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COVID-19 Tests From Public Laboratories Unusable For Travels —- Sanwo-Olu

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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, says COVID-19 tests from public health facilities cannot be used for travel purposes.

Sanwo-Olu, while providing an update on the COVID-19 situation in the state on Sunday, said outbound and inbound travellers should make use of the 21 private laboratories accredited by the Lagos state government for COVID-19 testing.

“Anyone wishing to test as a requirement for either outbound or inbound travel or other work-related requirements must do so at any of the 21 private laboratories accredited by Lagos State for COVID testing,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Here are highlights of Sanwo-Olu COVID-19 update.

LAGOS FINALISING ITS OWN VACCINE STRATEGY

The governor said the state is finalizing its own vaccine strategy, aside from the federal government’s arrangement for vaccines.

He said frontline workers, people who are medically vulnerable, essential workers, and old people would be considered when vaccines become available in the state.

“At the moment the State Government is finalizing its own vaccine strategy; while at the same time keeping a close eye on ongoing vaccine research, development, and clinical trials. It is also in constant engagement with all the relevant stakeholders in that space, in the public and private sectors,” the governor said.

TheCable had reported that Nigeria secured 100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX facility, which is co-led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and GAVI Alliance. The vaccines were earlier expected in January but will now be delivered to the country in February.

Nigeria has also secured additional 41 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), a vaccine strategy organized by the African Union.

ONE IN FOUR TESTS RETURNED POSITIVE

The governor said the test positivity ratio for January 2021 is 24 percent, which means that one out of every four tests returned positive. He said it is the highest monthly average recorded in the past six months.

Sanwo-Olu said 21 private and four public laboratories have been accredited for COVID-19 testing.

OXYGEN IS FREE IN LAGOS COVID-19 TREATMENT CENTRES

The governor said the use of oxygen in the state COVID-19 treatment centers is free of charge.

He said the demand for oxygen in the state treatment centers has spiked to 300 and 400 cylinders per day.

MODERATE FEE OPTION IN GBAGADA ISOLATION CENTRE

The governor said the state-owned Gbagada isolation center will now charge a moderate fee to treat COVID-19 patients, adding that the fee will be lower than that of private treatment centers.

He said the COVID-19 treatment facility in Yaba will continue to offer free and high-quality treatment to all persons.

CLINICAL TRIAL OF IVERMECTIN IN LAGOS

The governor said the state will carry out a clinical trial of Ivermectin to ascertain its efficacy in preventing and treating COVID-19 infection in Lagos.

He said though Ivermectin has not been approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in the country, the state has taken a bold step to acquire adequate stocks of the drug.

BIG STORY

“JAPA”: Canada Increases Minimum Proof Of Funds To N17m For Immigrants

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Foreign nationals aiming to migrate to Canada through the Express Entry system will now need to meet a higher minimum financial requirement, following a recent update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Based on the new guidelines effective from July 7, 2025, a single applicant is now required to show access to at least CAD $15,263 (about N17 million), an increase from the previous CAD $14,690. For a family of two, the new minimum required amount rises to CAD $19,001 (N21.2m).

This update in the financial threshold is part of IRCC’s annual review of settlement fund requirements, calculated at 50% of the low-income cut-off figures determined by Statistics Canada.

These funds are meant to prove that applicants can financially support themselves and their families after arriving in Canada.

Applicants must provide official letters from their financial institutions, printed on the bank’s letterhead. For those applying with a spouse, funds in joint accounts may be combined.

To stay eligible in the Express Entry pool, candidates must update their proof of funds in their profile no later than July 28, 2025. This update will not affect the original submission date and time of the profile, meaning it will not impact tie-breaker situations.

Proof of funds remains a mandatory requirement under both the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, it is not required for applicants under the Canadian Experience Class or for those already authorized to work in Canada with a valid job offer, even under other Express Entry categories.

Submitting an Express Entry profile is only the initial step and does not guarantee permanent residency. IRCC continues to invite the highest-ranking candidates from the pool approximately every two weeks, using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess and rank applications.

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UK Introduces eVisas For Nigerian Study, Work Visa Applicants

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The British High Commission in Abuja announced on Wednesday a new change in the United Kingdom’s immigration process for Nigerians applying for study and work visas.

Effective from 15 July 2025, most applicants in these categories will start receiving digital eVisas instead of the traditional visa stickers in their passports, according to a statement from the BHC.

The new policy applies only to applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Those who apply before that date will still follow the current process, which involves submitting a passport at a Visa Application Centre and receiving a vignette.

The statement reads, “From 15 July 2025, most individuals applying to enter the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer receive a physical visa sticker (vignette) in their passport. Instead, successful applicants will be issued an eVisa, a secure, online record of their immigration status. This change marks a major step in the UK Government’s transition to a modern, digital immigration system. This change applies only to study or work visa applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Applicants who apply before 15 July will continue with the current process, including leaving their passport at the Visa Application Centre and receiving a vignette. Visit visa applications will continue to receive the visa vignette sticker for the time being.”

Applicants are still required to visit a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric data.

Once approved, applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with the decision and instructions for creating a UKVI account to access their eVisa.

The statement continues, “Despite the removal of the vignette for study or work visas, all applicants must still attend a Visa Application Centre to provide their biometric information as part of the visa processing procedure. Once a decision is made on their visa application, applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with the outcome and instructions to create a UKVI account, to access their eVisa.”

Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Abuja, Gill Obe, stated, “We’re making it easier and faster for Nigerians to travel to the UK. From 15 July 2025, most people applying for study or work visas will get a digital eVisa instead of a visa sticker in their passport. This is a further big step to a fully digital UK immigration system, making the process more secure, more efficient, and more convenient for students, professionals, and families.”

She explained that not all applicants would be affected immediately.

“However, if you’re applying as a dependant, like a spouse or child, of someone who is studying or working in the UK or if you are applying for a visitor visa, you’ll still receive a visa vignette sticker in your passport for the time being,” she said.

The High Commission clarified that eVisas have already replaced Biometric Residence Permits for individuals granted leave for more than six months. Those with a UKVI account can use the “View and Prove” service to share their immigration status with third parties, such as employers or landlords in England.

To obtain an eVisa, applicants must apply online via the official UK government website (gov.uk), attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometrics, take their passport home the same day if no vignette is required, and follow instructions in the decision letter, including creating and linking a UKVI account if needed.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Ganduje Appointed FAAN Board Chairman

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Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been appointed “Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),” shortly after resigning as “National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the official inauguration of newly appointed FAAN board members in Abuja.

Ganduje resigned from his role as APC national chairman last week, citing “urgent personal reasons.” He has been succeeded by Ali Bukar Dalori.

 

More to come:

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