News
Nigerian Passports Would be Issued Within Two Weeks- Tunji-Ojo
Nigerian Passports Would be Issued Within Two Weeks- Tunji-Ojo
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has said that from December passports would be made available in two weeks to applicants.
The Minister also promised that Nigerians would also be saved of the pains of having to wait on the queue to upload the needed information to get passport issued. He said that registration would be done online and the only thing that would be needed to be done at any passport office is the biometrics capture and the collection of issued passports.
He said the ministry is working at getting the needed equipment to make this possible in December
The minister gave the promise during a press briefing where he disclosed to journalists how the ministry, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other stakeholders achieved clearance of 204,332 passports backlogs across the country within three weeks.
The minister said it all started when Mr. President said: “look I didn’t appoint you to that ministry to give excuses, go and change the narratives, especially of passports applications and collections. Nigerians have had enough of that problem. “
He said in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the Ministry of Interior, the NIS, and other stakeholders aligned with “the talk and do” mantra of the present administration.
Tunji-Ojo revealed to journalists how the deadline he handed down on the 7th of September was delivered by the Immigration Service, stating that personnel of NIS had to do three shifts each day including Saturdays and Sundays to deliver.
According to him, the Service providers of the NIS were also made to double up their printing capacities and capabilities, especially in areas where passports backlogs were higher.
The minister said:” Yes. I gave two weeks deadline. I however have to apologise to Nigerians that we delivered on it in three weeks. We had 204,332 Nigerians whose data had been captured. And we cannot continue to watch them waiting endlessly. I visited the headquarters of the Immigration Service and told them the narratives must change.
“So in critical frontline desks like Ikeja, Alausa, Ikoyi, Ibadan, Abuja, we ordered that more printing machines be brought in by the Service providers. Then we increased the working hours of the personnel of NIS. They started running three shifts.
“Let me at this juncture commend the Acting Comptroller General of the Immigration Service, Mrs Wura-Ola Adepoju, especially for her positive responses to the pressures I mounted on her. I would call her late and demand updates, and she would provide updates. That was the spirit. “
Tunji-Ojo however revealed that so far out of the 204,332 backlogs cleared, only 94,981 have been collected by the applicants, leaving 109,351 yet uncollected.
He said while the entire backlogs were cleared as of October 1st, Nigerians should appreciate the extraordinary efforts of those who made it possible by showing up in the various offices of NIS to collect the travel documents.
He regretted that for instance in Ikoyi Passports office, 39,170 backlogs were cleared, only about 9,458 applicants have showed up to collect the booklets. And while 21,108 were cleared in Alausa, a huge number of applicants are yet to show up to collect the documents.
The Minister said to sustain the momentum, the Ministry would embark on some reforms with the NIS, stating that by December this year, Nigerians can upload all supporting documents including their passports online to the Immigration Service.
He said the measures would reduce human interfaces and corrupt practices, while bureaucratic bottlenecks that have been dismantled would not resurface anymore.
According to him, applicants would only show up at Immigration offices for biometric capturing of data as it would reduce applications and collections of passports to two weeks.
Nigerian Passports Would be Issued Within Two Weeks- Tunji-Ojo
Twenty abducted villagers rescued in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
All the 20 persons abducted from Dunfawa village in Moriki District of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been rescued unharmed, security sources have confirmed.
The victims were abducted earlier on Saturday by armed bandits who stormed the village, sparking fear among residents of the area.
Sources told Zagazola that the victims were rescued at about 4:00 p.m. following sustained pressure mounted on the abductors by joint security patrol teams operating in the Moriki axis.
According to the sources, the rescue operation involved coordinated efforts by security forces deployed to the area, which forced the bandits to abandon their captives.
“All the 20 abducted persons were rescued safely and without injuries. They were taken to a government hospital for medical check-up and later debriefed before being reunited with their families,” the sources said.
They added that joint patrols had been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks and to facilitate possible rescue of other victims in nearby communities.
Residents of Dunfawa village expressed relief over the rescue, while calling for sustained security presence to prevent future abductions.
Twenty abducted villagers rescued in Zamfara
Adamawa Pastor Encourages Members to Obtain PVC, NIN
Rev. Maxwell Kuri, resident Pastor, ECWA Goodnews upper Luggere Jimeta, Yola, encouraged every eligible church member to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) on time, as the 2027 general elections approached.
Kuri who is also the Chairman, DCC, made the call in his new year message with the theme: “Keep Your Lamps Burning”, on Sunday in Yola.
He also called on them to as well get their National Identification Number (NIN) due to its importance.
Kuri urged them not to be discouraged by the long queues adding that such should not be an excuse.
Kuri said, early preparations were key, therefore encourage them to actively participate in politics,
“We also encourage you to take interest in governance, participate responsibly in politics and join political parties of your choices, so that good values, integrity and the fear of God can influence leadership in our nation.
“Let us not only pray for Nigeria but also play our part as responsible citizens,”he said.
Kuri further urged members to act with wisdom and responsibility as well as prepare for the service in 2026 and show love for one another.
The Pastor further urged his members, to continue praying for national development, as the Federal Government had implemented the comprehensive tax reform in January.
He said, the reform was aimed to strengthening the fiscal foundation, promote fairness, economic growth and shared national responsibility.
“Beloved members of ECWA Goodnews Church, Jimeta Yola, it is important that we continue to pray earnestly for our nation and also act with wisdom and responsibility as citizens of Nigeria.
“As you are aware, the Federal Government has recently introduced a comprehensive tax reform scheduled to take effect from Jan. 1.
“While these reforms are intended to benefit the broader economy and serve the common good, we also acknowledge the ongoing public discussions and concerns surrounding their implementation and impact,” the cleric said.
Adamawa Pastor Encourages Members to Obtain PVC, NIN
Kwankwaso: I’ll only defect to another party if offered 2027 presidential or VP ticket
By: Michael Mike
Rabiu Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), says he would only consider defecting to another party if offered the presidential or vice-presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso also condemned the planned defection by Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as an act of betrayal.
Speaking to NNPP supporters at his residence in Kano on Wednesday, the former governor said despite his political journey spanning four decades, his supporters nationwide would only accept a defection if it guarantees him the top two positions in the next election.
Kwankwaso: I’ll only defect to another party if offered 2027 presidential or VP ticket
Twenty abducted villagers rescued in Zamfara
Adamawa Pastor Encourages Members to Obtain PVC, NIN
Kwankwaso: I’ll only defect to another party if offered 2027 presidential or VP ticket
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News9 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
