The United Kingdom has issued approximately 300,000 visas to Nigerians in recent years, according to British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery.

He emphasized that the relationship between the two countries remains strong, with Nigeria being one of the biggest beneficiaries of the UK’s post-Brexit migration policies.

Montgomery refuted claims of harsh visa policies, asserting that the UK’s approach has been very favorable to Nigerians.

He explained in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily that the UK’s visa relationship with Nigeria is one of the most significant, surpassing any other country’s visa relations with Nigeria.

“The UK has granted around 300,000 new visas to Nigerians over the past few years, which is far more than any other country has granted to Nigeria,” Montgomery stated, adding that the trends have been particularly positive since Brexit.

“Nigeria has been a major beneficiary of the UK’s post-Brexit visa policies,” he noted.

Montgomery pointed out that the number of work visas granted to Nigerians has increased dramatically, from 10,000-20,000 annually a few years ago to 80,000-90,000 in recent years.

Despite this, he acknowledged a decline in the number of Nigerian students studying in the UK.

The High Commissioner also highlighted the significant role Nigerians play in the UK, particularly in sectors like social care, and noted that Nigerians account for about 10% of all UK visas issued over the past two years.

Montgomery reassured Nigerians that the UK visa approval rate remains high for applicants who submit the correct documentation and evidence, and emphasized that the UK’s visa relationship with Nigeria is one of the strongest globally.

Ghana’s former president, John Dramani Mahama, has been declared the winner of the presidential election held over the weekend, securing 56 percent of the vote, according to the official results released by the Electoral Commission on Monday.

Mahama, representing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), defeated Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who garnered 41 percent of the vote.

The announcement marks a significant political shift, as Mahama’s victory ends eight years of governance by the New Patriotic Party and brings the NDC back into power.

Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa, formally declared Mahama the winner, saying, “I have the singular honour … to declare His Excellency John Dramani Mahama as the winner.”

Bawumia swiftly conceded defeat on Sunday, acknowledging that Ghanaians were seeking change, particularly in the face of economic challenges, including high living costs, that have plagued the current administration.

Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, will succeed President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Akufo-Addo’s final term has been marred by Ghana’s most severe economic crisis in years, which included a debt default and a bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Igbo people, numbering around 40 million in Nigeria, are one of the largest and most influential ethnic groups in the country. Renowned for their entrepreneurial spirit, Igbos have left their mark both within Nigeria and internationally.

Although the Igbo language is primarily spoken in Nigeria’s southeastern states—Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi—it is also found in other countries across the globe.

Here are five countries outside of Nigeria where Igbo is spoken:

1. Barbados While English is the official language of Barbados, the island country in the West Indies incorporates words from various West African languages, including Igbo.

This influence is a result of the African diaspora during the slave trade. The term “Bim,” a common nickname for Barbados, originates from the Igbo phrase bi mu, meaning “my home.”

2. Cuba Cuba, an island nation in the Caribbean, has preserved elements of Igbo culture and language due to the historical presence of enslaved Igbo people.

Traces of Igbo heritage are evident in Cuba’s Afro-Cuban religious practices, particularly within the Abakua society, where Igbo words and customs still play an important role.

3. Jamaica During the Atlantic slave trade, many Igbo people from southeastern Nigeria were taken to Jamaica, bringing their language and culture with them.

This connection is still visible in Jamaican Creole, where Igbo words like unu (meaning “you”) are commonly used, demonstrating the lasting influence of the Igbo people in the country.

4. Equatorial Guinea In Equatorial Guinea, a small Central African country, more than 40,000 people speak Igbo, primarily on Bioko Island.

Although Spanish is the official language, the Igbo community, with historical ties to Nigeria, has contributed to the presence of the language and culture in the region.

5. Cameroon In Cameroon, particularly in the western regions close to Nigeria, Igbo is widely spoken as a lingua franca.

Due to geographical proximity and historical migration, the Igbo language has become a part of everyday vocabulary in Cameroon, with trade, migration, and colonial connections facilitating the spread of Igbo culture and language.

These countries highlight the global presence of the Igbo language and culture, stemming from historical ties and migration patterns that continue to shape the world today.

Germany’s President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is scheduled to visit Nigeria on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, for a three-day official trip that will conclude on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Germany and Nigeria, with a focus on political, business, and cultural collaboration.

A press release from the German Embassy in Abuja announced the visit, stating that President Steinmeier will hold discussions with key Nigerian leaders, including President Bola Tinubu and Dr. Alieu Touray, the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission.

During his time in Abuja, Steinmeier will engage in talks centered on enhancing the relationship between the two nations.

Following this, he will travel to Lagos, where he is expected to meet with business leaders and visit a start-up hub to discuss potential investment opportunities.

The German president will also interact with prominent figures in Nigeria’s cultural and civil society, including renowned artist Dr. Nike Okundaye and Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.

Steinmeier’s itinerary also includes a tour of Lagos to better understand the urban challenges and opportunities in Africa’s largest city.

He will be accompanied by a delegation of leading German business executives from industries such as IT, high-tech, and energy, reflecting the growing interest of German companies in Nigeria’s economic prospects.

The official statement emphasized that the visit highlights Germany’s commitment to deepening its ties with Nigeria, particularly in areas of economic development, cultural exchange, and urban growth.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, arrived in Cyprus on Monday as part of his ongoing visit to support Kano students studying abroad.

The governor, who traveled from Sharjah University in India to Near East University in North Cyprus, is addressing the ongoing challenges faced by students sponsored under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Many of these students are unable to obtain their academic certificates due to unresolved financial issues.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, it was confirmed that Yusuf held talks with the management of Near East University to resolve the outstanding financial crisis that has left the students stranded.

The discussions specifically focused on the delayed release of certificates for Kano students who graduated between 2015 and 2019.

Gov. Yusuf described the situation as a significant setback for the affected students and their future prospects.

He expressed his administration’s commitment to settling the outstanding financial obligations to ensure the release of the students’ certificates.

“We are determined to address this issue that has hindered the aspirations of our youth and affected our state’s development needs,” Yusuf said.

“Our administration is committed to prioritizing education and the welfare of our citizens as key pillars for sustainable growth.”