The Nigeria Immigration Service issued at least 66,929 official and diplomatic passports to public office holders since the dawn of the electronic passport issuance in January 2007 till August 2023, The PUNCH has learned. This is as over 1,091 of the travel documents were issued to newly-elected and appointed public officials since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023. Acting Comptroller-General of the NIS, Caroline Adepoju, revealed this in an interview with our correspondent. Adepoju said over 16 million passports were issued to Nigerians, including foreign nationals who later became citizens. She disclosed that more passports are being processed for new public office holders (including the newly-appointed ministers), immigration officers on diplomatic missions, and some military attaché. Explaining the details, the immigration chief said, “For diplomatic passports, which are issued to diplomats, we have 125 issued now. “This includes some officials in the presidency, our personnel on diplomatic missions, and some military attaché. So far, we have issued 125 diplomatic passports. For the official, that amounts to 966 passports.” Going by past passport records, Adepoju added, “Prior to 2007, passports were issued manually. The electronic passports came into being on January 1, 2007. “So, to date, I can tell you that the total number of passports that have been issued is 16,361,966. That is the total of all the passports that have been given. As for the diplomatic passports, we have 12,470 issued since 2007. And the official, we have issued 54,459 passports.” On her watch, Adepoju said over 337,756 personalised booklets have been issued— both home and abroad—from May 30, 2023, till August 31, 2023. “We are still calling on Nigerians who applied for passports to go and collect their passports. Nigerians are expected to apply for their passport online; anyone can do it. “They don’t need agents. The danger is this: when agents apply on people’s behalf, they use fictitious addresses and telephone numbers. Even if we have observations or complaints or there are things the applicants need to correct on their forms, we cannot easily access them,” she lamented. The immigration Chief also gave an account of the e-registration exercise for migrants, saying over 300,000 migrants are duly registered on the scheme. We have about 300,000 migrants electronically registered on that system. About 25 per cent (75,000) of them are regular migrants, while 75 per cent (225,000) are irregular migrants. “The exercise is ongoing as part of our efforts to enhance national security and regulate the presence of migrants in the country,” Adepoju revealed. A former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Dr Ogbole Amedu-Ode says specialised documents such as official and diplomatic passports ensure that the bearers, often involved in significant state matters, are recognised internationally and are granted the necessary courtesies and privileges to effectively carry out their duties. “For the diplomatic passports, it is captured in the Vienna Convention that because the person of the diplomatic agent is inviolable, they need to have and travel with a document that gives them some privileges and also some responsibilities to facilitate the job they’re going out to do,” he explained.

  The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun has instituted a seven-man Panel of Inquiry, headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, Abiodun Alabi, with a mandate to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a police cadet, Sulaiman Jika at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State. Other members of the panel include the Assistant Inspector-General, Training and Development, Oyeyemi Oyediran; Force Medical Officer, CP Garba Nzukwen; CP Homicide FCID, Fom-Pam Joseph, CP Training POLAC, CP Patrick Edung; a representative of the CP Legal as the secretary, and the Principal Staff Officer II to the IG, ACP Idris Abubakar. Egbetokun also ordered the panel to furnish his office with a comprehensive report detailing its findings and recommendations within four days; while extending his heartfelt condolences and commiserations to Jika’s family, relations, and the academy community, and assuring that he was deeply empathetic to their pains and loss; and that the Force would do the needful to ensure justice is done in the case. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the development known midnight Tuesday at exactly 1:03 am, in an official correspondence obtained by our correspondent. Adejobi said, “In response to the tragic incident at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, where a promising young cadet, Sulaiman Jika, lost his life, on Friday, September 1, 2023, the Inspector General of Police has set up a seven-man Panel of Inquiry on Monday, September 4, 2023, headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, Abiodun Alabi, with a mandate to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the cadet’s death “The IGP has set a deadline of four days for the panel to furnish a comprehensive report detailing its findings and recommendations. Other members of the panel include the AIG Training and Development, AIG Oyeyemi Oyediran; Force Medical Officer, CP Garba Emmanuel Nzukwen; CP Homicide FCID, CP Fom Pam Joseph, psc(+); CP Training POLAC, CP Patrick Edung; representative of the CP Legal as the secretary, and the Principal Staff Officer II to the IGP, ACP Idris Abubakar.” The PUNCH had exclusively reported on Sunday that Jim’s, a 100-level Course 9 police cadet, dropped dead at POLAC on Saturday, September 2, 2023, after being allegedly starved and malnourished for over two weeks. Some cadets who spoke to our correspondent, accused the Commandant, AIG Sadiq Abubakar, of high-handedness and financial mismanagement of feeding allowance meant for the students. A cadet, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid being victimized, said the victim was rushed to the academy’s clinic. He was left untreated because there are no drugs and no medical officer to attend to him in the unconducive environment, before he gave up and died,” the source added. A cadet, who also asked not to be identified, said there was usually high traffic of sickly cadets at the unequipped clinic on a daily basis. He said, “Since the new commandant assumed office, they’ve been providing very bad and inadequate food for us. The boy that died was not up to 20 years old. The boy wouldn’t have died if they’d attended to him. The commandant also ordered the closure of the market and laundry and approved undeserved training exercises during lecture hours. “Cadets collapse daily here during training due to fatigue, because it’s either they’re starved, malnourished, or both. We’re usually threatened by the commandant and forced to engage in unwarranted training exercises. Also, many cadets have been dismissed on the basis that they fell sick; that’s why many are trying to manage themselves to avoid expulsion from the academy.” Staff members, who spoke to our correspondent, complained about the monthly feeding allowance of the academy. A source privy to the running of the academy revealed that part of the money was usually diverted into private pockets by some top officials. Meanwhile, in an official correspondence by the Police Public Relations Officer, POLAC, ASP Hussain Suleman on Sunday, the academy said it was deeply saddened to announce Jika’s passing following a brief illness. ASP Suleman said, “The Nigeria Police Academy is deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of its cherished cadets, Mr Sulaiman Jika, who succumbed to a brief and unexpected illness. Jika, a dedicated cadet from the Department of Computer Science, was a proud native of Adamawa state. “On August 29, 2023, he sought medical attention at the academy clinic due to an ailment. Following a diligent course of treatment and his gradual recovery, he was certified fit and discharged by the medical doctor on call the next day, and tasked to return at regular intervals for checks which he adhered to. However, fate took an unforeseen turn. On September 2, 2023, he was once again admitted to the clinic for further examination and care following a complaint of restlessness. Though his vitals were normal upon examination and all necessary medical steps were taken, we regrettably report his untimely passing. “The commandant of the Nigeria Police Academy, AIG Sadiq Abubakar, extends his deepest condolences to the grieving family, friends, and loved ones of cadet Sulaiman Jika. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this period of profound sorrow. May God Almighty grant them the strength and resilience to bear this heavy loss.”

  Tuesday 05 September 2023 Presidential poll petitions: Military, police warn protesters as tribunal delivers verdict Wed Subsidy pains: Labour vows to ground economy, begins strike Four suspects arrested for torturing trainee Internet fraudsters I’m committed to petition against Abiodun – Ogun LG boss IG sets up panel to probe police cadet’s death Osun disowns FG appointee, directs probe Tribunal: Tinubu Not Worried, Sees No Need To Threaten Judges, Says Presidency Presidential Tribunal To Deliver Judgement September 6, Allows Live Broadcast Tribunal’s Judgment Not Final, Parties Free To Approach Supreme Court, Says Falana Nigeria Generated N1.49trn From VAT In 2023 H1 – NBS Sanwo-Olu Drops Five Names, Seeks Clearance For 18 Commissioner-Nominees Niger Republic Reopens Airspace After Coup Tinubu Meets With Defence Ministers, Service Chiefs Before India Trip Suspended Ogun LG Chairman Released From DSS Custody 12 Killed In Obajana-Lokoja Road Crash DSS Raises Alarm Over Plot To ‘Stage Violent Protests’, Identifies Ringleaders Sylvester: Inquest Resumes With Testimony Of Minors Oshodi Constituency: Tribunal Upholds LP’s Onuakalusi, Dismisses APC’s Petition Coups: Guinea-Bissau President Beefs Up Personal Security ‘Unacceptable’, FG Faults Inauguration Of Gabon Coup Leader As Interim President NLC Shuns FG’s Meeting On Strike Tinubu: I Get Frightened When I Receive Number Of Workers On Payroll Umahi: Road contractors using asphalt must sign 30-year durability agreement Oil price rises to $89 a barrel — first time in 10 months 100 days: Tinubu’s economic policies hurting Nigerians — Bode George Obasanjo, Sanusi blast Buhari over reckless spending Troops uncover illegal oil bunkering sites in Delta communities Oando acquires Agip Nigeria’s oil assets Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress has shunned the last-minute reconciliatory meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, to avert the two-day warning strike already declared by the labour centre. The PUNCH reports that only the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, led by its President, Festus Osifo, showed up for the meeting slated for 3 p.m. but which started at exactly 5:32 p.m. The PUNCH reports that on Friday, the NLC in a communique jointly signed by its national president, Joe Ajaero and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said it decided to embark on a two-day warning strike following what was described as the failure of the Tinubu-led Federal Government to dialogue and engage stakeholders within the organised labour on efforts to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit, popular known as petrol, on the “poor masses”. Already, the organised labour in August staged a one-day protest, which grounded activities in major cities across the country. While listing other reasons why it would mobilize its members for the nationwide shutdown, the NLC accused the police of laying siege at the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers; alleged exploitation of the rights of workers in Imo state; interference in trade union matters by the Abia State government and proposed demolition by the new minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among others.

  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed concern about Nigeria’s bloated civil service payroll at the national and sub-national levels. The president bore his mind on Monday while speaking at a meeting in the State House, Abuja, with the Global Vice President of Oracle, Mr. Andres Garcia Arroyo. He told his guest that with cutting edge technology, the country would digitize the public service and surgically apply public money for growth. He said: “Each time they give me the payroll number, I get so frightened. Where am I going to get the capital to develop the infrastructure we desperately require if the payroll of 1% – 2% of the population is consuming all the revenue? I think we need a tight technological control that can check and balance all necessary control points of our transaction processes. I’m looking forward to working with Oracle because I have the belief and confidence that you can do it as you have in the past President Tinubu expressed his support for new partnerships with global technology companies to ensure that data from public institutions were accurate and transparent in providing templates on which proper public sector planning and accounting could occur across sectors. The president, who welcomed the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s civil service reform process and data management sector, stressed the need for greater knowledge transfer through the establishment of academies and training institutions in the country. Aiming to promote the ease of doing business, digital innovation, effective identity management, efficient payroll administration and qualitative citizen-centred service delivery, the President cited Oracle’s proven success in the automation of the Lagos State payroll system during his tenure as Governor and lauded the positive impact of technological solutions in enhancing accountability, and expediting timelines for service delivery without sacrificing quality in the process. “I have tested Oracle and it has worked for our success. In Lagos State, what we did in effective collaboration with you, has been copied across the states of the Federation. We can only build our institutions with accurate data and cutting edge data management capabilities that are reliable and effective. We can only rely upon our human resources for excellent service delivery to Nigerians, if they are well trained and ready to learn. “The transfer of knowledge is essential for our nation and the continent. In this government, we believe that the only way to build our country is a bottom-up-approach and from one single sheet of paper, we can create an end-to-end solution for public administration that will rid our service of its worst tendencies in favor of effectiveness and reliability,” the President declared. In his remarks, the Global Vice President of Oracle proposed a comprehensive digital transformation of work process at the federal level of administration, in order to achieve greater macro-economic visibility; streamline government processes for cost and time savings; and to provide the desired skills development opportunities for Nigerians. “You have shown tremendous practical leadership throughout your career, Mr. President. We have partnered with you and we know how determined you are to achieve all that you set out to achieve. This is why we are offering Nigeria a free national diagnostic of the present situation in the public service with a view to dimensioning across sectors the scale of solution required. We look forward to partnering with you again,” the Oracle VP concluded.

  A house of representatives ad hoc committee has summoned Joseph Utsev, minister of water resources and sanitation, over the alleged illegal auctioning of some government assets. The ad hoc committee investigating the “illegal” disposal of some government properties between 2010 and 2022 and non-remittance of the revenue realised from the sale of the assets into the consolidated revenue fund (CRF), issued the summon at its inaugural sitting on Monday. According to the panel, the minister is to account for the assets of the river basin authorities in the country auctioned between 2010 and 2022. Some of the managing directors of the basin authorities who appeared before the committee on Monday said the water resources ministry auctioned the assets on behalf of the agencies. The managing directors who appeared before the committees include Adeniyi Aremu, Lower Niger River Basin; Suleiman Abubakar, Upper Benue River Basin, and Bassey Edet, Cross River Basin Authority. Aremu said the auctioning of the assets by the ministry of water resources had already begun before he was appointed in 2018. Julius Ihonvbere, chairman of the committee, who is the majority leader of the house, expressed dissatisfaction over the process of disposing of the assets. “I want to assure you for now that we are not very satisfied and that is because you did not preside over this process,” he said. The lawmaker also faulted the documents presented to the committee by the agencies, noting that there are “disconnects in the contents in some of the documents”. “We will require that you come back after we deduce some of those documents directly from the ministry on behalf of your agencies,” he said. The committee also summoned the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Maritime Authority and Saftey Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for “disregarding” its invitation. Ihonvbere warned that the committee would issue a warrant of arrest against the management of any agency that fails to honour the committee’s summon. “There is a tendency in this country for these agencies to think they can operate above the law. Not with this house of representatives. It’s not possible,” he said. This is not the first time the lawmakers would be investigating the auction of the assets of the river basin authorities. Last year, Suleiman Adamu, the then-minister of water resources, apologised to the public account committee of the green chamber over the auction of the rivers basin authorities assets.

  The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested four officers who assaulted a woman in a viral video. The video, which was shared on social media on Friday, September 1, shows a woman shouting at some armed policemen along a highway and accusing them of inflicting an injury on her sister, who also appeared to be injured. The woman, who is not named in the video, can be heard saying, “This is the Nigerian Police. Look at my sister’s mouth. Policemen gave my sister beta injury, and you are here making a video of me. After giving my sister an injury, did you see anything in my sister’s bag? Never.” Police in a statement on Monday said that the officers have been identified and are currently in custody. The police stated that it is committed to ensuring a fair and thorough examination of the matter. The force also urged the lady seen in the video to please come forward and share her side of the story to ensure transparency and gather all perspectives. “Your input is crucial in helping us understand the situation fully. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities,” it added. “Please contact @PoliceNG_Rivers or 08036219523 or simply visit Rivers State Police Headquarters to provide your own account and any other relevant information.”

  A new data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Nigeria generated N1.49 trillion as the aggregate revenue from Value-Added Tax (VAT) in the first half of 2023. The NBS on Monday stated that on the aggregate, VAT for the second quarter of 2023 was reported at N781.35 billion, showing a growth rate of 10.11% on a quarter-on-quarter basis from N709.59 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The data showed that local payments recorded were N512.03 billion, foreign VAT payments were N142.63 billion, while import VAT contributed N126.69 billion in the second quarter of 2023. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the NBS stated that the activities of extra-territorial organisations and bodies recorded the highest growth rate with 212.06%, followed by real estate activities with 123.09%. On the other hand, activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use had the lowest growth rate with –57.06%, followed by agriculture, forestry, and fishing with –32.86%. In terms of sectoral contributions, the top three largest shares in the second quarter of 2023 were manufacturing with 29.64%; information and communication with 21.19%; and financial and insurance activities with 11.18%. However, activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use recorded the least share with 0.01%, followed by water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities with 0.05%; and activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies with 0.05%.   In addition, on a year-on-year basis, VAT collections in the second quarter of 2023 increased by 30.19% from the second quarter of 2022.

  The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction over the N85bn contract meant for the provision of infrastructure for the Wasa Affordable Housing project in Wasa District, Abuja. He registered his displeasure when he led the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud and other government officials to visit the road construction site for the housing estate on Monday. Earlier, the acting Coordinator, Satellite Town Development Department, Mr. Olusegun Olusan, explained that the contract for the provision of the infrastructure was awarded in 2014, at the tune of N26bn but was revised to N85bn in 2018. Olusan told the minister that so far, a total of N21bn had been paid to the contractor with a balance of N64bn left, adding that the percentage of work done so far is 21.4 per cent. On the housing scheme, the coordinator explained that the government’s role was to provide the land and infrastructure, while private developers would build houses and sell to the masses at affordable rates. He added that at the conception of the project, a two-bedroom flat was to be sold to the masses at N7m. However, the minister was not impressed with the arrangement made by the FCT, stressing that the government should not spend N85bn to provide infrastructure and land, and benefit nothing. We are not impressed with the arrangement made by the FCT. The government cannot just cough out N85bn to provide infrastructure and then give the land out to private developers who will build and sell. “This kind of arrangement is not commendable at all, at all. We think that the government must also participate, having provided the land and infrastructure. “If we are partnering with private individuals or developers, the common sense is that you provide the land, provide infrastructure and they come and develop. “Then government, for example, can take 10 per cent, then the developers can take 90 per cent, depending on the value,” he said. Wike said that under such arrangements, the government should be able to determine the price at which the houses can be sold to the masses, saying that the masses cannot afford N7m for a house. The FCT Minister said the project would be revisited for proper planning, in such a way that the government would benefit from the project and ensure that the masses, whom the houses were being built for can afford it. On the project being delayed for so long, Wike said that FCT would not be awarding contracts indiscriminately. We will award contact that we know we will finish before embarking on another contract. “Every contract is abandoned because there is no money. So, we are going to look at everything,” the minister added. Earlier, the minister visited the ongoing road construction leading to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission and the Body of Benchers building. He said that the contractor was invited for a meeting on Tuesday, to work out ways to complete the road project. “We have also been to Kabusa Junction, Abuja, where shanties were destroyed by development control. Like we said, we cannot allow shanties to take over the FCT. “The development control has done well by making sure that the shanties in the area are destroyed and we are going to protect the area to ensure that the miscreants do not return to mess up the place again,” Wike said. NAN