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France bans Nigerian students, others from bringing families

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France bans Nigerian students, others from bringing families

France bans Nigerian students, others from bringing families

The French parliament has passed a law restraining Nigerian students and others from bringing their families to the country.

According to a report by the BBC on Thursday, the law was backed by both President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and Deputy of the French National Assembly, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally.

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A previous draft was rejected by parliament last week when the National Rally, as well as the left, voted against it. In response, the government redrafted the bill, making some of its provisions tougher.

The new toughening immigration policy makes it more difficult for migrants to bring family members to France and delays their access to welfare benefits.

It also bans detaining minors in detention centres while leaders of a third of French regions said they would not comply with certain measures in the law.

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A controversial provision discriminates between citizens and migrants, even those living in the country legally, in determining eligibility for benefits.

The tougher version appealed to right-wing parties, who backed it on Monday.

Ms Le Pen welcomed the amended bill, calling it an “ideological victory” for the far-right.

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“This is our bill,” said Eric Ciotti, the leader of the right-wing Republican party. He called it “firm and courageous”.

But left-wingers said Mr Macron was enabling the far-right. “History will remember those who betrayed their convictions,” Socialist party leader Olivier Faure said.

32 of France’s 101 departments, including Paris, said they would refuse to implement the provisions of the law on benefits for non-citizens.

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The French vote came hours before an EU agreement to reform the asylum system across the bloc’s 27 member states.

The new pact, agreed by EU governments and European Parliament members, includes creating border detention centres and enabling the quicker deportation of rejected asylum seekers.

Hailed as a landmark agreement by Parliament President Roberta Metsola, the new system allows asylum seekers to be relocated from southern member states, which have the highest numbers of arrivals, to other countries.

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It still has to be formally approved by the Parliament and member states.

The new French legislation exposed divisions within the governing alliance.

27 MPs voted against while 32 abstained – almost a quarter of pro-Macron MPs.

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Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau, who was a member of the Communist Party in his youth, stepped down in protest at the immigration law.

“Some measures in the bill make me very uncomfortable,” said Yaël Braun-Pivet, the president of the lower house of parliament and a member of Mr Macron’s party.

The bill would have passed if Ms Le Pen’s party had abstained, though not if it had voted against it. The government pointed to the size of its majority to argue that it did not depend on National Rally votes.

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Speaking after the vote, the prime minister accepted some measures in the law might not be constitutional.

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Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial

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President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed London in the early hours of Tuesday with the remains of Buhari back to Nigeria.
On arrival at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport Katsina, Tinubu was received by Gov. Dikko Radda,  former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, governors, Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Tajudeen Abbas.
Others are Ministers, former governors, former and serving Senators, Alhaji Dahiru Managl,  former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NEC), amongst others.
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“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial

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Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.

“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.

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Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.

“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.

Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.

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“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.

Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.

“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.

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On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.

The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.

Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.

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King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader

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His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.

In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.

King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”

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He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”

Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”

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