By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced a new digital declaration platform aimed at speeding up passenger clearance, improving transparency in duty collection and modernising operations at international airports across the country.

The platform, known as the Simplified Customs Advanced Declaration System (SCADS), was unveiled on Monday at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The Service said the initiative forms part of its broader digital reform programme under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, said the development followed challenges encountered with the previous passenger declaration system earlier in the year.

“When the earlier platform experienced operational challenges, we chose not to see it as a setback. We saw it as an opportunity to build something better, stronger and more efficient,” Adebakin said.

According to her, the SCADS platform will enable inbound international passengers to declare baggage and dutiable goods before arriving in Nigeria. She said the process is expected to reduce delays and ease congestion at airport terminals.

Adebakin explained that the platform would automate revenue assessment by relying on the quantity, category and actual value of goods declared by passengers.

“For passengers, this system creates the opportunity for advance declaration before arrival. It means faster clearance, easier compliance and smoother movement through our airports,” she stated.

She also said the system would improve accountability in Customs revenue generation through data-based assessments.

“When we talk about revenue collection, it is not about collecting more or less. It is about collecting the right revenue. With this system, assessment will now be more objective, accurate and driven by data,” she added.

Customs Area Controller of the FCT Area Command, Comptroller Victoria Alibo, said the choice of Abuja for the pilot phase reflected confidence in the command’s operational capacity.

She explained that the new system integrates passenger baggage and e-commerce declarations into a single digital structure designed to meet international operational standards.

“SCADS is designed to simplify declarations, reduce clearance time, eliminate manual bottlenecks and align our operations with international standards,” Alibo noted.

Alibo disclosed that the pilot phase of the initiative would run from May 18 to May 22, 2026. She said the period would allow Customs officers and technical teams to test the system before its deployment across the country.

Senior Customs officers, representatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), government agencies and stakeholders in the aviation sector attended the launch ceremony in Abuja.

By Ibrahim Aliyu

Over the past few decades, Kannywood has grown into one of the most influential cultural industries in Northern Nigeria. Rooted in the Hausa language, Islamic values, and local traditions, it has shaped entertainment, storytelling, and public discourse across millions of homes. For many families, Kannywood was never merely cinema; it became a reflection of identity, morality, family structure, and social values.

Yet despite its cultural importance, Kannywood continues to attract criticism from various sections of society. Some believe the industry has drifted from the moral and religious principles it once claimed to uphold. Others argue that society itself has become increasingly harsh, suspicious, and contradictory in its judgments of public morality.

Perhaps the deeper issue is not merely “bad behaviour” in the industry, but the growing tension among public morality, private intentions, and shifting social perceptions.

In Islam, unnecessary physical intimacy between non-Mahram men and women is generally discouraged, and Hausa society has historically taken such boundaries seriously and with respect. However, there was also a period in Northern Nigeria when families could sit together and watch classic Kannywood comedy scenes featuring actors such as Ibro and Tsigai without automatically interpreting every interaction through a sexual lens.

Parents watched alongside their children. Grandparents watched with their grandchildren. Communities laughed together. At the time, many viewers saw those scenes primarily as comedy, storytelling, and harmless entertainment within a familiar cultural context.

This raises an important question: What changed?

Part of the answer may lie in how modern society increasingly interprets many human interactions through suspicion and moral anxiety. The rapid expansion of social media, unrestricted internet access, celebrity culture, and exposure to explicit online content have reshaped how people perceive entertainment, gender interactions, and morality itself.

As a result, public discussions about morality sometimes become less about intentions, discipline, and character, and more about appearances and public performance. In such an environment, accusations of immorality can spread quickly, even when the cultural context or the intention is more complex.

Hausa society contains longstanding cultural traditions that show how social interaction has historically been understood within context and boundaries. Practices such as “wasan kanin miji” and “wasan kaka da jika” reflect playful social interactions that coexisted with strong family values and respect for marriage institutions. These interactions were not automatically deemed immoral because society recognised the importance of trust, intention, and communal understanding.

This does not mean boundaries should disappear, nor does it suggest that moral principles are unimportant. Rather, it highlights the need for balance, sincerity, and self-awareness when discussing morality in public life.

The danger arises when society becomes more concerned with appearing morally superior than with cultivating genuine ethical discipline. Excessive suspicion, constant public outrage, and the tendency to sexualise ordinary human behaviour can deepen social tension rather than achieve genuine moral reform.

In this sense, Kannywood is more than a film industry. It has become a mirror reflecting the wider struggles within Northern society — the struggle between tradition and modernity, religious values and entertainment culture, public expectations and private realities.

The debate surrounding Kannywood is therefore not only about actors, actresses, or films. It is also about how society defines morality, how communities respond to cultural change, and whether public conversations about ethics are guided by wisdom, balance, and sincerity rather than by fear, projection, or moral performance.

As Northern Nigeria continues to evolve socially and culturally, perhaps the challenge is not to destroy cultural institutions out of anxiety, but to engage them thoughtfully, critically, and honestly — while preserving the values that truly strengthen society.

Ibrahim Aliyu wrote via khalilnuradeen@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

A 46-year-old man, identified as Olaniyi Fakeye, has been arraigned before a Mapo Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan over the alleged stabbing of his former wife.

Fakeye was brought before the court on Tuesday on a two-count charge bordering on assault and breach of peace. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

According to the prosecutor, Insp. Ayodele Ayeni, the incident occurred on March 25 at about 9:30 p.m. at the staff quarters of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Ayeni told the court that the defendant allegedly attacked his ex-wife, Bosede, with a broken bottle, inflicting injuries on her shoulder.

The prosecutor added that the alleged offences contravene Sections 249 and 355 of the Criminal Code Cap. 38 Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

Presiding over the matter, Mrs. S. M. Akintayo granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like amount.

She further directed that the sureties must provide valid means of identification before the bail conditions can be fulfilled.

The case was adjourned until June 11 for hearing.

By Uzair Adam

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday warned that any renewed attacks by the United States and Israel on the Islamic Republic could trigger a wider conflict extending beyond the Middle East.

In a statement published on the Guards’ official website, Sepah News, the force said, “If aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will spread far beyond the region, and our devastating blows will crush you.”

The warning followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said Washington could launch fresh strikes on Iran if both sides fail to reach a long-term settlement within the next few days.

Tensions have continued to rise as both sides exchange threats alongside diplomatic proposals aimed at ending the conflict, which erupted on February 28. A ceasefire has been in effect since April 8.

“The American-Zionist enemy must understand that despite the offensive carried out against us with the full capabilities of the world’s two most expensive armies, we have not yet deployed the full strength of the Islamic revolution,” the Revolutionary Guards added.

The nearly 40-day conflict claimed the lives of several top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and prompted retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran across the region.

On Tuesday, Trump suggested a deadline of only a few days before possible military action could resume if negotiations fail.

“I’m saying two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, maybe early next week — a limited period of time,” he said.

Trump had earlier revealed that Gulf Arab leaders urged him at the last minute to avoid launching another attack on Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that any “return to war will feature many more surprises.”

By Uzair Adam

The United Nations has expressed concern over the recurring attacks on schools by terrorist groups in Nigeria.

UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated this while responding to questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) regarding the recent coordinated assaults on schools across the country.

According to NAN, armed groups attacked schools in Oyo State over the weekend, with dozens of students and teachers reportedly abducted during the incident.

Two teachers were also said to have been killed by the attackers.

“We are, of course, very concerned. We have continued to witness attacks on children and educational institutions in Nigeria by extremist groups,” Dujarric said.

He noted that the attacks continue to have devastating effects on affected communities.

Dujarric further disclosed that the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, is also worried about the growing activities of terrorist groups in parts of Nigeria, especially following recent joint U.S.-Nigerian military strikes targeting ISIS hideouts.

The UN spokesperson added that the organisation, through its country team in Nigeria, has been supporting efforts aimed at improving the safety of schools and protecting students from repeated attacks.

“The UN country team in Nigeria, across its various agencies, has been working closely with the government in affected areas to strengthen school safety and ensure better protection for students,” he said.

He added that the UN would continue collaborating with authorities to address the security challenges facing schools in the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Arsenal have emerged as champions of the 2025/2026 Premier League season after Manchester City dropped points in a draw against Bournemouth, a result that handed the North London club an unassailable lead at the top of the table.

Mikel Arteta’s side secured the title with one match left to play after opening a four-point gap over City, who now sit on 78 points. Arsenal moved to 82 points following a narrow victory over Burnley in their previous fixture.

The triumph marks Arsenal’s first English top-flight league title in 22 years. The club last won the Premier League during the 2003/2004 campaign under Arsene Wenger, when the famous “Invincibles” completed the season without a defeat.

Arsenal’s title-winning campaign has drawn praise for its discipline and effectiveness, especially from set pieces. The Gunners set a new mark this season after scoring their 18th league goal from a corner situation.

One of those decisive moments came in their recent 1-0 win over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium. Bukayo Saka delivered a precise corner kick that found Kai Havertz, who headed home the winning goal.

The latest success also ends several painful seasons for Arsenal, who came close to lifting the title in recent years but fell short against Manchester City and Liverpool.

By sealing the title before the final round of fixtures, Arsenal avoided the pressure that often comes with a last-day decider. Their final league game against Crystal Palace will now serve as a celebration for the newly crowned champions.

Attention has also shifted to Arsenal’s European campaign. Arteta’s men are preparing for the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

Victory in that match would see Arsenal complete a historic league and Champions League double.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Germany’s new multi-billion-euro electric-vehicle subsidy program officially launched today, with the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) opening its digital application portal.

The initiative aims to revive domestic EV sales by offering private buyers between €1,500 and €6,000 in direct state funding. Under the new guidelines, fully electric vehicles are eligible for the maximum tier of support, while select plug-in hybrids can receive up to €4,500. Buyers can claim the subsidies retroactively for any qualifying vehicle registered on or after January 1, 2026.

Unlike previous incentive schemes, this program introduces strict social scaling based on household income. Individual buyers must have a taxable annual income under €80,000 to qualify, while the cap increases to €90,000 for families with two children.

The federal government has allocated a total of three billion euros to fund the initiative, which is projected to run through 2029 or until the budget is fully exhausted.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has pulled out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Gombe State.

Pantami announced his withdrawal on Tuesday through a statement issued by Barrister Ibrahim M. Attahir on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement.

The former minister said his decision followed alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and what he described as the APC leadership’s failure to provide information needed for a transparent and credible primary election.

According to the statement, Pantami joined the race after pressure from political leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders in the state. It added that he complied with the party’s guidelines and fulfilled all requirements expected of aspirants.

The statement also noted that Pantami was the only APC governorship aspirant who sent a representative to the Peace Accord meeting organised by the Nigeria Police Force, Gombe State Command, on May 14, 2026. It said his representative was also the only one who signed the agreement during the meeting.

Pantami, however, accused the party of denying him access to important details concerning the conduct of the direct primaries.

The statement said letters written by his solicitors to party officials over concerns surrounding the exercise were neither acknowledged nor answered.

“In a democracy, the law must guide the process. Non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the party guidelines renders the exercise unsafe and illegitimate,” the statement said.

It further alleged that irregularities marred the APC National Assembly direct primaries conducted in the state on May 16 and 18.

“The people of Gombe State witnessed what transpired during the direct primary ‘elections’ for the National Assembly held on 16 and 18 May 2026,” the statement added.

Pantami maintained that many grassroots party members, especially women and youths who form the bulk of his support base, were excluded from the process.

The statement said the former minister decided to withdraw after consultations with stakeholders across the state.

“After extensive consultations with stakeholders and careful reflection on the developments in Gombe State, Prof. Pantami has taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the APC governorship primary election scheduled for 21 May 2026, under protest. Peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of democracy,” it stated.

The movement also accused party leaders of ignoring directives by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the need for free and credible direct primaries.

According to the statement, details relating to accreditation of agents and observers, voting procedures and collation centres were not provided to aspirants before the exercise.

“Even though President Bola Ahmed Tinubu insisted on the necessity of free, fair, and credible direct primaries, his directives were, unfortunately, not implemented,” the statement said.

Pantami also expressed appreciation to supporters who contributed money for the purchase of his nomination and expression of interest forms through crowdfunding.

The statement disclosed that donations ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦4 million and were publicly acknowledged online.

He thanked youths, women, campaign coordinators, elders and members of his media and campaign teams for their support.

Pantami urged his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite the development.

“Democracy rests on the rule of law, peace, and security,” the statement added.

The Pantamiyya Movement said it would announce its next political steps in due course.

By Uzair Adam

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has revealed that certain individuals allegedly attempted to create mistrust between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after they assumed office.

Speaking during the launch of My Life of Duty and Allegiance, the autobiography of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, Shettima said the unnamed persons told Tinubu that he was planning to assassinate him and seize power.

According to the Vice-President, the incident happened barely three months after their inauguration.

“Three months after we were sworn in, some people went to the President and claimed I was planning to kill him and take over government,” Shettima said.

He explained that Tinubu later invited him and mentioned how the individuals also advised him against wearing clothes gifted to him by Shettima.

“The President told me, ‘Your people came to me and said I should stop wearing the clothes you gave me.’

But he said their claims did not make sense because at the time I gave him those clothes, I was only an aspirant,” he added.

Shettima noted that Tinubu dismissed the allegations and continued wearing the clothes because he did not believe in fetish claims.

He also urged Nigerians to promote unity and avoid actions capable of causing division among citizens.

By Inusa Rabiu Isah

As tensions continue to rise around the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices are climbing again, shipping risks are increasing, and analysts are warning that any prolonged disruption in the Gulf region could trigger another major energy shock. For many Nigerians, the immediate reaction is predictable: “Nigeria will benefit because we are an oil-producing country.” Yet every major oil shock continues to expose the same uncomfortable reality: despite its enormous crude oil reserves, Nigeria remains dangerously vulnerable to global energy instability.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most strategic energy transit routes. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), about 20 million barrels per day of crude oil and petroleum products passed through the Strait in 2025, representing roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption and nearly 25% of global seaborne oil trade. In addition, the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that around 20% of global LNG trade moves through the same corridor.

This explains why instability around Hormuz immediately affects global energy markets. The concern extends beyond crude supply to tanker movements, shipping insurance, freight costs, refinery feedstock availability, refined product pricing, and market speculation.

Similarly, past disruptions such as the 1973 oil embargo, the Gulf Wars, and the 2022 Russia–Ukraine conflict demonstrated how geopolitical instability can rapidly trigger inflation across import-dependent economies through higher fuel, transport, and food costs.

Nigeria is no exception.

Although Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest crude oil producers, the country still operates an economy heavily dependent on imported energy-linked systems. Millions of households and businesses rely on petrol and diesel generators due to an unstable electricity supply, while transport and logistics remain overwhelmingly road-dependent. Consequently, rising diesel and petrol prices quickly spread across the economy.

The first major mistake in many public discussions is the assumption that higher crude prices automatically benefit Nigeria. Oil revenue depends not only on price, but also on production volume.

According to Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) data released in April 2026, Nigeria’s combined crude oil and condensate production rose to about 1.546 million barrels per day in March 2026. However, crude oil production excluding condensates stood around 1.382 million barrels per day, still below Nigeria’s OPEC quota of approximately 1.5 million barrels per day.

Therefore, higher crude prices alone cannot guarantee stronger economic benefits unless production remains stable, oil theft is reduced, and export infrastructure functions efficiently.

The second mistake is confusing crude oil price with petrol price. Nigerians do not buy crude oil at filling stations; they buy refined petroleum products. Petrol and diesel prices are influenced not only by crude benchmarks but also by refining margins, freight charges, foreign exchange rates, logistics, taxes, insurance, and marketer margins.

This is where Nigeria’s foreign exchange challenge becomes critical. A weaker naira significantly increases the cost of refined products and energy-related imports. Since the removal of fuel subsidies, domestic fuel prices now respond more directly to global market volatility. Consequently, international oil shocks now transmit faster into local petrol and diesel prices.

Although the Dangote Refinery represents a major improvement in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, local refining alone cannot completely shield the country from global oil-price volatility. Crude feedstock pricing remains internationally linked, and refined product prices still respond to international market conditions. Nonetheless, the refinery remains a critical step toward improving Nigeria’s long-term energy security and reducing import dependence.

Recent domestic fuel data already show how exposed Nigeria’s economy remains. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data indicated that the average retail petrol price rose to about ₦1,288.54 per litre in March 2026, while diesel prices recorded an estimated 16.05% month-on-month increase during the same period.

These are not just economic statistics. They affect transport fares, food prices, manufacturers, small businesses powering generators, and millions of Nigerians already struggling with inflation.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s deeper challenge remains structural energy vulnerability. Electricity supply is weak, gas infrastructure is underdeveloped, rail freight systems are limited, and strategic fuel reserves are inadequate. Under these conditions, every major disruption in global energy markets quickly evolves into domestic inflation and economic hardship.

The policy lesson is therefore clear: Nigeria must stop celebrating rising oil prices without asking whether the country is structurally prepared to benefit from them. Nigeria must raise and sustain crude oil production, strengthen domestic refining, expand gas infrastructure, develop strategic fuel reserves, and treat energy security as an economic-security issue rather than merely a petroleum-sector issue.

Conclusively, the Strait of Hormuz may be geographically distant from Nigeria, but its economic consequences can reach Nigerian households within days. That is the reality of today’s interconnected global oil market. Until Nigeria builds real energy resilience, global oil shocks will continue producing the same painful irony: a country rich in crude oil, yet perpetually vulnerable to energy insecurity and affordability.

Engr. Inusa Rabiu Isah, GMNSE, MIAENG, is a petroleum engineer and energy analyst with interests in petroleum economics, energy security, and sustainable industrial development. He writes from Abuja and can be reached via inusarabiuisah@gmail.com.