By Philomina Attah

Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church Garki, Abuja, Rev. Tom Takpatore, has urged Nigerian leaders to redouble their efforts in addressing the rising cost of living.

The cleric who made the call during the Church’s mid-year thanksgiving service on Sunday in Abuja, also urged them to prioritise the well-being of citizens.

Takpatore emphasised the importance of servant leadership, reminding those in authority to use their positions for the nation’s development.

“In every opportunity, God has given us to be leaders, we should try our best to make sure we give our best to our nation,” he said.

He expressed the faith that collective effort would bring Divine blessing and prosperity to Nigeria.

Despite acknowledging the country’s numerous challenges, Takpatore encouraged Nigerians to remain thankful and hopeful.

“There are challenges, but by God’s grace, we will overcome. There is hope for Nigeria.

The Pastor also addressed the issue of moral decline, urging parents to serve as positive role models and to instil discipline in their children.

He cautioned young people against the “get rich quick syndrome,” advising patience, hard work, and ethical living.

“You don’t have to kill someone to make money. You never can tell the blessings God has for you. Just be patient, work hard, and the Lord will bless you,” he said.

On the Thanksgiving service, he said it was a moment of reflection and celebration for God’s faithfulness.

“God has been kind and good to us. We’re not waiting until the end of the year. We have gathered to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness in the first half of 2025,” he said

The Clergy urged Nigerians to approach the second half of the year with thankful hearts and righteous living.

Mrs. Abiola Ojo, President of the Women Missionary Union, highlighted the significance of the service, noting that many families were celebrating the birth of children after years of waiting.

“We have testimonies of someone who waited 22 years, another after 12 years, and another after 18 years, all now blessed with children.

“Several children had also graduated or secured admissions into tertiary institutions. These called for a celebration.”

Mr. Kingsley Odoh, a Church member, commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to address national challenges.

He also called on all leaders to lead by example and with the fear of God.

“In the overall, I think he’s doing his best in the circumstance to make Nigeria great.

“The reforms he’s putting in place will better this country.

“I’m urging Nigerians to pray for the president and his administration.

“We should all pray that all the reforms, tax, unification of the Naira, and all of these will come to making Nigeria a great nation,” Odoh said.

The congregation were encouraged to approach the second half of the year with gratitude and righteous living. (NAN)

Edited by Augusta Uchediunor/Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Diana Omueza

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday inaugurated an 11-member Governing Board for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to strengthen its governance structure and reposition it for optimal performance.

Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, Oyetola said the new board reflected President Bola Tinubu’s broader vision to reform institutions, enhance trade facilitation, and unlock the potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

The board is chaired by Mr Adedayo Adeyeye, with members including Dr Mercy Ilori, Mr Amirudin Tukur Idris, Ekpebide Ebi-Erin Daniel, and Sen. Lawan Jalo Zarami.

Other members are Olabanji Olayemi Olateju, Kelechi Igwe, Abubakar Dantsoho, Ibrahim Abba Umar, Olalekan Badmus, and Vivian Edet.

 “In line with the NPA Act, this board is entrusted with key policy responsibilities, particularly on staffing and budget matters,” Oyetola said, referencing Sections 10 and 20 of the Act.

He noted that the duties were carried out through two strategic committees, the Staff and Establishment Committee and the Finance Committee.

He stressed, however, that the day-to-day operations of the NPA remained the sole responsibility of the Managing Director and the management team, as stipulated by law.

Oyetola cited the Public Procurement Act and Public Service Rules, which clearly defined the boundaries between board oversight and executive management.

“The board must provide policy direction without interfering in routine operations.

“Constructive engagement, mutual respect, and institutional harmony are essential for success,” he warned.

Oyetola urged members to approach their duties with discipline, professionalism, and a strong commitment to national interest, emphasising that their role was pivotal to building a globally competitive port system.

In his remarks, Board Chairman, Adeyeye thanked the minister for the opportunity to serve and pledged to lead a results-driven board.

He assured that the members, chosen for their experience and competence, would align with the Renewed Hope Agenda and ministerial directives to transform the NPA.

“We will work within the laid-down guidelines and policies.

“Our focus is to strengthen the effectiveness of the NPA and support Nigeria’s economic growth,” Adeyeye said.

He also promised to work harmoniously with the ministry, NPA management, and staff to achieve the board’s objectives, expressing optimism that their tenure would be marked by “great success.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Abiemwense Moru

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo says the recent inauguration of electronic visa (e-visa) has achieved significant success, processing over 14,000 applications within its first six weeks.

Tunji-Ojo said this at a stakeholder sensitisation workshop on major Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) innovations on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the electronic visa regime inaugurated by the Federal Government took off on May 1, 2025.

He also revealed that the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and the electronic Temporary Work Permit (TWP) were set to go live within next week.

He, however, highlighted the efficiency of the new system, saying, “I can tell you within the first six weeks of the e-visa, we were able to process over 14,000 visa applications.

“This happened within six weeks. So, by any standard in the world, is a pass mark.

“It is a huge one and of course, those little hitches, I tell you, within the next one to two weeks, will be history. We will correct them and we are already working on it,’’ he said.

The Interior Minister said that the e-visa system was introduced not only for migration management but also as a catalyst for economic growth.

“To me, when somebody needs a visa to Nigeria, and all he is looking for is who knows the minister, who knows the CG Immigration, who knows the Permanent Secretary, that is not how to grow a country.

“We must make visa issue easy while not compromising national security. There must be that strategy.

“So for the e-visa, I want to assure you that it is here, and by the grace of God, is here to stay, ” he maintained.

Tunji-Ojo, however, noted that the e-border solution had significantly bolstered Nigeria’s border security framework.

According to him, we are not yet where we want to be, but we are not where we were before.

“There has been progress, and the simple truth is, we will continue to invest in our e-border governance.

“We will put more boots on the ground to make sure that every inch of the Nigerian border space is well protected,” he said.

Speaking on the upcoming e-CERPAC and TWP, the minister declared an end to the misuse of the TWP system.

He said that the era when people will come on TWP almost for free, keep renewing over and over, just to evade the law, is gone.

“So, for us, TWP is automated just like CERPAC is already automated,” he emphasised.

The minister added that discontinuing manual archiving in passport application processes had resulted in an annual saving of approximately N1 billion as the relevant contract had been terminated.

Earlier, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap, elaborated on the recent digital innovations by the Service.

Nandap said that the new visa regime introduced several innovative services, including the e-Visa Application Channel, e-CERPAC, Landing and Exit Cards, and Temporary Work Permit.

“The already installed e-Gates at our major airports and commissioned command and Control Centre is positioned to house and harness these technologies.

“These digital solutions leverage technology to streamline processes, enhance security, and improve the overall experience for travelers and stakeholders,” she said.

Nandap said that the e-Visa system allowed for seamless online applications, eliminating the need for physical visits to immigration offices.

She added that the e-CERPAC integrated residence permits into a digital document, simplifying processes for foreign nationals residing in Nigeria.

“Our temporary work permit has also been digitised, reducing processing times and increasing efficiency,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Yakubu Uba