Author: Editor
…5-yr visa now N100k, 10-yr, N200k Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has increased visa fee by 100%. This is coming barely a year after the Federal Government approved an earlier upward adjustment in August 2024, which took effect from September 1, 2024. The new fees according to a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI AS Akinlabi, will take effect from September 1, 2025, and apply only to applications made within Nigeria. Immigration said the adjustment was aimed at maintaining the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport while ensuring accessibility for citizens. The statement read in part: “The…
…Calls for Probe Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Abia State chapter, has accused the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, of sidelining its members in the disbursement of the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Smallholder Farmers Initiative. AFAN also alleged that the Commissioner generated a fake list of beneficiaries and called for a probe into the process adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture in compiling the list. Abia is one of seven pilot states selected to implement the continental programme, which is designed to empower smallholder farmers with access to finance,…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki A policeman was killed on Wednesday in Ebonyi State, Nigeria’s South-East, when a team of policemen clashed with officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The incident happened at a mining site in Amaeze community, Ivo Local Government Area of the state. Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Emmanuel Ajah, confirmed the incident on Thursday when contacted. He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ivo Division briefed him about the tragic confrontation between the two security agencies. “I was informed by the DPO that there was a clash involving the police and civil…
By Azu Ishiekwene When I wrote that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is an animal that eats its curator for lunch, it sounded like a stretch. But so far, the tenure of Bayo Ojulari as group chief executive officer is proving it. This might not be obvious if you look solely at Nigeria’s current crude oil sales. The figure has climbed from about 1.6m bpd when Ojulari was appointed last April to about N1.9m bpd. That is good news for a cash-strapped country plagued by oil theft, weak infrastructure, divestments and thousands of barrels in swap deals. The bad…
Our Reporter, Abuja Manchester United’s troubled 2025-26 season took a devastating turn as they suffered a historic 12-11 penalty shootout loss to League Two side Grimsby Town in the second round of the EFL Cup at Blundell Park. The defeat, following a 2-2 draw in regulation time, marks one of the most humiliating results in the club’s storied history and piles further pressure on manager Ruben Amorim. Grimsby Town, a fourth-tier outfit with a squad value dwarfed by United’s £750 million roster, stunned the Red Devils with a spirited performance. The Mariners took a commanding 2-0 lead by halftime, capitalizing…
Our Reporter, Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that it will inaugurate its 2025 National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC) on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. According to a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the inauguration will take place at the NEC Hall by 12 noon, in line with the approval of the National Executive Committee (NEC). The 110-member committee will be chaired by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, while Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State will serve as Vice Chairman. Governor Peter Mbah of…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, will conclude its annual press week with a grand ceremony on Thursday, August 28, 2025, during which it will honour several distinguished individuals. The event, which marks the climax of the weeklong activities that began on August 7, will see Architect Okechukwu Ezeobi receive the prestigious 2025 NUJ Man of the Year Award. Ezeobi, the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement, is a renowned humanist and philanthropist. He follows in the footsteps of past recipients, including Dr. Anthony Chinedu Umeadi…
Our Reporter, New York Grand Prairie, Texas, Councilman Junior Ezeonu, has advised South-Easterners to focus more on demanding good leadership from their governors and legislators instead of blaming outsiders for the region’s plight. The University of Texas graduate of political science made the comments during an exclusive interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90Minutes Africa. Ezeonu, who became the youngest ever member of the Grand Prairie Council when he was first elected in 2021, said that although there is no doubt that Igbo people face major problems in Nigeria, their focus should be on demanding transformative leadership from their state governors.…
Our Reporter, New York The World Igbo Congress (WIC), through its chairman, Dr. Festus Okere, and vice chairman, Mr. Basil Onwukwe, has decried the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government, calling it a slap on Igbo people everywhere. They made the position of the Igbo global advocacy group, which was founded in 1994 as the umbrella organization that caters to the collective interest of Igbo people in the diaspora known during an exclusive interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica on Sunday. During the interview, Dr. Okere and Mr. Onwukwe discussed sundry issues relating to the interests…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti has charged women to take the lead in grooming their children into responsible members of society. He also tasked them to play a leading role in the fight against unwholesome behaviors that endanger societal progress. Otti, who spoke as a guest of honour at the grand finale of the 2025 Women August Meeting held by Abia women at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, said women were specifically made for a unique role in the family. The Governor said that women constitute an important stakeholder group and are relied upon to achieve the government’s social…