馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Nigerians in UK praise new contactless passport renewal system
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom have lauded the Federal Government's recent passport reforms, particularly the contactless renewal system, for significantly reducing delays and streamlining the passport delivery process. Introduced in November 2024, the new system enables eligible individuals to renew expired or exhausted passports from home, eliminating the need for physical visits to the Nigerian High Commission. Testimonies from various Nigerian community members across the UK, as reported by the Ministry of Interior, highlight a stark contrast to previous experiences marked by frustrating delays, extensive travel, and bureaucratic hurdles. Timileyin Gbenga, a Nigerian community figure in Birmingham, noted that while the traditional process took over six months and required travel for biometrics, the contactless method for a family member resulted in passport delivery in less than two weeks. He credited the transformation to the leadership of Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo under President Bola Tinubu's administration. Gbenga Ogunderu, based in Coventry, described the initiative as a significant digital shift, allowing applications and doorstep delivery without stress, often within two weeks. Dr. Adekunle Shonola, a senior lecturer at Coventry University and president of Nigerians in Coventry, recalled the previous necessity of traveling from Coventry to London for biometrics, a process that often took over six months. He observed that community members no
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
At Hallmark Health Service Limited Hallmark HMO鈥檚 Stakeholders Engagement 5.0 in Lagos, participants emphasized the need for stronger collaboration, sustainable financing, innovation, and trust among stakeholders to build a resilient healthcare system in Nigeria. Olumide Ajomale, an Organisational Development Consultant and keynote speaker, highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that no healthcare system succeeds in isolation, stressing that sustainability is a collaborative achievement involving hospitals, HMOs, regulators, technology providers, and the government. He noted that Nigeria's healthcare ecosystem faces both opportunities and challenges, including significant healthcare inflation. Ajomale proposed collaboration, strengthened financial capacity, stakeholder trust, regulatory support for a sustainable operating environment, and positive consumer experience as solutions. Adeogun Oladotun, Managing Director of Hallmark HMO, stated that the forum aimed to discuss the future of the healthcare industry, envisioning a future built on collaboration that addresses financing, the health system, the regulatory environment, and wellness. Oladotun urged healthcare providers to adopt technology and become more human-centered, criticizing the dismissal of enrollees without offering solutions. Eddie Efekoha, Chairman of Hallmark Health Services Limited, added that Nigeria鈥檚 evolving healthcare landscape requires collective action to create an accessible, affordable,
Eight people have died in a violent clash between farmers and herders in Gulma town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The incident began when a farmer was reportedly stabbed to death by a Fulani herder while working on his farmland. This led to a reprisal by members of the farming community, who allegedly attacked nearby Fulani settlements, resulting in eight fatalities and increased tension. Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident, stating it occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Security operatives intervened to control the situation, rescuing four injured individuals who were treated and discharged. Usman reported that normalcy has been restored, with security personnel deployed to maintain peace. He urged residents to remain calm and use appropriate channels for grievances instead of resorting to violence.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre CISLAC has called on women journalists to spearhead the campaign against tobacco use by adopting gender-sensitive reporting. This initiative aims to highlight the disproportionate impact of tobacco on women and children. During a workshop in Gombe, Comrade Ibrahim Musa-Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, emphasized the critical role of women journalists in shaping public opinion and influencing tobacco control policies. Research indicates that tobacco use affects women differently and often more severely than men. The workshop, supported by Tax Justice Network Africa, trained members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ in Gombe State on tobacco tax advocacy and gender-responsive reporting. Musa-Rafsanjani stressed that women journalists, as mothers and role models, are strategically positioned to discourage children and young people from starting tobacco use. He also noted that Nigeria's current tobacco taxation rates are insufficient to deter consumption, falling short of ECOWAS recommendations and World Health Organization benchmarks. Solomon Adoga, CISLAC Programme Manager, explained that the training aimed to deepen journalists' understanding of tobacco-related risks and the gender dimensions of tobacco use, encouraging them to challenge misconceptions and advocate for stronger policies. Abigail Kolo, Chairperson of NAWOJ, Gombe State chapter, and Rebecca Maina, Chairperson of the Media Working Group on