- FG set to halt visa on arrival, launches landing and exit cards
- Police request that Governor Adeleke stops Osun LG poll over security reasons
- FG announces upgrade of prisons and relocation of custodial centres
- Yemi Cardoso reveals CBN is targeting single-digit inflation rate
- IBB defends murdering childhood friend to save the country
Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.
FG set to halt visa on arrival, launches landing and exit cards
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, announced that the federal government is preparing to eliminate the visa-on-arrival policy. This policy, which was announced in 2020, allows travellers to gain a short-term visa upon entry into the country.
Instead, Tunji-Ojo stated that the government will introduce landing and exit cards that visitors must fill out before they arrive in Nigeria.
He affirmed the need to integrate the immigration data centre and create unified solutions for issues concerning migration into the country.
Police request that Governor Adeleke stops Osun LG poll over security reasons
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recommended postponing the local government elections in Osun State due to a high risk of violence and security concerns.
The elections are set to take place on February 22 across 30 local government areas (LGAs) and 323 wards in the state. However, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, issued a statement indicating that reliable intelligence suggests certain individuals intend to disrupt peace in Osun State.
“In light of this pressing security threat, the NPF strongly urges the Osun State Government to immediately suspend the scheduled elections to ensure public safety and maintain national stability,” the statement said.
FG announces upgrade of prisons and relocation of custodial centres
President Bola Tinubu has authorised the relocation of 29 correctional facilities across the nation.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the launch of 39 newly acquired vehicles and five bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service.
“The Suleja Correctional Center was established in 1914, Ikoyi in 1956, and we even have facilities from the 19th century. Continuing to operate with such outdated infrastructure is not feasible. The President has graciously approved the beginning of the relocation process for 29 correctional centres,” he said.
The minister also noted that this initiative is essential for developing a more effective and rehabilitative correctional system, as the current facilities fail to meet modern standards.
Yemi Cardoso reveals CBN is targeting single-digit inflation rate
Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has stated that the bank’s goal is to lower inflation rates to a single digit in the medium to long term.
This announcement follows the consumer price index (CPI) rebasing, which resulted in Nigeria’s inflation rate dropping from 34.8% to 24.8%.
Cardoso noted that achieving the single-digit inflation target will require better coordination between monetary and fiscal authorities, especially as improvements in different markets are made.
IBB defends murdering childhood friend to save the country
Former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), has shared information about the averted coup allegedly orchestrated by his childhood friend, General Mamman Vatsa. He said he faced a dilemma between preserving a long-standing friendship and ensuring the nation’s future.
In excerpts from his autobiography, ‘A Journey of Service,’ Babangida recounts how he first learned of Vatsa’s supposed plans through a series of rumours.
“Of course, Vatsa’s death was a personal loss of a childhood friend. As a human being, I was somewhat depressed to watch him die in such circumstances,” he wrote in his book.
“However, the nation’s stability and the cohesion of the armed forces were too high on the scale of priorities to be sacrificed for personal considerations. The law and the imperatives of order and national security are overriding.”
