Buhari canvasses suspension of blanket visa ban by UAE

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu

Buhari has called for a lifting of the blanket visa ban clamped down on Nigerians by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The President canvassed this position on Monday during a telephone conversation with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who doubles as the Emir of Abu Dhabi, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assignment is the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

President Buhari had called Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al

Nahyan to condole with him on the death of his mother-inlaw, Sheikha Maryam Al Falasi, during which important issues of mutual concern between the two countries came up, the statement said.

It noted that the President requested his UAE counterpart to review the blanket visa ban imposed on Nigerians intending to travel to the UAE, recalling that mutually beneficial excellent relations have subsisted between the two nations over many years, symbolized by robust economic interactions and regular consultations on matters of common interest, including engagements at the highest political levels.

The President noted that recent irritants in bilateral relations generated by consular issues relating to the behaviour of some Nigerians in the UAE are being ironed out, explaining that no country including Nigeria will condone criminalities and illegal behaviours.

President Buhari therefore expressed the readiness of the Government of Nigeria to apply necessary sanctions through appropriate judicial process against anyone identified to have committed criminal acts in the UAE, urging that the issue be allowed to be handled by the relevant security/intelligence agencies of the two countries and to come up with lasting solutions to the problems associated with criminalities and illegalities, the statement said.

President Buhari also requested a resumption of the suspended operations of Emirates Airline in the country.

Recall that Emirates Airline had suspended its operations in Nigeria in 2022 in the wake of its inability to repatriate funds trapped in Nigeria.

President Buhari assured the UAE leader that the issue of the Emirates funds was receiving appropriate attention alongside those of other foreign airlines operating in Nigeria, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria had been directed to increase foreign exchange allocation to the airline.

L-R Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele and Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, during the parley with members of the Diplomatic Community, yesterday in Abuja.

Buhari presents Tinubu to Imo state indigenes

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu

Buhari Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State, thanked indigenes for continuous support for his administration, government of the state, and All Progressives Congress (APC), asking for more support to consolidate on the gains.

President Buhari, who presented the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to teeming supporters at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, said the flagbearer would carry on with his legacy.

The President presented the party’s flagbearer to the crowd accompanied by the Governors of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, Lagos State, Babajide SanwoOlu, Ebonyi State, David Umahi and other party leaders led by the National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu.

Welcoming President Buhari and Asiwaju Tinubu, Governor Uzodinma noted that President Buhari had shown more love and understanding for the South East than previous leaders, thanking the President for historic projects, like the Second Niger Bridge.

“Mr President you have been too good to Imo State,’’ he said, listing development projects to include upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre to a teaching hospital, Alvan Ikoku College of Education to university and construction of roads in the state.

“Imo State people are very happy with you Mr President. Your presence here today further shows the strength of the party in the state. Imo State is for APC, and APC is for Imo. In words and actions, we will not disappoint you,’’ he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu thanked party supporters in the state for coming out to receive the President and presidential candidate, adding that it validates “the handshake across the Niger’’.

He said the presidential candidate had the capacity to move the nation forward, having left landmark records in Lagos State.

Governor of Ebonyi State said President Buhari had always granted the wish of the South East leaders, particularly in providing support for development.

“No government from the South East has asked you for anything and you turned it down. You are a man of your words.

You live what you say, and say what you believe. We are thankful for the second Niger bridge,’’ he said.

The National Chairman of the APC said Asiwaju would succeed the President, after May 29th, urging support for the candidate to further the gains of the party in the South East.

“APC came with love to share on this Valentine’s Day,’’ he added.

In his remark, Asiwaju said love will be sustained in the state, and across the country, to bring more peace and unity.

“We come with love, peace, stability and progress,’’ he said.

Asiwaju said President Buhari represents integrity, honesty and dependability and had worked very hard to “retool’’ the nation, after the poor management of the country by previous governments.

“The National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, admitted on national television that the party had done damage to the country. You heard it. Will you still vote for the party?,’’ he queried.

Asiwaju Tinubu said the incorruptible character of President Buhari will be sustained, while the efforts at infrastructural development, particularly electricity and energy, will be further improved.

Maryam Abeeb

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the upgrade of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, to a University of Education.

Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abubakar Rasheed, who presented a letter of recognition of the institution to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State in Abuja, said the University is the 61st state-

Niger NPC assures of accurate, acceptable 2023 Census

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

National Population Commission (NPC) in Niger state has assured to conduct a credible, accurate, reliable and acceptable 2023 population and housing census in the state.

The state NPC federal commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Dattijo Usman gave the assurance at a one day state level capacity building workshop for Journalists on effective reporting of the 2023 population and housing census in Minna, saying everyone will be enumerated.

Usman appealed to the media to partner with the commission and support for the success of the only digital, transformational and green census in Nigeria to enhance national development.

Represented by his Technical Adviser, Alhaji NdaAli Abdullahi who revealed that Niger state was leading in all the pre census activities in the state hence the cooperation of the media in ensuring it’s sustainability.

Various paper presenters at the workshop emphasized that the 2023 census will surely hold and everybody is a stakeholder in the process to its success and actualization, hence the preparation is on top gear for the success of the planned census in the country.

The paper presenters at the training workshop to include; Dr Tay Ninge HOD Mass Communication Department, IBBU Lapai, Professor Nicolas Iwakwagh of FUT Minna, Galadima Bala, NPC HOD Administration Ibrahim Garba Gbage and NPC Head of Technicals, Samusi Yusuf among others.