Breaking: PEPT Declares that Abuja has no Special Status thereby Dismiss Obi’s 25% Win in Abuja Claim
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has ruled that the most talked about mandatory 25% win in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is actually not constitutional.
I the judgement the tribunal dismisses LP/Obi’s Petition on 25 per cent needed to win the presidential election, according to the court, FCT residents have no special privileges as the petitioners claimed and it is thereby dismissed.
Labour party Presidential candidates Peter Obi and his followers has been nursing the hope that they stand a chance the ambiguity of the usage of and of the said section of the constitution present but this has now been put to bed by the declaration of the court of Appeal sitting on the election matter
BREAKING: Court rejects 10 out of 13 witnesses presented by Obi
The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal said it rejected 10 out of 13 witnesses presented by the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Justice Haruna Tsammani, who took over to deliver judgment on the substantive petition filed by Obi and LP, said this on Wednesday.
Tsammani said Obi called 13 witnesses, who testified as PW1 to PW13, noting that of the 13 witnesses, only three witnesses whose statements are on oath, were filed along with the petition.
The remaining 10 witnesses, the Justice said, were subpoenaed and their witness statements on oath were only filed after the hearing started.
Tsammani held that by virtue of section 285 of the Nigerian constitution, section 137(7) of the Electoral Act 2022, and other provisions, every witness statement on oath must be filed along with the petition.
He said that based on the Supreme Court authority, once the 21-day window for filing an election petition elapses, the content of the petition cannot be amended.
The Justice stated further that no additional statement on oath can be filed after the close of the specified window since the respondents would not have the opportunity to respond.
Tsammani said the petitioners were aware of the legal provision relating to the filing of witness statements on oath, yet went ahead to present 10 witnesses without their witness statements on oath earlier filed with the petition.
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has struck out the Allied Peoples Movement petitions against President Bola Tinubu and his Vice President, Kashim Shettima, for lack of merit.
The PEPT dismissed and described APM’s case filed to nullify Tinubu’s election as “incompetent”.
The court held that issues raised by the APM in its petition contained pre-election matters that could only be determined by the Federal High Court.
Chairman of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani, read the ruling.
The tribunal also dismissed the APM petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission and four others.
Listed as 1st to 5th respondents are INEC, All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima and Kabiru Masari.
The tribunal ruled on each of the arguments put forward by APM.
Tsammani said the petitioners failed to prove their arguments and the petition was void of merits.
The judge also upheld preliminary objections raised by all the Respondents to challenge the competence of the petition.
Tsammani held that since the petition centered on the qualification or otherwise of Tinubu to contest the presidential election, the APM ought to have gone to court within 14 days after Tinubu was nominated by the APC.
He held that since the cause of action bordered on a pre-election matter, the APM lacked the locus standi to challenge Tinubu’s nomination.
Tsammani also held that the law did not allow a political party to query the process adopted by another political party in nominating its candidate.
The judge also held that invalid nomination or double nomination did not qualify as a ground for disqualification in respect of presidential election as provided in sections 131 and 137 of the Constitution.
The PUNCH reports that the APM asked the court to invalidate the votes of the President on the grounds of the double nomination of his vice, Shettima.
The APM argued that at the time Shettima became the vice presidential candidate of the APC, he was also a senatorial candidate in Borno State.
The case of the APM was opened and closed on June 21 after calling one private witness.
There has been a Fire Scare involving an Inverter Battery at the basement of the Arrival Pick-up section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) which has since been doused.
The scare which happened at about 08:00hours Wednesday has the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service joining the Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service at the Echo Wing of the Airport.
The thick black smoke emanated from the Battery House as a result of the components of the Batter which was vented to bring the situation under control as the already activated Airport emergency response plan took strategic charge to bring the situation under control.
There is no record of casualty as normalcy has been restored.
Adeseye Margaret
Director
Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service
September 6, 2023
The International Passport is a Right not Privilege of Nigerians – Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister for Interior
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has mandated that no Nigerian should wait for more than two weeks before collecting their passport.
Tunji-Ojo made this known while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.
The Minister of Interior also promised that all passport backlogs will be cleared in no more than two weeks, noting that owning a green passport is a right and not a privilege for Nigerians.
Tunji-Ojo decried the way Nigerians experience disrespect when they have to undergo the process of applying for their passports.
He therefore assured Nigerians that there is an ongoing conversation with Nigerian Immigration Service to digitise and centralise passport issuance and renewal process.
The Minister said “clearing all backlogs shouldn’t take more than two weeks.
“The scarcity and delay around fresh passport issuance and renewal fuelled corruption in the sector.
“After clearing these backlogs, no Nigerian should wait for more than two weeks,” he stressed.
“It’s a right and not a privilege, Nigerians want that right to be actually theirs, not by somebody offering you your right.”
According to him, it is not excusable for any Nigerian to be treated disrespectfully because of a passport application.
“What Nigerians want to see is solutions, and that is what the President has constantly told us… No excuses.
“In line with the directive of Mr. President, it can no longer be business as usual.
“We have critically analysed all these scenarios – from going online to fill the form to the point of payment, to the point of picking a date, to the point of biometrics, to the point of issuance of passports. And we understand the service providers involved and have seen one or two things to put right.
“We have to digitise and we also have to decentralise the whole enrolment system and make it (possible) for people to walk into the nearest post office, people can walk into may be financial institutions and some many other ways. We are still playing with so many ideas.”
DSS Arrested Syndicate Selling Palliatives in Nasarawa State
The Department of State Services (DSS) says its operatives have arrested some suspects behind the diversion of palliatives meant for “vulnerable” citizens in Nasarawa state.
The service said the suspects were arrested in various parts of the state for selling the palliatives, noting that the items have been recovered while an investigation is ongoing in other parts of the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said the service carried out an investigation after receiving reports from some state governments.
“Consequently, the Service undertook investigations in that regard and has recovered some of the items as well as apprehended the suspects,” the statement reads.
Afunanya said the service intercepted a “suspected criminal syndicate” in Nasarawa for allegedly diverting and selling palliatives meant for the vulnerable residents in the state.
He said the suspects arrested were officials of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices in the marketplaces, including Modern Market Lafia, where the items were being resold.
The DSS spokesperson said the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate body for disciplinary action.
Following the removal of the petrol subsidy, the federal and state governments have rolled out palliatives to cushion the hardship on Nigerians.
The measures include providing financial support and food items to low-income households and increasing the availability of public transportation for workers.
However, there have been concerns about the possible diversion of the palliatives away from the target population.
Nigeria is the Right Place for You…Tinubu Tells Hinduja Group Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has assured potential Indian investors about the enormous profits they stand to make in Nigeria.
He premised this on the pledge that his administration would break every bottleneck that impedes their ease of doing business in the country.
“I am here to personally assure our friends and investors that there is no bottleneck that I will not break. Nigeria will become one of the most conducive places on earth to make good profits and create lasting jobs,” Tinubu told the Chairman and CEO of the Hinduja Group of Companies, Gopichand Hinduja, a conglomerate with a total asset portfolio exceeding $100bn.
“The Indian Industrialist was received by the President within 90 minutes of the President’s arrival in India for a meeting, which began around 8:00 pm local time,” read a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu Arrives India and heads straight into top-level investment meeting with Hinduja Chairman after 15a -hour journey’.
Accompanied to the meeting by Nigeria’s Ministers of Finance, Trade & Industry, and Foreign Affairs, Tinubu told his first visitor, Hinduja, that he was in India to attract investments to Nigeria with lucrative opportunities for investors, but most essentially, jobs for Nigerians and new revenue opportunities for Nigeria’s federal and sub-national governments.
“We are here for business. With my support, nothing is standing in your way of enjoying the unrivalled opportunities presented by our massive market and the ingenious & hardworking nature of the Nigerian people. We are open for business,” he stated.
The Hinduja Group Chairman told the President that he witnessed his landmark effort as Governor of Lagos in turning a coastal erosion and water encroachment crisis into a massive free trade zone, where industry now thrives.
He said this was partially responsible for his excitement to partner with Nigeria’s new President to create win-win prosperity for Nigeria’s talented population.
“We believe in you as a leader who has done this before. You know what the challenges are. You know how to fix them.
“We are going to make investments into the billions of dollars under your leadership because we see you are already addressing the systemic problems. I am ready now to sign an MoU and to begin execution.
“You tell me who to liaise with and we will get to work immediately, particularly concerning bus and automobile manufacturing in Nigeria, amongst other areas,” the industrialist said.
Responding to Gopichand, Tinubu said, “Ministers of Trade and Finance, the two of you will follow this up immediately and you will draw up the terms to the satisfaction of both parties.
“If there are any issues at all which require my intervention, they must be brought to my attention immediately.”
The President concluded that his task of making Nigeria great can only be achieved through teamwork and not in isolation.
He noted that when his investors are happy, Nigerians will rejoice by partaking in an inclusive economy where hard work is rewarded and excellence becomes the nation’s reputation.
After the President assigned the collaboration task to the two ministers, the industrialist noted that he had “paperwork stalled in Nigerian bureaucracy for over one year, especially in FCT, but I knew that you would be purpose-driven in this endeavour and God will help you to turn Nigeria’s rich promise into rich reality for all of its citizens.”
Travel: Places You Can go Visa free with Nigerian Passport Part I
There is a general believe that Nigerians who carries the country green passport are only restricted to countries in Africa that we have relationship with, but findings shows that vacation seeking Nigerians can actually visit many exciting locations around the world without the need of visa or any other permit except enough funds to finance your traveling and all.
Below are some countries Nigerian passport holder did not require visa or any other travelling document to visit…
Barbados
Stay Duration: 180 days
Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island and an independent British Commonwealth nation. Bridgetown, the capital, is a cruise-ship port with colonial buildings and Nidhe Israel, a synagogue founded in 1654. Around the island are beaches, botanical gardens, the Harrison’s Cave formation, and 17th-century plantation houses like St. Nicholas Abbey. Local traditions include afternoon tea and cricket, the national sport
Entry Requirements
Citizens of Nigeria visiting Barbados can stay for a duration of 6 months in the country without a visa.
Tourists who wish to extend their stay in Barbados, should apply and pay for an extension via the Barbados Immigration Department.
Prospective visitors are to provide a passport valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of arrival in Barbados.
Visitors are to provide proof of accommodation for their stay in Barbados, which could be a hotel reservation or a letter from the host who is already living in Barbados.
A copy of the tourist’s financial statement to show that they have enough money to take care of themselves for their entire stay in Barbados will be required.
Tourists below the age of eighteen (18) travelling without a parent or guardian must have a letter of authorization from a parent or guardian.
Prospective visitors hoping to travel to Barbados can do so from any international airport in Nigeria. These airports can be found in Lagos and Abuja.
Airlines that travellers can board from Nigeria to Barbados include Kenya Airways, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Caribbean Airlines.
The estimated flight time from Lagos to Bridgetown, Barbados is 21 hours and from Abuja, it is 1 day, 1 hour.
Barbados make use of the Atlantic Standard Time (GMT -4), which put Nigeria five hours ahead in time.
Christianity is the dominating religion in Barbados with about 95% of the population of the country. Other religions are Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Wicca, and Baha’i.
The official language in Barbados is English, however, Bajan is spoken majorly in an informal setting throughout the country.
The official currency used in Barbados is the Barbadian Dollar (B$). The US Dollar is also acceptable in the country. Visitors can exchange their foreign currency at various banks and exchange outlets in the country.
Barbados has a tropical climate and the weather is usually hot and sunny all year round, with over 3000 hours of sunshine each year. The rain comes in quick showers. The dry season lasts from January to June.
Tourists are advised to budget about $350 BBD a day for expenses while in Barbados.
The power and socket plug used in Barbados is of Type A and B. The standard voltage is 115 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Bathsheba, Crane Beach, Barbados Wildlife Reserve and Farley Hill National Park are fascinating places in Barbados that tourists can visit while in the country.
Visitors can move around in Barbados with buses, taxis and car rental. Also, driving is on the left side.
Some delicacies tourists can try in Barbados include, cou cou, flying fish, rice and peas, cutters, etc.
Visitors in Barbados are expected to be courteous and conscious of existing rules and customs as they go about their tourism-related activities.
Cambodia
Stay Duration: 30 days
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains and Gulf of Thailand coastline. Phnom Penh, its capital, is home to the art deco Central Market, glittering Royal Palace and the National Museum’s historical and archaeological exhibits. In the country’s northwest are the ruins of Angkor Wat, a massive stone temple complex built during the Khmer Empire.
Entry Requirements
Nigerians visiting Cambodia can stay for a duration of 30 days without a visa.
Intending visitors can gain entry into Cambodia by applying for an e-visa for $30. This e-visa takes about 5 days to process.
Visitors can gain entry into Cambodia through Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports, Thailand land borders, and also from Vietnam land border.
Nationals of Nigeria can also pay for a visa on arrival at any of these international airports or land borders mentioned above.
Tourists can extend their stay once by a month, by applying at the Immigration Department. Overstaying the visa duration will attract a fine.
Prospective visitors must possess a passport valid for 6 months beyond their stay in Cambodia. The passport must have one blank page for visa stamping.
In Cambodia, the import of local currency is prohibited. Visitors carrying foreign currency above $10,000 will be asked to declare it.
The export of local currency is also prohibited. The amount declared at Customs on arrival will be taken out in foreign currency, not local currency.
Tourists are required to have a return or onward ticket and proof of enough funds to last them their entire stay in the country.
Confirmation of accommodation during their stay in Cambodia is needed which can be a hotel reservation or a letter from the host in the country.
Prospective visitors hoping to travel to Cambodia can do so from any international airport in Nigeria. There are international airports in Lagos and Abuja.
Some of the airlines that intending visitors can board from Nigeria to Cambodia include British Airways, Ethiopia Airways, Qatar Airways, Bangkok Airways and Singapore Airlines.
The estimated flight time from Lagos to Phnom Penh, Cambodia is 19 hours and 19 hours, 30 minutes from Abuja.
The official language of Cambodia is Khmer, which is spoken by majorly all the citizens of Cambodia.
Cambodian Riel is the official currency of Cambodia. Although the US Dollar can be used at big stores in major cities. Visitors can exchange their foreign currency at various bank and exchange outlets in the country.
Buddhism is the official religion of Cambodia. Approximately 97% of Cambodia’s population practices it. Islam, Christianity, and tribal animism make up the bulk of the small remainder.
Cambodia has a tropical climate with warm weather all through the year. There are two seasons, The northeast monsoon season which runs from December through April, bringing sunny, dry weather, especially in January and February.
Visitors can move around in Cambodia with buses, taxis and car rental.
Kroeung, kampot, hu tiue and prahok are some of the dishes enjoyed in Cambodia.
Tourists can budget between $20-$30 to cater for daily expenses in Cambodia.
Cambodia makes use of the Indochina Time (GMT+7), which puts it six hours ahead of Nigeria.
The power and socket plug used in Cambodia is of Type A, C and G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Visitors are to be careful and avoid asking the locals controversial questions like topics about war, politics, the problem in the mines, or any other questions that might trigger bad memories.
Seychelles
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. Its home to numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises. Mahé, a hub for visiting the other islands, is home to capital Victoria. It also has the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park and beaches, including Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka. Renowned for its beautiful beaches, the archipelago is a destination for thousands of tourists and people who want to conduct business in the country.
Citizens of Nigeria with a valid Nigerian passport are not required to have a visa before travelling down to Seychelles, the country has a standing agreement with Nigeria where citizens of both countries can travel to the other country and stay for a total of 30 days without needing a visa. The only thing that you will need within the stated period of 30 days is your Seychelles visitors permit and even that is normally issued when you arrive the country.
Where to apply for the Seychelles Visitor’s Permit
All Seychelles visitor’s permits are usually issued on arrival at any of the country’s ports of arrival. You can fly directly to the country’s ports as a Nigerian and ask for a visitor’s permit. Again, like we already established; you will need to tender these documents and evidences to qualify for a visitor’s permit and to be allowed into Seychelles:
Your international passport with at least two blank pages.
An onward ticket or return flights ticket your home country.
Evidence of confirmed accommodation.
Proof of enough funds to cover expenses while in Seychelles.
An invitation letter if you are staying with friends and relatives.
Airlines That Currently Ply the Seychelles Route
Here are some of the airlines that currently fly to Mahe Island, Seychelles from Lagos, Nigeria:
South African airline
Ethiopian airline
Kenya airline
Qatar airline
Turkish airline
Air France
Etihad airline
British Airways
Cape Verde
Stay Duration: 30 days
Cape Verde or Cabo Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an archipelago and island country in the central Atlantic Ocean, consisting of ten volcanic islands with a combined land area of about 4,033 square kilometers.
Entry Requirements
Nigeria passport holders can get Cape Verde for a period of 30 days without the need for a visa.
Nigeria citizens hoping to travel to Cape Verde must register online, preferably five days prior to their arrival to Cape Verde.
An airport Security Tax of CVE 3400 is levied on tourists arriving in Cape Verde.
Intending visitors are required to have a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of arrival in Cape Verde. The passport should have two blank pages for visa stamping.
Travellers under the age of 18 must show travel authorization from their parents or guardians.
Tourists travelling to Cape Verde must provide proof of a confirmed means of accommodation for their entire stay in Cape Verde. This could be in the form of a sponsor letter from a host living in the country or a hotel reservation.
Visitors are required to show proof of enough funds to spend during their in Cape Verde.
Prospective visitors can get to Cape Verde from any international airport in Nigeria. There are international airports in Lagos and Abuja.
British Airways, Ethiopia Airways, Air Europa, and Royal Air Maroc are some of the carriers that fly from Kenya to Cape Verde.
The estimated flight time from Lagos to Praia, Cape Verde is 18 hours, 20 minutes and from Abuja, it is 17 hours, 5 minutes.
The Cape Verdean Escudo is the official currency used in Cape Verde. Visitors can exchange their foreign currency at various banks and exchange outlets in the country.
The official language of Cape Verde is Portuguese. But the unofficial one, which is spoken by most (if not all) is the Cape Verdean Creole, which is also known as kabuverdianu or simply called Creole or Kriolu.
Cape Verde’s subtropical climate makes year-round travel pleasant and enjoyable. August is the hottest month in Cape Verde, and the coldest is January.
Fogo, Sal, Palmeira and Santa Maria are facinating places in Cape Verde Tourists can visit.
While Cape Verde is home to diverse religious demography, Christianity is currently the religion practiced by a vast majority of Cape Verde’s population.
Visitors can move around in Cape Verde with minibuses, taxis, boats and planes.
Canja, catchupa, morreia and percebes are some of the dishes tourists can enjoy while in Cape Verde.
The Time zone in Cape Verde is (GMT-1), which puts Nigeria two hours ahead in time.
The power and socket plug used in Cape Verde are of Type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Cape Verde is a small country and very difficult to spot on a world map, but the country has a lot to offer. Each island serves a different set of attraction and reasons to visit the region.
COOK ISLANDS
The Cook Islands is a nation in the South Pacific, with political links to New Zealand. Its 15 islands are scattered over a vast area. The largest island, Rarotonga, is home to rugged mountains and Avarua, the national capital. To the north, Aitutaki Island has a vast lagoon encircled by coral reefs and small, sandy islets. The country is renowned for its many snorkeling and scuba-diving sites.
DO I NEED A PERMIT TO TRAVEL TO THE COOK ISLANDS?
No. All visitors wishing to visit the Cook Islands will be issued a visitors permit on arrival into the Cook Islands, provided they meet the following entry requirements:
All international passport holders must have a passport valid for a period of at least 6 months beyond their intended period of stay in the Cook Islands.
All New Zealand passport holders are allowed stay of up to 90 days in the Cook Islands. All other international passport holders are eligible for a stay of up to 31 days.
You must have evidence of a valid outbound ticket or return ticket to your port of origin.
Languages
WHAT ARE THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE COOK ISLANDS?
The official languages of the Cook Islands are Cook Islands Maori and English. English is widely spoken on the island of Rarotonga. While Cook Islands Maori is predominantly used in the outer islands (Pa Enua) of the Cook Islands.
AIRLINES
Hawaiian AirlinesHawaiian Airlines
Air New ZealandAir New Zealand
Singapore AirlinesSingapore Airlines
JetstarJetstar
Air TahitiAir Tahiti
Fiji
Stay Duration: 120 days
Fiji, a country in the South Pacific, is an archipelago of more than 300 islands. It’s famed for rugged landscapes, palm-lined beaches and coral reefs with clear lagoons. Its major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, contain most of the population. Viti Levu is home to the capital, Suva, a port city with British colonial architecture. The Fiji Museum, in the Victorian-era Thurston Gardens, has ethnographic exhibits.
Entry Requirements
The visa policy in Fiji permits Nigerians to visit without the need for a visa for up to 120 days.
Intending visitors must have a passport valid for six months from the date of arrival in Fiji. It is recommended that this passport has at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamp.
Tourists are required to have a return or onward ticket and proof of enough funds to spend during their stay in the country.
Requisite fee ($F98) will also be requested for during immigration clearance. This fee is not required if visitors are visiting for medical treatments or are yacht owners, because yacht owners or members of a crew of a carrier will have paid for the permit before arrival.
Tourists travelling to Fiji must provide proof of a confirmed means of accommodation for their entire stay in Fiji. This could be in the form of a sponsor letter from a host living in the country or a hotel reservation.
Fiji has listed a number of countries that cannot bring in pet and Nigeria is one of them.
Persons under the age of 18 and travelling without a parent or guardian must present a copy of their birth certificate and a parental consent form. This form must be duly completed and signed by the parent or guardian.
Prospective visitors hoping to travel to Fiji can do so from any international airport in Nigeria. There are international airports in Lagos and Abuja.
Emirates Airline, Fiji Airways and Qatar Airways are some of the carriers that fly from Nigeria to Fiji.
The estimated flight duration from Lagos to Suva, Fiji is 1 day, 8 hours and from Abuja, it is 1 day, 12 hours.
Though others (Islam and Hinduism) exist, Christianity is the dominant religion in Fiji.
Fiji has a warm and tropical climate all year round. The best time to visit fiji is from mid-October to mid-November when prices are fair, and the beaches and tourists sites are packed with fewer crowds. This is also when the weather conditions are dry, calm and enjoyably warm.
Fiji’s numerous natural beauties and endowments put it out as a great place for tourists and visitors looking to experience the richness of nature and to discover new cultures.
There are three official languages in Fiji, which are English, Fijian and Hindi.
The Fijian dollar is the official currency of Fiji. ATMs can easily be found in major parts of Fiji and credit/debit cards are accepted by many business outlets in Fiji. Visitors can change their foreign currency at banks and various exchange outlets.
Popular Fiji dishes tourists can try while in the country are kokoda, rourou, lovo, etc.
Fiji uses the Fiji Standard Time (GMT+12), which puts Fiji eleven hours ahead of Nigeria.
Power sockets and plugs used in Fiji are of type I. The standard supply voltage is 240 V, with a standard frequency of 50 Hz.
A tourist in Fiji spends an average of FJD$360 per day.
Visitors are expected to be courteous and conscious of existing rules and customs as they go about their tourism-related activities.
Dominica
Stay Duration: 180 days
Dominica is a mountainous Caribbean island nation with natural hot springs and tropical rainforests. Morne Trois Pitons National Park is home to the volcanically heated, steam-covered Boiling Lake. The park also encompasses sulphur vents, the 65m-tall Trafalgar Falls and narrow Titou Gorge. To the west is Dominica’s capital, Roseau, with colorful timber houses and botanic gardens.
Entry Requirements
For a duration of 180 days, Nigerians can visit Dominica without a visa.
A passport valid for at least six (6) months from the expected date of entry into Dominica, is also a basic requirement. The passport should have at least two blank pages for visa stamping.
Tourists are required to have a return or onward ticket and proof of enough funds to spend during their stay in Dominica.
A detailed printed itinerary of your time in Dominica and a confirmation of accommodation during the stay are needed.
An airport tax of USD 21 is levied on Nigerians when exiting Dominica.
Intending visitors can get to Dominica from any international airport in Nigeria. These international airports can be found in Lagos and Abuja.
Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways and Air Cote D’Ivoire are some of the carriers that fly from Nigeria to Dominica.
The estimated flight time from Lagos to Roseau, Dominica is 23 hours, 55 minutes and 1 day from Mombasa.
The official and most spoken language in Dominica is English. Some regions in Dominica speak a dialect called Kokoy.
Christianity is the prominent religion in Dominica. They consist majorly of Roman Catholics and Protestants. Islam, Buddhism, Baha’i, Hinduism make up the minority.
The Eastern Caribbean dollar is the official currency in Dominica. Tourists can exchange their foreign currencies at banks and other exchange outlets in the country.
As you travel to Dominica, be ready to spend on average between $60-$200 per day as a tourist.
Dominica has a tropical climate. It is usually hot and humid all year round, with a relatively cool and dry season from January to mid-April and a hot, humid and rainy season from mid-June to mid-November.
Some of the special delicacies tourists can try while in Dominica include manicou, sorrel, codfish sandwich and rum.
Transportation in Dominica can be facilitated by taxis, car rentals and buses.
Dominica uses the Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4) which puts Nigeria 5 hours ahead of Dominica.
The best time to visit Dominica is from March to May when the peak season rush trickles out of the city.
Type D and G are the power and socket plug types used in Dominica. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Tourists are advised to follow the instructions of local authorities and also monitor local news broadcasts while in the country.
President Tinubu to Employ Technology on Civil Service Padded Payroll
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed concern about Nigeria’s padded civil service payroll at the national and sub-national levels.
The president bore his mind on Monday while speaking at a meeting in the State House, Abuja, with the Global Vice President of Oracle, Mr. Andres Garcia Arroyo.
He told his guest that with cutting edge technology, the country would digitize the public service and surgically apply public money for growth.
He said: “Each time they give me the payroll number, I get so frightened. Where am I going to get the capital to develop the infrastructure we desperately require if the payroll of 1% – 2% of the population is consuming all the revenue? I think we need a tight technological control that can check and balance all necessary control points of our transaction processes. I’m looking forward to working with Oracle because I have the belief and confidence that you can do it as you have in the past.”
President Tinubu expressed his support for new partnerships with global technology companies to ensure that data from public institutions were accurate and transparent in providing templates on which proper public sector planning and accounting could occur across sectors.
The president, who welcomed the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s civil service reform process and data management sector, stressed the need for greater knowledge transfer through the establishment of academies and training institutions in the country.
Aiming to promote the ease of doing business, digital innovation, effective identity management, efficient payroll administration and qualitative citizen-centred service delivery, the President cited Oracle’s proven success in the automation of the Lagos State payroll system during his tenure as Governor and lauded the positive impact of technological solutions in enhancing accountability, and expediting timelines for service delivery without sacrificing quality in the process.
“I have tested Oracle and it has worked for our success. In Lagos State, what we did in effective collaboration with you, has been copied across the states of the Federation. We can only build our institutions with accurate data and cutting edge data management capabilities that are reliable and effective. We can only rely upon our human resources for excellent service delivery to Nigerians, if they are well trained and ready to learn.
“The transfer of knowledge is essential for our nation and the continent. In this government, we believe that the only way to build our country is a bottom-up-approach and from one single sheet of paper, we can create an end-to-end solution for public administration that will rid our service of its worst tendencies in favor of effectiveness and reliability,” the President Tinubu declared.
In his remarks, the Global Vice President of Oracle proposed a comprehensive digital transformation of work process at the federal level of administration, in order to achieve greater macro-economic visibility; streamline government processes for cost and time savings; and to provide the desired skills development opportunities for Nigerians.
“You have shown tremendous practical leadership throughout your career, Mr. President. We have partnered with you and we know how determined you are to achieve all that you set out to achieve. This is why we are offering Nigeria a free national diagnostic of the present situation in the public service with a view to dimensioning across sectors the scale of solution required. We look forward to partnering with you again,” the Oracle VP concluded.
Lagos Lawmakers Begin Screening of New Set Of Nominees As Sanwo-Olu Sends Names
The Lagos State House of Assembly will on Tuesday commence the screening of a second batch of nominees sent to by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, urged the screening committee led by Hon. Fatai Mojeed to ensure a thorough screening process and report to the House on Thursday.
Prior to the Speaker’s comment, the Clerk of the House, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko, read a letter from the governor listing the names presented.
In the letter, Governor Sanwo-Olu said some of the names were represented while new names were added.
Titled: ‘Fowarding of Official List of Nominees for Appointment as Commissioners and Special Advisers’, the letter thanked the Speaker and members of the House for their diligence and commitment in relation to the recent screening and confirmation of 22 nominees.
“Your rigorous accessment of these nominees in adherence to your constitutional obligations demonstrates your dedication to ensuring a competent and effective council,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor said after careful consideration of the 17 names that were rejected, “I have decided to represent a list of nominees which includes a balanced selection of previously presented and new individuals.
“This list represents a broad political spectrum and diverse backgrounds reflective of the rich diversity of our lovely state,” he added in the letter.
The governor said he is confident that the new nominees would bring fresh ideas that would help the growth and progress of Lagos.
He urged the House to screen the nominees for clearance.
Names
1. Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen
2. Mr. Oluwaseun Oriyomi Osiyemi
3. Prof. Akinola Emmanuel Abayomi
4. Engr. Olalere Odusote
5. Dr. Oluwarotimi Omotola Wahab Fashola
6. Mrs. Folashade Kaosarat Ambrose-Medem
7. Mr. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe
8. Mr. Samuel Egube
9. Hon. Tolani Sule Akibu
10. Mrs. Bolaji Cecelia Dada
11. Mrs. Barakat Akande Bakare
12. Mr. Olugbenga Omotoso
13. Mr. Mosopefolu George
14. Yekini Nurudeen Agbaje
15. Dr. Olumide Oluyinka
16. Mr. Abayomi Samson Oluyomi
17. Dr. Iyabode Oyeyemi Ayoola
18. Hon. Sola Shakirudeen Giwa
Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has resolved to review the performance of the 2023 budget in preparation for the presentation of the 2024 budget eatimate by Governor Sanwo-Olu.
Recall that the House had approved N1.768 trillion for the Year 2023.
Speaker Obasa urged the Committee for the budget review, headed by Hon. Sa’ad Olumo to ensure a proper review and make its report available to the House.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Media Assistant to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
