African student in Dubai jailed for 45 days for travelling to Canada on forged entry visa

A student has been sentenced to 45 days in prison in Dubai for using a forged visa to enter a foreign country.

The Dubai Criminal Court jailed a student, of African origin, for 45 days after he was charged with using a forged entry visa for Canada. The accused was caught by an Emirates airlines security employee during transit. He was arrested by the police and referred to Public Prosecution. 

According to the investigation report, the accused denied the charges against him, stating that he had been residing in another African country a month before the incident and wanted to go to Canada to complete his studies. He further told officials that he had met a person who assured him that he could help him obtain a visa for Canada in exchange for some money. 

The accused added that this person returned his passport to him after 10 days with a visa for entry to Canada, after which he planned to travel to Canada via UAE. 

However, he was stopped by a security employee at Dubai airport, who discovered the forged visa in the student's passport and reported him to the police.

Photos: GLO Nigeria accountant, Folake Abiola commits suicide

A 47-year-old accountant, identified as Afolake Abiola and allegedly working in GLO 1 (part of GLO World), has ended it all by consuming a poisonous substance.

The incident is reported to have occurred on Friday, May 27, 2022, at her residence, number 1 Abayomi Kukomi close, Osapa London, Lekki. 

It was gathered that Afolake who is single, and childless had suffered depression for a while before she took her life. 

According to a family member, name withheld, “she has been battling depression for a while on account of no husband and no child. 

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of Lagos state police command SP Benjamin Hundeyin said the incident happened on May 27, 2022. 

“When the policemen got to the scene, her family members were there and they official requested that the corpse be released to them to enable them to bury her according to Islamic rites.

Based on compassionate grounds her corpse was released to her family for burial.”

Deceased GLO Nigeria Accountant, Folake Abiola Drank Pesticide — Lagos Police Confirm Suicide Rumours | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/B4vpGDHcVU pic.twitter.com/5zAVwOwZxp

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) May 30, 2022

May her soul rest in peace- AMEN.

Shannon Bream Fox News: net worth, children, nude, age, height, husband, no makeup, family, salary

  Shannon Bream a Fox News journalist in the United States. She is best known as the anchor of Fox News’ prime-time show “Night.” She is also well-known in the US journalism sector. Shannon has worked as a Fox News channel Supreme Court journalist. On Sundays from 12:00 a.m. to 14:00 a.m., she also hosts the US news headquarters (East). She also fills in as a replacement host for “Special Report,” which airs every Sunday on the Fox News channel.

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Elon Musk sued by Twitter shareholders

Elon Musk is trying to buy Twitter at a cheaper price and now he’s being sued.

Company shareholders have filed a class action lawsuit against Elon alleging unjust enrichment, false statements and stock manipulation in order to lower the price or walk away from the $44 billion deal he’d agreed to. 

The latest in the Twitter-Elon Musk circus has shareholders of the social media company seeking class action status for a lawsuit against the billionaire Tesla founder, alleging unjust enrichment, false statements and stock manipulation in order to lower the price or walk away from the $44 billion deal he’d agreed to. Musk had originally financed the purchase in part by pledging billions of dollars in Tesla stock as collateral for a bank loan. 

That became a problem as Tesla stock plunged in the 30 days after the announcement, says the suit (read it here) in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California. As Tesla stock dropped, “Musk begins to make false statements and engage in market manipulation of Twitter stock,” including by announcing that the deal was “on hold.” The suit, filed Wednesday, also revisits the fact that Musk didn’t disclose his 9.2% stake in San Francisco-based Twitter when he was required to – something the SEC is investigating – and the unusual way events unfolded. 

That is, Musk first agreed to join the Twitter board as an ally, then reversed that decision in favor of a takeover bid and threatened to go hostile if Twitter wouldn’t accept. 

Musk and Twitter inked the $54.20-a-share cash deal in late April.

How Real Madrid Beat Liverpool To Win UEFA Champions League [Video]

 

Real Madrid defeated Liverpool to win UEFA Champions League.

Wothappen reports that Spanish giants Real Madrid have won their 14th Champions League title after a 1-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday night, May 28, 2022.

This online news platform understands that Vinicius Jr netted the only goal of the game in the second half in the 59th minute, tapping home Federico Valverde’s cross at the far post.

Wothappen Nigeria reports that the 1-0 victory means the Los Blancos have now beaten the Reds in two finals within four years, having won 3-1 in Kyiv in 2018.

With the emergence of Real Madrid as the UEFA Champions League winners, manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has now become the first manager to win the competition four times.

Meanwhile, Wothappen reports that Spanish giants Real Madrid has finished the season with the double after winning the LaLiga title earlier on.

READ MORE HERE

#PDPDecides: See Full PDP Primaries Results For Each PDP Presidential Aspirant

 PDP Primaries Results for each PDP Presidential Aspirant in #PDPDecides in Abuja have emerged.

Wothappen had reported earlier that a former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has won the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Presidential Primary Election which took place at the National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

This online news platform understands that Atiku pulled 371 votes to win the 2023 PDP Presidential ticket defeating his closest rival, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, south-south Nigeria, who scored 237 votes. He was followed by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who polled 70 votes to emerge third in the PDP Primaries Results announced by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.

Atiku Abubakar at PDP Primaries in Abuja, May 28, 2022.

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New PHOTOS of the chaotic shooting scene of students escaping from the Texas elementary school

New photos show the chaotic scene as students escaped from the Texas elementary school where a gunman shot and killed 19 students and two teachers.

Parents joined dozens of law enforcement officers outside the school, desperate to know if their children were still alive. 

Pete Luna, the general manager of the Uvalde Leader-News, was among those outside. 

His photos are some of the few that we have seen from that turbulent time while the gunman was still in the school.

Really pathetic!

: Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-News

Culled From CNN

Nigeria’s ruling party APC postpones presidential primary elections

Nigeria’s ruling party on Saturday postponed for a week a primary vote to choose its candidate to replace President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2023 presidential elections.

A day before the primaries were scheduled to start, Buhari’s All Progressives Congress or APC pushed the vote to June 6 through June 8, the party said in a statement. 

The APC said the decision followed a ruling by electoral authorities to extend a deadline for the submission of potential candidates’ names for the primaries. 

The APC gave no further details, but the ruling party has been caught in fierce wrangling over who should run, including former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu and current vice president Yemi Osinbajo. Buhari has not endorsed any candidate and some analysts expect him to seek a consensus nominee to keep the APC’s factions together ahead of the February 2023 general election. 

An alliance of smaller parties drawn together for Buhari’s 2015 election win, the APC has often struggled to contain internal divisions. Opposition party Peoples Democratic Party or PDP was scheduled to start its primaries on Sunday for its candidate to govern Africa’s most populous country. Delegates from the PDP were gathered in the capital Abuja to vote for candidates, including long-time presidential challenger Atiku Abubakar, former senate president Bukola Saraki and Aminu Tambuwal, the Sokoto State governor who enjoys strong support in mostly Muslim northern Nigeria. Since its return to civilian rule from a military dictatorship in 1999, Nigeria has held six national elections, which were often marred by fraud, technical difficulties, violence and legal challenges. In 2019, when Buhari was re-elected, the Independent National Electoral Commission was criticised for delaying the initial vote by a week. 

Abubakar, who lost to Buhari, challenged the results in court.

Husband of teacher slain in Texas elementary school massacre dies 'due to grief'

The husband of a heroic fourth grade teacher who was killed protecting her students during a massacre at a Texas elementary school has also died, members of the teacher's family said Thursday.

A GoFundMe page set up by Debra Austin, who said she was the cousin of teacher Irma Garcia, said that Irma's husband Joe "has tragically passed away this morning (5/26/2022) as a result of a medical emergency." 

"I truly believe Joe died of a broken heart and losing the love of his life of more than 30 years was too much to bear," she added. John Martinez, who identified himself as Garcia's nephew, also tweeted: "EXTREMELY heartbreaking and come with deep sorrow to say that my Tia (aunt) Irma's husband Joe Garcia has passed away due to grief." 

Ernie Zuniga, a news anchor for local station KABB FOX San Antonio, tweeted that Garcia had died from a heart attack. The couple, who were married for 24 years, according to the website of the Robb Elementary school, leave behind four children. Both Irma Garcia and her co-teacher Eva Mireles, who had connected classrooms, died in the mass shooting. 

The shooter, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was inside the building for about 40 minutes before police entered and fatally shot him.

EXTREMELY heartbreaking and come with deep sorrow to say that my Tia Irma’s husband Joe Garcia has passed away due to grief, i truly am at a loss for words for how we are all feeling, PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR FAMILY, God have mercy on us, this isn’t easy pic.twitter.com/GlUSOutRVV

— john martinez ❤️‍🔥 (@fuhknjo) May 26, 2022

 

Photos: Texas elementary school shooter posted intentions to Facebook

Texas elementary school shooter Salvador Rolando Ramos was a loner who left home a few months ago following an intense argument with his mother over Wi-Fi, according to the man who has been dating her just over a year.

Speaking to NBC News, Juan Alvarez, 62, said the fight that led the shooter to move out centered around Wi-Fi, and his mother’s decision to disconnect it. 

Alvarez added that the shooter — who murdered 19 children and two teachers in an attack that unfolded Tuesday morning — had a tumultuous relationship with his mom, and that the two argued often. 

“He was kind of a weird one,” said Alvarez, noting the shooter, who was killed by a responding off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent, had been acting aloof as of late. 

“I never got along with him. I never socialized with him. He doesn’t talk to nobody. When you try to talk to him, he’d just sit there and walk away.” 

Regardless, Alvarez said he was still shocked by the shooter’s barbaric actions. Before going to the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde with a single AR-15 and a pair of 23-round magazines, the shooter shot his grandmother in the face. 

She managed to make it to the home of a neighbor, who called 911. She is said to be in critical condition at a San Antonio hospital. During a press conference on Wednesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said “there was no meaningful forewarning of this crime.” 

Abbott noted the shooter signed into Facebook about 30 minutes before the murders and posted three messages. “The first post was, ‘I am going to shoot my grandmother,'” Abbott said. 

“Then the second was, ‘I shot my grandmother.’ Fifteen minutes before he reached the school, he posted, ‘I am going to shoot an elementary school.'” 

A former friend of the killer, 18-year-old Santos Valdez Jr., 18, told The Washington Post their relationship dissolved when the shooter’s behavior changed. 

Valdez told the newspaper Ramos would sometimes drive around with another friend, shooting a BB gun at random people. He also enjoyed egging strangers’ cars. The massacre began at about 11:30 a.m. in Uvalde, a small city about 85 miles west of San Antonio. 

Before entering the school, the killer crashed his car in a nearby ditch. He was engaged by law enforcement outside the school but was able to enter the building. All the fatalities took place inside one classroom, authorities have said. It is believed police killed the suspect. 

A motive for the murders, if known, has not been released. Police said at a Tuesday press conference they believe the shooter acted alone. 

The children killed were in the second, third, and fourth grades, police confirmed. 

Among the dead were two sets of cousins and fourth grade teacher Eva Mireles, 44.

UAE: Full list of new fees to issue work permits for Nigerians et al

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) on Wednesday announced new service fees to issue work permits.

Charges for the juvenile work permit and freelancers with two years' valid permit have also been amended. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, amend a few conditions of the Cabinet Resolution 21 of 2020 regarding service fees and administrative fines in MoHRE.

The ministry will apply new fees to renew or amend work permits and contracts and transfer workers from one company to another.

Here are the new fees to issue a work permit per the new decision.

Fees for issuing a work permit inside the country (for holders of valid residency)

— Issue a work permit for juveniles - Dh50

— Issue a temporary work permit - Dh50

— Issue a part-time work permit (for those who have a valid work permit from the ministry) - Dh50

— Issue a training permit - Dh50

— Issue a probationary work permit - Dh50

— Issue of work permit for residency holders - Dh50

— Issue a work permit for residency holders or freelancers for two years - Dh250

Transfer fees from one company to another

Request for a transfer permit from one company to another

Category A - Dh50

Category B - Dh50

Category C - Dh50

Issue of a permit to transfer and employ a worker from one company to another for a period of two years

Category A - Dh250

Category B - Dh1,200

Category C - Dh3,450

Fees to renew permits and amend contracts

Renewal of work permits for two years

Category A - Dh250

Category B - Dh1,200

Category C - Dh3,450

Amending a contract

Category A - Dh50

Category B - Dh50

Category C - Dh50

Fees for work permits from outside the country

Request for a work permit

Category A - Dh50

Category B - Dh50

Category C - Dh50

Issue a work permit for two years

Category A - Dh250

Category B - Dh1200

Category C - Dh3450

Issue a work permit for a project

Category A - Dh250

Category B - Dh250

Category C - Dh250

PHOTOS: Texas school shooting leaves 21 dead including 19 children & 2 adults

At least 21 people, including 19 children, are dead after an active shooter incident on Tuesday sent a Texas elementary school into lockdown, authorities confirmed.

The suspect in the shooting is dead, according to Governor Greg Abbott. Following the incident at Robb Elementary, victims were taken to Uvalde Memorial Hospital and University Hospital in San Antonio, per statements from the hospitals. Initially Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that 14 students and their teacher were gunned down in their classroom but later Tuesday Sgt. Erick Estrada of the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the death toll was 19 students and two adults, according to CNN. The shooter has also shot his grandmother but she had survived the attack. According to Abbott, the shooter, identified as Uvalde resident Salvador Romas, is dead. 

The shooter opened fire at Robb Elementary School at about 11:30 a.m. after abandoning his vehicle, and it is believed police killed him. Police said at a Tuesday press conference they believe the shooter, who according to Abbott had a handgun and possibly a rifle, acted alone. 

The children killed were in the second, third and fourth grades, police said. Uvalde is a small city of about 16,000 residents, approximately 85 miles west of San Antonio. “He shot and killed — horrifically, incomprehensibly — 14 students and killed a teacher. [The shooter], he himself is deceased,” Abbott said. “And it is believed that responding officers killed him.” 

 Abbott also said the shooter shot his own grandmother, but did not give an update on her condition, reports ABC News.

UAE detects first case of monkeypox in a 29 y.o female visitor from West Africa

The UAE has reported its first case of viral zoonotic disease monkeypox.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention said the virus was detected in a 29-year-old visitor from West Africa. She is currently receiving the required medical care in the country. 

The ministry has reassured residents that it is following all due safety measures, including investigation, contact tracing and follow-up. 

The case was detected as part of the ministry’s early monitoring system that was activated when monkeypox cases were reported in multiple countries around the world. The MoHAP has been “closely monitoring” the spread of monkeypox worldwide and said it had “intensified the local epidemiological surveillance”. 

All medical facilities in the country were told to report any suspected cases to prevent the local spread of the virus. "We have put in place precise mechanisms for diagnosing suspected patients. The technical advisory team for pandemic control has also prepared a comprehensive guide for surveillance, early detection of the disease, management of clinically infected patients and precautionary measures," the ministry had said earlier. 

The precise mechanism includes proactive steps to identify suspected cases, prevent its spread and ensure early treatment. 

The ministry has called on residents not to promote or be misled by rumours and to take information from official sources only.

Abu Dhabi gas explosion: 2 killed & over 100 injured in the blast during lunchtime at a popular restaurant

An Indian expat is among the two people killed in a gas explosion at a restaurant in Abu Dhabi City on Monday.

A spokesperson from the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi told Khaleej Times, “Yes, one Indian national has passed away. It’s unfortunate. We are trying to get more details." 

Two people died and 120 were injured in a gas explosion during lunchtime at a popular restaurant in the Khalidiyah area. 64 people suffered minor injuries and 56 others had moderate one. Abu Dhabi Police expressed “sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased”. 

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi on Tuesday confirmed that all injuries have resulted from the gas cylinder explosion incident. 

The incident occurred in an area near Khalidiyah Mall and Shining Tower, which is densely populated with several residential buildings and restaurants with the majority expat community hailing from the Indian subcontinent and the rest from Arab countries and the Philippines. 

The blast on Monday set off a fire that damaged the facades of six buildings and a number of stores before being brought under control by the Civil Defence. Four of the damaged buildings were “safely” evacuated, with efforts underway to find their residents temporary housing “until the buildings are completely secured”, the police said. 

Pictures released by Abu Dhabi police showed first responders tending to a person on a gurney, and debris and broken glass strewn across the pavement.

Photos from Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker's 3rd wedding ceremony! This time in Portofino, Italy!!

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are married — for the third time.

After a Las Vegas ceremony in April and an intimate courthouse wedding in Southern California on May 15, Kourtney and Travis tied the knot in a lavish outdoor ceremony in the village of Portofino in Italy on May 22. 

During the European nuptials, Kourtney, 43, and Travis, 46, said “I do” on a red carpeted altar at the 16th-century Castello Brown in front of friends and family, including her children Mason, 12, Penelope, 9, and Reign, 7, and Travis’ kids Landon, 18, Alabama, 16, as well as his stepdaughter, Atiana De La Hoya, 22. 

(Kourtney co-parents her trio with ex Scott Disick while Travis shares his kids with ex-wife Shanna Moakler. Neither of the exes attended the wedding.) 

Kourtney’s siblings—Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner—as well as mom Kris Jenner were also in attendance. 

Days before flying to Italy, Kourtney and Travis legally wed in Santa Barbara, Calif., with her grandma Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell and his dad Randy Barker serving as witnesses.

Congratulations to them!!!!!!

Russia permanently bans 963 Americans, including Biden & Harris, from entering the country

Russia bans 963 Americans, including Biden and Harris — but not Trump!

Russia permanently banned nearly 1,000 Americans, including President Biden and Vice President Harris, from entering the country in response to the United States’ support of Ukraine and the historic sanctions facing Moscow nearly three months into its invasion. 

On Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry published an updated list of 963 Americans barred from entering Russia — a largely symbolic move featuring a wide-ranging collection of Biden administration members, Republicans, tech executives, journalists, lawmakers who have died, regular U.S. citizens and even actor Morgan Freeman. 

“In the context of response to the constantly imposed anti-Russian sanctions by the United States and in connection with incoming requests about the personal composition of our national ‘stop list,’ the Russian Foreign Ministry publishes a list of American citizens who are permanently banned from entering the Russian Federation,” the Foreign Ministry said in a news release. Some of those mentioned in Saturday’s list, including Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, were sanctioned in March and barred from entering Russia. 

The list appears to include major officials from the Biden administration, such as Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki. The president’s son, Hunter Biden, is also named, as is former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Saturday. One prominent name missing from the list: former president Donald Trump. In fact, the only prominent Trump administration official included in the ban is former secretary of state Mike Pompeo. 

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s list of 963 Americans includes many members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Mauritius is the happiest country in Africa while Zimbabwe is the unhappiest! See full list

The 10th edition of the World Happiness Report, a publication of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, has used statistical analysis to determine the world's happiest countries.

The report ranks 146 countries in their overall happiness and highlights which countries are the happiest or unhappiest. 

"The World Happiness Report is changing the conversation about progress and wellbeing. It provides important snapshots of how people around the world feel about the overall quality of their lives," Christopher Barrington-Leigh, professor at McGill University in Quebec and a researcher involved in the report, said in a statement. 

With a regional score of 4.5, Africa ranks as the unhappiest region worldwide. Mauritius remains the happiest country in the region, likely because of its relatively high-income levels. In contrast, Zimbabwe remains the most unhappy country in the region, as it struggles with poverty levels. In 2021, approximately 6.1 million people were living below the international poverty line. Top 10 happiest countries in Africa Using the Gallup World Poll results, Mauritius was ranked first in Africa: It had an overall score of 6.071 out of 10, which was "significantly ahead" of all other countries. 

It’s worth noting that Mauritius became a High-Income country in July 2020, but slipped back to its Upper-Middle-Income status in 2021 because of the global pandemic.

Here are the top 10 countries and their score:

1. Mauritius - 6.071
2. Libya - 5.330
3. Ivory Coast - 5.235
4. South Africa - 5.194
5. Gambia - 5.164
6. Algeria - 5.122
7. Liberia - 5.122
8. Congo - 5.075
9. Morocco - 5.060
10. Mozambique - 5.048

The 10 least happiest countries in Africa

Here are the 10 countries ranked at the bottom along with their score:

The unhappiest country in Africa, according to the rankings, was Zimbabwe, with a score of 2.995.

1. Zimbabwe - 2.995
2. Rwanda - 3.268
3. Botswana - 3.471
4. Lesotho - 3.512
5. Sierra Leone - 3.574
6. Tanzania - 3.502
7. Malawi - 3.750
8. Zambia - 3.760
9. Togo - 4.112
10. Mauritania - 4.152

What about Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya?

Nigeria may not be in the top 10, but it's not that far off, ranking 118th globally and 21st in Africa with a score of 4.552, just behind Ghana (4.872) but ahead of Kenya (4.543).

Culled From Business Insider.

Rihanna & A$AP Rocky welcome baby boy

Superstar Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky have reportedly welcomed their first child, after a pregnancy the singer flaunted in a radical revamp of normally covered-up maternity style.

The entertainment and fashion mogul behind the hits “Diamonds” and “Umbrella” gave birth to a boy on May 13 in Los Angeles, according to TMZ, which first reported the news. People Magazine confirmed the celebrity birth, citing a source close to the couple who said they are at home with the baby and that “Rihanna is doing well. They are very excited to be parents.” 

Representatives for the couple did not immediately respond to an AFP request for confirmation. No other details, including the child’s name, have been made public. 

The Barbadian-born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, 34, in recent years has become a billionaire, parlaying her music achievements into successful makeup, lingerie and high-fashion brands. Rumors that she and A$AP Rocky, 33, were dating swirled for years before the pair confirmed last year that their romance was official. 

The pair announced they were expecting in January with a set of glamorous snow-dusted images taken in Harlem, the mother-to-be sporting a long pink jacket buttoned only at the top, paired with a long bejeweled necklace over her bare belly.

Great NEWS! Qatar lifts more COVID-19 restrictions, eases mask mandatory, scraps PCR test!!

Qatar announced that a negative PCR test is no longer required from unvaccinated people to enter public areas from May 21, as part of new measures on easing COVID-19 curbs.

All public and private sector employees will no longer need to conduct a PCR test to enter their offices. The requirement to have a negative PCR test for unvaccinated or non-immune individuals to enter public facilities has been scrapped. Checking of vaccination or immune status will no longer be done while entering closed indoor public areas. A green Ehteraz status is still required to enter public indoor areas, though. The Ministry of Public Health said that wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory except for individuals working at healthcare facilities and for people on public transport. 

Also, customer service employees working indoors, including cashiers, receptionists and security personnel, are still required to wear masks. The ministry advised people to take personal responsibility to protect themselves and others by wearing face masks in indoor areas if they are vulnerable, have chronic conditions, have symptoms or are near people who seem to have symptoms and in crowded or poorly ventilated area. Event organisers are not required anymore to seek pre-approval from the Ministry of Public Health to hold events. 

The health ministry will work closely with Ministry of Interior to conduct random inspections of events and activities to assess the organisers’ adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measures. From May 22, the ministry will cease the daily publishing of COVID-19 data on social media and switch to a weekly summary that will be posted every Monday. 

The lifting of COVID-19 preventive measures comes in light of the continued low numbers of coronavirus cases in recent weeks, mainly due to high vaccination rates and community’s cooperation. 

This has contributed to the success in combating the pandemic and returning to normalcy.

I wish the Nigerian Embassy in Abu Dhabi would emulate this from the Ugandan Embassy

Nigerians in the UAE can recall the post I did last year about Nigerian passport renewal process in the UAE and how it is not a walk in the park!

The Ugandan Embassy has made the passport renewal in the UAE super easy for its citizens and I honestly wish Nigeria can copy them!!

No more long wait or delays in getting passports renewed or replaced for Ugandan expats in the UAE, as a new electronic service has been launched at the country's embassy in Abu Dhabi to ease the process. 

The Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control at the Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs on Wednesday rolled out the e-passport enrollment service at the Ugandan mission in Abu Dhabi. 

No more long wait or delays in getting passports renewed or replaced for Ugandan expats in the UAE, as a new electronic service has been launched at the country's embassy in Abu Dhabi to ease the process. The Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control at the Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs on Wednesday rolled out the e-passport enrollment service at the Ugandan mission in Abu Dhabi. Previously, the passport applications were manually received and couriered to Uganda for verification and to be entered into the central system. But with the new e-passport system, the details are being received at the embassy, verified by an immigration official and sent instantly to the central system in Kampala, Uganda for printing the passport. 

The new passport will be issued in a day and then sent to the Ugandan embassy in Abu Dhabi through a courier service and handed to applicant, according to authorities. It has been taking between one to two months for someone to get their passports after submitting their old passports and applications for renewal at the embassy. But with the new e-passport system, it will now take seven working days for an expat to get their new passport once they complete the application process, including the biometric process, verification of details and approval through the e-passport system at the embassy. 

Henry Mayega, deputy Ambassador of Uganda to the UAE said it was a good thing that Abu Dhabi was among the few Ugandan embassies where the service has been launched. 

“We have been privileged by the launch of new service at the Ugandan embassy in Abu Dhabi and we are hopeful that it will be of great benefit to our people,” said Mayega adding that the Ugandan embassy in the UAE has been the third country where the e-passport service has been launched. 

“I urge all Ugandans living and working in the UAE to avail of the new passport service,” added Mayega. Ndugwa Mustafa, the Chairman of Ugandans in Dubai said bringing the e-passport service to the UAE will help ease life for the many Ugandans applying for passport renewal and those applying for passports of newborn babies. 

“People had to wait for almost two months to get their passports after applying for renewal. But with the new system the process will be quicker and cheaper,” he said.

Our technical team is in Abu Dhabi preparing for the launch of Passport operations at the Ugandan Embassy. This Passport Enrolment Centre when launched will seamlessly serve the over 60,000 documented Ugandans in UAE and neighboring countries without having to come back to Uganda pic.twitter.com/9sibkGxxAa

— Immigration Uganda (@DCICUg) May 16, 2022

Toyeen B's World: Exclusive: Is your Nigerian passport expired? Here's how to renew it here in the UAE.