President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers. This was contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity on Monday. According to the statement, “Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay. “As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government. “In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals today presented by President Tinubu to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established, which will involve several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defense, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks. “In conclusion, the President wishes to commend the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries.

  Gunmen have killed 10 persons and injured one at Kulben community, Gindiri District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau. A member of the community, Mr Jerry Datim, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos, that the incident occurred on Sunday night. “Last night, at about 8:40 p.m., some gunmen attacked Kulben community, killed 10 persons and injured one. “The criminals invaded the village and started shooting sporadically. People started running to safety but the bullets killed some whose bodies were later found. “We alerted the security personnel, but before they got there, the attackers had moved from the community,” he said. DSP Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state was not available for comments when a NAN correspondent visited his office However, a senior Police officer, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that the command had launched a manhunt on the attackers with a view of making them face the full wrath of the law. (NAN)

  The United Kingdom has established a visa centre in Enugu, South East Nigeria. This development was confirmed in a commendation message signed by the secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia. In the statement, Enugu State government said the visa centre in the state will facilitate visa applications by residents in the state, the South-East zone, and the country at large. Prof. Onyia, recalled that the visa centre was part of Governor Peter Mbah’s earlier requests during the visit to the Government House, Enugu, by the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, in June this year. The statement said the government received the news of the visa centre with delight and satisfaction, stressing that it would further enhance economic partnership and cultural exchanges between Enugu State and the United Kingdom. “The Enugu State Government therefore looks forward to a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the UK, as the visa centre would help cement the relationship”, the statement added. The government called on the people, especially those residing in the South-East to avail themselves of the opportunity provided to file their visa applications in the state, saying the government would ensure improved security both to residents and visitors carrying on business in the state.

  The federal government on Monday said it was determined to initiate a new creative means of funding tertiary education by granting universities the autonomy to explore new sources of financing their activities. This was as the government lamented the unabated attacks on education in the country, recalling with sadness the recent gruesome murder of a female nursing student of the Federal University,Oye-Ekiti,FUOYE,Miss Atanda Modupe Deborah. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, speaking while delivering an opening address at Nigeria’s Annual Education Conference, NAEC, in Abuja, said he has directed the FUOYE Vice Chancellor, to work with security agencies to track down the killers of the student for possible prosecution. The event was convened for stakeholders to deliberate on enhancing entrepreneurial skills, and vocational and technical education in Nigerian schools. Prof. Mamman, who applauded the foresight of the conveners, the essence of the conference speaks to President Bola Tinubu ‘s vision of promoting technical and vocational education as a means of absorbing the millions of young school leavers who complete primary and secondary schools every year but cannot get admission to universities, other tertiary institutions or employed with ease. The minister, who said he was delighted to be at the event, explained that:”My delight is underscored by the fact that this conference is taking place shortly after my swearing-in as the Federal Minister of Education and at this early stage when my colleague, Minister of State, Dr. Hon. Yusuf Tanko Sununu and myself are developing a template to define a strategic roadmap for the education sector which when unfolded, we all will have responsibility to implement.” He said:”As you all know, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has publicly declared his commitment to overhaul the education sector as a matter of priority. ” It is, therefore important that the Federal Ministry of Education and all stakeholders in the sector work together to see this vision come true. The day of long declarations are over, this time, we must work the talk. “Today’s conference provides an opportunity for me to meet you, the pillars of the Nigerian education system and for us to restate our resolve to implement fundamental changes in the education sector for the benefit of the young, adult and the entire society. Your presence at this event at short notice is an indication of the importance you attach to the growth and development of the sector in Nigeriaa. Your presence, in this regard must be appreciated. “The theme for this conference “Implementation of Education 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Nigeria” will always remain relevant until our country achieves 100% of the targets set in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and beyond to education related indicators and targets of Agenda 2060 of the African Union. “As a signatory to the SDG 2030 and AU Agenda 2060, Nigeria must continue to demonstrate it’s commitment to achieving these goals through leadership and ownership of the implementation process. The Education sector is one of the line sectors that ensure that planning and budgeting in the country are within the framework of the SDGS. “I am also happy to note that the technical sessions have been structured to address very contemporary and topical issues in the education sector in Nigeria. Discussions to be held on Tertiary education in Nigeria which is expected to focus on emerging trends including university autonomy and Students Loans Fund as well as education financing aligns perfectly with President Tinubu’s vision for the sector. “Mr. President is determined among others to initiate a new creative means of funding tertiary education by granting universities the autonomy to explore new sources of financing their activities. “In the same vein, your deliberations on enhancing entrepreneurial skills, vocational and technical education in Nigerian schools directly speaks to Mr. President’s vision of promoting technical and vocational education as a means of absorbing the millions of young school leavers who complete primary and secondary schools every year but cannot get admission to universities, other tertiary institutions or employed with ease.”. He urged participants you to take a deep robust review of the system and devise ways for a more quality education, accessible to all notwithstanding any physical, environmental and emerging challenges and with a peaceful setting. “In proposing and developing implementation strategies, also provide for mechanisms for constant monitoring and evaluation, to ensure goals are achieved. Therefore, I do expect that the report of this conference would contain strategies with clearly defined targets and measurable indicators that would be derived from very realistic deliverables. “I have deliberately refrained from mentioning the challenges in the education sector because you are expected to be aware of them and that is why you are gathered here today. “But more importantly, the ministry will come out shortly with a Roadmap for the education sector. “You must be aware of a committee with same name established some days ago by the Hon ministers. It’s work and the outcome of the ministers briefings from the Directors of the ministry and heads of all parastatals will be concluded with a major policy direction for the sector within the context of the Renew Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. ” It is our plan to give robust attention to the foundations of our education system, that is basic and secondary schools. We will also ensure knowledge and skills are sufficiently instead in all strata of education from basic to university to ensure students can easily be contributors to our economy without having to look for salaried employments,”he added. While recalling the unfortunate murder of Miss Atanda Modupe Deborah last week, coinciding with the commemoration of the 2023 International Day to protect Education from Attacks, described the murder of the student as heartbreaking. “This is indeed heart breaking. The ministry directs the Vice-Chancellor in concerted efforts with the security to uncover the perpetrators of this heinous crime while i reiterate the ministry’s resolve to secure our schools. Our condolences go to the family. “At this juncture, I will like to appreciate

  National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia Abia has sacked the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Ibe Okwara of the Labour Party and declared APC’s Dan Okeke winner of the February 25 National Assembly election in the constituency. Okwara who was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as the winner of the 2023 Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal constituency election was sacked by the court and Chief Daniel Chimezie Okeke of the All Progressives Congress, APC who challenged the election process at the tribunal was declared the true winner of the polls. Unsatisfied with the process of Osonwa’s emergence Daniel Okeke had approached the court to seek the nullification of Osonwa’s election, alleging that he did not comply with the provisions of the law. Convinced by his arguments the three-member panel led by its Chairman Justice Adeyinka Aderegbegbe, granted the relief of the Petitioners and ruled that Ibe did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act. It subsequently declared the APC candidate, the winner of the February 25 national assembly poll, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ibe and issue a fresh one to Daniel Okeke. Similarly, another National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, sacked the lawmaker representing Abia North/South federal constituency in the house of representatives, Hon. Emeka Nnamani of the Labour Party. The three man tribunal declared Alex Ikwechegh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA winner of the house of reps election for Abia North/South federal constituency held on 25 February 2023.

  In the early hours of today, Monday, an incident unfolded at the Mile 2 Bridge area of Lagos State, as a yet-to-be-identified woman collapsed and died. Eyewitnesses reported that the woman was walking across the bridge when she suddenly collapsed.   By the time anyone could reach her, she had passed away. A commercial motorcycle (okada) rider, who shared his account with Vanguard, said: “She was about to get on a motorcycle when she suddenly collapsed to the ground. “Initially, I thought it was a simple fall, but it became evident that something was terribly wrong when she stopped breathing.” The incident drew a crowd of onlookers, who were deeply saddened by the unfortunate turn of events. The identity of the deceased woman remained unknown at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, authorities are working to identify her, reach her family and investigate the circumstances surrounding her demise. (Vanguard)

  At least 150 people were killed in freak floods in eastern Libya as a result of storm Daniel which has swept the Mediterranean, an official said on Monday. Images filmed by residents of the disaster area showed massive mudslides, collapsed buildings and entire neighbourhoods submerged under water. “At least 150 people were killed as a result of flooding and torrential rains left by storm Daniel in Derna, the Jabal al-Akhdar region and the suburbs of Al-Marj,” Mohamed Massoud, a spokesman for the Benghazi-based administration in Libya, told AFP.   “This is besides the massive material damage that struck public and private properties,” he added. He said the prime minister of the east-based government, Oussama Hamad, and the head of a rescue committee as well as other ministers had travelled to Derna to evaluate the extent of the damage. Hamad’s government — which rivals a UN-brokered, internationally recognised transitional administration in Tripoli — on Monday declared Derna a “disaster area”. Experts have described storm Daniel — which also struck parts of Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria in recent days, killing at least 27 people — as “extreme in terms of the amount of water falling in a space of 24 hours”. The storm struck eastern Libya on Sunday afternoon, notably the coastal town of Jabal al-Akhdar but also Benghazi, where a curfew was declared and schools closed for several days. Rescue teams were also deployed in Derna, 900 kilometres (560 miles) east of the capital Tripoli. With a population of 100,000, the city lies in the wadi of a river bearing the same name. East Libyan authorities had “lost contact with nine soldiers during rescue operations” in the city, Massoud had said. The United Nations mission in Libya on Monday said on X, formerly Twitter, that it was “closely following the emergency caused by severe weather conditions in the eastern region of the country”. It expressed its condolences over the victims of the floods and said it was “ready to support efforts by local authorities and municipalities to respond to this emergency and provide urgent humanitarian assistance”. Hundreds of residents are still believed to be trapped in difficult-to-reach areas as rescuers, backed by the army, try to come to their aid. Libya, sitting on Africa’s largest known oil reserves, was plunged into chaos following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed former dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Two rival governments based in the west and east have been vying for power, with deadly conflict occasionally erupting.

  Rivers State Government said it would not allow any of its neighbouring states to take parts of its land or assets in the boundary communities. The State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, disclosed this when she led members of the Rivers State Boundary Commission on a fact-finding mission to Umuru-Ofeh, in Omuma Local Government Area of the State.   Umuru-Ofeh has been in land dispute with some communities in Abia State, warranting the intervention of the state’s boundary commission. Odu, who was represented by the Surveyor-General of the State, Surveyor Noel Elenwo, assured the people of the state that none of its land, resources and assets would be annexed by any other State. The Deputy Governor sued for a peaceful resolution of boundary disputes among communities, saying that as a responsive Government that listens to yearnings of its people, that the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led administration in the State remains committed to the protection of lives and property of Rivers people. Odu, who said the people of Umuru-Ofeh in Omuma LGA would continue to enjoy the efforts of the state in ensuring protection, commended the community for their peaceful disposition over the years and assured them of a peaceful and swift resolution to the issues. Odu said: “Assurances has been given and a clear picture has been painted to the people of Umuru-Ofeh that this is a work in progress, this visit here today is the fallout of the last meeting we held in my office, I urge you to maintain the peace and that is the message we brought here today”.

  The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu has commenced the relocation of his office to an area outside the vicinity of the Government House. The development follows last week’s withdrawal of Shuaibu’s suit filed at the Federal High Court to stop alleged plots by the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, to remove him from office. The new office is situated at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, close to the Government House. BREAKING: Shaibu Relocates Office Out Of Edo Govt House Despite Withdrawing Suit Against Obasekihttps://t.co/YM5xCQ4mQR pic.twitter.com/G15dpsAx8a — Channels Television (@channelstv) September 11, 2023 Sources close to the deputy governor told Channels Television that a letter was sent by the Head of Service to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor instructing her to supervise the movement of civil servants and files to the new office. It was also gathered that the new office is not habitable as there is no electricity, is waterlogged, and the office spaces are significantly small The state government had however insisted that the deputy governor’s new office is within the confines of the area designated as the Government House.

  Nigeria’s first indigenous chartered accountant, Akintola Williams, is dead, PUNCH Online report. The doyen of accounting died at the age of 104. According to a source, who does not want to be mentioned, Williams died at his house in Lagos, on Monday (today). The graduate of accounting at the University of London was born in 1919. Details later…