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Aregbesola To Nigerians: Avoid Patronizing Touts, Pay Online For Passport Application

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Aregbesola To Nigerians: Avoid Patronizing Touts, Pay Online For Passport Application

 

The Federal Government has said it has digitalised payments for the Nigerian Passports, advising citizens to avoid patronizing touts and unscrupulous officials when applying for the documents.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated this on Monday, 20 December, 2021 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, during the Rollout of the Enhanced e-Passport with Polycarbonate Data Page and other security features.

“Part of the reforms is the migration of passport application and payments to digital platforms. But we regret to observe that applicants still patronise touts and unscrupulous officials in the hope to beat the system and get expedited services. When they were disappointed, they come to report to us. Of course, we have zero tolerance for corruption and subversion of due process. We therefore take seriously any such report and invoke the necessary disciplinary measures.

“But I will implore applicants to stop patronising touts and our officials directly. Follow the process we put in place. Apply for passports and pay online. The only engagement with our staff is the enrolment of your biometrics. Patronising touts and passport office officials doesn’t always end well, but rather serves to defeat our purpose of eliminating corruption and infusing integrity to the passport administration process,” the minister stated.

Speaking on the new application process, the minister noted that a new timeline has been set for fresh passport application and reissue.

“Our template stipulates maximum six weeks for obtaining new passports and maximum three weeks for renewal. We work within this schedule to enable us investigate any claims made by applicants and verify them, for the final document we issue them to have integrity. If there are challenges, wait, eventually you will get your passport before your due date of travel, if you apply early enough. You will still have long enough time to apply for visa and other travel documents.

“Nowhere in the world is passport administration done on wait-and-get basis except in extreme emergencies. The only wait-and-get passport is passport photograph,” the minister stated.

On the new enhanced passport being rolled out in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, the minister noted that the passport is an improved document with high security features.

“The Enhanced e-Passport is a great improvement on the Biometric Passport technology which Nigeria adopted in 2007 as a deliberate step towards curbing forgery, impersonation and other forms of travel document fraud associated with the old Machine-Readable Passport regime.

“It is the latest technology in passport making anywhere in the world and only few countries have it. It is the most secure identity document ever produced. We are proud to make it available to Nigerians,” Ogbeni Aregbesola concluded.

Speaking during the event, the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, CG Isah Jere, reiterated the call by the minister for citizens to stopped patronising touts.

“As you have heard from the Minister, we expect that the only time citizens will have contact with our officers is during the biometric capturing. You are to apply and pay only. Soon, we are launching an appointment management system and a tracking system for you to know anywhere you are in the world, the process of your passport application,” CG Isah Jere revealed.

Also speaking at the, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Segun Ogunbiyi lauded the efforts of the Nigeria Immigration Service saying the state will continue to support the service in performing its statutory duty.

Also at the event were the, Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III; Olubadan of Ibadan represented, service chiefs of all the paramilitary services in the state amongst others.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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US-Based Society Lady, Fehintola-Brat Extends Eid-El-Kabir Greetings To Muslims

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May 27, 2026

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US-Based Society Lady, Fehintola-Brat Extends Eid-El-Kabir Greetings To Muslims

 

 

United States based fahionista of class, Chief (Mrs) Ayoola Fehintola-Brat has extended a warm greetings to Muslim faithful all over the world on the occasion of the 2026 Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

 

 

 

 

Fehintola-Brat who is the Balogun Egbe Obaneye Obinrin  Akile Ijebu, and the Yeye Asofin of Idenaland in her message to Journalists urged Muslim to continually uphold the enduring values of sacrifice, obedience, faith, and compassion, which are central to the significance of Eid-El-Kabir festival.

 

 

 

 

A quiet philantropist whose humanitarian services has won her several laurels urged Muslims to use the spiritual occasion to pray for the peace co-existence of Nigerians regardless of religious, social and political leanings stressing that the oneness of the country should not be underplay.

 

 

 

 

In a related development, she expressed her felicitations to all sons and daughters of Ijebuland on the forthcoming Ojude Oba 2026 celebration, tasking age-groups otherwise known as Regbregbe to be more proactive in giving back to their immediate communities.

 

 

 

 

According to her, the beauty of the age-groups in Ijebuland is the need to contribute immensely to the development of the land in no small means. “This we will continue to achieve with God on our side”, she concluded.

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Sallah: Obasa Felicitates Muslim Ummah, Commends Nigerians for APC Primaries Turnout

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1 day ago

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May 27, 2026

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Sallah: Obasa Felicitates Muslim Ummah, Commends Nigerians for APC Primaries Turnout

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Lagos State and across Nigeria on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Dave Agboola, Obasa described the festival as a season of sacrifice, reflection, and gratitude, urging the faithful to continue to uphold the values of peace, unity, and love that strengthen the nation.

He noted that the celebration of Eid al-Adha is not only a spiritual milestone but also a reminder of the importance of togetherness and collective responsibility in building a stronger society.

He, likewise, emphasized that the festival provides an opportunity for Nigerians to renew their commitment to national progress and to support leadership that prioritizes development and prosperity.

Obasa, however, commended Nigerians, particularly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for their massive turnout during the recently concluded party primaries. He described the participation as a clear demonstration of the people’s confidence in the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and their belief in the administration’s vision for a greater Nigeria.

“The APC primaries have shown the resilience of our democracy and the confidence Nigerians have in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda. This is a strong message that our people are ready to continue supporting policies that will drive growth and prosperity,” Obasa stated.

The Speaker further encouraged Muslims to celebrate responsibly, stressing that the joy of Eid should be accompanied by prayers for the continued peace and progress of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“As you celebrate with family and loved ones, may this season bring joy, peace, and prosperity to your homes. Let us remain united in our resolve to build a stronger nation,” he added.

On behalf of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Obasa wished all Muslims a happy and fulfilling Eid al-Adha celebration.

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ABEOKUTA FILM FESTIVAL AT ILEYA 

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2 days ago

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May 26, 2026

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ABEOKUTA FILM FESTIVAL AT ILEYA 

 

Kayshow Multimedia a filmmaking and Media organization this year 2026 holds its annual Abeokuta film festival at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.

 

Alake of Egba land, Ọba Michael Adedotun Arẹmu Gbadebo has graciously endorsed the Free Training of Egba Youths on Film and Arts and the Entertainment of the the People with a FREE FILM SHOW at the AKE PAVILION. as part of the ABEOKUTA FILM FESTIVAL 2.0.

 

 

The Convener of the Film Festival Honorable Kehinde Soaga says this year’s event promises to be more exciting as distinguished personalities are sure to attend.

 

This includes the honorable Minister for Art Culture and Creative Economy in Nigeria, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Ààrẹ Lai Labode, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun and other special guests.

 

The event will feature Film, Cultural Dance Cultural foods and Award Ceremony.

 

The general public is hereby invited to the Free film show at the Abeokuta film festival at the Alake Palace Pavilion on Thursday 28th of May 2026 by 4:00 p.m.

 

Only well dressed is the Entry. The Abeokuta Film Festival is an annual event taking place in the capital city of Ogun State state.

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