FG Grants Citizenship To 286 Foreigners

The Federal Government has granted 286 foreign nationals Nigerian Citizenship out of the 600 applications it received.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed that this was approved by the Federal Executive Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

Aregbesola said the government received 600 applications for citizenship from foreigners; adding that the applicants included Americans, Europeans, North and South Koreans and Australians.

Although Aregbesola did not provide the list of the new Nigerians or of the applicants, he said 208 of those approved were granted citizenship by naturalisation, while 78 others were granted citizenship by registration.

MRS Management Says It’s Not Responsible For Importation Of Adulterated Fuel –

The Management of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc has denied reports that the company was responsible for the importation and distribution of the recently contaminated Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) in the country.

MRS in a press statement on Tuesday evening, explained that the NNPC is the sole importer of all PMS in Nigeria. It added that the NNPC, through their trading arm Duke Oil, supplied a cargo of PMS purchased from international trader Litasco and delivered it with Motor Tanker (MT) Nord Gainer.

The vessel discharged in Apapa between the 24th and 30th of January, 2022, MRS said, was further distributed to Major Marketers.

However, it admitted receiving some quantities of the adulterated fuel, but had isolated the quantity when it was discovered contaminated.

House of Reps moves Bill to restrict public officials from using public funds for medical trips abroad

A Bill for an Act seeking to sanction public officer from seeking medical help abroad with public fund has passed second reading in the House of Representatives. The House also placed N500 million fine and seven years imprisonment for any public official who violated the Act.

Rep Sergius Ogun (PDP-Edo) who sponsored the Bill, while leading the debate on the floor of the House on Wednesday in Abuja said the Bill would positively impact on the lives and wellbeing of the people. He said that the objective of the bill was to amend the principal Act so as to make provision for sanctions against any public officer who violates the provisions of the Act, especially section 46 of the Act.

He said that the Act forbid that any public officer should seek medical check up abroad except on recommendation which must be approved by the Minister or commissioner of Health. He said the Amendment was born out of a desire to discourage medical treatment abroad at the detriment of indigenous health institutions.

He added that the need to revamp the poor state of the health care sector in Nigeria among other things, is the reason for introducing the bill.

Gov. Obaseki Sacks AAU Vice-Chancellor, Appoints Replacement

Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki has approved the appointment of Professor Sunny Adagbonyi as the new acting vice chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

Prof. Adagbonyi replaces Professor B.O Osadolor as the acting vice chancellor of the University. The appontment was announced on Tuesday evening through a public announcement bulletin signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie.

The statement reads: “The Governor of Edo state, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, in the exercise of his powers under the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Law and the Special Intervention Law, 2021, has relieved Professor B.O Osadolor of his appointment as acting vice chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, with effect from Tuesday, 8th February, 2022.

“The governor, in his capacity as visitor to the University, has further approved the immediate appointment of the following: Professor Sunny Adagbonyi as Acting Vice Chancellor,Professor Theo O. Agueda as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration and Professor Marshall Azeke as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics. His Excellency thanks Professor Osadolor for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”

We’re Working To Reduce Current Visa Processing Time – UK

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on Tuesday, said that the processing time of standard visas for applicants seeking to visit the United Kingdom will now take about six weeks.

In a statement on Tuesday by the British High Commission in Abuja, the UKVI, disclosed that the setback was as a result of the global travel restrictions prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement reads: “Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and global travel restrictions, UKVI are experiencing unpredictable demand across all visa routes. Standard visitor visa applications are taking on the average six weeks to process. “UK Visas and Immigration are working to reduce the current processing time as quick as possible. You should bear this in mind when making travel arrangements.”

The UKVI advised applicants against unnecessary visits to the Visa Application Centres (VACs), unless they were invited. It further stated that applicants whose passports were ready for collection would be contacted by officials at the centre for pick up. The UKVI, however, said there would be a consideration for extremely compassionate or compelling circumstances such as medical emergencies, although that would come at an extra cost.

2022 UTME/DE registration to commence by Feb 19 — JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has shifted the commencement of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME and the Direct Entry, DE, registration by one week.

The board in a statement by the Head of Media and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, yesterday, said the registration would now start on February 19 instead of February 12 earlier announced.

The statement read: “The commencement of the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, and Direct Entry, DE, registration exercise earlier scheduled for Saturday, February 12, 2022, has now been postponed to Saturday, February 19, 2022, to end on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

“The one-week postponement is to allow for more fine-tuning of the upgraded and more user-friendly procedures for candidates’ registration. “The process, which will be concluded within the one-week extension period, is also aimed at accommodating feedbacks from candidates and other stakeholders alike.”

Senate Approves Omotayo As NIPSS DG

The Senate has approved the nomination of Ayo Omotayo as Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.

Omotayo’s confirmation was sequel to the consideration of a report by the Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters; and Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Senator Danjuma La’ah, in his presentation on behalf of the Chairman, Ibrahim Shekarau, described the nominee as an “asset” who possessed the requisite legal requirements specified under sections 3(2b) and 5 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies 2004.

He disclosed that there was no adverse security report against the nominee and his appointment as Director-General of the NIPSS.

Islamic leader murdered by gunmen in Delta

Suspected gunmen reportedly shot dead Secretary of Delta State Council for Islamic Affairs, Musa Ugasa.

Musa was reportedly murdered while returning from a mosque where he went for evening prayers at Uloho Avenue, Ughelli, Delta state.

Public Relations Officer of the council, Issa Edogamhe, who confirmed his assassination, said: “He was attacked on his way from the nearby mosque where he went to offer his evening (Ishai prayers). He was assassinated along Uloho Avenue, Ughelli.”

Also, an Islamic leader in the state and former All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirant, Mumakai-Unagha, described the assassination of Musa as callous.

Senate Okays six new law schools across geo-political zones

The Senate has okayed the establishment of six new campuses of the Nigerian Law School across the six geo-political zones of the country.

The approval of the additional law schools was sequel to consideration of Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, All Progressives Congress, APC, Ekiti Central-led Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Legal Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Smart Adeyemi, APC, Kogi West.

The new approved law schools, in addition to the seven existing ones, bring the total number of law schools in the country to 13, excluding that of the Federal Capital Territory.

Former Plateau APC Chairman, 12,000 Others Deflects to PDP

The ruling All Progressives Congress in Plateau State is disfigured, as a former Chairman of the Party, Hon. Latep Dabang and 12,000 of his supporters, have dumped the party and collapsed into the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Among the decampees also is a former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Nanpon Tom, and a former State Assistant Secretary of the Party, Hon. Binkur. They were received by the party during a mega rally in Langtang North, tagged the “Great Movement.”

Speaking to newsmen shortly after receiving the PDP flag at the Langtang North township Stadium, Hon. Latep Dabang said PDP will take over the State in 2023, and quickly called on all right thinking people of Plateau State, who are in APC to return home to the PDP, saying APC is not a quality party.

Latep said “by the Grace of God, the PDP will win the Pankshin South State Constituency and Jos North/ Bassa Federal Constituency by-election slated for February 26, 2022.”