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NIS Charged On 24-hour E-visa Application

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Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has charged the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that foreigners seeking visa into Nigeria get their visa done within 24 to 48 hours.

He stated this on Friday while flagging off an intensive training for162 officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on electronic visa application for foreigners coming to Nigeria.

He described as unacceptable the frustration people go through to get visa into Nigeria.

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He described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration as a serious minded government, adding that a new Nigeria is possible under the current administration.

Tunji-Ojo maintained that Nigerian borders should be opened to good people to come in and do business, for tourism and other legitimate business.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Appoints Ex-INEC Boss, Jega As Adviser

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The whole idea for me is when people are able to apply and get their visas electronically. I think approval should be gotten within 24 hours or a maximum of 48 hours,” he said.

The Minister added: “Nigeria is a serious country led by a serious President in the person of President Tinubu, he is here to disrupt the normal or to create what we call unusual.

“And an efficient and vibrant NIS is possible. I know the time for the actualization is now. It is either we get it now or we forget about it.”

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While charging the selected officers to be dedicated, honest and represent the country well, Tunji-Ojo noted, “For the e-visa, I want you to do a good job because honestly speaking a population of 230 million people, the biggest economy in Africa.

“The frustration people go through to get visa into Nigeria is unacceptable. Let us calll a spade a spade. It is unacceptable.

READ ALSO: Ex-minister Kennedy-Ohanenye Breaks Silence, Details EFCC Visit Over N138m Probe

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“To come to Nigeria should not be difficult. Once you meet the conditions, we are a very hospitable people.

“We want to see people come to Nigeria. Let them come. Let us build an economy that will encourage people to come.

“The immigration has a key role to play on the Ease of Doing Business. Key role to play in terms of tourism and in terms of investment opportunities and a lot..

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“The situation is beyond boarder security. Don’t not forget you are the gate. You are the gateway to the nation.

“The impression you give about Nigeria is one that will always last forever.”

Dr. Tunji-Ojo further warned the officers not to compromise the nation’s national security and not approve terrorists and other criminals into Nigeria.

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READ ALSO: EFCC Interrogates Former Minister Uju Ohanenye On Alleged N138M Fraud

“I know that in the next few weeks it should be ready, we should go live. If you go and approve somebody you are not suppose to approve, that’s against our national security.

“You should not allow a terrorist to come into the country. You need to be sure that you dot the i’s and cross the ts.”

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Speaking earlier, the NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nana-Nandap, described the training as a significant one, adding that the selected officers have been thoroughly vetted have started the intensive training

She said the system is a departure from what the agency had initially, saying “not only are we doing thorough veting but we going to ensure that we have the documentation being warehouse with the NIS.”

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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