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December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023December 5, 2023 IFMNEWS

Parents Of Abducted University Students Protest In Zamfara

Parents of the abducted students of the Federal University of Gusau in Zamfara State have staged a peaceful protest at the Government House in Gusau, demanding the unconditional release of their children.

They want Governor Dauda Lawal and security agencies to rescue their children, who have been in captivity for 72 days, unhurt.

No fewer than 24 students of the university, ten construction workers, a staff member of the university, and his daughter were kidnapped on September 22 this year in Sabon-Gida, a community hosting the main campus of the university.

However, 13 students and three construction workers have been rescued, while others are still in captivity.

The protesters, who vowed to remain at the Zamfara State Government House until their children are released, said the abductors have contacted some of them. The only condition they gave was to have a negotiation with the government.

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023December 5, 2023 IFMNEWS

US YouTuber Who Staged Plane Crash Jailed For Six Months

A YouTuber known for his daredevil antics, Trevor Jacob, has been sentenced to six months in jail as part of a plea deal after intentionally crashing his plane to garner more viewers for his channel and subsequently lying to investigators, according to US authorities.

In a video titled "I crashed my airplane," Jacob, a former Olympic snowboarder, appears to experience engine trouble while flying over southern California in November 2021. The video captures the dramatic moment as he ejects from the single-engine plane, holding a selfie stick, and parachutes into the dense vegetation of Los Padres National Forest—cameras on the aircraft document its uncontrolled descent and eventual crash landing.

Following the crash, Jacob films himself hiking to the wreckage, expressing dismay at the disappearance of his packed water. Despite this setback, he recovers footage from the cameras and documents his challenging trek through the undergrowth to reach safety.

Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were launched, and Jacob claimed he did not know the crash site. However, it was revealed that he and a friend flew to the wreckage site by helicopter, secured the remains, and transported them to Rancho Sisquoc in Santa Barbara County. The wreckage was eventually cut into small pieces and disposed of in trash bins in and around Lompoc City Airport to conceal evidence of the crash.

The FAA revoked Jacob's pilot's license in April 2022. Faced with mounting evidence, Jacob reached a plea deal, admitting guilt to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation. The US District Attorney's Office for the Central District of California stated that Jacob had lied to investigators by submitting a false aircraft accident report, likely driven by a desire for social media attention and financial gain.

The original video and subsequent posts related to the incident have been removed from YouTube. Pilots and aviation experts have criticized Jacob for his actions, noting his failure to take basic steps to restart the troubled engine and questioning the unusual choice of wearing a parachute while flying a small aircraft.

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023 IFMNEWS

UK Announces Limits On Regular Migration

The embattled Conservative government in Britain has unveiled a series of measures aimed at addressing the issue of record-high migration, a crucial focal point in the upcoming general election expected next year.

Among the announced measures are an increase in the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas and the prohibition of family dependents for overseas health and social care staff coming to Britain. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office has hailed these proposals as "the biggest clampdown on legal migration ever."

However, critics argue that these measures may negatively impact the National Health Service (NHS), which is already grappling with staff shortages. Immigration is poised to be a pivotal issue in the upcoming elections, anticipated by January 2025 at the latest, where the main opposition Labour Party currently holds favour.

Responding to statistics indicating a peak in net migration to Britain in 2022, Prime Minister Sunak has pledged to reduce new arrivals. Interior Minister James Cleverly, presenting the plan, stated that it would lead to 300,000 fewer people coming to the UK in the coming years.

James Cleverly outlined key changes, including an increased salary requirement for skilled foreign workers seeking a UK visa, raised from £26,200 to £38,700, aligning with the median full-time wage. While health and social care workers are exempt, they will be barred from bringing family dependents. These changes have raised concerns among organizations like NHS Providers and Care England, emphasizing the crucial role of immigration in supporting the healthcare and social care sectors.

The interior minister also raised the minimum income for family visas to £38,700, imposed restrictions on international students bringing dependents, and confirmed a 66 percent increase in the surcharge migrants pay to access the NHS, now set at £1,035. Critics argue that this surcharge effectively imposes a double charge on migrant workers, who also contribute to national insurance charges for healthcare coverage.

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023December 5, 2023 IFMNEWS

FG Sponsored Only 422 Delegates To COP28 In Dubai — Presidency

The Presidency has addressed the recent uproar over the substantial number of delegates representing Nigeria at the ongoing climate change conference in Dubai.

Over the weekend, widespread criticism emerged from Nigerians as the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) published a list indicating that Nigeria had 1,411 accredited delegates at the conference.

This revelation triggered a wave of disapproval on social media, with many citizens accusing President Bola Tinubu of overseeing an extravagant administration during austerity. Seeking to rectify the public's perception, Fredrick Nwabufo, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, stated on Monday, December 4, 2023.

Nwabufo clarified that the federal government-funded delegation to the conference is, at most, 422 individuals. He detailed the delegation's composition, including representatives from the National Council on Climate Change, the Federal Ministry of Environment, various ministries, the Presidency, the Office of the Vice President, the National Assembly, and Federal Parastatals and Agencies.

Emphasizing Nigeria's status as Africa's largest economy and most populous country, Nwabufo justified the significant delegation, asserting that the nation's active participation in climate action is warranted. He highlighted the potential for investment and partnerships presented at COP-28, asserting that Nigeria has already benefited from its engagement.

This marks the second instance within 24 hours that the Presidency has addressed the controversy surrounding the delegation to the climate summit in Dubai. Tope Ajayi, a presidential spokesperson, previously stated that Nigeria's higher number of delegates than other African countries is reasonable due to its status as the continent's largest economy. Ajayi emphasized that the delegation list is not meant for frivolous purposes, contrary to how it has been misrepresented on social media.

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