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Stranded Nigerian Students in UK Get Relief After NIDCOM InterventionMichael Olugbode in Abuja
Stranded Nigerian Students in UK Get Relief After NIDCOM Intervention
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
By: Michael Mike
Stranded Nigerian students in the United Kingdom (UK) get relief as an amicable payment solution have been agreed to get their tuition fees paid.
No fewer than 60 Nigerian students were reportedly stopped from lectures by Teesside University and reported to the Home Office, and ordered to leave the UK for non payment of tution fees.
The students subsequently blamed the devaluation of the naira for their breach of visa sponsorship requirements.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, announced on Thursday at a press conference ahead of the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations scheduled for July 25, in Abuja, that an amicable payment solution has been agreed on between school and the affected students following the intervention of NIDCOM.
Dabiri-Erewa, responding to a question on the Teesside University in the UK issue, said: “The university has come up with a more compassionate payment method. The students are going to pay their fees. It is not charity, but they have devised ways that can be a bit more convenient.
“For those who were almost done with payment and were told to leave, they agreed that they would pay their fees but would not receive their certificate until they complete their payment.”
The NiDCOM Boss also mentioned that Teesside University was not the only institution affected; many other universities have Nigerian students facing similar issues.
She said: “We are working closely with the student organisations in the UK and the Nigerian Mission to address these challenges.”
Speaking on the forthcoming 2024 Diaspora Day celebration, Dabiri-Erewa said emphasis would be on Japa and its consequences, explaining that Japa must be done in a way that would be profitable and not done blindly.
The NIDCOM, while acknowledging the push factor, like economic instability, security concerns, and living standards, said the country should be looking at how to make gains out of migration.
She stressed the need for proper migration, saying irregular migration is not encouraged because of its consequences.
She noted that the theme for this year’s National Diaspora Day, “Japa Phenomena and its Implications for National Development,” reflected growing concerns over the demographic most affected by this migration—Nigeria’s youth.
“Factors such as economic instability, security concerns, and inadequate standard of living are ranked high among reasons for the exodus of Nigerians abroad.
“The consequence of this phenomenon is the decline of strong human resources because most of the Nigerians relocating are the youths. This in turn, makes a downward turn on labour and productivity in the country.”
She noted that despite these challenges, Dabiri-Erewa called for a change in perspective, urging Nigerians to see the positive side of the situation.
She said: “We have to turn our lemons into lemonade. Today, we change the story by celebrating those vibrant Nigerians who are making positive impacts in the Diaspora and making the country very proud.
“Also, those who, while abroad, are contributing positively to national development.
The term ‘japa’, originating from the Yoruba words ‘ja’ and ‘pa’ meaning “to break free,” and has become Nigerian slang for relocating overseas in search of better opportunities.
Stranded Nigerian Students in UK Get Relief After NIDCOM Intervention
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued two kidnapped victims in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:50 a.m. on April 15 when troops deployed at Kyado responded to a distress call on kidnapping activities in the area.
According to the sources, the troops swiftly moved to the scene, prompting the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee.
The sources added that the troops successfully rescued the two victims and reunited them with their families.
Security operations have been intensified in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further incidents.
Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have arrested the second-in-command to a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Auta, alongside his wife in Gombe State following an intelligence-led tracking operation across multiple locations.
Sources said the suspects, identified as Bala, popularly known as “Pakapaka,” and his wife, Zulaha Bala, were intercepted after fleeing from Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State.
According to the sources, the arrests were the result of sustained intelligence surveillance and coordinated ground tracking by security operatives targeting fleeing members of the criminal network.
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation to determine their level of involvement in the group’s activities and possible connections with other cells operating within and outside the region.
In a related development, troops conducted follow-up patrols around Bayar village in the Duguri axis after intelligence indicated that the main bandit kingpin had fled into the area.
However, no contact was made during the search operation.
Security sources said troops have continued to dominate the general area with sustained patrols aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of movement and disrupting their operational networks across Plateau, Taraba, and adjoining states.
Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation
Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims, arrest kingpin’s aides in Plateau–Taraba forest operations
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops conducting ongoing clearance operations under Operation Wutan Daji have rescued 12 kidnapped victims and arrested key associates of a fleeing bandit leader during coordinated offensives across forested areas linking Plateau and Taraba States.
A military source said the operations, carried out on April 15 and 16, involved troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with an Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) tactical team.
According to the source, the operations were conducted in the Dajin Madam and Kumbodoro forest axis, spanning parts of Plateau and Taraba States.
The source said the sustained offensive led to the recovery of 12 kidnapped victims who escaped from their captors during the pressure mounted by troops.
The victims were subsequently taken into custody for profiling before being moved to an Internally Displaced Persons facility in Fukuk.
Troops also recovered a Dane gun, a fabricated AK-47 rifle and a power bank during the operation.
Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims, arrest kingpin’s aides in Plateau–Taraba forest operations
Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
Troops arrest suspected ammunition racketeer in Cross River
Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation
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