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 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The abduction of Kaduna-based ophthalmologist Ganiya Olawale-Popoola, her husband Nurudeen Popola, and their 16-year-old guest AbdulMugniy Folaranmi has taken a grim twist as reports indicate the abductors are unyielding in their demand for a N100 million ransom, one month after the initial kidnapping. 

Despite the family’s earnest attempts to negotiate a reduction in the ransom, the kidnappers have held their ground, insisting on the hefty sum.

The kidnappers, who allegedly broke into the ophthalmologist’s residence on December 27, 2023, at 1 a.m., took the doctor, her husband, and their teenage guest. 

Communication from the kidnappers only commenced on the fourth day, with a demand for N100 million for the release of the victims.

The family source revealed that the kidnappers threatened to harm the couple if the ransom wasn’t paid by January 18, reasserting their demand on Friday. 

Despite the family’s plea to consider a reduced amount, such as the N20 million they were able to raise, the kidnappers remained unyielding.

The family is now grappling with the situation, expressing confusion about the way forward. Efforts by the family to seek assistance from the Air Force and police authorities yielded assurances of ongoing endeavours to secure the victims’ release without harm.

However, the family, facing exhaustion, has called on the Nigerian government to intervene, as they find it impossible to meet the demanded ransom. 

In response to inquiries, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer Mansir Hassan affirmed that the police are actively working to secure the release of the abductees without casualties.

He underscored the commitment to rescuing victims from abductors and emphasised efforts to prevent harm during the rescue operation.

By Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani

It’s a new down in the history of the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who took over barely six months from May 29, 2023, till date. However, his administration has been awash with many debacles, ranging from bruises in the economic turbulence and pervasive insecurity to dividing citizens along religious and cultural differences. However, the latest is the alleged misappropriation of N585 million in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, led by the former National Woman Leader of his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).

It is in the public domain that the ministry and the NSIP have been mired in a controversy as the President recently suspended Halima Shehu as National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency over an alleged financial misappropriation to the tune of N44 billion.

However, concerned Nigerians with an ear to the ground alleged a rivalry between the former minister’s camp and the suspended minister’s camp, who vows that “I won’t go alone; you exposed me; I will expose your conspiracy too”. However, in my perspective, if that’s the case, then it’s, after all, a welcome development for the general populace and for the system to be, of course, cleaned up.

In light of the recent events, the President’s and his administration’s integrity have been tested to see what action or inaction the President would take to send a strong message to his cabinet members and all other appointees that it is not business as usual. Would his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability in the management of the Commonwealth of Nigerians be protected?

On the other hand, would every appointee be treated equally, no matter how close that person is to the corridors of power? Of course, the President, who has the mandate of all Nigerians, has not yet disappointed the general populace by suspending those involved in the allegations and ordering a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions of the ministry.

The President’s directives have raised hope in Nigerians that it won’t be business as usual, where looters’ cases are swept under the rug. We can boldly say that the last administration’s anti-corruption campaign was ineffective. For instance, in the case of the suspended CBN governor, whose committee was constituted by the former President, its findings fell on deaf ears as if nothing had happened; however, revelations afterwards shocked everyone interested in the well-being of the country’s socio-economic development.

If you look at governance in general, we need to change our approach. The simple fact is that corruption has stagnated the well-being and progress of this country. I feel the only viable way to address these corruption issues is to have a revolutionary transformation of society and improve the context of governance within the framework in which our governance system is predicated. We have to call a spade by its name. Until communities stop celebrating looters and negate the notion that our tribesmen or kinsmen are being witch-hunted, then we wholeheartedly support the government in its bid to eradicate corruption in the system, to which, of course, we will be the major beneficiaries.

Nigerians have a keen interest in every decision the President takes or intends to make regarding the overall interest of the lives of the general population. Certainly, the success of the fight against corruption is intricately tied to the actions of the key actors, not solely reliant on the outpouring of condemnation. The public is the major stockholder in holding the government accountable.

Suppose Tinubu turns over a new leaf in his efforts to stamp out corruption. In that case, Nigerians will stand tall to support his action and term him a foremost man fighting the menace confronting humanity, which retards Nigeria’s development. Despite his stand on the issue, Nigerians must never relent until the fight goes off to a spectacular success.

Honestly, anything short of that can’t be tolerated or accepted, even though it’s early in the day of the new government; there is no excuse. Since they swore to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians, turn our misfortune into fortune, transform our dilapidated infrastructure, and revive our economy, we can put them on the radar to see how they disengage us from all logjam.

I invite all Nigerians to join the challenge of fighting corruption in all its ramifications. After all, the war against corruption can only be decisively won if we all come on board to shun away and expose all corruption within our worldview. I commend his efforts in the recent events, and it’s indeed a patriotic call to support his move for the benefit and betterment of our country.

Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani writes from Galadima Mahmoud Street, Kasuwar Kaji Azare, Bauchi State.

By Haruna Chiroma, PhD

Internationally, nations across the globe are actively exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to address real-world societal challenges spanning diverse sectors of their economies. Nigeria, too, is actively addressing its economic challenges by seeking solutions from various perspectives. In light of the significant role played by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in propelling the real sector of the economy, a dedicated agency, the SMEs Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), was established. SMEDAN aims to promote, regulate, and implement measures to sustain and enhance the performance of SMEs. In today’s dynamic business landscape, integrating AI tools has become essential for SMEs looking to achieve sustainable growth and gain a competitive edge.

This article provides a guide exploring how strategically employing AI tools can enhance various aspects of SME operations, considering the specific economic context and challenges SMEs face in Nigeria. The success and growth of SMEs have been demonstrated to hinge significantly on the innovations they introduce to enhance their products, services, or marketing strategies.

Research has consistently revealed that SMEs incorporating new innovations tend to achieve higher success levels than those that do not. SMEs can use cutting-edge AI tools to infuse innovation into their products, services, and marketing approaches. AI is replacing traditional roles and transforming the conventional methods of performing tasks, thereby creating novel opportunities within the economic landscape.

From a marketing perspective, entrepreneurs now have access to AI tools that streamline the process of creating compelling jingles for advertising products or services. This innovative AI tool simplifies the user experience by prompting them to input the text of the advertisement. Once initiated, the tool automatically generates a captivating and engaging video. Users can choose from various ready-made templates, voices, and gestures to customize the video to their preferences.

Additionally, the tool comes equipped with video editing features, enabling users to fine-tune the video to match their requirements precisely. To overcome language barriers and reach a broader audience, another valuable AI tool for video translation is available. This tool allows users to translate their videos into different languages, expanding their reach to a larger and more diverse pool of potential customers. Together, these AI tools empower entrepreneurs in the marketing realm, providing them with efficient solutions for creating and translating engaging promotional content.

Seamless, an AI-powered platform, caters to the sales and marketing needs of both business-to-business and business-to-customer interactions, facilitating a broader reach for businesses. This innovative platform ensures the acquisition of precise customer email addresses, phone numbers, and direct dials, thereby enhancing the promotion of products and services for SMEs. By enabling businesses to connect with a diverse customer base, Seamless contributes to increased sales and fosters collaborations among various entities in the business landscape. 

In product design, AI brings innovation by offering tools that streamline the design process, enhance creativity, and optimize product performance. From the perspective of design, a new design of a product or packaging can be generated using an AI tool. An AI tool for generating design from the textual description is available; a user will write the text description of the design and prompt the AI tool, and a new design based on the description will automatically be generated. On the other hand, an existing design can be uploaded to the AI tool, and then, automatically, it will be redesigned.

Users can generate as many designs as possible for the best-redesigned item or product. Generative design AI aids in product design by generating multiple iterations based on specified parameters. This enables SMEs to explore diverse design possibilities, optimizing for factors such as cost, materials, and performance. A business logo is significant in business as it gives the first impression to the customers when interacting with the products or services of the SMEs. An appealing business logo can be designed with the AI tool for generating design.    

Many excellent products and services offered by SMEs and startups in Nigeria often lack online visibility, relying primarily on WhatsApp status updates to reach their contacts. This limited visibility poses a challenge, with many SMEs hesitating to invest in costly website or e-commerce development because of restricted funds. Fortunately, a solution has emerged for such SME owners in the form of an AI tool that automatically generates e-commerce sites. This tool provides a variety of pre-designed templates for e-commerce sites, simplifying the process for users. By selecting a desired template and filling in essential information such as product details, business location, and payment methods, users can proceed through the steps until the final page.

Upon clicking “generate,” the e-commerce site is automatically created. Following this, users can download and host the site, making it live online. This straightforward process allows SMEs to easily establish an online presence, overcoming the challenges associated with traditional website development costs.

Chatbots like Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT) can seamlessly integrate into SMEs’ e-commerce websites or social media platforms specifically designed for business promotion. The incorporation of GPT enhances interaction with potential customers by providing virtual assistance.

SMEs can implement virtual assistants on their websites or social media platforms to actively engage customers, respond to product or service inquiries, guide customers through the sales process, provide support, and ultimately enhance overall customer satisfaction. By embedding chatbots within SMEs’ e-commerce sites, these tools can efficiently process orders and offer real-time assistance. This integration ensures a seamless and responsive e-commerce experience for customers, contributing to the overall effectiveness of SMEs’ online presence.

I trust that this article serves as a source of inspiration for many SMEs and startup owners. I hope that it encourages them to explore these strategies to enhance their business ventures and, in turn, expand their operations. By doing so, these entrepreneurs can create additional employment opportunities, fostering increased business activity within the real sector of Nigeria’s economy.   

Haruna Chiroma is a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia. He can be reached via freedonchi@yahoo.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, in a comprehensive presentation at the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) office in Abuja on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, shed light on the Nigeria Customs Service’s initiatives to boost revenue generation and fiscal efficiency. 

CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of collaboration and trust-building with government agencies to meet shared objectives.

Seeking support from the commission and other entities, he highlighted the strides made since his 2023 appointment in revenue recovery and combating potential leakages. 

Acknowledging legal provisions for certain agencies at the port, CGC Adeniyi assured that the NCS is actively collaborating to streamline processes without impeding trade facilitation. 

He affirmed the collective responsibility to achieve the ambitious 5.1 trillion naira revenue target. 

The CGC also announced a Time Release Study in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) to scientifically evaluate cargo clearing processes at the port. 

Moreover, he unveiled plans for a revenue recovery exercise initiated in 2023, which successfully retrieved over 17 billion naira within four months. He assured the implementation of lessons learned in 2024, particularly strengthening the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Unit. 

Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, addressed challenges contributing to the 2023 shortfall.

Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Ekanem Asuquo detailed NCS’s core functions, legal frameworks, and the necessity for accurate import duty calculations. 

Alhaji Bello Shehu, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, underlined the Commission’s monitoring role and sought NCS support to recover funds, improve revenue mobilization, and advise on measures for increased revenue generation.

By Jamila Yunusa Sulieman

They say ignorance is bliss, but only to the ignorant. Over the years, I have read articles on Sickle Cell Disease and witnessed some close associates deal with the unending crisis. Little did I know it would be a first-hand experience for me.

I got married without a genotype investigation, though my spouse was very sincere with his as I carelessly assumed I was of the AA genotype because my siblings all had the AA genotype except for my immediate elder brother. Careless, right? My genotype Status dawned on me during the routine medical test for antenatal. Naturally, I broke down, and full of disappointment, I prayed and cried. I had my first child and two more, which were all declared healthy and free of Sickle Cell Disease. 

It was bliss; family members would congratulate me and help me praise Allah; the feeling was more like hitting the jackpot. Four years passed by after the birth of my third child, and just then, pain and fear decided to take a seat in the kingdom of bliss. I had taken myself for an ultrasound in one of the prestigious Ultrasound service providers, where I was declared eight weeks gone. I took one of the fastest routes to my place. I walked slowly but could feel my heart beating faster; I didn’t have the excitement of pregnancy because all I felt were premonitions.

I would cry myself to sleep, and some nights, I would think deep into the night. I sparked out of melancholy. I started my antenatal clinics at 12 weeks of gestation. I became even more prayerful even though I knew I had very slim chances of having a child who wouldn’t have the SS genotype as scientifically proven. Time passed so fast, and it was 40 weeks already. I welcomed my bundle of joy with much happiness and prayers but with so much fear and guilt. 

The tension in me grew as the days passed by. He was one sickly child with a huge appetite. It was about six months when I finally summoned the courage to take him for genotype testing; after samples had been taken, I waited patiently for the test results; the wait seemed like forever. After waiting three hours, I had to enter the lab and demand the results. The microbiologist would give excuses, and so I knew something was up. 

A few minutes later, the most senior microbiologist in the lab walked up to me. Before he could complete what he was saying, I asked, “It’s SS, right?”. The affirmation on his face broke me. I walked home crying with my baby strapped to my back, and I kept repeating to myself, “I am a bad mother. I have failed my child. What have I done? How can I subject my own child to this?” I wept, I became sobber, I didn’t feel happiness or joy around me. It affected my work, my family life and my social life. 

Although I was down, I immediately registered him for the SCD clinics, I took precautions, I improved his diet, I began researching Sickle Cell Disease, I connected with mothers with Sickle Cell Disease, and we shared observations and suggestions. The nurses and doctors were always welcoming and readily available. Unfortunately, we come across people who do not understand our situation and make us feel we are just blowing things out of proportion. If only they knew the weight we carry in our hearts and the hopelessness we sometimes feel.

Sometimes, I forget his medical condition, but whenever he breaks down, it feels like the end of happiness; the whole feeling of guilt and carelessness becomes a rebirth in my life. Those days and nights of sleeplessness, the pain of watching him go through the pain and all I can do is pray and give him the best care I can. My heart gets shattered into bits and pieces. This I have brought upon my child. 

I question myself whether he would grow up to have a normal childhood like every child. What will be my answer when he begins to question his medical state in future? Would he forgive me? Would he see me as a good mother? Will there come a time when I will stop biting myself so hard?

Indeed, ignorance is not bliss but a silent time bomb waiting to explode. Love and attraction should not be the only basis for marriage; genotype plays a key role. It is time we stopped only reading about Sickle Cell Disease and began to give genotype investigation its due.

Jamila Yunusa Sulieman is an Abuja-based mother of 4 and a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University. She has a passion for enlightening others and imparting knowledge. She can be reached via suleimanjamila21@gmail.com.

By Aminu Mohammed

The article was inspired by a video on Nelly Agbogu’s Facebook page, also known as Naijabrandchick. In the video Aisha Falke of Northern Hibiscus created, she urged female vendors in the Northern region to take advantage of the NBC Trade Fair, scheduled to be held in Kano on February 4, to showcase their products to potential buyers.

This caught my attention, and I scrolled through Nelly’s Facebook page to learn more about the programme. I was impressed by the quality of content and creativity displayed by different female vendors from the North. They were soliciting for patronage of their products during the forthcoming trade fair. I was pleased to see that many young female entrepreneurs from the North are now engaged in small businesses and have embraced the spirit of self-reliance.

I also observed the activities of many northern female vendors on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, such as Maryam Gatawa and Aisha Abubakar. These vendors sell items ranging from well-packaged local food to products consumed by people every day.

Growth of Female Entrepreneurs

I am impressed by Maryam Gatawa’s sale of many of our local food items, such as beef jerky, powdered garlic and date, garin kunun tsamiya made from powdered millet, and garin dan wake (bean dumplings), all of which are well-packaged. This surge in the number of young women engaged in various businesses gladdens my heart and is an indication that things are changing in the north, unlike before. I am still using the bean dumplings I bought during my visit to Nigeria last year.

Some northern female entrepreneurs, such as Aisha Falke and others, have encouraged Arewa women to start small businesses by organising workshops, seminars, and training in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano. However, more needs to be done to encourage our women to imbibe the spirit of self-reliance.

I have always encouraged my younger sisters to engage in small businesses. They are all engaged in small businesses and other activities that earn them money. There is nothing like financial independence and the ability to take responsibility for one’s life by involving oneself in a productive venture.

Small-scale and medium businesses are critical for the growth of any economy, as they employ one or more people and create jobs. Encouraging many young people to pursue entrepreneurship for their economic emancipation is vital. Any activity that generates income and enables one to earn a livelihood should not be looked down upon. You cannot escape poverty when you are not willing to do the so-called “dirty jobs”.

Need for Change in Mindset

It is essential to note that the North is currently facing a dire situation due to the mindset of its people. The youth must change their mindset about salaried jobs and embrace entrepreneurship. Over-reliance on government jobs has made things worse for us and led to the region’s retrogression. We cannot move forward as a society when most youths do not want to engage in small businesses or trade to earn a livelihood. Most of our graduates look down upon people doing vocational skills while roaming the streets looking for jobs. They prefer to remain idle rather than engage in a vocational skill.

The progress and development of the North depend on a productive population skilled in various aspects of human endeavour. We cannot make meaningful progress when most youths who graduate from university brandish their certificates without any skills to help them survive. It is vital to acquire both education and skills to survive in the new economy. I have spent money to acquire digital marketing skills despite my academic qualifications.

I still reiterate that the Northern youth should focus on acquiring digital skills, and those not interested should learn vocational skills. Stop dwelling in the past and embrace change. The era of looking for public sector jobs is over. The economic situation in Nigeria, which has been worsened by inflation and stagnant income, warrants the need for young men to engage in small businesses to earn a livelihood.

I have a nephew, Kabiru, who graduated from Bayero University Kano a few years ago. He decided to take the bull by the horns after the service year to learn furniture making rather than roam around looking for a job. Kabiru is now fully engaged in furniture making and has four employees who support him in his shop. I gave him a job to do for me during my visit to Nigeria last year, and he executed it to my satisfaction. Today, Kabiru is doing very well in his vocation, while some of his friends are still searching the streets for jobs.

Of course, not everyone can be an entrepreneur or run a small business, but we cannot continue to cling to the past and expect any progress in our region. Our young men should stop wasting time chasing certificates without commensurate skill. They should stop waiting for their relatives to help them secure government jobs as they are no longer tenable.

Necessity of Skill Development 

There are several free resources available on platforms such as YouTube, Google, Coursera, Udemy, Simplilearn and others, which can be used to learn a variety of skills like digital marketing, data science, web development and more. Those not interested in acquiring such skills must focus on vocational skills like fashion designing, furniture making, baking, plumbing, etc. Those who have the financial resources can also consider small-scale businesses or farming.

We must encourage our women to engage in entrepreneurship and strive to acquire education and critical skills that can help them manage their businesses better. We cannot afford to have many ignorant and unproductive people in our society. It is important to promote girl-child education and discourage the Almajiri system. We cannot have millions of children roaming the streets without proper education that will enable them to live a productive life.

As January 2024 draws close, our youth should wake up and become more productive. Instead of wasting their time sitting under trees with friends in their neighbourhood during productive hours, they should go and learn a skill or trade that can enable them to contribute to the economy of their community. I wish you the best of luck as you strive to improve your life.

Aminu Mohammed wrote this article from Ingolstadt-Bayern, Germany. He can be reached at gravity23n@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in its effort to strengthen partnerships with compliant stakeholders, has declared its dedication to fostering substantially improved relationships in 2024. 

This is contained in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday by the public relations officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwadah. 

According to Maiwadah, the announcement was made by Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, during the International Customs Day Celebration held on Friday, January 26, 2024, at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos. 

The event, which was said to have been attended by prominent figures including the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and representatives from various government agencies and industry bodies, witnessed the recognition of the NCBN Caretaker Group with a Special Recognition Award. 

Addressing the audience, CGC Adeniyi stated the service’s commitment to the theme of the celebration, ‘Customs, Engaging Traditional and New Partners with a Purpose,’ aligning with the core objectives of consolidation, innovation, and collaboration. 

His words read, “This year, we commit to fostering a substantially improved relationship with all of you, our stakeholders, especially those who respect our rules. We recognize that authentic partnerships are constructed on mutual respect and understanding.” 

Highlighting the significance of collaboration, Adeniyi announced the launch of a Time Release Study in February 2024.

This comprehensive exercise aims to optimize processes and reduce the time for goods to be released at ports and border stations, with a call for active participation from all partners. 

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, also affirmed the importance of customs and stakeholders working collaboratively to unlock the potential of collaboration and increase revenue generation. 

He commended the Customs leadership for prioritizing the use of scanners over physical examination, adding that it has a positive impact on revenue, efficiency, and competitiveness at ports.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has concluded that there is none like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu among the governors and political leaders of the South West. This was a sequel to the appointment yesterday of Chief Olayide Adelami as the new deputy governor of Ondo State by Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa. 

The Islamic human rights organisation based its conclusion on the governor’s failure to pick a Muslim as his deputy despite demands to that effect from various Islamic bodies, including MURIC.

This position was made known in a press statement issued by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, January 26th, 2024.

The full statement reads:

“Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa yesterday appointed Chief Olayide Adelami, a Christian, as the new deputy governor of Ondo State. 

“This appointment, in our opinion, is a direct rejection of the appeals made by several Islamic organisations, including the Muslim community of Ondo State, which controls about 40% of the total population. It also mirrors the insensitivity of Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa to the yearnings and aspirations of Muslims in Ondo State. 

“The appointment further demonstrates the total lack of hypocrisy in the mantra of ‘religious tolerance’ as publicly brandished by Christian leaders and their politicians in the South West. If there is any scintilla of religious tolerance and inclusiveness, it has been coming from the Muslim politicians and the Muslim population in the region. 

“Whereas President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sought to embrace inclusiveness and religious tolerance by giving top appointments to Christians, none of the Christian governors in the South West reciprocated by giving Muslims a similar treatment. 

“Sanwo-Olu of Lagos gave the Christians 43 commissioners, but he gave Muslims a meagre 14. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State gave Christians 16, but he gave Muslims only 4. In Oyo State, Seyi Makinde gave Christians 10 commissioners but gave Muslims 6. 

“The worst is Osun State, where the Christian governor, Ademola Adeleke, keeps deceiving the people that he is a Muslim. He also has a Christian deputy. That is the extent of executive fraud. Despite this Christian-Christian ticket in Osun State, the number of Christian commissioners is 17, while that of Muslims is just 7. 

“Ondo has 15 Christian commissioners against only 2 Muslims while Christian commissioners in Ekiti are 24 while the Muslims have 1 (one) only. 

“Who is like Tinubu among the six Christian governors in Yorubaland? There is none. Who can treat Yoruba Muslims with the same magnanimity which Tinubu extended to Christians at the federal level? None that we know of. 

“History will attest to Tinubu as the Muslim president who extended inclusiveness to hitherto hostile Christians. The annals will register Ayetilewa as the Christian governor of Ondo, who could not stomach the thought of having a Muslim deputy. Chroniclers will not spare the intolerant Christian governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti, who used their proverbial teeth to share the common patrimony of the South West but whom only Allah knows what they kept for their Christian brethren.

“Muslims are under heavy siege in the South West. They have become endangered species, oppressed, depressed, repressed, underemployed, overworked, underpaid, mere fish for evangelical fishermen, falcons caged for the falconer.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, in an effort to enhance port efficiency and facilitate seamless trade, deepened collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) during a visit to NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko, on Thursday, January 25, 2024. 

This is contained in a statement made available to journalists by the spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwadah, on Friday. 

According to Maiwadah, the CGC said the ongoing efforts between NCS and NPA shared the goal of achieving port efficiency. 

He was quoted as saying, ”NPA desires to achieve port efficiency, and we believe that in customs, Ports efficiency will help to facilitate trade.” 

Acknowledging the need for increased competitiveness in Nigerian ports, CGC Adeniyi stated, “We want to make our Ports more efficient. When our Ports are more efficient, it will translate into better efforts in revenue generation.” 

Addressing cargo clearance processes, the CGC affirmed the importance of technology in streamlining operations.

“If we deploy a scanner to examine goods, rather than subject them to a hundred percent examination, that’s one way to make them faster and more efficient,” he explained.

He further revealed plans for risk management expansion and the introduction of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) in the first quarter of the year. 

The MD of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, commended the CGC for his responsive approach to trade facilitation issues.

He highlighted the successful partnership in the functioning of the export desk, resulting in a significant increase in cargo exports. 

Discussing the critical need for efficient cargo clearance, MD Bello-Koko stressed the necessity of a 24-hour port operation.

“We need to be able to clear cargo as quickly as possible,” he noted.

“For them to do that, it means you need the shipping lines, terminal operators, security, and everybody to be on their toes and work 24 hours.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, commended the joint efforts with the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) resulting in the interception of illicit substances and arms at Tincan Island Port Command. 

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, January 25, 2024, the CGC revealed that NCS officers intercepted contraband with a staggering street value of N4.279 billion.

According to a statement released by the customs public relations officer, Abdullahi Maiwadah, on Friday, the seized items included 56.39kg of cocaine valued at N2,368,380,000, 955kg of Colorado Indica with an estimated worth of N1,911,400,000, as well as 5 pistols, 445 rounds of live ammunition, and various empty pistol magazines. 

Stating the significance of collaboration in combating illicit activities, Maiwadah quoted CGC Adeniyi as saying, “Just as criminals find strength in collaboration, government agencies must equally appreciate the advantages of working collectively to fulfill their statutory responsibilities.” 

He noted the positive outcomes of the ongoing partnership between NCS and NDLEA, indicating the joint commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders and protecting citizens from the threats posed by illegal substances. 

“The collaborative synergy exemplifies the effectiveness of pooling resources and intelligence,” he stressed.

The customs boss also handed over the seized items to Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman of NDLEA, represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi. 

Commending the synergy between the two agencies, Brig. Gen. Marwa’s representative described the collaboration as a strong warning to drug cartels, signalling their continuous losses in the criminal trade.

He was quoted as saying, “The seizure is a testament that, just like the Airports, the Sea Ports are also secured.” 

As security agencies persist in securing the nation’s territory, successful interception sends a resounding message to those involved in illegal activities across ports.