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Strengthening UK-Nigeria Relations: UKVI Global Director’s Official Visit to Nigeria
Strengthening UK-Nigeria Relations: UKVI Global Director’s Official Visit to Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Director of United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI), Mr. Marc Owen was in Nigeria this week for his first official visit to the country in this role.
A statement on Thursday by the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission, Onyinye Madu said as one of UK’s largest visa markets, Nigeria remains pivotal to the UKVI’s global operations.
During his visit, Marc Owen engaged with key stakeholders in Abuja and Lagos and reiterated the UKVI’s dedication to fostering strong relationships and ensuring efficient, customer-focused visa services.
In Abuja, he met with Ambassador Asari E. Allotey, Director for Legal, Migration and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he highlighted important UK visa developments including the global eVisa rollout and how to maintain the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.
He also met the Vital Registration and Digitisation Lead at the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Makama Taala as well as Dr. Penelope Miremba, Migration Health Officer at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) where he emphasised the benefits to both UK and Nigeria of digitising records such as birth and death certificates and TB test certificates respectively, enhancing how records are stored, transmitted, and verified.
At the British Council office, the UKVI delegation toured the English language test centre, and engaged with a range of student councillors and UK university agents.
In Lagos, he met with stakeholders from the UK Joint Border Task Force (JBTF) and key business leaders. He also visited the newly inaugurated UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Ikeja, operated through the UK’s new commercial partner, VFS Global, to engage with teams on service delivery to ensure our services meet the highest standards of convenience and efficiency.
Throughout his time in Nigeria Marc also addressed the challenges posed by visa fraud and fake travel agents and cautioned visa applicants to be vigilant and reiterated the importance of using only official UKVI channels when applying for UK visas. This step is vital to safeguarding applicants and maintaining trust in the visa process. His visit marks a new chapter in UK-Nigeria collaboration, with promises of greater engagement and impactful outcomes.
Strengthening UK-Nigeria Relations: UKVI Global Director’s Official Visit to Nigeria
Troops restore calm after communal clash in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 177 Guards Battalion have restored order following a communal clash in Aso Pada Riverside Community, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Security sources said that at about 9:00 a.m. on March 25, troops deployed at Gurku Patrol Base responded to reports of violence in the community.
On arrival, they discovered that some houses and properties had been set ablaze by youths of Fulani extraction.
Investigations revealed that the incident began when a vigilante from the community shot a Fulani youth with a dane gun over a dispute, claiming the youth’s cow had eaten his mango. Two other Fulani youths were also shot dead, triggering reprisal attacks that led to the deaths of two additional individuals and injuries to five others.
The corpses and injured victims were evacuated to a hospital for medical attention, while the vigilante is currently in police custody. Troops maintained a dominating presence in the area, calming the situation and restoring normalcy.
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to convene an expanded meeting with both parties to qfurther investigate the clash and apprehend other perpetrators.
Troops restore calm after communal clash in Nasarawa
Troops conduct offensive, recover arms in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 1 Brigade, Operation FANSAN YANMA in coordination with troops of Sector 2, have carried out an offensive operation to clear a terrorist group from Dutsi village in Moriki District, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources said that at about 2:15 p.m. on March 25, troops engaged the terrorists in the village, forcing them to flee.
During exploitation of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, and 26 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The operation was subsequently extended to Gandu village within the same district, where troops engaged fleeing terrorist positions on high ground, compelling them to withdraw.
Troops maintained aggressive posture to deny terrorists freedom of action and continue patrols to ensure the security of communities in the area.
Troops conduct offensive, recover arms in Zamfara
Troops respond irrigation farms destroyed in Rinyan, Riyom LGA, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have responded to the destruction of irrigation farms at Rinyan village in Riyom Local Government Area.
Security sources said that at about 8:30 a.m. on March 25, troops of Sector 6 reacted to a report of the destruction of farms belonging to Mr.
David Samuel Dada and six other farmers. On arrival, troops observed that cabbage and pepper crops had been completely destroyed by unidentified persons.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators, the sources added.
Troops respond irrigation farms destroyed in Rinyan, Riyom LGA, Plateau
Troops restore calm after communal clash in Nasarawa
Troops conduct offensive, recover arms in Zamfara
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