Other News
New Zealand Announces Major Hike In Student Visa Fees For Nigerians, Others
The New Zealand Government has revealed a 90 percent increase in student visa fees for applicants from Nigeria and other non-Pacific countries.
Starting October 1, 2024, the cost of a student visa will jump from NZD395 (approximately $238) to NZD750 (around $452).
This fee adjustment is part of a comprehensive overhaul across various visa categories aimed at aligning charges more closely with processing costs.
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The visa application process is categorized into three bands: Band A for New Zealand residents renewing visas, Band B for Pacific nation citizens, and Band C for all other countries, including Nigeria.
Under the new fee structure, Band C student visa applicants will face a significant rise.
Previously, fees for Band C were set at NZD395, while Band A and Band B fees were NZD375 and NZD315, respectively.
In addition to student visas, other visa categories will also see increases. Post-study work visas for Band C applicants will rise by 139%, from NZD700 ($422) to NZD1,670 (around $1,006).
The fee for skilled residence visas under Band C will increase by 16%, from NZD2,480 ($1,494) to NZD2,880 ($1,735).
Further adjustments are anticipated for other visa types, including the Entrepreneur Work Visa.
The New Zealand Government has defended the recent visa fee increases as necessary to align with the true costs of processing applications.
To support regional neighbors, the government will continue to offer subsidized visa fees for applicants from Pacific countries.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford stated, as reported by Indian Travel Times, that despite these fee hikes, New Zealand’s visa costs will remain competitive with those of Australia and the United Kingdom.
Additionally, updates have been made to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
Although the AEWV application fee will decrease from NZD540 to NZD480, the immigration levy will see a significant rise from NZD210 to NZD1,060.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is pivotal to New Zealand’s strategy of prioritizing local workers while enabling employers to recruit skilled migrants during genuine labor shortages.
Recent updates to the AEWV scheme include new requirements for migrant workers.
Applicants for low-skilled roles classified under ANZSCO levels 4 and 5 must now meet an English language requirement.
Employers will also be required to consult with Work and Income, New Zealand’s welfare agency, before they can hire migrants for these positions.
Furthermore, the maximum continuous stay for most roles at these levels will be shortened from five years to three years.
Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa has been signed up by Jaiz Bank as a brand ambassador.
An elated Musa made the disclosure in a statement on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Thursday.
The Kano Pillars striker urged his fans to troop to Jaiz Bank to do business for trusting him with the new role.
He exclaimed, “And to my amazing fans – if you want to support me, make sure to head over to Jaiz Bank and open your accounts with them today! ”
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He wrote, “✨Alhamdulillah✨ I am SO excited to announce that I’ve officially joined Jaiz Bank as their newest ambassador! 🎉💼
“A huge thank you to @JaizBankNG for trusting me and allowing me to be a part of this amazing journey! 🙏🏼💚 It’s an honor to represent a brand that believes in growth, security, and financial empowerment.
“I can’t wait to share all the incredible things we’ll be doing together! 🚀💡
And to my amazing fans – if you want to support me, make sure to head over to Jaiz Bank and open your accounts with them today! Let’s grow together! 💪🏼🔑
“@JaizBankNG is a non interest Financial institution poised with a mission to make life better through ethical Finance. 👌👌”
#NewBeginnings #BankWithJaizBank #PartneredUp #TeamJaizBank”
On November 20, 2024, Kenya’s First Lady, Rachel Ruto, celebrated her 56th birthday and her husband President William Ruto publicly expressed his love and appreciation for his wife on this special day, wishing her well.
The birthday celebrations were marked by an outpouring of goodwill from political figures, media, and citizens across Kenya, who praised her for her grace, leadership, and significant contributions to society, particularly through initiatives like the Joyful Women Organisation, which aims to empower rural women.
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The day was characterized by a collective acknowledgment of her role as a national figure dedicated to community upliftment.
In a heartfelt message, President William Ruto took to social media, writing, “Happy birthday my love, @MamaRachelRuto. Continue being a blessing to me and our children. Mungu akubariki sana,” which translates to “God bless you abundantly.”
Other prominent leaders also extended their wishes to the First Lady, with Anne Waiguru, EGH, OGW, Governor of Kirinyaga County, tweeting, “Happy Birthday First Lady,” further showing the respect and admiration for Rachel Ruto’s leadership and impact.
A gas cylinder explosion at a filling station in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State has resulted in significant damage to six vehicles, according to a statement from the Katsina State Police Command.
The command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, confirmed the incident, which occurred on Friday, November 15, 2024.
He explained that a loud explosion alerted police operatives from the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters. Responding promptly, the Divisional Police Officer led a team to the site, supported by military personnel.
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“Upon arrival, operatives found a truck loaded with gas cylinders engulfed in flames at Tamal filling station, along Kagadama-Magamar Jibia Road,” Sadiq-Aliyu stated. The joint team acted swiftly, deploying measures to protect lives and limit property damage. Their efforts successfully extinguished the fire.
The spokesperson added, “Six motor vehicles were significantly affected by the fire incident, but fortunately, no life was lost.”
State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, has directed a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. Updates on the findings will be provided as investigations progress.
This incident highlights the need for heightened safety measures at gas filling stations to prevent such occurrences.
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