Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it will not accept new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) for the year 2025.The decision comes as part of a strategy to address the current backlog and focus on processing existing applications submitted in 2024.Immigration News Canada (INC) reports that IRCC will prioritize the processing of up to 15,000 PGP sponsorship applications throughout 2025.No new PGP applications in 2025In its recent update, IRCC confirmed that it will not be accepting any new sponsorship applications under the PGP for the year 2025. The department will instead focus on processing…
Author: Oladi Samuel
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In Nigeria’s ever-evolving fiscal landscape, Niger State Government is emerging as a leader in revenue generation reform.The Chairman of the Niger State Internal Revenue Service (NGSIRS) Mohammed Madami Etsu shared exclusive insights with Nairametrics, detailing the agency’s transformation from the challenging years of 2020–2022, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, to the reform-driven era of 2023–2024.Amid the disruptions of the pandemic, NGSIRS faced significant hurdles but emerged with a renewed focus on resilience and innovation.In this revealing interview, the Chairman highlighted the agency’s bold steps toward leveraging technology, enhancing taxpayer engagement, and promoting transparency in revenue collection. With an ambitious target…
Germany has introduced a new digital visa application system, effective January 1st, 2025, aimed at simplifying the process for international travelers.The Consular Services Portal replaces traditional paper applications, making it easier and faster for people worldwide to apply for German visas.The new system is set to streamline visa processing across 167 German embassies and consulates.A Shift from paper to digital The Consular Services Portal aims to eliminate the need for paper-based visa applications. Previously, applicants had to fill out long forms, mail documents, and wait weeks or months for approval.Now, the online portal allows for a more efficient process, including submitting…
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has granted approval for visa-free entry to Ghana for all African nationals, fulfilling a key promise made earlier this year.The policy is expected to take effect before the end of the president’s term on January 6th, 2025.According to BBC News, All African passport holders are now able to visit Ghana without needing a visa, outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo has said.Reports inform that this places Ghana among the few African nations offering visa-free access to all African passport holders, joining Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin. The move is a step toward improving the movement of people,…
Singapore-based agribusiness giant Olam Group has confirmed receiving an offer from the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) to buy out the remaining stake in Olam Agri.SALIC, a state-owned entity, currently holds a 35.4% stake in Olam Agri, having acquired it in 2022 as part of a Strategic Supply & Cooperation Agreement between the two parties.The announcement came after Bloomberg reported that a potential deal was being negotiated.In a statement released to the Singapore Exchange (SGX), Olam Group confirmed receiving a non-binding indicative offer from SALIC. The statement added that Olam is currently exploring the offer with the help…
Abuja residents have been notified of a planned 15-day power outage from Monday, January 6 to 20, 2025.This announcement was made in a statement signed by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), on Friday.The outage is necessitated by the Federal Capital Development Agency’s (FCDA) road dualization project along the Apo axis.According to TCN, “eight number 132kV and 33kV towers will be relocated along the Kukwaba/Apo 132kV line (Outer Southern Expressway route). This relocation work will necessitate a planned power outage from Monday, 6th January to Monday, 20th January 2025 from 9 am to 4 pm…
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of 21 bank accounts linked to money laundering and other unlawful activities, directing the arrest of their account holders.Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling on Friday following an ex-parte motion filed by counsel to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Mohammed, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).The accounts, domiciled in 13 banks, include Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank, Sterling Bank, Wema Bank, Union Bank, United Bank for Africa, Stanbic IBTC, First Monument Bank, Heritage Bank, TAJ Bank, and Keystone Bank.Justice Nwite instructed…
The Lagos State Government has announced a temporary disruption in water supply to several key areas, including Mainland, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Ketu Alapere, Mobolaji Bank Anthony, Oregun, Aromire, Allen Avenue, and other regions.This disruption follows a significant leak in a water pipe located opposite Maryland Mall, reported on January 2, 2025.As a result, production has been suspended at two major waterworks, Iju and Adiyan 1, which supply about 40% of the state.The announcement was made by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, via a tweet in response to a concern raised by an X user,…
The Nigerian equities market continued its positive momentum on January 3, 2025, with the All-Share Index (ASI) advancing by 406.19 points to close at 103,586.33.This marked a 0.39% increase from the previous day’s close of 103,180.14, as the market maintained its strong start to the year.Despite the gains, trading volume took a dip, declining by 14% from 829 million shares traded on January 2 to 709 million shares.On the brighter side, the market capitalization climbed past the N63 trillion mark, closing at an impressive N63.1 trillion, solidifying investor confidence.Top gainers for the day included CHAMS, which soared by 10.00%, alongside…
President Bola Tinubu will visit Enugu on Saturday, January 4, 2025, for a state visit, during which he will commission several transformative projects that have been completed across the state.The announcement was made in a statement by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday.Governor Mbah highlighted some of the key projects that will be inaugurated, including 30 fully completed and fully equipped Enugu Smart Green Schools.These schools are part of a larger initiative to construct 260 such schools across the state’s wards, reflecting the state’s strong commitment to enhancing the quality of education…