Connect with us


BIG STORY

U.S Reviews Ban On Migrant Visa As Nigeria Meets 90% Requirement

Published

on

The U.S. government has said that it is reevaluating its ban on some categories of Migrant Visas for Nigerians having been satisfied with the country’s level of compliance with information sharing and other concerns.

Mustapha Sulaiman, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the inaugural meeting of the U.S./Nigeria Forum in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to Mr Sulaiman, the forum will serve as a platform where both countries can progressively improve on bilateral relations and address concerns for the benefit of citizens.

The permanent secretary said that the U.S is reviewing the ban on Nigeria because it has met almost 90 percent of the requirements set by the U.S. government.

According to him, the U.S. placed a ban on some categories of migrant visas in January because the requirements set by the U.S. were far from being met.

“We have accomplished so much within a very difficult year, but essentially we want to acknowledge the recognition and put on record Nigeria’s response to the concerns by the United States government in respect of the immigrant visa restriction that was imposed on Nigerians.

“I want to say that we appreciate the acknowledgment and the commendations from the United States government in respect to this response.

“From the assessment of the recipient of our response, I think we have accomplished almost 90 percent of the requirements that have been set in that regard.

“And I am sure that if you follow the information that has been passed on the level of compliance, for instance, sharing of information, we have done so much in that regard.

“That is why I believe the U.S. government is having the comfort to even reevaluate. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been candidates for reevaluation.

“If we have to rate ourselves, from what has been done so far, we should be about 90 percent compliant.

“The consular forum was agreed on earlier in the year during the Bi-National Commission of the United States and Nigeria which was held in Washington January, February and that agreement is what is coming to push now.

“We have just had the maiden consular forum meeting today and I want to put it on record that it has been a very successful meeting with various issues that were discussed,” Mr Sulaiman said.

Mr Sulaiman commended all stakeholders that workéd hard to ensure that Nigeria made appreciable progress to earn them commendations from especially the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the U.S Embassy in Nigeria.

Also speaking, U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, commended Nigeria on the progress made in information sharing and other concerns raised by the U.S. government, which led to the ban.

Mr Leonard explained that the Presidential Proclamation enjoins the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to prepare a report addressing the measures that have been taken which is then submitted to the White House for reevaluation.

She said that contrary to reports, the ban Presidential Proclamation did not mean that no Nigerian could ever enter into the U.S.

She said the bi-national commission meeting was held at about the same time of the proclamation which allowed Nigeria’s Foreign Minister and the U.S Secretary of State to make public statements on what it entailed.

“I have to congratulate Nigeria on its progress on greater information sharing with the United States.

“We have reviewed the Federal Government’s report on information sharing and we are inspired by the strides that Nigeria has made to improve access to stolen and lost travel documents.

“And I am particularly encouraged by the Sept. 7 announcement that the U.S provided Interpol router is successfully connected to Nigeria’s Immigration Service and National center bureau in Abuja.

“Washington is extremely pleased about that development in particular,” Leonard said.

On the imposition of visa restriction to those who undermine the electoral process, Mrs. Leonard said the U.S “takes it very seriously”.

She said anyone found guilty would be subjected to the sanctions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Jan. 31, President Donald Trump expanded his administration’s curbs on immigration visas to Nigeria and six other countries for failing to meet U.S Security and information sharing standards.

(NAN)

BIG STORY

NAFDAC Shuts Down N50 Million Worth Counterfeit Cosmetics Manufacturing Facility In Lagos

Published

on

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has successfully shut down an illegal cosmetics manufacturing facility located at Benue Plaza, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State.

This significant enforcement operation targeted counterfeit products.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), NAFDAC revealed that its officers discovered large quantities of unregistered chemicals, expired products, and packaging materials intended for the production of fake cosmetics during the raid.

The operation resulted in the seizure of over 1,200 cartons of counterfeit goods from the location. Alarmingly, expired cosmetics were being revalidated for sale, raising serious concerns about consumer safety.

The agency also confiscated equipment used in the illicit manufacturing process, such as mini-mixing containers, unlabelled chemicals, batch coding materials, and thinners.

These materials were transported to NAFDAC’s office for further investigation. The agency estimates the street value of the confiscated goods at approximately N50 million.

NAFDAC has reiterated its commitment to protecting public health by clamping down on illegal and unregulated products in the Nigerian market.

In a statement, the agency urged consumers to exercise caution when purchasing cosmetics, particularly from unverified sources, and to report any suspicious products to NAFDAC for further action.

This operation underscores NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to combat the production and distribution of counterfeit goods, which pose significant risks to public health and safety.

The agency has emphasized that such enforcement actions are part of a broader strategy to ensure that only regulated and certified products reach consumers, safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s cosmetics market.

In a related development, about 5 months ago NAFDAC sealed several unregistered bakeries and water-packaging companies operating without the agency’s approval in Plateau State.

According to Mr. Shaba Mohammed, Director of NAFDAC’s North Central Zone, the closure followed inspections that revealed substandard Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the water-packaging firms.

As a result, these companies were shut down to prevent the circulation of potentially unsafe products.

In addition to this, numerous patent medicine stores were sealed for selling expired and unregistered medical products.

The raid, part of NAFDAC’s routine inspections in local government areas such as Dengi, Wase, Yelwa Shendam, and Namu, was aimed at enforcing compliance with safety standards and protecting public health.

Mr. Mohammed emphasized that NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring only certified and safe products are available to Nigerian consumers.

He urged the public to be vigilant, choosing only NAFDAC-registered goods, and to report any suspicious or expired products.

He also reiterated that businesses found violating the agency’s regulations would face appropriate sanctions, while advising aspiring entrepreneurs to seek guidance on product registration to avoid penalties.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Crisis In PDP Is Creation Of APC, They Want Us To Be In Disarray — Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed

Published

on

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has attributed the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to interference by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made this assertion while receiving members of the PDP Board of Trustees at the Government House in Bauchi.

“Any challenge is not insurmountable, it is insurmountable by the grace of God and we will find a solution to that,” he stated.

“It is only PDP with the experience of governance that is being challenged.”

“You will notice that this is the creation of the other side. They want us to be in disarray, it is the creation of APC. They always want to have moles within us, they want to have knowledge of what is going on.”

“Even the Wike that is in APC is in PDP, he is performing very well. They don’t have people that will perform like our members and that is why they chose to pick him and gave him a state-like structure to run.”

“To us, it is a commendation. The press will see that at least irrespective of the bizarre situation, it is a recognition that PDP has the human capital to deliver Nigeria.”

Gov Mohammed also acknowledged the challenge posed by Wike’s dual role and attributed the party’s crises to opposition from the APC but assured that they have a strategy to navigate the situation.

To him, the PDP’s primary focus was on unifying the party to take over leadership in 2027 and ensure effective governance.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

IGP Appoints Tunji Disu As FCT CP, Redeploys Two Others

Published

on

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has reassigned Police Commissioner Tunji Disu from the Rivers State Police Command to lead the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command.

As part of the redeployment, Abaniwonda Olufemi, formerly Delta State’s Commissioner of Police, will now head the Rivers State Police Command, while Peter Opara, the previous FCT CP, will take over the Delta State Police Command.

In a statement on Thursday, Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said the redeployment was “to strategically emplace a Police Force well efficient for effective policing”.

Also, following the approval of the Police Service Commission, the IGP deployed four CPs as Commissioners of Police for Abia, Lagos, Ebonyi, and Akwa-Ibom State Commands.

“The deployment includes the posting of CP Danladi Nda to Abia State Command; CP Olanrewaju Ishola Olawale to Lagos State Command; CP Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya, fdc to Ebonyi State Command and CP Festus Eribo to Akwa-Ibom State Command.

“The posting of these strategic managers reflects the mission of the Inspector-General of Police to strategically reposition the Police Force and ensure maximum utilization of human resources available to the Force.

“The IGP has, however, urged the new CPs of State Commands to ensure diligence in the discharge of their lawful duties and adopt innovations that could mitigate security challenges in their respective areas of responsibility,” the statement read.

He further encouraged them to key into the police reform plans, which will help the progress of the Nigeria Police Force and the growth of the country in general.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular