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The US Embassy in India cancelled over 2,000 visa applications due to fraud-related activities. The embassy detected major violations in the appointment system by "bad actors" or bots and suspended their accounts, it said on Wednesday. "Consular Team India is cancelling about 2,000 visa appointments made by bots. We have zero tolerance for agents and fixers that violate our scheduling policies," the US Embassy wrote in a post on X. "Effective immediately, we are cancelling these appointments and suspending the associated accounts' scheduling privileges," they added. Consular Team India is canceling about 2000 visa appointments made by bots. We have zero tolerance for agents and fixers that violate our scheduling policies. pic.twitter.com/ypakf99eCo B1 and B2 visas, meant for business and tourism, have seen significant backlogs in recent years. In 2022-23, waiting times ranged from 800 to 1,000 days, prompting the US to open visa appointments for Indian applicants in Frankfurt and Bangkok. In 2022, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised concerns about the visa delays with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who attributed the backlog to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Jaishankar again spoke about these concerns in January this year to the second Trump administration. "If it takes 400-odd days of waiting period to get a visa, I don't think the relationship is well served by this. He (Marco Rubio) also noted that point," Mr Jaishankar said after his bilateral meeting with US Senator Marco Rubio, where immigration issues were discussed. Beyond business and tourism visas, student visa denials have also surged. In FY 23-24 (October 2023 - September 2024), the US received 6.79 lakh applications for F-1 student visas, rejecting 2.79 lakh of them. This was a 41 per cent rejection rate, a sharp increase from the previous year when 36 per cent of 6.99 lakh applications were denied. In 2014, the rejection rate was 15 per cent, which has now nearly tripled. The total number of visas approved has also declined, impacting universities and international students. Though country-specific rejection rates are not officially disclosed, reports suggest that Indian students faced a 38 per cent drop in student visas issued in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. (Business Today) Source: https://www.newsexpressngr.com/news/256280/us-embassy-cancels-2000-visa-appointments 5 3  |
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As Gov Oyebanji Restates Commitment to Repositioning Education Sector The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for his commitment to leveraging education as a transformative tool to address the challenges confronting the society. He stressed that the Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration’s huge investment in education has not only reshaped the future of the young people but has also served as a sustainable means of combating crime in the state. The Senate President also directed members of the red chamber to ensure speedy appropriation for the construction of Ado- Ijan Ekiti road, along the new Ekiti Agro- Allied International Cargo Airport, stressing that improving road infrastructure in the state would further enhance access to the airport, boost economic activities, and facilitate movement of goods and services. This, he said, would further complement the state’s achievement in the areas of infrastructure, education, human capital development and security. Senator Akpabio stated these on Saturday at the 29th convocation ceremony of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, where the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Chairman, Federal Internal Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji and Chairman board of Nank of industry ( BOI), Dr Mansur Muhtar were awarded honourary doctorate degrees. While commending the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele for the well-deserved honour in recognition of his outstanding contributions to national development and his support for education and youth empowerment, the Senate President said the recognition serves as a testament to Senator Bamidele’s dedication and exemplary leadership which has significantly contributed to the development of the institution, Nigeria and international community. He also lauded Governor Oyebanji for his cordial relationship with members of the National Assembly, adding that the relationship has continue to yield positive results for the state and the country at large. “To all the distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that are here, please stand so that people could see that the senators are here to celebrate their leader, the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamide and to the Senate Chairman of appropriation bill, I hereby direct that the road from the airport must be appropriated for and be done before my next visit. We cannot have the best brain here, best education facilities and not have the best roads. “When you have a good product you do not need to hype it too much people will buy it anywhere, Ekiti people are good people, Ekiti people are the most educated. Whenever you open the door of education, you close the door of prison and I predict that in Nigerian prison today, no Ekiti child shall be there because you are educating them to know the right from the wrong and peace shall continue in Ekiti, nobody in Ekiti shall engage in banditry because you have given them quality education, the product they need to go through life”, the Senate President asserted. Earlier in his address, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji said his government remained committed to repositioning education capable of driving development to empower youths with qualitative and functional education and create a brighter future for them as well as lay a solid foundation for a prosperous and sustainable state. The Governor maintained that his administration places a high premium on human capital development, noting that education remained the bedrock of any thriving society as well as critical pillar and Roadmap to Keeping Ekiti State Working. He called on the Governing Council to allow creativity and innovation to drive progress in all sectors of the economy stressing the urgent need to embrace the spirit of inquiry and solutions to engender development and transform the standad of the institution and the state as a citadel of knowledge founded to drive global science and technological development. The Governor observed that EKSU has consistently produced graduates who are well-equipped to compete in the global arena which culminated in the University's recent acclamation of being ranked as the number one State University in Nigeria and securing the 12th position among over 270 Universities nationwide in the latest comprehensive ranking by Times Higher Education for 2025. He used the opportunity to congratulate the Senate leader, Dr Opeyemi Bamidele and two other eminent Nigerians who are being awarded with the honorary Doctorate degrees in different fields for their remarkable contributions to the development of Nigeria saying he was very proud to associate with their individual achievements. According to the Governor, " The Leader of the Senate, Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele is no doubt, a worthy son of Ekiti who has distinguished himself, not only in Ekiti, but across the globe. He has made significant contributions to the development of education and invested in youth development through different initiatives. Just recently, the Bill for the Establishment of a University of Technology and Environmental Studies in Iyin-Ekiti, which he sponsored, was assented into law by the President. This is another addition to his long time investment in education, youth development and other interventions. "This administration is committed to sustaining the ongoing investment in all our educational institutions by providing them with the necessary resources and support to excel. In furtherance of our support to institutions in the State, I recently approved the sum of N438,955,884.48 to enable the judiciary, legislature and the subvented institutions respond to the recent minimum wage increase. I hereby appeal to our workers to justify this huge investment in their welfare through improved productivity." The Governor stated. In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the university council, Prof. Akin Oyebode expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji who is the Visitor to the University, for his efforts at improving the quality of education generally at all levels in the state commending the notable feat attained in the education sector especially in Ekiti State University despite the harsh economic situation in the country. Prof. Oyebode assured the Governor that the Governing Council under his leadership will continue to work with the University Management to raise the bar of excellence in the University and register it as an adorable brand of global reckoning. Delivering his address, the Vice Chancellor of EKSU, Prof. Joseph Ayodele, expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for counting him worthy for appointment as the 9th Vice Chancellor of the university, adding that the Governor’s support for the university has been unprecedented in the anal of education development in the state which have continued to impact meaningfully on the growth and development of the University. He said he could not but connect the superlative achievements in the university to the historic upward review of monthly subvention to the institution which assisted in no small way to defray the outstanding salaries and accumulated allowances helping as morale booster to staff and also promote stable academic calendars of the institution. Speaking on behalf of the awardees, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele expressed their profound gratitude to the institution’s Governing Council for recognizing their contributions to the society, emphasizing that the honour would serve as a motivation to further dedicate themselves to the advancement of education and national development. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1MZ3mxa4XC/ 5 3  |
May your vision for Nigeria be blessed with success, Tonto Dikeh celebrates Tinubu at 73. Actress Tonto Dikeh has offered prayers and wishes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he celebrates 73rd birthday. Dikeh, on Instagram, prayed for his continued leadership and success, asking God to grant him wisdom, strength, and good health as he steers Nigeria towards unity, peace, and prosperity. Tonto Dikeh also wished for the President’s vision for Nigeria to be successful, his efforts to yield breakthroughs, and his leadership to be guided by justice, integrity, and compassion. Her prayers aligned with President Tinubu’s earlier call for collective prayers for the country, emphasising the power of prayer in guiding Nigeria towards progress and harmony. “On this special day, we celebrate your life. May God grant you wisdom, strength, and good health as you steer our nation towards unity, peace, and prosperity. “May your vision for Nigeria be blessed with success, your efforts be met with breakthroughs, and your leadership be guided by justice, integrity, and compassion. May divine favour surround you, and may your days be filled with joy, wisdom, and the support of a grateful nation. “Happy Birthday, Your Excellency! Wishing you many more years of impactful service and fulfilment. “With best wishes,HE AMBASSADOR KING TONTO DIKEH”. Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/may-your-vision-for-nigeria-be-blessed-with-success-tonto-dikeh-celebrates-tinubu-at-73/ 7 5  |