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Ministry Demands N35m To Return Body Of Nigerian Student

Published

2 years ago

November 15, 2023

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it will cost N35m to fly back to Nigeria the corpse of the Nigerian medical student, Chibuikem Emmanuel, who was murdered in the Philippines.

Emmanuel was reportedly murdered in the Philippines allegedly by some Chinese nationals on October 23, 2023, according to a post made to the social networking platform, X, by one Michael Ojuola, who described Emmanuel as his friend.

Ojuola had posted on X that the victim was “brutally murdered” by a group of Chinese.

“They tied his hands up, covered and tied his mouth and beat him blue-black until he gave up the ghost,” he wrote.

On Tuesday, the Director Consular, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Enya Francis, said the ministry was in close contact with the Embassy in the Philippines and was on top of the situation.

According to a statement by the spokesperson for Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Francis spoke during an investigative hearing on the matter by the Senate.

“Ikem’s corpse is yet to be buried as it will cost between N31m and N35m to repatriate and bury the corpse in Nigeria as against N10m to N15m to cremate it in the Philippines,” Francis was quoted to have said.

He noted that the cost of keeping the corpse at the funeral home was accruing N30,000 on a daily basis, hence the need to expedite action on the investigation and take appropriate action.

Emmanuel’s elder sister, Blessing Essien, stated that he was the only son of the family and in line with Igbo tradition, it would be an honour to bring the body back to Nigeria for burial.

She, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government through the Senate committees to assist the family in repatriating the body back to Nigeria for a befitting burial.

On her part, the Chairman, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, informed the Senate Joint Committees on Diaspora and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Foreign Affairs that the employer of Emmanuel in the Philippines had been charged with murder, along with five others.

Giving feedback on efforts made so far, Dabiri-Erewa told the Senator Victor Umeh-led committee that the Nigerian embassy had informed the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines and also reported the case to the Inspector General of the Philippines National Police.

She stated that the police team on the case was done with evidence building and presented the case to the Mandaue City Prosecuting Department for action, which evaluated it and decided on murder charges.

“They have filed the case and issued a warrant for the arrest of the boy’s employee and five other suspects. They were charged with murder, human trafficking and operation of illegal business in the Philippines,” she said.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, called on the Federal Government to urgently investigate Emmanuel’s killing, with a view to ascertaining the true circumstances of his death.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance brought by the lawmaker representing Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency, Osun State, Mr Mudashiru Lukman.

According to Lukman, the deceased went to collect money owed him by his Chinese girlfriend and after a minor disagreement, he was whisked away by men in a van, only to be returned not responding.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House called on its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Human Rights, as well as that on Diaspora to investigate the matter.
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News

17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

Published

17 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

News

FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

Published

17 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

News

Adeleke Flies To US For Davido’s Wedding

Published

17 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.

He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.

“Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.

“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.

He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.

“Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.

“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.

“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”