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Canadian and United States authorities said they concluded to have limited number of ports of entry (POEs) that can be used as flagpoling sites to reduce the processing stress on officers at the border.
This development was contained in statements by Canadian and U.S. officials which indicated that new changes to flagpoling are largely due to increased traffic at the Canada-U.S. border.
It disclosed that only 12 Canada-U.S. border crossings will offer flagpoling services to newcomers.
Flagpoling is a practice by which temporary residents receive immigration services in person at a POE, by exiting and returning to Canada within 24 hours.
This process is legal and has gained popularity for its ability to mitigate long processing times that often follow an application to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) when applying online.
While flagpoling is legitimate, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) advised that wait times can be extensive, just as it encouraged newcomers to pursue online services with IRCC where possible.
CBSA also added that the limited POEs will enhance officers efficiency as it would enable them to focus on priority areas.
The statement further said that newcomers can access flagpoling services at some designated locations in Quebec region, Southern Ontario, Pacific region respectively.
Speaking on the development at a press conference, U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer who aligned with the move, elaborated on the problem, saying that the increased immigration traffic and wait times put Niagra Falls and New York economies at risk.
The Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Dauda Salau, has rated the level of preparedness of the state’s contingents in Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj as high.
The Hajj, commencing on June 14, is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims who are able.
Salau, in an interview during a Tarodudiyah (tour of the holy sites ahead of the Hajj days) with officials from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), stated that the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, had ensured that each of the 934 pilgrims from the state was fully prepared for the pilgrimage.
“Our pilgrims have been fully sensitized about the Hajj rites on a daily basis. All necessary materials to ensure smooth operations have been provided. The Governor has supported every aspect of the pilgrimage exercise, ensuring that our pilgrims lack nothing,” Salau noted.
He highlighted that arrangements had been made with service providers in Saudi Arabia to guarantee adequate tents for the Pilgrims at Arafat and other Holy Sites, adding that a Jamrat committee had equally been established to ensure smooth commuting for pilgrims during each of the Hajj rites.
The Executive Secretary explained that the Board, in conjunction with the Saudi authorities and NAHCON, had registered each pilgrim in a bus-by-bus operational arrangement, with each unit having a designated leader and assistant leader to manage the groups effectively.
On the medical front, Salau revealed that the State had deployed an unprecedented team of seven medical doctors, complemented by pharmacists and nurses, to cater to the health needs of the pilgrims.
“This comprehensive medical team ensures that our pilgrims receive the best possible care during their stay in the Holy Land,” he concluded.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Operations, NAHCON, Alhaji (Prince) Anofi Elegushi, urged Muslim Welfare Boards across all states to continue sensitizing their pilgrims for the successful completion of the Hajj rites.
He emphasized the need for Nigerian pilgrims to conduct themselves well throughout the Hajj period, highlighting the importance of being good ambassadors of Nigeria while seeking the spiritual benefits of Hajj.
Germany has launched an online portal for foreign workers seeking to relocate and work in the country to apply for an opportunity card.
The government of Germany on its official website disclosed that the initiative is part of efforts to address the country’s labour shortage with skilled foreign workers, just as it indicated that interested persons do not need to secure a job before applying but would find employment on arrival in Germany.
According to the notice, the opportunity card is aimed at attracting skilled workers from non-European Union (EU) countries.
“It is a type of residence permit that allows individuals from third countries—nations outside the EU—to enter Germany to seek employment.
“The opportunity card operates on a points-based system with the completion of a degree or at least two years of training recognised by the state of issuance as part of the prerequisites.
“German language proficiency of least level A1 or English proficiency at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Sufficient financial means to cover living expenses for the duration of the stay in Germany.
“The card is valid for up to one year and can be extended if the individual finds qualified employment, enabling them to obtain a subsequent residence permit for further job searching or employment,” it revealed.
The notice further said that applicants must have their professional qualifications recognised in Germany or their country of origin.
“While searching for jobs, opportunity card holders can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week and engage in trial jobs for up to two weeks to evaluate potential employment.
“Applicants for the Opportunity Card must visit Germany’s diplomatic missions in their country for visa applications,” it stated.
Two of Kwara State intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, Salihu Mohammed and Hawawu Mohammed, have died in Madina, Saudi Arabia.
This was disclosed by the Executive Eecretary, Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims’ Board, AbdulSalam AbdulKabir, in a statement on Sunday.
AbdulKabir said Saliu Mohammed died in an intensive care unit of a public hospital in Madina after sudden illness while Hawawu Mohammed died, “following what Saudi authorities have investigated and found to be an unfortunate suicidal episode from the rooftop of her apartment in Madina.”
“Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Board sends heartfelt commiserations to the families of two of our pilgrims who returned to their Lord in Madina, Saudi Arabia.
“Saliu Mohammed, who arrived with Batch 3 of the state contingent, died in an intensive care unit of a public hospital in Madina after suddenly falling ill; while Hajia Hawawu Mohammed (Batch 9) also died following what Saudi authorities have investigated and found to be an unfortunate suicidal episode from the rooftop of her apartment in Madina.
“The pilgrims’ board deeply regrets these sad events, but submits totally to the decree and ultimate knowledge of Allaah in all affairs.
“The board sends profound condolences to their families and asks Allaah to grant them comfort and forgive the deceased,”the statement said.
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is carrying out a survey on eight areas capable of bringing possible changes to the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) programme for international students.
These new reforms are being considered to align international students with labour market needs just as it would reduce the overall volume of PGWP holders, the official website of IRCC has revealed.
It also disclosed that these new changes to eligibility criteria are being considered to be implemented for international students already in Canada as well as future cohorts.
The PGWP programme has been an important component in attracting international students since it provides work opportunities after the completion of a study program.
Recall that Canada has made major changes to the program this year to crack down on abuse of the system but the new move based on the 8-point survey indicates that further refinement of this programme is under consideration.
Based on questions asked in the survey to colleges and universities, it looks like students would be required to complete programs that are associated with labour shortages and satisfy new language requirements in order to qualify for PGWP after completing their study.
This would suggest programs that are designed to satisfy the educational prerequisites of the positions that are anticipated to experience labour shortages in the future.
According to the official website, this initiative would suggest programmes that are designed to satisfy the educational prerequisites of the positions that are anticipated to experience labour shortages in the future, adding that study programmes would be classified in accordance with Canada’s national occupational classification (NOC).
One part of the survey suggestted that study programmes corresponding to occupations eligible for category-based selections in the Express Entry draw are more likely to be there.
The second question of the survey is anticipated to be aimed at deciding exemptions if new PGWP eligibility criteria are set, such as for students with a high level of French proficiency or certain degree programs.
Another condition being added to the PGWP eligibility criteria has it that students will have to submit proof of a job offer in order to continue working on PGWP. This seems not to be universal, but only for study programs that will be aligned with the occupational shortage list mentioned in the first question.
Similarly, labour market-based changes to PGWP eligibility could be announced this year and the immigration department is considering whether to exempt existing students or not while
the department is asking stakeholders to determine the frequency of revisions of occupations in demand and when they should be effective.
On another hand, a survey question is aimed at determining whether the new eligibility criteria for post graduation work permits will be able to retain students in the region or province of the educational institution for the long term while another aspect of the survey seems to ensure that students are set up for a pathway to permanent residency and are proactively aligned with the eligibility requirements of the provincial nominee program (PNP) of a particular province.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has vowed to sanction hoteliers across the country that harbour teenagers and underage girls in their facilities.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, read the riot acts on Saturday at the ‘Unlock Training and Grants’ ceremony held in Abuja.
The programme, where 200 young entrepreneurs received N100m, was organised by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Abiola Arogundade.
It could be recalled that in January 2023, some students of Federal Government College in Ijanikin, Lagos, were caught absconding from school to lodge female classmates in hotels for sexual romp.
The students, who were all boarders, were said to have on different occasions scaled the school’s fence with their female counterparts and stayed out of school for days.
Findings revealed that the students involved in the act were between the ages of 14 and 17.
In a similar vein, in April 2022, a video clip of a 15-year-old boy who was accosted while trying to lodge two girls and another guy in a hotel room went viral on social media.
The teenage schoolgirls, however, took to their heels when the voice behind the camera attempted to probe them on their mission.
But the Minister assured that it would no longer be business as usual just as she disclosed that hoteliers, especially in the Federal Capital Territory, have been directed to mount a signpost outside their hotels warning prospective clients to lodge any underage girls in their premises.
She also extended the riot acts to proprietors of schools across the country, warning that they should ensure that no student is allowed to be bullied by either teachers or students.
“Nigeria must be better. From 20th (June), we have directed hotels to put a sign outside from the Ministry of Women. No lodging of underage girls.
(Otherwise) what happened in Niger State will be an understatement of what will happen in the FCT and I mean it.
“No more lodging of underage girls and no more bullying in schools,” the Minister insisted.
She announced to journalists that the FG has commenced a probe into the distasteful viral clip of 10 Nigerian teenagers who were rescued from neighbòuring Ghana where they were trafficked for prostitution.
“Three of the victims, ages between 15 and 16, were said to be from the same parents.
They were reportedly beaten, molested and forced into prostitution without pay,” she added.
While explaining their plights, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the girls were rescued after a tip-off by NIDO, the umbrella body of Nigerians living in Ghana.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, however, promised that the government would take decisive action on the matter next Monday.
“Women are suffering in this country. Today, we have talked about the need to allow the poor to breathe in this country.
“Meanwhile I am sure you saw the video circulating about our girls taken to Ghana. Did you see it? Very good. Action will start on Monday. You will hear about our action first thing on Monday morning. That is the first thing I am going to approach and see what we can do about it,” she fumed
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of all assets of a private university to the Federal Government.
The institution, NOK University, is located in Kaduna State.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a judgment on Friday, held that the promoter of the university, Anthony Hassan failed to prove, with convincing evidence, that he did not acquire the assets with proceeds of crime.
Also to be forfeited by Hassan, a former Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) in the Federal Ministry of Health, are three other investments – Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen International Hotel and Gwasmyen Event Centre, all located in Kaduna.
The physical assets of the university forfeited include Senate building, ICT building, Faculty of Medicine building, Science Deanery building, two Academic buildings, a Faculty Hall and other buildings.
Justice Abdulmalik rejected the claim by Hassan and his company, KYC Inter-Project Limited that the school was built with funds sourced from other investors.
The judge also rejected the claim by one Barrister Victor Olisah that he owned the six plots of land on which Gwasmyen International Hotel was erected, on the grounds that he failed to establish his ownership of the land with credible evidence.
The judgment was on an application for final forfeiture brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to which the court had in 2022 granted an interim forfeiture order in respect of the assets.
Justice Abdulmalik held that the EFCC, through its lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho effectively established, with suffecient evidence, that Hassan acquired the said assets with proceeds of crime.
The judge held that Hassan and KYC failed woefully to show with cogent documentary event the financial trails of how they sourced funds to acquire the assets.
The EFCC had, in an affidavit supporting the application for final forfeiture, stated that its investigation showed that Hassan, who has always been a civil servant, used its position to confer undue advantage on himself.
The EFCC stated that Hassan, “who was a civil servant, rose through the ranks to become a Director in the Civil Service of the Federation.
“In the course of his career, he was posted to the Federal Ministry of Health from 2001 to 2008; Federal Ministry of Women Affairs from 2009 to 2015; Ministry of Niger Delta in 2015; Ministry of Youth and Sport Development from 2015 to 2016; Ministry of Health from 2016 to 2019; and Ministry of Works and Housing from 2019 to 2020.”
It added that Hassan “was the Director of the Finance & Accounts Department (DFA) in the Ministry of Health between 2016 and 2019 and was in charge of running the day to day activities of the Finance & Accounts Department of the Ministry.
“The first respondent (Hassan) is the owner of the NOK University Ltd (the university) Kachia, Kuduna State.
“The university was incorporated on 6th October, 2021 with the wife and children of the first respondent as the directors and guarantors of the university but without the first respondent’s name.
“Apart from the funds deposited to secure the bank guarantee of the university, the first respondent funded the acquisition of the land on which the University was built as well as the buildings and structures on it.
“The first respondent is also the owner of Gwasmyen International Hotel Events & Recreational Centre Ltd and Gwasmyen Water and Juice Company Nig. Ltd.
“While registering the Hotel with the Corporate Affairs Commission, he used his wife and son as the directors and shareholders of the companies.”
The European Commission has announced a 12% increase in Schengen visa fees for non-European Union countries which will increase from €80 to €90 for adults and €40 to €45 for children.
The Commission attributed the rise to inflation, with the fee adjustment following a 3-year review by the Commission, adding that the directive will take effect from the 11th of June.
The fee increase was proposed by the Commission on February 2, following a December meeting where member states overwhelmingly supported the revision.
Additionally, the Commission has suggested allowing external providers of Schengen visas to raise their fees following this revision.
Despite this hike, the Commission considers these fees “relatively low” compared to other countries, noting that visa costs start at €134 in the UK, around €185 in the US, and €117 in Australia.
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has sworn in Mr. Olanrewaju Ogunyinka, Mr. Adekunle Oyesanwen, Engr. (Mrs.) Olanike Ogunbona and Mrs. Arinola Adetayo, as Permanent Secretaries into the state’s Civil Service.
Recall that the governor had earlier in April, approved the appointments of Mr. Oyesanwen, Engr. (Mrs.) Ogunbona and Mrs. Adetayo.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at the Exco Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun said the appointment was in recognition of their dedication, commitment, as well as exemplary service to the state and well-deserved.
Expressing confidence in their abilities to lead with integrity and vision, the state’s helmsman, pointed out that their role was pivotal as they are the accounting officers overseeing the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He charged the new appointees to work in harmony with their Commissioners and other political appointees, just as he urged them to unite all departments in their various agencies to achieve the shared goals of building a better future for the state.
Abiodun, who noted that the state’s Civil Service is noted for its core values of integrity, discipline, loyalty and passion for excellence, stressed that his administration was committed to strengthening the public service by ensuring that the service remains efficient, transparent and accountable in executing government activities.
He pledged his administration’s commitment to public servants’ welfare and the development of all sectors of the economy, just as the Governor restated his determination to continue to create an ambiance for optimal development of the state,
The state’s helmsman advised friends, well-wishers and family members of the new appointees to create a conducive atmosphere that would enable them adhere to their oath of office and carry out the onerous task ahead without fear or favour.
Speaking during an interview, one of the new Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Ogunyinka, thanked Governor Abiodun for his appointment, promising to contribute his quota to the development of ‘ISEYA’ mantra of the present administration in the state.
Pan television service provider, Multichoice Nig. Ltd has been fined N150 million by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) for disobeying its order on subscription rates hike for DStv and Gotv packages.
The tribunal, sitting in Abuja, also ordered the PayTv operator to give a one-month free subscription to all its Nigerian subscribers on the DStv and Gotv platforms, for flouting its order.
The three-member tribunal chaired by Thomas Okosun in a ruling, found Multichoice culpable of contempt, by flouting its earlier order restraining the PayTv operator from implementing hike in its subscription rates for DStv and GOtv.
The three-member tribunal chaired by Thomas Okosun in a ruling, found Multichoice culpable of contempt, by flouting its earlier order restraining the PayTv operator from implementing hike in its subscription rates for DStv and GOtv.
The CCPT had, on April 29, restrained MultiChoice from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1.
The tribunal gave the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.
Onifade, a legal practitioner and subscriber had approached the tribunal contending that the 8-day notice given by Multichoice for a price hike was insufficient.
Respondents in the case were MultiChoice and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
He urged the tribunal to restrain Multichoice from implementing the tariff hike from May 1 as planned, pending the hearing determination of the petition.
The tribunal granted the ex-parte motion of the applicant and stopped the PayTv operator from going ahead with the price increase in the interim.
However, in defiance of the tribunal’s order, MultiChoice hiked its subscription rates for DStv and Gotv packages on the scheduled date (May 1).
Following the price hike, Onifade, on May 7, commenced contempt proceedings against Mr Mohammed Sani, Manager of Abuja office of MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd, over alleged disobedience to the order made by the CCPT.
The Notice of Consequence of Disobedience to Order of Court (Form 48) marked: CCPT/OP/02/2024 dated and filed on May 7 by Onifade, warned Sani against disregard to the tribunal order.
MultiChoice, through its lawyer, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, filed a preliminary objection praying the tribunal to decline jurisdiction in the suit.
Onigbanjo argued that such price dispute case had been decided before, in favour of his client.
Onifade, in his response, urged the tribunal to discountenance the company’s objection and direct it to pay the sum of N10 billion or any amount the panel might deem fit in the circumstance for deliberately disobeying and failure to comply with the interim order.
The lawyer argued that the issue he brought did not border on price regulation or increase.
He explained that what he placed before the court was whether the company gave adequate notice in respect of the May 1 subscription price increase.
“It is our submission that the 8-days notice issued by Multichoice Nigeria Ltd is insufficient in law.
“A monthly subscriber should be given at least a month,” he said, praying the tribunal to dismiss the preliminary objection for being a waste of time of the court
Delivering the ruling, the Thomas Okosun-led tribunal agreed with Onifade’s submission, prompting the panel to affirm its jurisdiction and rule against the company.
The tribunal subsequently fixed July 3 for hearing of the substantive suit of the claimant.
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