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UK Increases Visa Fees, Health Surcharge For Nigerians, Others

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United Kingdom prime minister, Rishi Sunak, says the surcharge paid for the state-funded national health service (NHS) by visa applicants from around the world will “increase significantly”.

Sunak made this known on Thursday during a Downing Street press conference, said migrants will also pay more for visa applications.

The development is set to hit Nigeria with one of the highest numbers of migrants to the UK.

The British-Indian leader, who was under pressure to accept the recommendation of an independent review of pay for teachers, police, junior doctors and other public sector workers, confirmed a hike between 5 percent and 7 percent across the board.

“If we’re going to prioritise paying public sector workers more, that money has to come from somewhere else because I’m not prepared to put up people’s taxes and I don’t think it would be responsible or right to borrow more because that would just make inflation worse,” Sunak said.

“So, what we have done are two things to find this money. The first is, we are going to increase the charges that we have for migrants who are coming to this country when they apply for visas and indeed something called the immigration health surcharge (IHS), which is the levy that they pay to access the NHS.

“All of those fees are going to go up and that will raise over £1 billion. So, across the board visa application fees are going to go up significantly and similarly for the IHS.

Sunak added that this was “entirely right” as these fees have not been increased recently.

He said the government believes it is appropriate given that the costs have risen since the last hike.

According to Sunak, this move will have no effect on inflation because there would be no new borrowing or spending to fund the increases.

He added that the funds would have to be sourced elsewhere.

“Teachers’ pay rises would be funded by a reallocation of the existing department budget, ” he said.

Earlier report had it that Junior doctors under the British Medical Association (BMA) have embarked on a five-day strike over their demand for increased salaries.

They had previously gone on strike from June 14 to June 17, for 96 hours in April and 72 hours in March.

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UPDATE: Bobrisky To Sue VeryDarkMan For N1bn, Claims Voice Recording Was AI-Generated [PHOTOS]

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Bobrisky, the social media celebrity, has threatened to file a N1 billion lawsuit against activist VeryDarkMan for alleged defamation.

In a document dated September 27, Bobrisky claimed that VeryDarkMan shared a recording, allegedly created using Artificial Intelligence (AI), to tarnish her reputation.

Bobrisky’s legal counsel gave the activist a 24-hour ultimatum to retract the statements and apologize or face legal action.

The situation began after VeryDarkMan, whose real name is Martins Otse, posted an audio recording online in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have bribed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with N15 million to drop charges against her.

Bobrisky, whose birth name is Idris Okuneye, had been released from prison on August 5 after serving a six-month sentence for abusing the naira.

In the audio, Bobrisky supposedly said her “godfather” and Haliru Nababa, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) controller general, ensured she served her sentence in a private apartment instead of a prison.

Bobrisky denied the claims, calling the recording “fake” and asserting that she did not bribe the EFCC.

Both Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan were invited by the EFCC over the bribery allegations, and the agency’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, ordered an immediate investigation.

The federal government also suspended two NCoS officials over the bribery claims involving Bobrisky.

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Old English Supermarket Opens In Ibadan, Expands South-West Presence

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OldEnglish Superstores & Bakery has officially opened a new outlet in Bodija, Ibadan, further extending its reach across South-West Nigeria.

The firm is known for its high-quality bakery products and affordable groceries. Old English Supermarket has become a household name, providing unbeatable prices and a top-tier shopping experience.

The newly launched Bodija branch located at 39 Oshuntokun Avenue, Bodija Estate, adds to the brand’s rapidly expanding network of outlets in the region. Offering a broad range of products, from their signature bread to fresh produce and essential household items, the supermarket is designed to meet the diverse needs of Ibadan’s growing population.

During the opening ceremony, Akogun Lanre Alfred, the visionary entrepreneur behind Old English, shared his excitement about the new venture. “We are thrilled to bring Old English to the vibrant city of Ibadan. Our mission has always been to provide affordable, high-quality goods to families, and this new outlet is another step toward achieving that goal,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring that our customers experience convenience, affordability, and exceptional service in every location we open.”

With five successful outlets already operating in Lagos and Ogun states, the Bodija branch represents a key part of Old English’s ongoing expansion plan. Alfred added, “Our goal is to become the largest retailer in Nigeria and Africa. We want to help families save money while offering them access to fresh, nutritious food and high-quality goods at low prices.”

The company’s success stems from its customer-centric approach, combining visionary enterprise with diligent service. By adopting a mass distribution model that incorporates the input of stakeholders at every level, Old English has been able to seamlessly integrate accountability with commercial success.

As the supermarket chain continues to grow, Old English is determined to maintain its high standards of quality and customer satisfaction. The expansion in Ibadan, along with other outlets planned for the future, reflects the brand’s dedication to making premium goods and services easily accessible to all.

For Ibadan residents, the new Old English Supermarket in Bodija is a welcome addition, offering a reliable and affordable shopping option that aligns with the needs of the community.

“We’re here to make life easier for families,” Alfred emphasized. “By saving them money on groceries and other essentials, we’re giving them more room to live better. That’s what Old English is all about.

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Lagos, Ogun Warn Residents As Oyam Dam Plans Water Release

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The Lagos and Ogun state governments have warned residents living in flood-prone areas, especially those near riverbanks, to temporarily relocate or prepare for possible flooding due to the planned release of water from the Oyan dam.

The release, managed by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), is an annual process to regulate dam levels during the rainy season.

Last year, flooding caused by water release from the dam affected residents of Isheri Riverview Estate and surrounding areas.

To prevent a similar situation, both state governments have advised communities in low-lying areas to take precautions, including moving to safer locations, as the release could cause rivers to overflow and result in severe flooding.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed that advocacy efforts were underway, urging people in vulnerable areas like Ajilete and Owode-Onirin to relocate.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, noted that the dam’s water release volume would be increased to create more reservoir space.

However, OORBDA assured the public that the release would not cause flooding, and the dam has undergone regular maintenance to prevent any failures.

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