Sweden’s government said, on Thursday, it would drastically increase grants for immigrants who choose to leave the country.
As of 2026, immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries would be eligible to receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor ($34,000). This is up from the current 10,000 kronor.
The amount, $34,000, is N55,930,000, using the recent exchange rate of N1,645/$. The move is to encourage more migrants to make the choice.
The right-wing government, which is propped up by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, made these known in a statement.
“We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy,” Migration Minister Johan Forssell told reporters.
Currently, immigrants can receive up to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, with a cap of 40,000 kronor per family.
“The grant has been around since 1984, but it is relatively unknown. It is small, and relatively few people use it,” Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats told reporters.
Aspling added that if more people were aware of the grant and its size was increased, more would likely accept the offer.
The announcement came despite a government-appointed probe last month advising against a significant increase in the amount of the grant, saying the expected effectiveness did not justify the potential costs.
Conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson promised to counter immigration and crime after he came to power in 2022 with a minority coalition government propped up by the Sweden Democrats.
The Sweden Democrats had emerged as Sweden’s second-largest party with 20.5 percent in the general election.
Sweden has taken in a large number of migrants since the 1990s, mostly from conflict-ridden countries such as the former Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran and Iraq.
But the Nordic country has struggled for years to integrate immigrants.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Limited has asked for office space for about 10 of its staff at Dangote Refinery as part of their crude supply deal.
According to Devakumar V. G. Edwin, Vice President, Oil & Gas, of Dangote Group, NNPC made the demand since they will be supplying the crude, overseeing the production, and buying back the products in Naira.
Edwin said this on an X (Twitter) Space event organised by Nairametrics entitled “Unlocking How Dangote Refinery Shapes Price”.
At the event, he discussed the progress of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, (petrol) production at the refinery.
Edwin revealed: “NNPC has informed us that they intend to station a team of 6 to 10 people permanently at our refinery.
“They’ve asked us to provide office space for them since they will be supplying the crude, overseeing the production, and buying back the products in Naira.”
Furthermore, Edwin noted that the discussions with NNPC are about a new model for crude supply where the refinery will buy crude from the government in Naira and sell PMS in the same currency, rather than in dollars, Nairametrics reported.
Edwin added: “We are still in talks with the government about receiving crude in Naira. The discussions are ongoing, and nothing has been finalised yet.
“Some unresolved issues include the pricing of crude, the pricing mechanism, and determining the appropriate exchange rate for the Naira.”
Dangote’s sacrifices
Edwin explained that Aliko Dangote had agreed to the Federal Government’s proposal to sell products from NNPC to the government in Naira, despite the likelihood of financial losses.
“Dangote said we are going to accept this because the country desperately needs foreign exchange, and the value of the Naira is deteriorating every day.
“I understand that I am going to take a loss because by the time we sell the product and convert it to dollars, the exchange rate may have worsened,” Edwin quoted Dangote to have said.
Dangote added: “I am willing to take this loss in the interest of the country. I don’t mind.
“The country is in bad shape. Someone has to take certain risks, and I am ready to face this loss, no matter how significant it may be.”
Can you imagine?? He will probably serve 7 years and either placed on probation for the next 3 years or released for good behavior and he carries on with his life. That South African blade runner comes to mind..
Petroleum marketers, refiners, and depot owners in Nigeria have called for the full deregulation of the downstream oil sector, seeking to end government price controls due to subsidies.
The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, African Refiners and Distributors Association, and Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria disclosed this during a webinar on Wednesday.
The discussion, themed ‘Optimising the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry’, brought together key stakeholders from various sectors of the oil and gas industry to discuss challenges, opportunities, and strategic initiatives for enhancing the sector’s efficiency and sustainability.
In a communique made available to our correspondent on Wednesday by MEMAN, participants were said to have discussed the implications of recent price hikes in petroleum products and emphasised the need for full market deregulation.
“A market-driven pricing mechanism was advocated to promote competitiveness and operational efficiency. The removal of government controls on pricing was seen as essential to fostering a more dynamic and responsive industry.
“The call for complete deregulation and market liberalisation was reiterated. The benefits include improved efficiency, enhanced product availability, and increased private sector participation,” the communique read partly.
There was a strong emphasis on supporting local refineries to decrease dependency on imported petroleum products. The stakeholders called for freedom for marketers to purchase crude oil from local and international sources and for refineries to enter into processing agreements with retail companies.
The discussions also underscored the importance of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, including Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
The stakeholders also made a proposal for the establishment of a new committee structure in the petroleum sector, inspired by the Bankers’ Committee in Nigeria.
This structure, they said, would include a Midstream and Downstream Industry Coordination Committee to focus on enhancing collaboration within these sectors, chaired by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
They called for an Industry Interface Committee to manage interactions between the upstream and downstream sectors; and a Petroleum Industry Consultative Assembly assembly bringing together stakeholders from across the oil and gas sectors, chaired by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).
“These committees aim to foster collaboration, ensure regulatory compliance, facilitate conflict resolution, and provide strategic oversight, akin to the role played by the bankers’ committee in the banking sector.
“The creation of industry-wide consultative committees was suggested to enhance collaboration, innovation, and conflict resolution, addressing supply chain inefficiencies and infrastructure deficits was deemed crucial for long-term sustainability,” the communique said.
The oil sector investors also advocated for significant investment in infrastructure to enhance distribution and storage of petroleum products.
They called for the adoption of new technologies to optimise supply chains, reduce smuggling, and prevent adulteration.
Similarly, the business owners emphasised implementing sustainable practices, such as reducing gas flaring, promoting renewable energy use, and investing in carbon capture and storage technologies to align with global sustainability goals.
They also saw the need for a clearer and more supportive regulatory environment with references to the Petroleum Industry Act and its provisions, saying better implementation of policies is necessary to facilitate easier licensing, investment, and refinery operations.
“The webinar also highlighted Nigeria’s potential to become a significant producer of plastics and petrochemical products. Stakeholders discussed leveraging the country’s abundant natural gas resources to develop a robust petrochemical industry. “This would reduce imports, create jobs, and support the local economy. Emphasis was placed on establishing the necessary infrastructure, such as petrochemical complexes, and adopting policies that encourage local manufacturing and value addition. The shift toward producing plastics domestically aligns with the broader strategy of industrial diversification and economic resilience.
“The webinar concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively toward optimising the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Emphasis was placed on the need for strategic investments, policy reforms, and innovative practices that align with global standards and sustainability goals.
“The proposed establishment of the petroleum committee will serve as a key platform for fostering collaboration and guiding the sector through its ongoing transition,” the communique stated.
Beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s student loan scheme across the country have lamented the delay in the payment of the August monthly stipend.
Some of the students, in separate interviews with our correspondent, expressed their disappointment in the payment delay.
The PUNCH reports that students can choose to apply for upkeep loan apart from institutional loans, which is paid directly to institutions.
A total of 20,371 students from six tertiary institutions were said to have been paid a sum of N20,000 each as July stipends.
The institutions said to have benefitted from the disbursement are Bayero University, Kano State; Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State; University of Ilorin, Kwara State; University of Benin, Edo State; University of Ibadan, Oyo State; and University of Maiduguri, Borno State.
A BUK student, who spoke to our correspondent anonymously for fear of victimisation, said, “We haven’t received the August stipend. I am very confused. Please help us speak to them. The economy is getting too difficult. In fact, we are even trying to plead with them to please help us increase the stipend as the N20,000 cannot even get us anywhere.”
Another student from the University of Ibadan, who also spoke anonymously, said, “To be very honest, I was expecting it at month end but till now we have not got any feedback from them as to what the problem is.”
A student of the University of Benin, also speaking, said, “Honestly, it is getting too late. NELFUND needs to do something. Our school fees have been paid but at this point, the upkeep is much more important. Please help us reach out to them.”
Commenting on the development, NELFUND’s Director of Corporate Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said the students would likely be paid the N20,000 stipend this week.
“It’s been approved. They should get it this week,” Oluwatuyi said.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has called on the Federal Government to increase the monthly stipend from N20,000 to N40,000.
Operators of Point of Sale (POS) have criticised the implementation of the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) on their transactions, saying it has affected their profit margin from the current transaction charges from customers.
Daily Trust reports that the implementation became effective on Monday, imposing N50 on transfers from N10,000 on fintech account holders as obtained with Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).
Daily Trust learnt that POS attendants charge N100 on transactions less than N5,000 and N200 on N10,000, but with the newly introduced levy, they might need to review their charges.
A POS attendant, Kingsley Aziha, who uses Palmpay, expressed displeasure, saying charges being deducted had affected his profit margin, blaming it on the newly introduced EMTL for fintechs. He implored the government to reduce the tariff that had been imposed, mulling to increase his charges.
He said, “We collect N100 on every transaction and cannot tell customers to pay N120 or N150.”
Awele Okafor, who uses both Moniepoint and Firstmonie, said, “For Moniepoint, they have increased their tariff, but for Firstmonie wallet, I just got it, I do not know if they will still increase later on.
Actually, they had been doing it before at the rate of N20, but I now found out that it is not cheaper when someone transfers to me.”
She pleaded with the government to reduce the tariff.
However, Ebenezer Adeyi who uses Opay,said, “I like their programme; they do not deduct money anyhow on Opay. I don’t know about other service providers, I only use Opay.”
Chairman of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Prof. Adebayo Adams in a chat with Daily Trust said the small businesses cannot survive the newly introduced levy.
“The small business cannot survive on it. That is the only thing the masses are enjoying . It is like putting salt on the injury of the masses. We condemn it in totality and we are not in support of that.”
According to him, the small businesses are highly affected by the introduction of EMTL on Fintechs. The policy is not masses-friendly. If you charge me when I transfer, why are you charging the person receiving it?
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina state has again weighed in on the ongoing security challenges bedeviling the state.
Speaking during an interview with DW Hausa, Radda specifically said only 39 police officers were patrolling one Local Government Area (LGA) in the state.
The governor, who didn’t state which of the LGAs, said it comprises 10 wards and over 200 villages.
According to him, among the 39 officers, only nine guns are available, with just five operational.
He said: “Currently in Katsina, there is a local government area with 39 policemen and nine guns, and the serviceable guns are five.
“The LGA has 10 political wards, with more than 200 villages. How can a police force with 39 personnel protect them?
"We have come up with an initiative that for any community ready to defend itself, we will give them necessary support and training to engage criminals before the arrival of the security agents.”
Katsina has been under severe attack by bandits.
Some days ago, Governor Radda called on the people of the state to adopt proactive measures to protect themselves against bandit attacks. He spoke at a town hall meeting in Daura.
In a video that went viral, Radda was visibly furious and charged Islamic scholars to enlighten the citizens about the importance of self-defence as enshrined in Islam. The governor made a similar call in February.
His commissioner for Internal Security, Dr Nasiru Muazu Danmusa, also made a similar appeal recently.
Some beggars have resorted to renting wheelchairs to pose as disabled individuals, exploiting the kindness of strangers.
With fake disabilities and fabricated stories, they prey on unsuspecting passersby, making it impossible to distinguish between genuine need and deceitful manipulation.
This is aimed to raise awareness about the scam and encourage people to be more discerning when offering help, without completely dismissing those who are genuinely in need.
The narratives here is not completely true. Administration of Go won enjoyed a period of boom and stable oil price regime. Before the second coming of OBJ, Abacha once revealed to Nigerians that the landing cost of refined petrol was 9 naira but motorists will pay 11 naira (2 naira extra) because he was dismantling the highway toll gates. If OBJ implemented a fuel subsidy regime as a stopgap approach to the teething problem of fuel supply it was done in the interest of citizens. What we have today is a situation where NNPCL under the protection of public service/ Cabals use our crude oil to TRADE with Nigerian citizens. ARE FUEL CABALS FACELESS?
INDEPENDENT Media and Policy Initiative, IMPI, has traced the genesis of subsidy regime to the administrations of the former military Heads of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, and Olusegun Obasanjo, alleging that they institutionalised petrol subsidy at a time Nigeria’s economy was bouyant.
IMPI explained that the two former military heads of state introduced subsidy as a short-term measure to cushion the rising international oil price.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, yesterday, the Chairman of IMPI, Chief Niyi Akinsiju, stated that subsidy was intended as a temporary fiscal response to an oil price spike instigated by the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.
He said ordinarily, when the economy was experiencing a downturn, the tendency was to halt their implementation because of the distortion inherent in their continued application.
Akinsiju expressed dismay over the position of labour unions who, he accused of being too critical of the present government over the removal of subsidy, even though, according to him, most Nigerians were of the opinion that it should be exited prior to 2023.
He said: “General Olusegun Obasanjo, then military head of state, formalised the petroleum subsidy regime into law when he numbered it among products for which the government would be responsible for fixing their prices and for which they should not be sold above the fixed prices.
“This was a short-term measure to cushion the rising international oil price. It was intended as a temporary fiscal response to an oil price spike instigated by the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.
“It is, however, instructive to note that under the two principal protagonists of subsidy, the price of petrol recorded increments in response to emerging economic realities. Under Gowon, the price increased by 40 per cent from six kobo a litre to nine kobo a litre, while under Obasanjo, it skyrocketed by 70 per cent from nine kobo a litre to 15.3 kobo a litre.
“Our argument is that subsidies were introduced into the Nigerian economic ecosystem as a consequence of the availability of fiscal resources. They were then a mechanism for a fairer redistribution of the country’s wealth among the populace in times of huge revenue earnings.
”When there is a downturn, the tendency is to halt their implementation because of the distortion inherent in their continued application.
“But, as it were, the subsidy and we as a people have become economic Siamese twins. Every move by the government to stop its application since 1988 has been received with uproar and outrage, despite the material changes in the economic dynamics that informed the policy in the first place.
“This latest furore over fuel price increase is typical of other times. The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has taken its traditional front role and, as always, pointing fingers at the federal government for being responsible for the price increase.
“However, as a body of analysts, we submit that all this trouble-mongering should stop."
adenigga: Supporters of Delta-based cleric, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, on Tuesday, embarked on a protest rally to the office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The placard-wielding protesters, including some bishops, called on NAFDAC to desist from what they call an attack on Fufeyin, who is the spiritual leader of Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries in Asaba.
NAFDAC had on Sunday called on Nigerians to stop patronising spiritual products, such as miracle water and oil, being offered for sale by the cleric.
According to NAFDAC, the cleric falsely claimed that his spiritual products were certified by NAFDAC.
The NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement on Sunday, declaimed Fufeyin’s spiritual products, such as Miracle & Healing Water, and River Jordan Water, among others.
But the protesters, who took to the streets of Asaba on Tuesday, insisted that NAFDAC had no oversight on spiritual products.
The protesters, who defied the downpour in the city on Tuesday, carried placards bearing different inscriptions, such as “Spiritual products have spiritual backing, don’t need NAFDAC approval’; and ‘When it comes to spiritual matters, respect them,” among others.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Charismatic Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Prof. Samuel Baaba, cautioned NAFDAC against attempts to regulate spiritual products.
Baaba said, “We are men of God and we are here in solidarity to send a message to NAFDAC to refrain from its steps over spiritual matters.
“NAFDAC does not have a right to regulate spiritual products. There is a limit to what people can do, especially when it comes to matters of faith.”
Also speaking, the Rector, Union Theological Institute and Seminary, Port Harcourt, Most Rev. Calixtus, said, “To the best of my knowledge and which I have read through the NAFDAC Act, 2004, if there is an amendment, I don’t know, where it could regulate spiritual product.
“NAFDAC doesn’t have right to declare the products fake when it never tested the product. NAFDAC should stay out clearly; what is wrong with the water?”
A US jury has awarded $50 million in damages to a man who spent nearly 10 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of murder, his lawyers said Tuesday.
A federal jury in Chicago on Monday ruled in favor of Marcel Brown, 34, giving the largest award to a single wrongful-conviction plaintiff in US history, Loevy & Loevy, the law firm representing him said.
Brown was arrested and sentenced to 35 years in prison after he was convicted of being an accomplice in the 2008 murder of a 19-year-old man.
But in 2018 the case against him was dropped and he was released after his lawyers presented evidence that the confession had been obtained from him illegally.
According to Loevy & Loevy, “Chicago police officers locked (Brown) in an interrogation room for more than 30 hours, interrogated him relentlessly, deprived him of food, denied his repeated requests for a phone call, and prevented him from sleeping.”
After a two-week trial in Chicago, the jury unanimously agreed with Brown’s defense team “that the police coerced his statement and fabricated evidence,” the law firm said in its statement.
The jury awarded Brown $10 million in compensatory damages for the time between his arrest and conviction, and $40 million in damages for his time in prison and after.
“Justice was finally served for me and my family today,” Brown said outside the court, according to his lawyers.
sleek214: Nice. That's how to support your candidate. When he's going the wrong way, call him out... When you criticise your candidate, it makes him better Not what many of Tinubu supporters and obi supporters are doing..... Asslicking their candidates
Lanrelagboi: The New Massey Children's Hospital being built in Adeniji Adele is going to be the largest Children's hospital in Africa. The project was started by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu so as to meet the needs of Lagosians as the old one was getting filled up.
The new hospital is a a 150-bed specialist hospital for children in Lagos which will also have a heliport on top.
Pictures of the update
While this is good development, I call on the LASG to replace that lift in the General hospital on the Island that killed a medical doctor last year as I gathered nothing has been done about it till date.
I need to know if we are under Military rule following the spate of hounding of people and attempts to gag the press by the present Government. Let me not even go into the Dangote/NNPC fuel brouhaha and the attendant pain on the hapless masses. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Will something give sooner or later? A popular/controversial blogger by the name madam Kemi recently said the President/Government may not survive beyond December 2024 if the hardship persists. My heart bleeds seriously.
OBIGS: I had a dream that the suffering in the land will trigger an uprising before the year ends. In this uprising citizens United together and stormed government house, killed corrupt politicians. Tinubu and his family had to flee to France to seek asylum. Young military officers stepped in to bring order. All government institutions were reformed and free and fair elections was held in Nigeria. A new dawn started and Nigeria began to progress positively with real change we could all see.
This might happen if tribalism card, etc, is not played once again to disunite..
jaxxy: He's not just detached he's corrupt and surrounded by even more corrupt people. This is why nothing can be done transparently.
Nothing like being detached at all. I detest it when such is said.. he's fully aware just that he came for his pocket and that of his family, friends and cronies..
vonlogon: I read, understood and digested everything, point is other than the stolen lens which brought them together and we didn't know how the employer discovered it was stolen, none of the other allegations warrants an incarceration.
The stolen phone was what landed the photographer in jail and not the lens. The employer didn't say the lens was stolen but made him write undertaken just in case there is wahala later about the lens.
Islie: The announcement of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on being unable to sustain fuel supply is a game plan, according to experts. On…
For those who are in the dark as to what is/who are behind the artificial fuel scarcity we are currently battling , quickly watch Brekete Family program of today 2nd September, 2024 on Utube where Ordinary President Ahmed Isah and his team went on a fact finding mission to Dangote Refinery in Lagos State. It is an eye opener!
Saturnalia: This doesn’t make any iota of sense. The troops were going on a mission in an area where banditry or terrorism is rife, and the probability of ambush is relatively high, no Close Air Support (CAS) from the Nigerian Airforce and the troops had to abandon their Armoured Personnel Carrier & turned back to their base for reinforcement.
Does that not show that the leadership of the Nigerian Army & Airforce need to be overhauled?
Even if they lack the wherewithal, do they not watch movies? Do they not see how it is done in the developed Countries?
I mean even if their Armoured Personnel Carrier was stuck in the mud or marshy area, would the need to abandon the APC have arisen if there were gunships (e.g the numerous Russian M.I 35 Helicopters in the Airforce) hovering in the sky while they simply call for a tow truck & reinforcements?
Is there no synergy between the Army and the Airforce? Why then is Nigeria wasting tons of money buying equipments for these ragtag Military units when the citizenry are hungry?
Both the Politicians and the Military leadership are simply stupid & brain-dead.
They should go and source for more international loans to replace these Military Equipments that are being destroyed by the Bandits on Weekly basis since they are even more foolish than the Bandits.
Lack of inter agency cooperation is a big issue in this nation! Competition everywhere! They rather embark on a mission alone than go together and achieve results!
Politics › Japa- Sweden To Pay Immigrants $34,000 To Return Home by Pluto33(op): 11:47pm On Sep 12, 2024
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