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Nigeria Customs seizes N1.72bn contraband in 1 month

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The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced the interception of contraband worth N1.72 billion from smugglers in last one month.

The Customs Area Controller of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, made this disclosure on Wednesday during a media briefing in Lagos.

Oladeji stated that the seized contraband included 3,832 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to seven trucks, and 27 units of used (Tokunbo) vehicles.

He added that officers also confiscated 494 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), totalling 14,820 litres, along with 27 bales of used clothing.

“Other seizures included 95 bags of charcoal, 3,643kg of Cannabis Sativa, and the arrest of six suspects in connection with these smuggling activities,” Oladeji said.

He noted that all the seized goods had a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.72 billion.

According to him, the unit remains committed to enforcing the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, ensuring compliance with import and export regulations.

“The operatives of FOU A have intensified border surveillance across the South-Western states.

“This crackdown targets economic saboteurs operating in different sectors of the service.

“Key Performance Indicators (KPI), including revenue generation, smuggling suppression, and trade facilitation, have recorded significant successes through our Swift Sting Operations and other patrol efforts.

“During the period under review, the unit achieved significant milestones, making 82 interceptions,” he said.

He reiterated that these seizures, with a total DPV of N1.72 billion, were the result of tireless efforts by customs officers.

“The successes recorded this year were not easily achieved. Our officers spent long hours on patrol and surveillance to intercept these illegal goods.

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“We will not relent in our commitment to tackling illegal cross-border trade and other criminal activities.

“The unit will continue engaging with the public to raise awareness about the economic and social implications of smuggling while ensuring compliance with government policies,” he said.

Oladeji also revealed that the unit generated N72.4 million from debit notes issued to importers who underpaid customs duties at seaports.

He highlighted that Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi had introduced various trade facilitation tools to boost national revenue and economic growth.

The unit recovered N72.4 million through Demand Notices (DN) issued for irregular consignment declarations, he said.

“The Customs CG has implemented several trade facilitation tools to enhance revenue generation and economic development.

“Initiatives like the Time Release Study (TRS), Advance Ruling, and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) scheme have improved investor confidence and customs efficiency.

“This unit has embraced these initiatives by restructuring patrol teams in Lagos to eliminate unnecessary trade barriers and promote a business-friendly environment,” he said. (NAN

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Sokoto Lawmakers Rates Gov. Aliyu High On Project Without Loan

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BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.

Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.

“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.

This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.

Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.

Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.

Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.

A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.

The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.

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“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”

He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.

Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.

“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.

“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.

“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.

The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.

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Sultan Commends Sokoto Governor, Assures Support 

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BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has commended the developmental strides of Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, just as he assured of the support of traditional institutions in the state.

Sultan who admonished other governor’s to also borrow a leaf from governor Ahmed Aliyu who ensures that resident communities enjoys equal benefit from everybody, added that, Nigerians should project what unites us moe than that which divides us.

“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the Governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing of transforming our State.

“The Governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.

While adding that  governor Ahmed  Aliyu deserves special commendation for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, Sultan urged  Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may jeopardise  the long lasting peace the country is enjoying.

Registering his displeasure over how the social media is been used negatively to promote and sow seed o discord, the Sultan said, some unpatriotic citizens  use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can  destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.

He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens  trying to create chaos in the land.

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Speaking during his
Sallah homage on governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto, Sultan
said, “”In Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the State a sense of belonging.

Sultan equally  stressed the need for for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.

Responding, governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.

He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.

According to Aliyu, many youths have joined  informants’ groups  so as to be getting stipends to make ends meet.

“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.

” I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed

Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.

He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for it’s sustainance.

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Sterling Bank Eliminates Transfer Fees, Challenges Industry Standards

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Sterling Bank has made a groundbreaking move by eliminating transfer charges on local transactions, aiming to create a more equitable banking experience for Nigerians. The question now arises: will other financial institutions follow this lead?

On April 1, Sterling Bank announced the removal of transfer fees for all local digital transactions, positioning itself as the first major bank in Nigeria to implement such a policy. Initially, the announcement faced skepticism, with many believing it to be an April Fools’ Day joke. However, Sterling has since reaffirmed the policy’s legitimacy and immediate implementation, signaling a significant evolution in the industry’s customer service approach.

Obinna Ukachukwu, the Growth Executive overseeing the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, stated, “We believe that accessing your own funds should not incur a penalty. This decision transcends financial implications; it reflects our core values.”

With this new policy, Sterling customers can now make free transfers for all local transactions via the bank’s mobile app. This initiative is anticipated to yield considerable savings for individuals and small business owners who frequently engage in transfers.

“We may not be the largest bank in Nigeria, but we are certainly the most audacious,” Ukachukwu declared. “Sterling Bank is committed to the future of Nigeria, and we are backing our fellow citizens with more than just words.”

Sterling Bank has a history of prioritizing customer welfare, having previously offered financial assistance to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest initiative has garnered widespread public support, igniting conversations on social media and prompting calls for other banks to adopt similar practices.

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“We take pride in leading this transformative change,” Ukachukwu concluded. “We hope to inspire others to rethink what customers truly require from their banks, not only in terms of services but also in values.”

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