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FG clears 200,000 passport backlogs, pays ₦28bn debts — Tunji-Ojo

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The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government has cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications since he assumed office.

Tunji-Ojo also revealed that ₦28 billion in old debts have been paid off, all without extra funding from the government.

He made these announcements during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos on Monday. He spoke on the topic, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” and called for bold leadership, system reform, and the smart use of technology.

“Leadership is not about reacting to problems, it is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur. And for that, you must always ask: What is your purpose? How will you execute it? And when is the right time to act?” he said.

He explained how his ministry used innovation, technology, and planning to clear passport backlogs and debts. New systems like e-visa platforms, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad, and advanced passenger tracking have been launched.

Speaking about Nigeria’s prisons, Tunji-Ojo said the correctional system is in bad shape.

He pointed out that more than 4,000 inmates are behind bars simply because they can’t pay fines as low as ₦50,000.

“This is not a legal crisis, it is a moral one. A society that punishes poverty more harshly than crime has lost its moral compass,” he said.

He added that the ministry is working with private donors to help release many of these non-violent prisoners, noting that it’s also pushing for reforms that focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment.

These include digital case tracking, vocational training in prisons, and partnerships to improve prison conditions.

“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” he said.

Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, praised Tunji-Ojo’s leadership.

“Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking,” he said, adding that the Minister’s work shows what real public service should look like.The event brought together business leaders, government officials, and experts from across the country.

It was part of Access Bank’s effort to spark national change through conversations about leadership and service.

In his final words, Tunji-Ojo urged everyone to live with purpose and pursue excellence.

“Let Access Bank not just be a financial institution, let it be a philosophy. Let Nigeria not just be a country of potential, let it be a nation of performance.

It is time to refine our genius, not just export it,” he said.

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JUST IN: Oluremi Tinubu Donates 1 Billion naira to victims of Yelwata attack

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The Wife of the President Oluremi Remi Tinubu has donated the sum of one billion naira to victims of the horrific Yelwata attack in Benue State.

Oluremi Tinubu who announced the donation during her condolence visit to the state, described the killings as very unnecessary.

About 6 weeks after the heart wretching attack on Yelwata community of Guma local council of Benue State State Wife of the President Oluremi Tinubu visits to pay her condolence.

She proceeds to the new banquet hall of the Government house Makurdi where she meets with relevant stakeholders and makes a significant donation on behalf of council of the renewed hope agenda initiative.

Earlier State Governor Hyacinth Alia while appreciating the show of sympathy by the first family renewed his call for the establishment of State police.

Chairman State Council Of Chiefs the Tor Tiv Orchivirigh James Ayatse wants the killer terrorists flushed out of the State and neighbouring Nassarawa State.

He equally called for compensation for victims to rebuild their lives and return back to their ancestral homes.

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Lekki Airport: Residents Call for Compensation Ahead of Demolition

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Residents of the Ajiwe community in Ajah, Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to suspend the planned demolition of their homes for infrastructure projects until they receive adequate compensation.

The affected landlords and tenants claim their properties have been marked for demolition to make way for the Gas Link pipeline and Green Line Rail projects—key components of the new Lagos Airport under construction in Ibeju-Lekki.

Over the weekend, the residents staged a protest along the Abraham Adesanya Expressway, carrying placards with messages such as: “No Demolition Without Compensation,” “We Say No to Gas Link and Rail Project Demolitions Without Compensation,” and “Compensate Us First.”

Kehinde Alakoso, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, acknowledged the public importance of the projects but emphasized the need to account for the human impact.

“These projects may serve the greater good, but the government must also fulfill its legal and moral obligation to compensate displaced residents,” he said.

Alakoso added that formal letters had been submitted to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, and other relevant authorities in the state.

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Flood Death Toll in Adamawa Rises to 23, Governor Fintiri Visits Affected Communities

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Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Monday confirmed that the death toll from Sunday’s devastating flood in Yola has climbed to 23, with many more still missing.

Upon arriving at Yola International Airport at 1:45 p.m., the governor proceeded directly to affected communities in Yola South Local Government Area, where he offered condolences to victims and assessed the damage.

At a temporary displacement camp set up at Yelewa Primary School, Fintiri met with displaced families, expressed his grief, and reassured them of the government’s commitment to providing immediate relief materials.

He announced the formation of a technical committee, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the destruction.

“We will constitute a technical committee to carry out a thorough assessment. Based on their findings, we will take concrete steps to assist affected residents,” the governor stated.

Fintiri also condemned attempts by some individuals to politicize the tragedy, warning against the spread of misinformation.

“This is not a time for politics or finger-pointing. It’s a time for unity and action,” he said.

He attributed the flooding to a combination of heavy rainfall and poor drainage caused by blocked water channels, emphasizing the need to address structural deficiencies to prevent future disasters.

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