesday near a humanitarian aid distribution site in central Gaza, according to local health authorities as reported by Reuters.

The casualties reportedly occurred as large crowds of displaced residents gathered in the area to receive aid.

The deaths were attributed to Israeli gunfire by Gaza’s health officials.

The Israeli military said its forces had fired warning shots at “suspects who were advancing in the area of Wadi Gaza and posed a threat to the troops.”

It added that it was aware of reports that several were injured, but said numbers released by local health authorities did not align with the information it had collected.

“The warning shots were fired hundreds of meters from the aid distribution site, prior to its opening hours and toward the suspects who posed a threat to the troops,” the military added.

Medics confirmed that those injured were transported to Al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp and Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City.

The Israeli military contested the reported casualty figures but acknowledged that several people were wounded during the incident.

The shooting occurred in an area where the military has labelled a hazardous zone for its personnel.

This came after a warning issued last week by the Israeli army, advising Palestinians to avoid roads leading to Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., which were designated as “closed military zones.”

The incident adds to growing concerns over civilian safety amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Just last week, at least 27 Palestinians were reported killed near another aid site in Rafah, also by Israeli fire.

That event marked the third consecutive day of disruption to aid operations, according to local health officials.

“Day after day, casualties & scores of injured are reported at distribution points manned by Israel & private security companies,” Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), wrote on X.

“This humiliating system continues to force thousands of hungry & desperate people to walk for tens of miles excluding the most vulnerable & those living too far,” he said.

The war erupted after Hamas-led militants took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, in the Oct. 7, 2023, single deadliest day.

Israel’s military campaign has since killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and flattened much of the coastal enclave.

AFP