News
Data show more foreign visitors troop into Nigeria


Statistics from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) indicated that the number of foreigners that come into the country is more than those that left the country within the last five years.
According to the 2017 annual report by NIS accessed on the website of the service yesterday, about 3.51 million foreigners arrived Nigeria compared to 3.24million that left the country from 2013 to 2017.
On the other hand, about 8.28 million Nigerians travelled out while 7.69 million arrived the country within the period. There were 1,032,799 Passport Booklets Issued comprising 1,025,072 standard passports, 6,300 official passports and 1,472 diplomatic Passports.
A total of 3.72m International travellers crossed Nigerian Borders through five airports, 114 land borders and six seaports. The report also indicated that the service made a gross revenue of N35.7b from Passport fees, Residence permit Extension of Visitors Pass, ECOWAS/AA Address Verification and Non-Refundable Passport Admin charges while $27.3m was raked in from Visa and Passport fees At Foreign Missions. According to the report, Nigerian missions issued a total of 114,958 different classes of visas which was 14 percent higher than 2016 figure of 100,795.
Analysis of the figure shows that the missions in United States of America, United Kingdom and China recorded the highest number of visas issued.
UK-London led with 15,304 followed by USA-Washington DC with 15,120 visas issued. China – Beijing had 14,314; South-Africa – Pretoria, 10,047; Johannesburg 5,346; Berlin – Germany 5,454; Paris-France 5,383; Stockholm- Sweden 3,711; The Hague – Netherlands 4,984; Berne- Switzerland 1,841; among others.
Also following the ease of doing business policy of the government, 22,620 visas on arrival were issued in 2017 compared to 12,437 issued in 2016 which is an indication of the high influx of foreigners into the country.
In terms of migration control and compliance, 284,400 refugees were received; 31,672 Nigerians refused departure; 18, 543 foreigners refused entry into Nigeria while 16, 387 Nigerians were deported from different countries across the globe. The report further stated that 4,735 Nigerian Returnees were profiled from across the globe; 2,646 foreigners were repatriated; 2,267 Nigerians refused admission abroad; 152 foreigners sought asylum in Nigeria with 113 granted.
Further analysis showed that there were 110 victims of human trafficking intercepted; 66 cases of stowaways recorded while four human traffickers were arrested.
In the year 2017, a total of 16,387 Nigerians were deported from different countries across the globe. Out of this number, 5,908 were returned from Libya of which 3,100 were males, while 2600 were females and 208 were minors. “In the same light, three thousand, eight hundred and thirty-six (3,836) Nigerians were deported from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which comprised three hundred and ninety-five (395) males, two thousand, three hundred and thirty-one (2,331) females and one hundred and ten (110) minors. Deportees from other countries aside the aforementioned accounted for six thousand, six hundred and forty-three (6,643) comprising three thousand, nine hundred and thirty-nine (3,939) males and two thousand seven hundred and ninety-four (2,794) females with South Africa, Austria and Italy being the top three countries with 189, 171 and 158 Nigerian Deportees,” the report said. (Dailytrust)


Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.


The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka


The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.


The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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