The Director ABN TV, Mr Ifeanyi Okali was on Thursday presented with the plaque for his award of excellence by National Association of Ohafia Students in his Office, Umuahia, Abia state capital.

He was recently honoured for his contributions to the development of Ohafia community by the students body.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned the Nigerian military to keep off from the group as they prepare the burial ceremony of their leader’s parents His Royal Majesty, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and his queen.

The warning came from the spokesperson of the group, Mr. Emmanuel Powerful who said that Nigerian Army should focus on the real security challenges facing the country rather than harassing and intimidating the good people of Afaraukwu community in Umuahia-Ibeku.

He claimed that the Nigerian Army has invaded the communities, killing and destroying people and properties at will.

He called on International bodies to take note of the unlawful Intimidation and harassment by Nigerian Army since they have resolved to kill innocent civilians at will.

The burial of Nnamdi Kanu parent’s, His Royal Majesty Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and his wife is scheduled to hold on 14th February, 2020.

The Federal Government has slashed its visa application charges for citizens of the United States from $180 to $160.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the old amount comprised $160 as visa fee and $20 as “processing and expedient fees”.

According to the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Muhammad Babandede, the reduction followed a review of the U.S.’ visa reciprocity policy for Nigeria.

Babandede stated this in a Feb. 5 memo marked NIS/HQ/CGI/806/7 and addressed to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In August, 2019, the U.S. government imposed additional visa fees on Nigerians in retaliation for the “treatment afforded to U.S. citizens” by the Nigerian government.

The policy required successful applicants for non-immigrant U.S. visas in the B, F, H1B, I, L, and R categories to pay between $80 and $303 as reciprocity fees.

This is in addition to the normal visa application fees of between $160 and $190.

“The total cost for a U.S. citizen to obtain a visa to Nigeria is currently higher than the total cost for a Nigerian to obtain a comparable visa to the United States.

“The new reciprocity fee for Nigerian citizens is meant to eliminate that cost difference,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement on its website then.

In his letter, the NIS urged all Nigerian missions in the U.S. to immediately implement the new visa charges payable by US citizens, and “discontinue charging processing or expedient fees”.

“Our Missions are to issue up to two years multiple entry visa to frequent short visit travelers on request in line with reciprocity,” he said.

A senior official of the Nigerian Consulate in New York, told NAN that the “processing and expedient fees” of $20 was for online application and payment services rendered by a private firm.

NAN reports that Babandede’s letter came a day after President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Nigeria Visa Policy 2020 which, among others, increased the country’s visa classes from six to 79.

(NAN)

The House of Representatives on Thursday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently deploy the armed forces to restore peace and order in lsu Beachline Boundary Community, Arochukwu local government area of Abia state.

The House also urged the federal government to temporarily take over the disputed land pending when proper demarcation is done.

The lawmakers also urged the National Boundaries Commission to immediately and without further delay clearly and unambiguously demarcate and define the boundaries of both communities to avoid further clashes

“The House mandated the Committees on Defence, and National Security and Intelligence to coordinate the implementation and attainment of the above resolutions with the Presidency, the National Emergency Management,” it added.

Leading the debate, Hon. Uko Nkole noted that violent communal conflicts have become perhaps the singular, deadliest threat to Nigeria’s national security.

“Saddened that between Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 and Monday, February 3rd 2020, communal clashes erupted in lsu Beachline Boundary Community in Arochukwu local government area of Abia State which has its boundary with Utuma in Cross River state in which the Utuma attacked the lsu Beachline communities of lheosu, Aba and Amachi.

The lawmaker said the clash has left many dead with the three villages along the lsu beachline boundary community completely razed down resulting in the displacement of community members.

“There is an urgent need to bring this conflict to a halt as the killings, destruction of property, displacements and humanitarian suffering, constitute crimes against humanity and, are already in genocidal proportions; they should not be allowed to further deteriorate,” he said.

Nkole said that further attacks must be prevented so that the people of the community will not, out of helplessness and frustration, be forced to employ every means necessary to defend themselves such that the situation will completely degenerate.

“Cognizant that under section 217 (2) ( c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), this National Assembly has a fundamental role to play in recommending the deployment of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order.

“Every effort must be made to save the Isu people from these needless and brutal killings and unnecessary destruction of property and that this incident should be the last of its kind,” he said.

Daily Trust