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Canada announces new restrictions on work permits for Nigerians and other international students, spouses The Canadian Government has annou nced a two-year cap on the number of new study permits issued to Nigerians and other international students.  Immigration Minister Marc Miller who disclosed this on Monday, January 22, said for 2024, the cap is expected to result in approximately 364,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35% from 2023.  In addition to the cap, the Canadian government will also require international students applying for a permit to provide an attestation letter from a province or territory.  Miller also announced changes to the post-graduation work permit program, starting that from September, international students who begin a program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement — where a private college has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college — will no longer be eligible for a post-graduation work permit...

Probe the air crash that killed former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru - Danjuma To Tinubu  Former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Danjuma Ali-Keffi (rtd), weekend, called on President Bola Tinubu to probe the air crash that killed former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru. He alleged that the crash was linked to terror sponsors. He lamented that no less a person than the chief of army staff and 11 senior officers died in a “suspicious” plane crash and the matter was swept under the carpet, as the full report of the crash investigation was not made known. Ali-Keffi said Attahiru devised the strategy to end terrorism in the North, part of which was infiltration of terror groups and the instigation of crisis among terror leaders, which culminated in the elimination of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, by a rival terror group, Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP). Part of the strategy was to also cut off the...

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a couple for an alleged self-kidnapping scheme aimed at obtaining a N5 million ransom.  The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, as he warned citizens to desist from self-kidnapping.  Adejobi added that one Albarka Sukuya in Plateau State was arrested for staging his kidnap on several occasions, and one Nnamdi Agu, also faked his kidnap in Abuja in an attempt to defraud his family.  The statement read, "In Lagos, a couple was arrested for alleged self-kidnapping scheme aimed at obtaining a N5 million ransom recently.  "The husband, Doubara David Yabrifa, a 53-year-old technician, and the wife Regina Yabrifa, a 48-year-old body massager and bone setter, were apprehended after a family member reported the purported kidnapping.  "The couple confessed to planning the self-kidnap to raise N3 million to purchase a property in Badagry, Lagos. Th...

Sources suggest that Gbajabiamila is under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in corrupt practices, adding to the challenges confronting the president’s administration. The recent scandal revolves around Gbajabiamila’s purported role as one of the beneficiaries of corruption within the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) during Ahmed Kuru’s tenure. According to a report by Special Investigator Jim Obazee, Gbajabiamila is accused of benefiting from Kuru’s largesse, particularly in the form of Ikoyi properties, during his tenure as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report further suggests that Gbajabiamila was crucial in ensuring Kuru’s continued leadership at AMCON. According to Sahara Reporters, the revelation has sparked calls for immediate action, with mounting pressure on President Tinubu to remove Gbajabiamila from his position as Chief of Staff. “President Bola Tinubu is under pressure from some political associates, whom Kuru has soiled their white r...

The 58 lawmakers under the aegis of the Northern Senators Forum, have alleged that projections and provisions of the N28.7tn 2024 budget, were unfair to the North. They also alleged that some federal agencies are being relocated to Lagos. The Northern Senators, however, said they were committed to addressing the concerns and feelings of their constituents in the North regarding the decisions and policies put forth by the Federal Government, including seeking legal redress if possible. The Senators made this known in a statement signed by their spokesperson, Senator Suleiman Kawu Summaila (NNPP Kano South) on Monday in Abuja titled, “Allocation and distribution of funds in 2024 National Budget and Relocation of some Federal Agencies to Lagos,” The statement read, “As representatives of the people at the national level (Senate), we are committed to addressing the concerns and feelings of our constituents regarding certain decisions and policies put forth by the Federal Government. “And t...