The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Passport

  • ‘Why green passport holder faces rigorous screening abroad’

    ‘Why green passport holder faces rigorous screening abroad’

    Nigerians  travelling abroad  with   green passport are usually subjected to rigorous screening  on  arrival at their destinations   because of  bad  reputation of a few,  a tourist, Mr McDolly Ogundana has said..

    Ogundana, popularly called  Mr Tourist or ‘the9jaboy’ made this known in an interview in Lagos.

    According to him, the rigorous screening was due to the damaging reputation few Nigerians have accrued therefore reducing the country to a lowly rating of 197 in the ranking of international passports

    He said: “For many Nigerians, it’s a nightmare travelling with their “green passport” as most Nigerians traveling often times prefer to use alternative passport just to avoid the usual rigorous screening of the passport.

    “Nigerians traveling abroad have been subjected to an untold experience with immigrations across the globe owing to the damaging reputation few Nigerians have accrued to what is supposed to be our national pride thereby reducing Nigeria ‘s to a lowly rating of 197 in the ranking of international passports,” he said.

    Mr Tourist  is a young Nigerian not dismayed but rather pushing through the tough route to change the narrative of the green passport with his adventure into tourism in close to a decade.

    McDolly has traveled to over 155 countries across the seven continents of the world only with his “green passport “ and willing to do even more as he pushes for a change of narratives of “green passport ‘

     He agreed that it is admissible that some Nigerians have soiled the passport but yet there are thousands of Nigerians doing exploits across the globe which out numbers the few “blacksheeps;”

    it is therefore  imperative for Nigerians to embrace the green passport with a bid to  changing the narrative ‘.

     His quest to changing that narrative and passion to be known as the most traveled Nigerian with the “green passport” and also the most travelled African motivated him into a globetrotter.

    For McDolly,  it’s being a mixed reactions on his encounters with immigration personnel across the globe as he narrates his experience when he started and today his green passport now receives same treatment with other top rated passport while recounting how he has passed through an immigration desk in less that  two minutes and another in less than four minutes compared to his early stages when he had to go through the rigours of  screenings.’

     With Nigeria’s dwindling economy and its over reliance on oil that is gradually been faced out, McDolly is taking the driver’s seat in adding thrust to the tourism industry as he is currently touring some of the tourist sites in Nigeria with the aim of attracting both local and international tourists to them ‘The9jaboy” the non-celebrated Nigerian ambassador is optimistic that Nigeria is blessed with so much tourism sites that can turn its current economic woes around in a matter of time if only the right personnel and investment are made in the tourism industry.

    He  reiterated that of about  155 countries visited so far that Nigeria still remains among top nation with wonderful sites for tourism with each state having its unique sites .

     Having identified the challenges of the industry that includes lack of adequate data, he is working to providing the government (Ministry of Culture and Tourism) with adequate data on tourism in Nigeria. He believes that with the right data the government will be a  guide in making the right choices towards the development of the tourism industry.

  • Helpful international travel tips for first-time travelers

    You’re excited, obviously because you’re about to head off for your first international trip, and it’s an amazing feeling. It’s also a daunting feeling. How will you cope? How much money will you spend trying to deal with it? It’s inevitable that you’ll make mistakes the first time you travel. Regardless, you can limit these mistakes by following these helpful international travel tips especially if it is your first time.

    Get your passport in advance

    This is the most important of all tips for first-time international travellers. Avoid unnecessary stress by applying for a passport well before your expected departure date. Don’t book a flight or make any arrangements that can’t be changed until you have a passport in your hand. Some international flights require that you enter your passport number when booking or during online check-in, so it’s best to just have it first before you start booking anything.

    Ensure you have access to your money

    Gone are the days when you need to carry cash or travellers’ cheques to travel overseas. Now, thanks to the internet, it’s much easier to manage and access money while travelling all over the world. Check with your bank to see if you need to set up a travel alert while you’re abroad so your bank knows when and where you’re travelling. You can also inquire about international fees, and whether they have partner banks in the destination that will help you save money on costly foreign transaction ATM fees. Overall, ensure that you have access to your money.

    Book everything in advance

    How advance should you book everything? Some experts say that booking airfare between 56-62 days before the departure date is the best way to get a good deal. No matter what, the best time to book is whenever you have the money and are ready to commit to your first international trip. However, as earlier stated, ensure that your documents are ready before booking your flight. Notwithstanding, when you are ready to travel, you can visit Jumia’s hotel and flight marketplace to book your flight. You will get the best available rate.

    Give yourself ample time to get over jet lag

    As you start booking your first international trip, you may want to pack it all in by planning to visit as many destinations as possible immediately you arrive. This is an action that will leave you stressed. The best advice is to slow down, at least for the first day or two, to recover from jetlag.

    Research events going on while you’re there

    This will help you make sure that you’re not missing the best events going on in the city — fun things like festivals and ceremonies. Also, be sure to research some of their best cuisines. You don’t want to leave the country without experiencing it.

  • Immigration proposes extension of passport’s validity to 10 years 

    Immigration proposes extension of passport’s validity to 10 years 

    The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is considering extending validity period for international passports from its present five to 10 years.

    The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, who said this to reporters in his office on Saturday, added that Nigerians should expect an announcement on the policy changes in the coming months.

    “We have submitted a memo to the president and we believe we’ll get a positive response to that soon,” Mr. Babandede said, according to Premium Times.

    The immigration chief said the review was the government’s response to several months of complaints from Nigerians and other foreign elements, who said the five-year validity period is too short.

    Citizens demanded that the NIS should reverse to the old policy that Nigeria had in place before 2007.

    Back then, the Nigerian passport was valid for 10 years with additional five years validity for renewal.

    “We have received complaints that passports only take five years,” Babandede said.

    “The international community is not happy, wondering why passports will only be five years.”

  • AFRIMA COMMENDS AU’S SINGLE PASSPORT

    FOR launching a single, common electronic passport (e-Passport) for all Africans at the just concluded 27th AU Summit, in Kigali, Rwanda, the International Committee of The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has commended the African Union (AU).

    AFRIMA applauded the ultimate goal of the single passport which is set to realise the dream of visa-free travel for African citizens within the African continent by 2020.

    Reacting to the development, AFRIMA’s President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, said; “The African Union’s plan to allowing free movement of citizens within the African continent is a stepping stone towards building stronger unity among African nations and this is what we at the International Committee of AFRIMA have been canvassing and propagating for years in line with the AFRIMA’s vision.

    “For us in AFRIMA, it is a strong step towards making every African citizen to think and act beyond national identities and identify themselves as citizens of the African continent with a sense of pride that, ‘I am an African.’

    “The single passport will also ease and facilitate one of the AFRIMA objectives which is to engage all the stakeholders who are critical to the awards process to give them a platform for knowledge sharing and capacity-building on the continent. AFRIMA has embarked and organised stakeholders’ engagements and press conferences in over 25 African countries in the five regions of Africa. This we will do until we cover the 54 member states.”

    In partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, is a continental music and cultural initiative developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical heritage of Africa, stimulate conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe.

  • N310m vehicle gifts: EFCC seizes Secondus’ passport

    N310m vehicle gifts: EFCC seizes Secondus’ passport

    •PDP chief remains in detention •Commission confiscates vehicles traced to ex-minister

    There were indications last night  that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had seized the  passport of the detained Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus.

    Secondus is spending his fourth day in EFCC custody  for allegedly receiving 23 vehicles as gifts from a business associate of the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The business associate was released yesterday after more than three weeks in detention.

    But Secondus remained in detention at press time with investigators grilling him further on the deal.

    It was learnt that one of the 23 vehicles had been traced to a former minister.

    Secondus is said to have  asked the EFCC to give him one month to return the 23 vehicles.

    Investigations revealed that Secondus confirmed to EFCC that 21 out of the vehicles were buses which had been given out to PDP members.

    He said the remaining two vehicles (Mercedes and Range Rover SUVs) were given to him by the businessman about three years ago.

    The anti-graft agency has asked the embattled Deputy National Chairman  to refund the N310million value of the 23 vehicles.

    A well placed EFCC source  said: “Investigation into the N310million vehicles bazaar has continued. The passport of the PDP Deputy National Chairman has been seized and he will remain in detention because he has not made substantial commitment on how to pay for the value of the vehicles.

    “Secondus asked the EFCC to give him one month to return all the 23 vehicles but the anti-graft agency has turned down the timeline because funds for the vehicles were diverted oil receipts.

    “EFCC expected 24 to 48 hours commitment from Secondus. Yet, he wants to be released on bail to bring the vehicles in a month’s time. You can see why his movement needs to be restricted to this country.

    “Secondus said some of the vehicles were offered to him about three years before the election.

    “The most important breakthrough by investigators is that he admitted collecting the vehicles from the businessman.”

    Meanwhile, findings showed that one of the vehicles has been traced to a former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    Another source said: “The EFCC team obtained some records which indicated that one of the vehicles was given to a former Minister of Foreign Affairs. The ex-Minister has admitted that the vehicle was a gift from Secondus.

    “Further verification confirmed the vehicle was among those bought with oil receipts by the businessman.”

    When contacted last night, Secondus’ counsel, Mr. Emeka Etiaba ( SAN) said: “I met my client today (Friday) but the EFCC has not formally communicated its demands to me.”

    Etiaba declined further details on the next line of action by his client.

  • EFCC seizes Diezani’s husband’s passport

    EFCC seizes Diezani’s husband’s passport

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday grilled Rear Admiral Amaechina Alison-Madueke, husband of the embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The anti-graft agency seized his travel passport to restrict his movement to Nigeria, pending the conclusion of its investigation.

    About two other ‘business associates’ of the ex-Minister were also said to be in EFCC’s custody’s last night.

    The arrest was said to be in connection with the ongoing probe of the activities of the ex-minister.

    The National Crime Agency (NCA) in the United Kingdom (UK) arrested and quizzed  Mrs Alison-Madueke and four others on October 2, last year for alleged bribery and corruption and money laundering.

    The EFCC has interrogated three to five more suspects since Mrs Alison-Madueke’s invitation by the NCA.

    According to sources, the former Military Governor of Imo State was grilled in connection with alleged money laundering following the screening of his accounts.

    There were conflicting reports on the amount in question last night.

    A source in the commission said: “We have interrogated Rear Admiral Alison-Madueke as part of the ongoing probe of his wife, who is the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources.

    “After interacting with him, he was granted administrative bail. But all his travelling documents are with us. Therefore, his movement has been restricted to the country pending the conclusion of this investigation.

    “Certainly, we will still have another round of interaction with Madueke any moment from now.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The ongoing investigation of Diezani is extensive because of the sector she managed as a minister.”

    Another source added: “Based on intelligence sharing with investigators in the UK, we interacted with Madueke and some business associates of the ex-Minister.

    “We will release the details as may be necessary for public consumption because this investigation cuts across some countries.”

    The National Crime Agency (NCA) had in October 2015 arrested Mrs Alison-Madueke and four others.

     

  • Ogude loses cash, Nigerian passport to robbers

    Ogude loses cash, Nigerian passport to robbers

    Amkar Perm midfielder Fegor Ogude was robbed in Russia on Saturday and his Nigerian passport was among the important documents stolen by an unidentified woman.

    According to  wday.ru, the Nigeria international was at a shopping mall in the city when his purse with documents and money was stolen.

    Representatives of Amkar Perm have pleaded with the thief to return the international passport, promising that she won’t be reported to the authorities.

    If the thief is not found, Fegor Ogude may have to return to Nigeria to process a new travelling document.

    The former Warri Wolves skipper has been a player of Amkar Perm  since January 2014 following his transfer from Norwegian side Vålerenga, Oslo.

  • Japan seizes Syria-bound journalist’s passport

    Japan’s authorities have seized the passport of a journalist planning to travel to Syria, local media say.

    It was necessary to confiscate Yuichi Sugimoto’s passport in order to protect his life, the authorities said.

    The 59-year-old photographer, who had planned to enter Syria on 27 February, described the move as a threat to the freedom of press.

    Two Japanese hostages were killed by Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria in January.

    However, Mr Sugimoto told reporters that he had no intention to visit areas controlled by IS.

    It is said to be the first time the Japanese government has taken such a step.

    The foreign ministry says it is in accordance with a provision in the country’s passport law, that allows a confiscation in order to protect the passport holder’s life.

    Mr Sugimoto, who has covered conflict zones in Iraq and Syria before, insists he has always taken precautions and retreated when in danger.

    “What happens to my freedom to travel and freedom of the press?” he told the Japanese paper Asahi Shimbun.

    He said he was planning to travel to Turkey before entering Syria with a former soldier who had previously worked for Kenji Goto, a fellow journalist who was taken hostage, and killed in Syria last month.

    A second Japanese citizen, Haruna Yukawa, was also kidnapped and killed by IS militants.

    After the handling of the hostage crisis, approval ratings for the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have gone up, recent polls show.

  • Her voice, her passport

    Her voice, her passport

    Death robbed her twice of a means to education.  But her voice made a way for her to earn scholarships.  Now, Agatha Ibeazor wants to teach music and revive the art of opera singing in Nigeria, reports Kofoworola Belo-Osagie.

    If anyone understands the loss death brings, it is Agatha Ibeazor.  Twice, she has felt its sting and the hopelessness that comes with the pain of losing a dear one.

    The first time was when her father passed on.  She was only four.  His death meant that, unlike her older siblings, she could not attend a private secondary school.  She attended Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School and Marywood Grammar School, both in Ebute Metta, Lagos.    And though she was offered a place to study Law at the Anambra State University, her hardworking mother, Fidelia, could not afford to pay, so she lost the admission.

    But 25-year-old Agatha’s destiny was tied to music.  And music it was that cleared a path for her.  Even before she could speak and read, Agatha sang.  She joined the youth choir of St Paul’s Catholic Church, Ebute-Metta at seven – so young that there was no choir robe her size.  She sang her way to recognition in church.  So, when furthering her education became an issue, her choir master, the late Stephen Olarinde, advised her to apply to the MUSON (Music Society of Nigeria) School of Music which has a scholarship scheme sponsored by the MTN Foundation.

    “With a lot of hard work, I auditioned and did the written exam and when the results came out I passed and was admitted to the school.  I was one of the lucky people that got admitted as it is a highly selective process.  I am truly grateful to MTN Foundation as they did not only pay for my tuition fee but they gave me transportation stipends which made going to school a lot easier and more bearable for me,” she said.

    At the MUSON, Agatha flourished under the tutelage of music teachers she described as some of the best in the world.  She trained her voice and learnt to play musical instruments such as the piano, clarinet, trumpet, and the cello.  But singing was her calling, and as she earned her associate diploma in music, she also clinched the best prize for Voice.

    After graduation, her next desire was to seek greater qualification in opera singing abroad.  This quest led her to Abuja, where she did all kinds of freelance music jobs to get connected with the right people.  The jobs did not always pay good money, but her determination paid off in the end and she got a scholarship from the late Levi Ajuonuma to study Music at the Truman State University in the United States.

    “As a freelance singer I happened to be invited to sing at the end of the year party at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).  I asked not to be paid, but that my admission letter to a school in the U.S. should be read to the attendees just so they were made aware of my quest of studying abroad.  Luckily for me, I got sponsorship from that event (from the former Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Dr Levi Ajuonuma),” she said.

    But that scholarship only lasted for two years because of Ajuonuma’s death in the Dana Air crash of June 3, 2012.  This was the second time death showed up to abort her dream.  However, to save her education, Truman University authorities stepped in, and paid part of the tuition fees.  Agatha funded the rest by working long hours.

    Despite having to work part-time and compete with equally intelligent classmates, Agatha completed her programme again in flying colours, earning honours in the process.

    She said: “To be on the (honours) list, the departmental honours requirements for music must be met and they include 3.50 or above Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), A on Junior and Senior Recital, presentation at a research conference – Truman State University Student Research Conference, NCUR, CMS, MENC, MMTA, others.

    “I worked hard with many sleepless nights from studying, working, practising, researching, performing, ans so on, to be able to meet the requirements and get departmental honours recognition. I was also selected to perform at the Music honours recital due to my hard work and dedication to opera which was a big deal as a music student.”

    Now, that she is done, Agatha seeks to study for her “master’s and doctoral degrees simultaneously.”  She is again looking for sponsors to attend the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam, and the Butler School of Music, University of Texas at Austin, where she has already been admitted.

    After she is through with schooling, she hopes to return to Nigeria to teach music, which she has already started.

    “This August I will be giving a Master Class and a concert at the MUSON Centre to encourage upcoming opera singers.  I also intend for this concert to be annual to promote this touching and elegant art-form,” she said.

    Agatha is a dreamer; and she advises those who wants to achieve success in life to dream.

    “If you don’t have a dream yet, get a good night’s sleep and please dream because it’s only dreamers that are achievers.

     

  • BlackBerry launches Passport

    Global leader in mobile communication, BlackBerry Limited has launched the BlackBerry Passport, a new device it said is purpose-built for productivity with a boundary-breaking design that challenges the status quo,.

    Featuering a large square touch screen, new QWERTY touch-enabled keyboard and BlackBerry’s latest 10.3 operating system, the BlackBerry Passport gives users a wider vision to do mobile business without compromising portability.

    The BlackBerry Passport encourages productivity with a 4.5’’ square touch screen that optimizes screen real estate to enable users to read 60 characters per line, whereas a typical all-touch device in portrait orientation only displays 40 characters. When you combine this with a revolutionary touch-enabled keyboard, you will be able to get more done on your smartphone, without feeling the need to turn to your PC or tablet to read and write emails, view maps, surf the Web or edit documents.

    It explained that its key features include its innovative screen which is a 4.5’’ square full high definition (HD) screen and a pixel density of 453ppi, offering the best resolution of any device in its range including the Galaxy S5 and iPhone 6 Plus; its best-in-class battery power at 3450mAh, makes the device to be able to be alive for up to 30 hours of mixed use.

    The BlackBerry Passport’s revolutionary new keyboard brings innovation to input with a responsive touch surface that lets you perform many touch functions directly on the keyboard. You can scroll web pages, flick to type or slide along the keys to move the cursor, leaving the full screen space for viewing while the device is built for the most demanding user using durable materials mixed with top-of-the-line technology, including a Gorilla Glass display with 1440 X 1440 resolution, Quad Core 2.2 GHZ Processor, 3 GB RAM, 13 MP OIS rear Camera and 32 GB memory.

    It comes preloaded with the BlackBerry 10.3 operating system, including new features such as BlackBerry Assistant, BlackBerry Blend and Amazon Appstore. It has a fresh look that incorporates updated icons and an action bar so that each user’s most commonly accessed functions are in the center of their screen.