News

Nigerians Seek Intervention Over Shortage Of Passports In Italy

Published

3 years ago

January 27, 2021

Editor

The National Union of Nigeria Association in Italy (NUNAI) has called on the leadership of the National Assemblies to urgently intervene into the shortage of Nigeria Passports in Italy by

calling on the relevant government authorities to come to their aid.

The group further appealed to the relevant authority to increase the passport quantity allocated to Italy in addition to the establishment of another consular office to ease congestion in Rome.

This is coming as tension heightened as a result of strained relationship between Nigeria consular office and its citizens in Italy.

The group, in a letter captioned “NUNAI’s Passionate Appeal to Your Exalted office”, and addressed to the leadership of the Senate, House of Representatives and the Controller General Nigerian immigration services, (NIS), decried the inability and difficulty faced by Nigerians in procuring international passports at consular office in Rome.

The letter which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Benin was signed by the national President of the body, Mr Samson Hodge Iriakannu and secretary, Deacon Nosa Osawaru, respectively.

Iriakannu lamented that large numbers of Nigerian citizens seeking to renew their passport have been ignored by the authority which he said has led to a daunting pressure and frustration among Nigerians seeking to regularize their stay.

He, however, disclosed that the umbrella body is not relenting in its desire to ensure that these challenges are resolved.

He also added that the body is playing a significant role with the Embassy on the campaign against human trafficking, drug peddling and other vices capable of tarnishing Nigerians image.

Part of the letter reads: “The official record of Nigerians seeking for greener pastures in Italy is over 180.000 with a sizable number of professionals and their contributions to the Economic growth of Italy and Nigeria can’t be over emphasized.

“Despite all these, NUNAI as a body have been faced with daunting issues arising from the Embassy which has put the union under immense pressure.

“On the issuance of Nigeria passports, Italy houses the vast majority of Nigerians only behind the United Kingdom in the whole of Europe yet we are only entitled to a short supply and this has caused a major uproar amongst Nigerians here in Italy if not for the diplomacy employed by the Nunai leadership to curtain the situation.

“It is of note that the presentation of your country’s passport is the prerequisite for permit of stay and authority to work.

“The increasing rate of Nigerians population in Italy has been ignored over the years hence the shortage. A case in point shows where Italy and Switzerland were allocated the same quantity of passports where Swiss is ¼ of Italy’s population a matter for concern.

“Our population in Italy is on the rise. You can imagine in a month we have like 5,000 application”, He stated.

News

We’ve Earmarked N1bn Naira Monthly To Feed Edo People – Obaseki

Published

5 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, says his administration has earmarked nothing less than N1bn Naira monthly to feed vulnerable Christians in the state in the next three months.

This is as he said a similar programme has been mapped out for people in the Muslim faith in the state.

Obaseki disclosed this during the official flag-off of phase one of Edo State Food Support Programme also known as Christian Feeding Programme in Benin City.

The Governor, who said he was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day in the state, said he had to call Christian leaders in the state on how best to address the alarming situation.

Obaseki said in order not to make it look political, he decided not to involve political office holders, but Christian leaders in reaching out to vulnerable Christians in the state.

The Governor who added that the state government already had data of the vulnerable in the state database, said the means of reaching out to them maximally was the issue, hence using churches to reach out to them.

He said: “I was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day. So, I thought to myself how do we solve this problem. This is not politics I told myself.

“I then called the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some of the blockheads to a meeting and explained to them what I intended to do. So, that’s how we put our heads together to come up with this programme.”

Obaseki added: “I told them this is the amount of money I will be giving you every month. I’ll give you a billionaire monthly for three months first. At least, Let us try this for the first three months.”

The governor said the programme was not just to feed the vulnerable, but also together more data about people in the state on how the government can create employment for them and how the government can render help where necessary.

Earlier, in his remarks, Chairman of the Organising Committee who also doubles as the Chairman, CAN,
Apostle Irekpono Omoike, while thanking the governor for the initiative, said 10kg of 60,000 bags of rice have been purchased for onward distribution to the three senatorial districts in the state.

According to him, 27,000 bags of the 10kg would be distributed to the seven local government areas in Edo South, 15 bags to Edo Central and 18 bags to Edo North.

Further giving the breakdown, Omoike said 3, 000 bags would be distributed to each local government across the 18 local government areas, summing upto 54,000 bags, while the remaining 6,000 bags would be distributed to churches not captured under CAN.

News

Ex-Delta Gov, Ibori Mourns Passing Of Former Minister, Gbagi

Published

5 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Editor

Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori has mourned the passing of former Minister of State for Education Chief Kenneth Gbagi.

Ibori, in his Facebook timeline wrote: “Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi. Abovwolovwolo. Atighoyowa. So long, May your soul rest in peace.”

Gbagi was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the last election in Delta State.

The renowned criminologist, industrialist and senior lawyer died Saturday, May 4th, 2024 at the age of 62.

News

BREAKING: Former Minister Gbagi Is Dead

Published

6 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Editor

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the last election in Delta State, Olorogun Barr Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, is dead.

Gbagi, a former minister of Education and an industrialist died at the age of 62.

The Renowned Criminologist and senior lawyer died on Saturday, May 4th 2024.

A statement signed by his eldest son, Chief Emuoboh Gbagi on behalf of the Gbagi family, said: “It is with profound sadness but gratitude to God, that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, husband, and brother, Olorogun (Barr.) Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, FNIM, OON; Former Minister of Education, who departed this life on the 4th of May 2024 at the age of 62.

“We take comfort in the fond memories of his life, his achievements, and the impact he made on the lives of countless individuals and communities.

“We kindly request your thoughts and prayers for our family during this challenging time of loss.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace”, the statement added.
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