Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has urged Nigerians to stop patronising touts, scammers and unscrupulous immigration officials when applying for Nigerian passports.
Aregbesola, who gave the advice when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja said this was necessary to stop corruption in the system, saying Nigerians must resolve to send the touts, scammers and unscrupulous immigration officials out of business.
“An illegitimate business company had been created around passport and it required commitment, dedication and participation of Nigerians in eliminating and getting rid of such illegitimate business,” he said.
The minister said that as long as Nigerians wanted shortcut to passport processing, challenges would continue to occur in the issuance process.
According to him, those who patronise touts and unscrupulous passport officials are the ones mostly facing challenges with the process.
He therefore, said passport applicants must follow due process and help to eliminate corruption and infuse integrity into passport administration.
“Please, shun any appeal to get the passport through a third party, tout or scammers, by first of all, starting the process early.
“If I want to recommend, I will say begin, unless there is an emergency, begin the processing six months to either the expiration or renewal or getting a new one.
“If you start six months ahead, there will be no issue at all. And why is six months recommended by me? Because that is the minimum period that you can even process any visa,” he said.
Aregbesola said that within the six months, no matter how reckless the human factor involved may be, there would be no anxiety.
The minister called on the media and the public to help in curbing the menace and encourage passport applicants to do the right thing at all times.
The ABATSG Germany, Taraba State chapter, in collaboration with Sen. EMMANUEL BWACHA, the governorship aspirant held a two day youth/women empowerment training which comprised all the local governments in the southern part of the state.
Delivering his keynote address at the training which took place on Monday 26th to Tuesday 27 of September 2022, the state coordinator, Hon. Mela Faaasema Ephraim emphasized the need for the electorate to collect their PVCs to be able to vote, come 2023, for all APC candidates, most especially the president, ASIWAJU Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He further enlightened them on the need to guide their votes after casting them in order to make sure no vote is left uncounted.
At the end of the ceremony, Rt. Honourable Tanko Pa’ati, Member Taraba State House of assembly presented certificates, gifts and cash items, donated on behalf of Sen Emmanuel Bwacha to the participants who were expected to start-up a trade.
ABATSG GERMANY also received many decampees into its fold from other parties, as part of her efforts in mobilising support for Tinubu/Shettima in the state.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Support Group, (ABATSG) Germany has inaugurated Local and Ward Coordinators.
For effective administration and grassroot establishment, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Support Group Germany (ABATSG), FCT Chapter, has inaugurated all the six local government coordinators and ward coordinators under them.
According to the release signed and made available to our team by Ibrahim Suleman Folohunso, Acting Deputy National Secretary the colourful event which took place yesterday, October 9, 2022 was well attended by members of the group from different areas of Federal Capital Territory.
The FCT coordinator, Hon. Peter Ola-Ajayi stated that the inauguration was a confirmation of the existence of grassroot structure in the FCT, starting from the local to the ward level, expressing satisfaction for the level of achievement so far, adding that the certification of the stakeholders became necessary not only to boost their morale but also to position the group in a right frame of public perception.
The inaugurated coordinators have expressed appreciation to the Director General, Hon. Olalekan Oyadiran; the National Coordinator, Hon. Ahmed Baba Dikwa and FCT coordinator for the wonderful job they have been doing, pledging their total loyalty and commitment to ABATSG Germany while encouraging members to do more to ensure victory for Asiwaju.
Value Jet owned by Value Aviation Company, a new airline whose chief Executive and Chairman is Honourable Kunle Soname has begun operation in the Nigerian nation state.
The airline which prides itself as offering value fly presently operating in the domestic airspace began commercial operations only a few days ago with a flight from Lagos to the Federal capital territory, Abuja.
According to our impeccable source, the airline which was founded in July 2018 would be offering a new and flexible air fare pricing scheme to make flying more affordable and accessible for every air traveler in the Nigerian domestic air travel market, while offering passengers free trips on their first flights.
Value Airline is owned by Honourable Kunle Soname, a scion of Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State. The easy-going, shroud businessman is the owner and promoter of Bet9ja, a betting and game company known for reliability and quality.
First passengers in the first flight of the airline have expressed satisfaction over its operation. The have spoken glowingly about the airline and enjoined them to keep the spirit apace. Omo’ba Abiola Ogundeko, the Government Liaison Office (GLO), Remo North Local Government and the head of Media and Publicity, Remo Growth Foundation who was one of the first passengers on the first operational had this to say, ”I was privileged to be the first passenger on Value Jet Airline Lagos to Abuja flight. God bless Hon. Soname, his team and his family. They have and making the whole Remo land proud, and together we say congratulations to them and the entire Remonians.”
“This is indeed a great development in the Nigeria aviation industry as well as an ecstatic moment for all Remonians.”
Formerly governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Barr. Olubiyi Otegbeye, is his candidate in 2023 poll.
Senator Amosun who disclosed this on Monday, October 10, 2022 during a BBC Yoruba interview programme, added that he was supporting the candidature of APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
His words, “I dont hide behind one finger to fight, Biyi Otegbeye is the person I am supporting and ADC is the party.
“For the presidential poll, I can assure you, both right, left and centre, we are supporting one person, that is Tinubu.”
The immediate past governor who is presently the Senator representing Ogun Central at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly has reechoed his vow and move to remove the incumbent Governor of the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun from office in 2023 because according to him, “he was rigged into the office abinitio.”
Amosun stated that the 2019 governorship election in the state was rigged to favour the Prince Abiodun, adding that he had moved on because some of those who were behind the rigging have come to apologize to him.
“Some of them came to apologise to me. I can’t be mentioning names. We won that election. But I have moved on,” Amosun posited.
“During the last election, thank God, Chief Osoba is here, I have said it, we won convincingly. They rigged, rigged, and ended up with 19,000 votes.
Friends, colleagues and family members who gathered at the first Memorial Lecture organised in honour of Late Alhaji Nurudeen Olanrewaju Sodipe described him as regardful, considerate and one who lived for others.
At the memorial lecture held at Crescent Hall, opposite Abadiyah Mosque, Leme, Abiola Way, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Wednesday, the people who took turn to speak about Sodipe who was former Deputy Provost of Federal College of Education, Osiele expressed in unison that he was a man of the people whose lifestyle was basically how to improve mankind and serve humanity, adding that he never new colour, ethnicity, Geographical divides or religious persuasion.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Taofik Salisu said gathering in honour of Alhaji Sodipe was an honour for him because, according to him the celebrant lived a good life, an exemplary one. “Sodipe’s life epitomises live and let’s live on the grounds that as he was pleasant, approachable, accommodating, warm and considerate”, he stressed.
Dr. Salisu said the immeasurably humbling and highly recommendable lifestyle Alhaji Sodipe lived was why he had to put on hold all other programmes he had for that day in order to attend the memorial lecture.
The Special Guest of Honour at the occasion and the Provost of Federal College of Education, Osiele when Alhaji served as Deputy, Professor Emmanuel O. Filani described Alhaji Sodipe as a fantastically impressive personality whose divine bestowment could said to be uncommon. “To succinctly described Alhaji Sodipe, I will simply say he was a rare creature, very fun to be with, hard working, amiable, respectful, accommodating and a friend indeed”, he stated.
“Alhaji Nurudeen Sodipe, to me was not a subordinate but a great partner and one who readily, willingly and cheerfully gave his all to the success of our tenure and development of the institution. I thoroughly enjoyed his brotherly disposition while our working relationship lasted at the college. I leveraged on his popularity, large following and his diligence to duties.
According to Professor Filani, “aside from his character, Alhaji Sodipe was a human encyclopedia; a computer of biometrics of names, contacts and data. Just mention the name of a person, Alhaji Sodipe would supply other details of such person. He was such a dependable ally, assiduous worker and conscientious person. He was more of a friend, confidant, partner than a subordinate. He was really a man of the people who commandeered a large following.”
The guest lecturer, Professor Taofiq Abd’Azzez of Department of English, University of Abuja, while doing justice to the topic ‘Death: A parable of Constructive Life, Lessons from the Life and Times of Alhaji Nurudeen Olanrewaju Sodipe said the topic was apt, and spoke eloquently pertaining to the life of the celebrant, because according to him, he epitomised humility. “He was a devoted Muslim whose life revolved around the tenets of the religion. He lived a life that could be described as pleasing and worthy of emulation”.
Some of the family members of late Alhaji Sodipe said he was a father to all as he would give a hand to others as if they were his biological or members of his own nuclear family. “He cared far more than some thought reasonable. He taught them moral lessons with which they have and still navigating through life. “We are greatly missing him”, they stressed.
The occasion, compared by the incumbent Provost of Federal College of Education, Dr. Rafiu Soyele had in attendance, amongst others: immediate past Provost of the college, Dr. Ayodele Ajayi, Alhaji Lukman Sodipe, Alhaji J.O. Popoola, Mr. Kola Ojelade, Alhaji Nurudeen Oyedele, Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Mosuud Adebayo. The event was organised by Committee of friends.
The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has hinted that the state would experience more development if communities embark on self-help projects.
Abiodun dropped this hint at the 45th Anniversary of Isanbi Day celebration held on Saturday at Isanbi High School, Ilisan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking further at the event with the theme, “Repositioning Ilisan for Economic Gains”, the governor Abiodun noted that the development of the state is a responsibility of everyone, as no government can do it alone.
“I want to assure you all that, as a government, we will continue to support all genuine efforts by individuals and groups that are directed at improving the cultural heritage and the lives of our people in general.
“We appreciate the fact that no government has all the necessary funds it requires for the development of the society and its people. For this reason, we will continue to welcome and appreciate sincere contributions and recommendations that will help develop our state and improve the socio-economic life of our dear people”, he noted.
Abiodun stated that his administration would continue to conduct the business of governance without being distracted.
He added that he would continue to run the government with a fear of God to ensure free, fair and a just society, with view to promoting fairness to all irrespective of age, gender, religious or political affiliation or their geographical location.
“Let me reiterate that through transparent public finance management which provides an atmosphere that guarantees a more prosperous life for our people. Let me reiterate that we shall continue to uphold all the tenets of Good Governance by being accountable, transparent, responsive, consensus oriented, inclusive, participatory, just, fair and equitable”, he pointed out
The governor, however, stated that this year’s edition of Isanbi Day was important as it would precede the landing and take-off of the first aircraft in the town where the first international Agro Cargo Airport is being built, adding that the town would be a beehive of activities because of a well-planned aerotropolis.
“At this airport city, there is an agro processing centre; an international testing facility for agric produces to be managed in conjunction with the African Development Bank, where every agricultural produce that goes out of Nigeria will first be certified as complying with international standards before being transported out of the country.
“Already, the Nigeria Air Force, the Nigeria Customs Service and so many other private investors are jostling for presence, to become part of the airport city. So, be ready to accommodate at least a 25,000 workforce and members of their families that will join us in this town for the celebration of next year’s Isanbi”, the governor said.
He assured of prompt completion of the Ilishan-Ago-Iwoye road in the next couple of months, saying “the road not only runs through and links three local government areas of Ijebu North, Ikenne and Odogbolu, but leads to the Agro-Cargo Airport; the Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye; and, the link road to the South East and other arterial roads that link Lagos and the hinterland of the country makes it an economic imperative”.
“I can imagine the volume of trade and socio-economic benefits this road will unleash once completed. No doubt, this road will improve the quality of life, living and will advance commerce and other socio-economic activities in the state. Our agricultural development programme is on course. Ilishan will begin to see a practical demonstration of that as soon as the Agro-Cargo airport takes off”, he assured.
The governor, who noted that every Isanbi Day celebration comes with great improvements on the previous ones, said that “the Day is an attestation to the economic, historical and spiritual antecedents of the great people of the kingdom”.
He observed that the annual event would help in projecting the rich cultural values and norms of the Ilishan people and by extension, Remoland and Ogun State as a whole just as the festival would help in reminding the people their place in history, origin, as an essential component for stimulating communal understanding, love and unity, and for steady progress, peace and development of the larger community.
The Odofin of Ilisan, Oba Mojeed Sonuga, in his speech, appreciated all sons and daughters for their contributions towards the development of the town.
He called on those who have been honoured with chieftaincy titles to redouble their efforts to ensure that the socio-economic well-being of the town is upscaled.
The chairman of the 2022 Isanbi Day Planning Committee, Chief Diran Awotide, described Illisan-Remo as a town blessed with economic potentials and inhabited with lovable people that play host to a university and the state’s Agro-Cargo Airport, calling on the indigenes to work together to harness the town’s potentials for the good of all.
Barely 5 months after becoming Board Member of ICW, Buhari conferred national honours on Dr. Laraba Shoda
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the bestowment of national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) on Dr Gloria Laraba Shoda, mni, the immediate past President of National Council of Women Society, (NCWS).
This award would be bestowed on her barely five months after her election as a Board Member of the International Council of Women, (ICW) in France where she was saddled with the responsibilities of being in charge of Africa. She is the first black African to be so elected.
The letter confirming the conferment of the MFR award on her was made available to Newsmen on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.
The letter issued with reference number FMSDIGA/NHA/001/T/93, signed on September 19, 2022 by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume reads:
Dr Gloria Laraba Shoda, Dear Former President, NCWS,
2022 NATIONAL HONOURS AWARD LETTER.
“I have the honour to formally inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the conferment of the National Honours on you, in the rank of MFR (Member of the Order of the Federal Republic)…
According to the letter, “The investiture ceremony is scheduled to take place at the International Conference Centre, (ICC) Abuja on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
She stands out among the 75 Nigerians to be conferred with the MFR this October, and 437 nominees to receive the various categories of the national awards this year.
This year’s national awards are the last President Buhari would bestow on worthy Nigerians before the expiration of his tenure in May next year.
Chief (Mrs) Shoda, an outstanding women leader, not only in Nigeria, but entire Africa, is an alumnus of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, where she bagged the prestigious Member of National Institute, mni.
When the ICW created the African Regional Council of Women (ARCW) in 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Mrs Shoda was selected to administer the new body alongside others from South Africa and Morocco. With the headquarters of ARCW, in Abuja, Nigeria she thus became its maiden President.
Erelu Shoda, a woman of many parts and achiever per excellence is the President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Certified Strategic Customer Service and Trade Management, Nigeria.
Before earning a doctoral degree in Peace and Conflict Management at the Theological Seminary College, Ibadan, (2012-2014) she had bagged Master’s degree in Education, M.Ed (PhD Grade) in Community Development in 2005 from the University of Ibadan.
She had earlier studied and bagged Bachelor of Education Degree (B.Ed.) at the University of Benin (Uniben) in 1989, where she graduated with Second Class Upper.
This woman of substance, who was honoured as Successful People Woman of Virtues few months ago, was studied at the Ogun State College of Education, now Tai Solarin University of Education where she obtained her National Certificate of Education (NCE) nearly four decades ago.
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife is set to marry two more wives, weeks after getting married for the fourth time to Olori Mariam Anako Queen from Ebira in Kogi state, and also tying the knot with Olori Elizabeth Opeoluwa Ogunwusi, nee Akinmuda in Magodo, Lagos.
The revered traditional ruler in the Western part of the Nigeria nation and the source of Yoruba ancestry will be tying the knot with Tobi Philips and Ashley Adegoke.
Tobi Philips is a graduate of Marine science from the University of Lagos and top model while Ashley Adegoke is a chartered accountant and an entrepreneur. She has a Masters in Accounting and Finance from the University of Greenwich who is currently running her businesses in the United Kingdom.
Lagos State Governor. Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu has appointed Prof. Olumuyiwa Omotola Odusanya as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University of Science and Technology Ikorodu. The appointment takes effect from Thursday 29th September, 2022.
Professor Odusanya is a professor of Public Health Medicine Department of Community Health and Primary Health Care, Lagos State University and Consultant, Community Physician to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine, Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health and Community Medicine, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and a Member of the New York Academy.
Professor Odusanya has held positions of Head of Department, Dean of Faculty and Provost Lagos State University College Medicine and Director, Research Management and Innovation, Lagos State University. He is a widely published scholar with over 115 papers in learned journals.
He was of Community and Primary Health in the Department of Community Health and Primary Health Care in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences of the College of Medicine, Lagos State University (LASU).
The President States of America, Joe Biden has pardoned all federal offenders convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana in the States.
Announcing this on his official Twitter handle on Thursday, Biden stated, “First: I’m pardoning all prior federal offences of simple marijuana possession. There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden,” the tweet reads.
“Second: I’m calling on governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offences. Just as no one should be in federal prison solely for possessing marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.
“Third: We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense. I’m asking @SecBecerra and the Attorney General to initiate the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.
“I’d also like to note that as federal and state regulations change, we still need important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and underage sales of marijuana.
“Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives – for conduct that is legal in many states. That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs.”
United States government official As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.
Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach. Allow me to lay them out.
Marijuana is illegal under US federal law, even as individual states have moved toward legal use for recreational and medical purposes.
In late 2020, the House passed a measure that would decriminalise marijuana at the federal level, but it wasn’t taken up in the Republican-controlled Senate.
The move by Biden is a fulfilment of his campaign promise when he said “no one should be in jail because of marijuana”.
“As President, I will decriminalize cannabis use and automatically expunge prior convictions,” he had added.
An exceptional 19-year-old boy from Atlanta, Georgia named Taijaun Reshard has established a university to train young people on how to make money on Instagram after making over $250,000 from the social media application.
Taijaun Reshard who had to drop out from College to focus on perfecting his skills on Instagram narrated that he started making money when he was 17 years old said he has been making use of something called “Theme pages”.
He said with Theme pages, he was able to get his product posted on pages with millions of followers and practically go viral overnight. “Everyone always sees the success but nobody ever knows the hard work that was put in. I’ve been creating & running my own businesses since I was 15 years old as a freshman in high school,” he narrated.
Explaining further how he was able to attain success at a such young age, he noted that he had failed in 5 other businesses before emerging successful. “When I got my first job at Kroger – every penny that I got, I would re-invest into my business. 5 failed businesses later, here I am,” he added.
Taijaun Reshard after his success on Instagram set a goal to help 100 people make their first $100,000 using just Instagram, leading him to the establishment of a training program known as Instagram Hacks University.
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