Connect with us

latest

Nigerians Express Outrage Over Hiked Passport Fees, Calling for Government Sensitivity

Published

on

Nigerians Express Outrage Over Hiked Passport Fees, Calling for Government Sensitivity....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Users across social media platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram have voiced their displeasure over the recent increase in fees for the Nigerian Standard Passport. The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), announced the fee hike on Wednesday, citing the need to maintain the quality and integrity of the passport.

Effective September 1, 2024, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity has risen from N35,000 to N50,000. Additionally, the fee for a 64-page passport booklet with a ten-year validity has increased from N70,000 to N100,000.

Many social media users have expressed concerns, not just about the fee hike but also about the alleged corruption within the NIS. Several users claim that officials often demand extra, unofficial fees, further burdening citizens already facing economic hardships, inflation, and what they perceive as government insensitivity.

One user on X.com, known as Callme_Wéalth EndSars, tweeted, “Online 50k, offline 100k for 32 pages,” hinting at discrepancies between official and unofficial charges. A Facebook user, Taiwo Olaoye, added, “Without the hiked-up fees, you still have to pay an arm and a leg as bribery for them to do their jobs. That’s why my passport will forever remain expired.”

Another tweep, Asiwaju Arowopoko, expressed skepticism about the fees, stating, “I can bet that some people paid more to get their passports done expressly. If it’s 50k and 100k for 32 and 64 pages respectively, and we will get it done seamlessly without paying a bribe or extra cost, then it’s ok.”

Criticism also extended to the rapid implementation of the fee increase compared to other government policies, such as the national minimum wage. Shedrach Onyekonwu on Facebook highlighted this discrepancy, saying, “It takes just a publication of this nature to announce an upward review of fees to be implemented in 10 days but takes endless meetings to sign new minimum wage with no date in sight for its implementation.”

On X, CitizenOlu expressed frustration, tweeting, “What kind of rubbish is this policy? In this economy with a 70k minimum wage, a passport will now cost 50,000! This is a very deliberate policy that shows some elites in power truly must be living in a different reality!”

The concerns don’t stop at the fees. Many users also called out the government’s timing and lack of empathy. Adewale ‘Damilare tweeted, “Una dun increase money for passport issuance again. You guys are testing our patience!” while another user, Hemjay of Life, pointed out the continued issue of bribery at the NIS, tweeting, “And it is not as if your useless officers will not still collect bribe at point of biometrics oo.”

latest

Security Breach: Osun Accord Party Chairman Critically Injured After Vicious Late-Night Attack

Published

on

Asimiyu Ajibola, the Accord Party (AP) Chairman for Osogbo Local Government Area in Osun State, is fighting for his life following a targeted shooting on Wednesday night in Osogbo.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ajibola, widely known as Baba Isila, was ambushed along with his associates around 9:50 pm near the Community Bank in the MDS area. Eyewitnesses reported that suspected gunmen opened fire on a blue Toyota Corolla carrying Ajibola and his friends.

One occupant of the vehicle described the terrifying ordeal, stating that the attackers chased their car while firing repeatedly. They managed to drive to the Dugbe Divisional Police Headquarters for refuge, after which the assailants fled the scene.

Ajibola sustained severe injuries in the attack and was immediately rushed to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he remains in critical condition.

The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, strongly condemned the violence and demanded a swift, thorough investigation. He stressed that the attack appeared to have political undertones and urged the police to act professionally and impartially to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Continue Reading

latest

“Your Anger Is Misplaced!”: Oby Ezekwesili Exposes The Danger Of Shifting Accountability.to Pastor Adeboye

Published

on

Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has called on Nigerians to stop targeting the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, with their frustrations regarding the state of the nation. She contends that the clergyman is being incorrectly singled out and is not to blame for Nigeria’s current difficulties.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ezekwesili emphasized the following points in her statement:

  • She characterized Adeboye as a humble servant of God who has spent his life advocating for peace and national development.

  • While acknowledging that many Nigerians want religious leaders to be more vocal in demanding government accountability, she maintained that Adeboye has consistently offered prayers and spoken up for the nation.

  • She explained that long-standing issues—such as systemic corruption, economic hardship, and insecurity—have left Nigerians exhausted and deeply distrustful of politicians, institutions, and influential figures.

  • She warned that the country has a tendency to prioritize less significant issues rather than addressing urgent national crises.

  • Ezekwesili noted that while Adeboye typically responds to criticism with “dignified silence,” she felt compelled to speak publicly to refocus attention on the “urgency of this moment” and the core issue: the need for religious leaders to help rescue the nation from “ineffectual, corrupt, and selfish politicians”.

Continue Reading

latest

Power And Protest: Aso Villa Under Guard As Nation Demands Answers For Captive Pupils And Teachers.

Published

on

Early Thursday morning, heightened security measures were implemented around the Presidential Villa in Abuja in anticipation of a protest regarding the continued abduction of students and teachers by terrorists. A wide array of security forces—including the military, police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria—were stationed at key locations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The security operation led to significant disruptions, including:

  • Checkpoints and barricades were established on major roads leading to the Villa, restricting both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

  • Many employees were unable to reach their workplaces due to these movement restrictions.

  • Heavy traffic congestion occurred along the corridors of the Supreme Court, the National Assembly, and the Federal Secretariat, leaving many commuters stranded and forcing others to find alternative routes.

The demonstration, organized by human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore alongside the Take It Back Movement, was planned to begin at Eagle Square before moving toward the Presidential Villa. The primary goal of the protest is to demand the immediate release of all victims kidnapped nationwide. Furthermore, organizers have called for President Bola Tinubu to either ensure the safety and release of the captives or resign, citing a perceived failure of the government to protect citizens. This protest reflects growing public outcry regarding the frequency of school attacks and kidnappings, as well as a broader demand for increased accountability and improved security across Nigeria.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 NIVONEWS