LEGENDINFO

Japan has denied reports that it plans to introduce a special visa category for skilled Nigerians seeking to relocate to Kisarazu, the Japanese city recently designated as Nigeria’s “hometown” under a cultural exchange programme. Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House , had in a statement dated August 22 claimed that the Japanese government would create “a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.” The statement also said, “Artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are ready to upskill will also benefit from the special dispensation visa to work in Japan.” However, in a statement issued on Monday, Japan’s foreign ministry debunked the claim, insisting there were no such plans. The ministry explained that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Africa Hometown programme is aimed at promoting cultural and economic exchanges between four Japanese cities a...

The Federal Government states that plans are underway to ensure that the processing time for Nigerian passports does not exceed one week after the application is submitted. The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the assurance during the ministry’s mid-tenure performance retreat on Thursday in Abuja. Tunji-Ojo said the planned shortened timeframe was part of the federal government’s reforms to the passport issuance process. The NIS stated that while the 32-page passport, valid for five years, will cost N100,000, the 64-page booklet, valid for 10 years, will be obtained at a cost of N200,000. “Our target is very clear; within one week of enrolment, every Nigerian should have their passport in hand. “Not just delivering quickly, but delivering quality passports that reflect our integrity as a nation,” the minister said. He said that the new system was designed to eliminate long delays and extortion that once forced citizens to wait six months to seven months and pay excess...

The federal government has raised concerns over Nigeria’s annual economic loss of about N455 billion to poor sanitation and unsafe water. To this end, the federal government has called for the urgent need for improved monitoring, enforcement of standards, and greater public awareness on water quality. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation , Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made the disclosure at the launch of the Nestlé Water Quality Advocacy Campaign held in Abuja on Wednesday.  Represented by Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, the Minister said Nigeria must commit more resources to water quality management to reduce the risks of contamination. “The 2021 National Water Report revealed that indices of contamination of drinking water at points of consumption in Nigeria are not encouraging,” he said. “Without access to safe water, our progress towards sustainable development remains incomplete,” Utsev added.

  Imo State   Governor Hope Uzodimma   has increased the minimum wage for the state’s civil servants from N70,000 to N104,000. The governor announced the new minimum wage on Tuesday night at a meeting with organised labour at the  Government House in Owerri,  the state capital. This shows an additional N34,000. Uzodimma also raised the wages for the state’s health workers, pegging the entry-level salary for medical doctors at N508,000, while senior positions in the same cadre will earn up to N1.2 million. Other health workers, the governor said, would start at N108,000, with top earners receiving as much as N803,000, an upward review from the previous N77,600 to N502,000 range. For lecturers, the new entry point will be N222,000. Other civil service positions also received significant increases according to their salary structures. Uzodimma directed the immediate release of N16 billion to clear outstanding pension and gratuity arrears for senior citizens. The ne...

A  joint security operation in Kwara State came under heavy attack on Monday when armed bandits ambushed the team, leaving one vigilante dead and two others injured. The operation, which covered Babasango and surrounding areas, was a coordinated effort involving Police Special Forces, operatives attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, and local vigilante groups. The mission, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Luther, deployed Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs, for bush combing. According to security sources, the incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. as the team was returning from patrol. The bandits reportedly laid an ambush, sparking a fierce exchange of gunfire. During the confrontation, one vigilante was shot dead, while two others sustained serious injuries. Two Buffalo APCs were also disabled in the assault.

  The Naira depreciated against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Monday, to begin the week. This is according to the  Central Bank  of Nigeria’s exchange data at the close of work on Monday. The apex bank exchange rate data showed that the Naira weakened marginally to N1,536.42 against the dollar on Monday, down from N1,535.04 traded at the end of last week on Friday. This means that the Naira dropped by N1.38 against the dollar on Monday when compared to the N1,535.04 traded on Friday. While Nigeria’s currency failed to gain at the official market, it appreciated slightly by N2 at the black market to N1548 per dollar, up from N1,550, a Bureau de Change operator at Wuse Zone 4, Abubakar Alhasan told DAILY POST on Monday.

Sixteen-year-old  Rio Ngumoha  came off the bench to score a 100th-minute winner for  Liverpool  against 10-man  Newcastle United  at St James’ Park, leaving the Magpies winless in 18 league H2Hs (D5, L13). Despite it being clear that he would represent neither side in this fixture, all of the pre-match chat surrounded  Alexander Isak  and the transfer saga that has dominated the summer window. As a result, tensions were high on Tyneside, with the home fans showing their support for manager Eddie Howe before play got underway. Both sets of players got stuck in right from the off with tackles flying in, resulting in a booking for  Ryan Gravenberch , who was making his return from suspension. Newcastle looked the more dangerous side in a frantic opening quarter-hour, but it was Nick Pope who was first called into action to deny  Florian Wirtz ’s curling effort.  The intensity remained incredibly high, as  Anthony Gordon  had...