Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has announced a significant reduction in the intake of temporary foreign workers, signaling a departure from the nation’s previously liberal immigration stance. Miller highlighted a notable increase in the admission of temporary residents in recent years, prompting the need for adjustments to improve system efficiency. While recognising the importance of temporary foreign workers in addressing labour shortages, Miller emphasised the need for enhancements to the system. The Federal Government plans to limit the number of temporary residents to no more than five percent of the national population over the next three years, down from the…
Author: Editor Francis
The Delta State Commissioner of Health, Joseph Onojaeme, has announced the confirmation of four cases of Lassa fever within the state. Speaking to news reporters in Asaba on Friday, March 22, Onojaeme stressed the importance of residents maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings to prevent the breeding of rats, which are known carriers of the disease. The affected local government areas identified by Onojaeme include Okpe, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ndokwa East Council areas. As a proactive measure, Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) have been established across the state to closely monitor the situation and ensure public awareness. “Onojaeme disclosed that…
In a dramatic operation conducted by officers from MOPOL 20 and Maroko Police Station, a notorious gang of kidnappers was dismantled in the Ikeja area of Lagos. Following hours of intense shootout, nine suspects were apprehended from their hideout situated in the Lekki-Ajah axis of the state. Reports indicate that the arrested individuals were part of a well-known kidnapping syndicate operating in the Lekki-Ajah region. Concerns had been raised by residents, prompting numerous complaints to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, regarding the escalating incidents of kidnapping in the area. During the raid, law enforcement officers seized three…
After being shuttered in the wake of the July 26 coup d’état and subsequent ECOWAS sanctions, Niger Republic has announced the reopening of its borders with Nigeria in the regions of Diffa, Tahoua, Maradi, and Dosso. In a radio message disseminated via social media on Thursday, the Nigerien Ministry of Interior instructed the governors of these border regions to authorise the reopening precisely at 12:00 midnight. Additionally, the ministry mandated the governors to bolster security measures and controls along the 1,500-kilometer border. While Nigeria had reopened its border weeks ago following the lifting of ECOWAS sanctions during a summit in…
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi received US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo, his sixth trip to the Middle East since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. President Al-Sissi stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire, deploring the humanitarian crisis and famine threatening the lives of civilians in Gaza, particularly in the town of Rafah, where almost 1.5 million Palestinians are seeking refuge. The previous day, Antony Blinken had visited Saudi Arabia to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of prisoners and hostages, and the strengthening of international humanitarian efforts, according to Matthew Miller, spokesman…
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has issued a plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to intervene with the security agencies to secure the release of Mr. Segun Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews, who was allegedly abducted by the military last Friday. In a statement released by IPI Nigeria, signed by President Musikilu Mojeed and Legal Adviser Tobi Soniyi, it was emphasized that Mr. Olatunji’s continued detention constitutes a grave violation of his fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. “He is entitled to his freedom. However, if he is suspected of wrongdoing, he should be presented…
In a bid to tackle illegal mining and ensure the protection of the nation’s mineral resources, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development, has inaugurated a specialised security force. The force, named the “Mining Marshal Corps,” comprises 2,220 security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake, emphasised the importance of securing mining sites to maximise the benefits from Nigeria’s natural resources. The initiative follows President Bola Tinubu’s establishment of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with formulating strategies to safeguard the country’s resources, including solid minerals, forests,…
The family of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has voiced criticism against political leaders in the South-East for their perceived failure to engage with President Bola Tinubu in securing Kanu’s release. Kanu, who has been in detention since June 29, 2021, saw his recent bail application declined by Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday. In a statement released on Thursday on behalf of the family, Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, questioned why Igbo political leaders had not taken steps to discuss Kanu’s release with Tinubu almost a year into the president’s tenure. Emmanuel raised concerns…
At the 140th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, sixteen state governors submitted reports expressing their support for the establishment of state police. These reports, along with recommendations for constitutional changes to allow for the creation of state police, were presented at the meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. Stanley Nkwocha, Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Communications, confirmed the submission of the reports in a statement titled, ‘NEC endorses take-off of $617M i-DICE programme across states.’ According to Nkwocha, the NEC is still awaiting reports…
The Nigerian naira demonstrated resilience against the US dollar, marking a steady appreciation on Thursday, closing at 1,382 naira per dollar in the official market, showing an increase of N18. This positive trend follows a warning from the Presidency directed at currency speculators, cautioning against activities detrimental to the national currency. The uptick in the naira’s value occurred following a notable surge in both official and parallel foreign exchange markets. The naira closed at N1,400 per dollar in the black market the previous day. The Forex trading auction summary revealed a 1.3 percent appreciation, attributed to heightened dollar supply at…
Anxiety and frustration grip intending pilgrims from Nigeria as Saudi Arabia’s decision to cease issuing Umrah visas threatens their plans for the 2024 Ramadan pilgrimage. The move, reported by the Daily Trust, has left thousands uncertain about their journey, with the fasting period already in its 11th day. The ramifications of this decision extend beyond individual pilgrims, as hajj and Umrah operators brace themselves for substantial financial losses. Hotel bookings in Makkah and Madinah are at risk, with flights intended for Umrah travel already facing cancellations and rescheduling. A recent incident at Kano Airport serves as a stark example. A…
The Chair of the council’s Committee Pursuant to a 2005 Resolution on Sudan, reported an increase in violence against civilians particularly in west Darfur and violations of arms embargo. South Korean ambassador Joonkook Hwang who chairs the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 briefed the 15-member organ on work covering the period from 13 December to today, including releasing its annual report for 2023; and receiving the Sudan Panel’s final report on 22 December 2023, as well as its third quarterly report on 23 February 2024. “The panel reported on violations of the arms embargo, violations of international…