Metro

Despite high cost, Nigerians flock to Canada as permanent residency approvals reach 15-month high

Published

5 months ago

July 23, 2024

A report by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) of Canada has revealed that despite the expensive cost of processing travel documents and flight tickets, more Nigerians are paying millions of naira to be allowed to live and work in Canada for up to five years.

According to the report, between January and June 2023, there were over 1,700 Nigerians seeking asylum in Canada, with the number of approvals of permanent residency reaching a 15-month high, while thousands of others were pending.

The IRB report said the “number of Nigerians with Permanent Residency (PR) status in Canada surged as of May 2024, as over 2,020 Nigerians now call Canada home.”

“Recent monthly figures retrieved from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have revealed that this is the largest number of Nigerians Canada has allowed in as PRs at the same time since March 2023, and the number continues to rise,” the IRB said.

“Last month, it was reported that 1,905 Nigerians are permanently residing in Canada as of April, and in the first five months of 2024 alone, there have been over three thousand more people admitted than in the whole year of 2017 and preceding years.”

A PR status grants individuals who are not Canadian citizens the right to live and work in the country for up to five years and serves as an immigration visa, qualifying the holder for most social and healthcare coverage that Canadian citizens are entitled to, including protection under Canadian law.

“Permanent residents can also apply for Canadian citizenship after physically living in Canada for at least 1,095 days or three years within the five years of their status validity.

“As a leader in migrant resettlement globally, Canada has an immigration policy that attracts more talent into its territories. The government is pursuing an ambitious plan to accommodate 500,000 immigrants every year by 2025, as it battles an ageing population and low birth rate which have created gaps in its labour force.

“Canada’s immigration framework prioritises professionals and highly skilled individuals, making it easier for them to obtain work permits and permanent residency, including post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) after completing studies in Canada and the Express Entry system that uses a skill-based point system to grant permanent residency.

“This approach contrasts sharply with other countries, particularly the UK, where restrictive immigration policies pose significant challenges for Nigerians and other international talent.

“With its Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs now expired, Canada launched newer, fast-tracked care pilot programs, with Nigeria as part of its target population. The programs grant professional care workers permanent residency status upon arrival.

“Nigerians who make permanent residency in Canada are usually motivated by job opportunities, refugee protection or student transition programs.

“Of its entire international student population, Nigerians were the fastest-growing, with nearly 18,000 Canadian study permits issued between January to June 2023 and 44 per cent more study permits issued during that period than in full-year 2022.

“The country’s acceptance of refugees as PRs also makes it attractive to Nigerians who flee persecution at home. When refugees resettle in Canada from overseas, they become PRs through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.”

Related Topics:asylum Canada Featured Nigerians Residency

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Metro

Lungu: Zambian law association calls for respect of court decisions

Published

19 hours ago

December 12, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has called on citizens to respect court decisions amid widespread criticism over the barring of ex-President Edgar Lungu from contesting the 2026 presidential election by the Constitutional Court.

The association, while reacting to the ruling, urged those affected by the court’s judgement to respect its decision.

The Constitutional Court had determined that Lungu was ineligible to contest future elections, having already served two terms as Republican President, but the ruling has generated criticism from Lungu and opposition figures who see it as a ploy by President Hakainde Hichilema to silence the opposition.

However, LAZ, in a statement issued by its President Lungisani Zulu, noted that the decision departs from the Court’s earlier rulings in cases such as Daniel Pule and Others vs Attorney General and Others, Bampi Aubrey Kapalasa and Another vs The Attorney General, and Legal Resources Foundation vs Edgar Lungu and the Attorney General.

Zulu expressed concern over the potential risks posed by inconsistent rulings from the apex court, cautioning that such fluctuations could erode public confidence in the Judiciary.

However, Zulu reiterated the importance of respecting the Court’s authority.

“Under Part 8 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016, judicial authority, derived from the people of Zambia, is vested in the courts, which have the final say on constitutional interpretation,” he stated.

Zulu further stressed that the Constitutional Court plays a critical role in settling constitutional disputes and underscored the need for citizens to uphold the integrity of governance institutions, including the judiciary.

“At the same time, in line with Article 118 of the Constitution, we strongly remind the Judiciary to ensure that judicial power is exercised in a just and fair manner,” he added.

The LAZ President expressed hope that consistent and fair judicial decisions would enhance accountability and maintain public confidence in the Judiciary, a cornerstone of Zambia’s democratic governance.

Metro

Nigeria: President Tinubu’s reforms, economic policies yielding positive results— Minister

Published

19 hours ago

December 12, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has backed the reforms and economic policies embarked upon by President Bola Tinubu since coming into office in 2023, saying they are yielding significant positive results despite the hardship currently being faced by citizens.

Matawalle, who disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Director, Information and Public Relations in Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, said Tinubu’s policies, which include the new tax reforms and several key reforms across various sectors, were already contributing to a turnaround in the country’s economy and would, in the long run, be of benefit to all Nigerians.

The former Zamfara State governor also urged critics of the Tinubu administration, particular those from Northern Nigeria, to be positive in their narrations.

“In the light of ongoing criticism, particularly from some quarters in Northern Nigeria, I urge critics to be positive in their narratives,” he said in the statement.

“I also call on citizens to remain steadfast in their support for the President and to reject divisive narratives.

“It is crucial for Nigerians to stand united behind Mr. President, who is diligently working hard to revitalise our economy through a series of effective policies, programmes, and reforms.

“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we are witnessing a renewed commitment to the safety and well-being of all Nigerians, and I encourage everyone to recognise the positive changes taking place,” the minister said.

Highlighting the new tax reforms, Matawalle described them as pivotal elements in the country’s economic turnaround, emphasizing that the reforms were designed to create a more equitable tax system, which would enhance revenue generation for the government while easing the financial burden on ordinary citizens and small businesses.

“By broadening the tax base and ensuring that everyone pays their fair share, President Tinubu is laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.

“These reforms will not only increase government revenues but also stimulate investment and job creation across various sectors,” Matawalle explained.

According to him, this will foster a more business-friendly environment, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, which are essential for driving economic progress.