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Nigerians can now collect international passport within two weeks — Immigration boss
Nigerians can now collect international passport within two weeks — Immigration boss
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that the International Passport will henceforth be processed and collected within two weeks of registration.
The NIS Comptroller General, Caroline Adepoju, represented by DCG Saadatu Hassan, made the information known during the commissioning of the NIS Passport Front Office in Offa at the weekend.
“We are now in the era of getting passport within two weeks, unlike in the past when people waited for weeks before they could get their passport.
“This development started since the appointment of the present Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Ojo, whom the Almighty has used to perform the good work, for the benefit of Nigerians,” Adepoju said.
The Comptroller General, who said that the passport with 32 pages and which is to expire after five years, is meant for minors while the one for 64 pages, and valid for 10 years, is specifically for adults.
She advised applicants to report any problem encountered during the period of registration, by informing them physically or through their available website and not complain on social media.
“We have people that receive complaints in the office, also report through our website, Facebook page and other official channels, but don’t drag our name on social media, just to gain attention,” she said.
Adepoju also advised applicants to ensure that all their National Identity Number (NIN) information tallies with information on International Passport, saying it should be arranged accordingly.
“This is one of the major things that caused delays in collection of passports and make many people complain of the time taken to process passport,” she explained.
The NIS boss thanked the Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II, for his kind gesture in donating the NIS Passport Office and providing all necessary things for the structure.
“Offa is one of the few states in Nigeria that has two passport offices and I am happy for them as it will spring up lots of opportunities and help to increase economic activities in Offa Town,” she said.
State Comptroller of Immigration, Compt. Aminu Shamsuddin thanked the Organization of Development Union (ODU) in Offa, most especially the Olofa of Offa for his kind gesture, human friendliness and determination.
Shamsuddin said that Olofa had always wanted to ease the stress of his subjects and so, immediately he suggested NIS Passport Front office to him, he was ready to sponsor it.
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He also thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for the good work of his administration, most especially the Minister and CG for the approval and assistance rendered towards making it successful.
Earlier, Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II said that delay in passport collection and lots of complaints from his subjects and other people prompted him to sponsor the establishment of a passport office in Offa.
He further said that with the assistance of the hardworking Minister of Interior and NIS CG, the project became a reality and a dream came through.
“Many people complained that it takes months to collect passport abroad, but things have changed for good, as those in diaspora now get their passport within a month.
“While those in Nigeria now have the opportunity to get their passport within two weeks,” he said.
Olofa, who said that demand for passport had increased, added that the effort of the Minister and CG to open up more Passport Front offices was commendable.
He further said that the presence of Passport Front office in Offa would save his subjects from travelling to other states to get passports done as well as increase productivity.
The first class traditional ruler urged all Nigerians to maximize the opportunity and get their passport, saying that the new NIS office belongs to the whole nation and not only for Offa people.
Nigerians can now collect international passport within two weeks — Immigration boss
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
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- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
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