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Many Nigerians Denied Canadian Visa Unfairly, It Must Be Addressed —– Envoy

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Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Adeyinka Asekun, says the host country is unfairly denying a lot of Nigerians visas, including students.

Asekun stated this during a webinar on Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary organized by the mission on Thursday evening.

He expressed the hope that the issue would be addressed in the draft bilateral agreement, which both countries have been working on, for better treatment of Nigerians in that regard.

“Canada and Nigeria have for some time been working on a draft agreement that addresses a number of areas of mutual concern to both countries.

“It is our further hope that a video conference call may be set up next spring latest to finalize the terms of this agreement.

“What is most important about this agreement is that it is likely to address a situation in which a lot of Nigerian citizens are being denied visas when they should actually have been granted the visas.

“We are looking for a situation in which the process will become much fairer and much more predictable.

“And there are provisions in this agreement which will make it possible for us to get much better treatment,” he said.

The envoy said many Nigerians were eager to study in Canada but were denied the opportunity, adding that he hoped the situation would change when the agreement came into effect.

However, Asekun said Nigeria and Canada have shared long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships in various areas since the former’s Independence in 1960.

He acknowledged the Canadian government’s assistance to Nigeria, including its contribution to the establishment of a laboratory in Lagos in 2014 for effective management of infectious disease following the Ebola outbreak.

The facility, according to him, has greatly helped Nigeria in the management and containment of COVID-19.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Rob Oliphant, said his country was host to no fewer than 11,000 Nigerian students.

In a goodwill message on behalf of the minister, Oliphant also highlighted the strong relationship between Nigerian and Canada.

He did not speak on the visa issue mentioned by the ambassador.

He said, “The strong relationship between Canada and Nigeria is built on deep people-to-people ties.

“Over 50,000 Canadians have Nigerian roots, some of them are my very good personal friends, and today over 11,000 Nigerian students are pursuing their studies in Canada.

“They enrich Canadian universities. Of course, they benefit from Canadian universities, but the benefit they bring to Canada is equal and extremely important.

“Limited air travel does not weaken these important personal ties. In fact, it keeps us keenly looking forward to even more connection and reconnection.

“On that note, let me again offer my personal heartfelt congratulations.

“On behalf of the government of Canada, I wish Nigeria and its people a very happy 60th anniversary of independence. May God bless you all.”

 

NAN

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JUST IN: Oil Marketers Reduce Petrol Price By 11.8% To N939.50 Per Litre

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Oil marketers sourcing “Premium Motor Spirit”, “PMS”, also known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery have reduced the price by 11.8 percent to N939.50 per litre, down from N1,060 per litre.

As of Thursday, December 19, petrol was still being sold at N1,060 per litre in Lagos and surrounding areas.

However, by Friday, MRS, a leading marketer, along with others, had adjusted their prices, now selling at N939.50 per litre.

It’s worth noting that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had earlier lowered the ex-pump price of petrol to N899.50 per litre, down from N970 per litre.

According to the refinery, this price reduction is intended to offer much-needed relief to Nigerians ahead of the holiday season.

Anthony Chiejina, the Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, made this announcement.

“To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on “PMS” (“petrol”). From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM,” Chiejina said.

‘‘Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.”

 

More to come…

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EFCC Allocates N18bn For Allowances, N5bn For Travels In Proposed 2025 Budget

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to allocate N18 billion for allowances in 2025.

This figure is part of the proposed 2025 budget currently under consideration and awaiting approval by the national assembly.

As per the appropriation bill, the EFCC’s total budget for 2025 stands at approximately N62.2 billion.

This budget includes personnel costs (N38.6 billion), overheads (N20.9 billion), and capital expenditure (N2.2 billion).

Within the allowance budget, N1.7 billion is designated for “non-regular allowances,” while “regular allowances” are set at N16.7 billion.

Other proposed expenditures for the EFCC include welfare packages (N1.4 billion), fuel and lubricants (N2 billion), financial charges (N1.2 billion), construction and provision of office buildings (N1.1 billion), and maintenance services (N2.1 billion).

The EFCC also plans to allocate N4.9 billion for “local travel and transport,” with “international travel and transport” expected to cost N1.7 billion.

The proposed budget includes N800 million for the purchase of fixed assets.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu unveiled the N49.7 trillion 2025 “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity.”

In his address to the national assembly, Tinubu stated that it was time “we rewrite Nigeria’s narrative together.”

The primary focus of next year’s budget will be the defence, infrastructure, health, and education sectors.

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BREAKING: Court Grants Dele Farotimi N30m Bail In Defamation Case

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A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has granted N30 million bail to Dele Farotimi, the human rights activist.

Abayomi Adeosun, the magistrate, made the ruling on Farotimi’s bail application on Friday.

The bail conditions include two sureties, who must be responsible citizens in society, with the defendant required to leave his international passport with the court. Farotimi is also prohibited from granting media interviews during the pendency of the case.

The police had accused Farotimi of “criminally defaming” Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

 

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