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It Won’t Be Business As Usual, Presidency Says On UAE Visa Ban Reversal

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The Nigerian Presidency says the reversal of the visa ban on Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates does not mean that things will go back to “business as usual”, especially as it concerns UAE visa applications and processing.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, moments after the deal between President Bola Tinubu and his UAE counterpart Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan public, Media aide to the President, Ajuri Ngelale said things will be done differently to address some loopholes that caused the visa ban.

“Every agreement comes with mutual responsibility. There is no free lunch. What I mean by that is the notion that floodgates will open up and we go back to business as usual. That is not what Nigerians should expect. I want to be very clear about this so that everybody can understand,” Ngelale said.

Speaking further, he noted that “one of the major challenges of the bilateral relationship with regards to visa applications, visa processing and with respect to Nigerians being able to migrate to the UAE for example, was the fact that there was a laxity on the part of certain visa process or certain applications that were being made that it created a lack of specificity and lack of diligent evaluation with respect to who is travelling to the UAE and why they are travelling.

“And this is why we had issues. Just a few bad eggs among our people giving a bad name to all of us which was a major sticking point as to how we got to this point. So, what we have done as part of this process is to put in place measures to ensure there is effective diligence done on the part of both sides.”

The visa ban on Nigerians was lifted by the UAE almost one year after the decision following an intervention by President Tinubu who met with the UAE leader.

The agreement between the two leaders also means that Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria.

A statement by the Presidency also added that as negotiated between the two heads of state, the restoration of flight activities does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.

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Police Summons Sowore, Arrives Force Headquarters with Travel Bag, Toothpaste, and Soap

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Omoyele Sowore has appeared at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters on Wednesday, carrying a travel bag filled with personal items, including soap, toothpaste, clothing, and books, in response to a police summons.

The appearance follows a letter dated August 5 from the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, inviting Sowore for questioning over a petition alleging forgery and criminal defamation.

A day prior, Sowore publicly pledged to honour the summons and urged fellow activists and supporters to accompany him. He arrived at the police headquarters at approximately 12:16 p.m., flanked by his legal representatives, A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar, and a group of supporters chanting protest songs critical of the government and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The travel bag, visibly packed with essentials, was seen as a symbolic gesture indicating that Sowore was prepared for the possibility of detention.

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You will drink ‘shit water’ if you dig borehole in Lekki – Perm. Sec.

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The Lagos State Government has expressed serious concerns over the quality of water consumed by residents in the Lekki area, warning that those relying on boreholes could be drinking contaminated water.

At a recent stakeholders’ meeting, Mahmood Adegbite, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, sounded the alarm over the potential health risks posed by untreated wastewater seeping into underground water sources.

“Everyone digging boreholes within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I will call ‘shit water,’” Adegbite stated bluntly.

He explained that the government has plans in place to address the issue by expanding wastewater treatment efforts in the area. “If we are able to treat all the wastewater within this axis, we should be able to eradicate any form of disease that might result from non-treatment,” he added.

Adegbite also touched on the ongoing problem of flooding in Lagos, acknowledging that despite significant investment in drainage infrastructure, more work remains.

“Yesterday, it rained heavily, which is unusual because this is supposed to be August break,” he said. “We started having it because of a lot of complex issues. Despite the fact that we have committed so much, we still need to do a lot more in that space.”

The remarks underscore the growing environmental and public health challenges in Lekki, one of Lagos’s rapidly developing urban corridors.

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JUST IN: Kano Commissioner For Transportation Resigns Over Drug Allegations

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The Kano State Commissioner for Transportation, Ibrahim Namadi has resigned from his position following an allegation of his involvement in the controversial bail of a suspected drug baron, Sulaiman Danwawu.

According to reports, his resignation is coming just hours after the governor of the state, Abba Yusuf received the report of an investigative committee set up to probe his involvement in the deal.

‎In a statement signed by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, the Commissioner explained that his decision to resign was made in the overriding public interest and in the light of sensitive nature of the matter.‎

The Governor while accepting the resignation letter stressed the need for all political appointees to always reason with caution on sensitive matters and obtain permission from the higher authority anytime they are about to engage themselves on issues of public interest.‎‎

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