By Eze Okechukwu,Abuja

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for restoring the hope of Nigerians for a viable and sustainable nation through transformative and courageous leadership. Akpabio, in a message yesterday commemorating President Tinubu on his second year in Office, said the president in the last two years has placed Nigeria on a solid developmental pedestal using the Renewed Hope Agenda as his policy thrust.

He said: “Today, May 29, 2025, marks the second year anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. On behalf of the Nigerian Senate, the entire National Assembly, my family and constituents, I extend my warmest and profound congratulations to a visionary, courageous and transformative leader, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on this milestone. “I commend President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is gradually revitalizing our economy, improving the lives of Nigerians, rekindling hope in our people and building a brighter and prosperous future for our nation.” Continuing, Senator Akpabio told President Tinubu: “Mr. President, your bold initiatives and reforms, particularly in the areas of economic and fiscal policies, demonstrate your undying dedication to transforming Nigeria to its deserving greatness. “Your drive and obsession to giving every section of the country a sense of belonging has clearly been demonstrated in the creation of development commissions in all the geopolitical zones. This is unprecedented in the annals of our nationhood. “The level of infrastructural development as enunciated in the monumental on going projects across the country such as the Lagos- Calabar Coastal High way, the Lagos- Maiduguri are testaments to your leadership signature and development conscious pedigree. “The economic reforms are gradually turning Nigeria into the preferred business destination of local and foreign investors; with the Naira making a strong rebound couple with your ambitious and purposeful fiscal policies. “Mr. President, your achievements in the area of security are wholesome and commendable. In the last two years, the Nigerian Armed Forces have taken the war against insurgency to the door step of bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements and the results are obvious and positive. “No wonder, you have received torrents of endorsements to return to office in 2027 just two years into your first tenure. These endorsements are certainly not a fluke but founded on verifiable performance in good governance and delivery on campaign promises and undiluted national consciousness.” Assuring President Tinubu of continued support, Akpabio said: “The Senate remains committed to collaborating with the Executive arm of government under your able and dynamic leadership to ensure the success of these initiatives. We recognize the challenges that lie ahead and pledge to work together to address them. “Mr. President we appreciate your leadership and vision for Nigeria’s growth and development. We look forward to continued partnership and progress in the years ahead.”Congratulations, Mr. President.”

By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals on Thursday , vowed to ensure the revocation of mining licenses of companies operating quarries illegally or refusing to honour legislative summons.Chairman of the committee, Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, issued the warning during an investigative hearing on the operations of mining companies across the country.

He specifically ordered Arab Contractors and Omatek to submit all relevant documents authorising their operations at the Nature Quarry Site or shut down immediately. Gbefwi, who represents Nasarawa, expressed concern over the refusal of several quarry companies to respond to the committee’s invitations, describing the trend as a blatant disregard for Nigerian laws.According to him, the committee’s oversight visits to various quarry sites in Abuja exposed serious irregularities, including non-compliance with community development agreements and neglect of host communities.He noted that many firms failed to deliver on their commitments, leaving affected communities in poor conditions.The committee also found that, in many cases, only technical staff of these companies reside in Nigeria, while key decision-makers such as Managing Directors and Managers operate remotely from countries like China.While acknowledging Nigeria’s openness to foreign investment, Gbefwi stressed that such investments must not come at the expense of host communities’ welfare or legal compliance.He accused Arab Contractors of operating a quarry without the necessary government approvals, describing their activities as illegal.Gbefwi warned that beyond recommending suspensions of licenses to the Ministry of Solid Minerals, the House may be forced to push for the outright revocation of licenses for companies found in violation of the law.

The United States says it will begin revoking visas of Chinese students and tighten screening for future applicants from China and Hong Kong, the US State Department said on Thursday.

“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media platform X.

In a press release, the State Department stated that it would also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.

It was not immediately clear how many students currently in the United States would be affected or whether any exemptions would apply.

According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), about 277,000 Chinese students were enrolled at U.S. universities during the 2023-2024 academic years, making them the second-largest group of international students after those from India.

The U.S. already applies strict visa rules for Chinese nationals in certain academic disciplines, particularly in science and technology.

China’s Foreign Office said it filed a complaint against the unjustified step.

Washington’s discriminatory actions expose the lie of freedom and openness that the U.S. has always boasted about, said spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing.

The new measures come amid reports that the State Department has halted new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors while it reviews screening procedures, including expanded checks on social media activity.

The pause reportedly affects F, M and J visa categories, including those for students, interns and au pairs, with further instructions expected in the coming days.

However, relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated further since U.S President Donald Trump took office in January.

The two economic powers are engaged in a deepening trade dispute and competing for global influence across multiple fronts.(dpa/NAN)