News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, received a customised generator and a bus from the Chairman of the Trade Modernization Project (TMP), Saleh Ahmadu, on July 5, 2024, at the Project Management Office in Abuja. 

CGC Adeniyi expressed gratitude to TMP for the equipment, stating, “On behalf of all officers and men, I appreciate this gesture… through the presentation of the 250KVA generator and the 13-seater 2024 Toyota Hiace bus.” 

He acknowledged TMP’s efforts in providing tools and equipment for the modernization program, noting the importance of a conducive working environment and human input.

Adeniyi commended TMP as a “worthy and dependable partner” and encouraged officers undergoing training to acquire necessary knowledge to discharge their responsibilities professionally. 

Saleh Ahmadu, TMP Chairman, explained that the bus is for personnel movement between headquarters and the TMP office, while the generator ensures

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

‎The Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has ordered the Local Government and Local Government Education Authority officials to return the diverted N30,000 Sallah gifts given to workers in the state or face serious consequences.

The governor gave the warning on Friday while addressing a crowd of well-wishers and supporters at the Government House in Sokoto following a successful Hajj exercise.

He expressed dismay over the nefarious attitude of some finance officers, especially at the local government level, who denied its staff the ₦ 30,000 approved as Sallah gifts by the state government.

“I wonder how somebody would deny our workers the stipends we gave them in order to make them financially stable during the Sallah festive season.

“Those who diverted those funds must return them immediately, or else we will take serious punitive measures against them.

“We will ensure that the culprits reap what they sowed to serve as a deterrent to others,” he warned.

The governor further charged all heads of agencies where such corrupt tendencies were perpetrated to hasten the compilation of all the affected workers and ensure they were refunded.

He also assured the people of the state of his administration’s determination to ensure accountability, transparency, and the prudent management of public funds for the common good.

“This administration is all out to ensure zero-tolerance for corruption and all corrupt tendencies.

“So, if anybody thinks he can loot public funds and gets away with it, then he must be sick.

“This administration is a true reflection of the government of the people, for the people, and indeed by the people.

“So, we have a huge task ahead of us that we must carry out diligently without minding whose ox is gored,” Aliyu averred.

The governor further called on the people of the state to continue to rally around the present administration in its undying quest to deliver on its campaign promises.

He also thanked the All Progressives Congress leader in the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, for his fatherly role and guidance to the present leadership in the state.

He also thanked the entire people of the state for their unflinching support and fervent prayers to the present administration and called for the sustenance of the tempo.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their partnership in the fight against fuel smuggling.

According to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the collaboration aims to tackle the smuggling of petroleum products outside Nigeria, which constitutes a significant burden on the national economy. 

Adeniyi noted that the price difference between Nigeria and neighboring countries creates a huge incentive for smuggling, but the NCS, through ‘Operation Whirlwind,’ is working to minimize the smuggling of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS).

He highlighted the successes of the operation, including fantastic seizures and the arrest of perpetrators. 

The Coordinator of ‘Operation Whirlwind,’ Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, reported that the operation has recorded significant victories across the nation, including the interception of 79,000 liters of fuel in Kebbi State. 

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, acknowledged the smuggling of PMS as a major national challenge and sought the Customs’ assistance in minimising the smuggling of PMS outside Nigeria.

He commended the efforts of ‘Operation Whirlwind’ and offered NNPC’s support to combat the crime. Both agencies have agreed to share intelligence and resources to enhance their capacity and motivation to tackle fuel smuggling.

The collaboration aims to create a situation room for data sharing and to ensure the prosecution of arrested perpetrators.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Bandits invaded Dahjonu community in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Saturday night and abducted two journalists—The Nation’s Abdulgafar Alabelewe and Blueprint newspaper’s AbdulRaheem Abdu—as well as their wives and children.

Alabelewe is also the current chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council.

One of the victims’ family members, Taofeeq Olayemi, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits invaded the area around 10:30 p.m. and shot indiscriminately before carrying out their act.

Olayemi said the bandits kidnapped Alabelewe, his wife, and two of his children, while Aodu and his wife, who was also sick, were kidnapped, leaving their sick daughter behind.

He said, “Initially, they picked Abdulgafar, his wife, and three of his children and a girl staying with them before asking the girl to return with one of the children and left with Abdulgafar, his wife, and two children.

“They shattered their doors and windows and removed their burglary after scaling the fence.”

Olayemi, who is also a neighbour to the victims, added, “They came around 10:30 pm on Saturday and started shooting indiscriminately.

“They first forced Aodu’s door open and picked him and his wife and left their sick daughter behind.

“Then, they entered Abdulgafar’s house through the fence and jumped into his house.

“They went straight into his bedroom and picked him, his wife, and two of their kids and left immediately, after which the vigilantes arrived and started shooting into the air.”

As of the time of filing this report, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, could not be reached for comment as his telephone line was not connecting.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Near East University (NEU), Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano (YUMSUK), and Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster academic cooperation and enhance research endeavours.

The MOU, signed recently, focuses on collaborative research projects, conferences, and seminars.

Representatives from the participating institutions affirmed their commitment to mutual cooperation and knowledge exchange during the signing ceremony.

The signatories included Professor Tamer Salidag, Rector of Near East University; Professor Dilber Uzun Ozsahin, Director of Operational Research Center in Healthcare; Assoc. Prof. Berna Uzun; Dr. Zubaida Said Ameen; and Dr. Auwalu Saleh Mubarak from NEU. ADUSTECH was represented by Professor Adamu Mustapha, Director of Linkages and Affiliations, and Professor Muktar Atiku Kurawa, Vice-Chancellor of YUMSUK, and Assoc. Prof. Rukayya Hamidu, Director of Advances and Linkages.

The MOU marks a significant milestone in the journey towards collaborative research and academic advancement. The participating universities aim to facilitate interdisciplinary research, promote knowledge dissemination, and nurture the next generation of scholars and researchers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, representatives expressed optimism about the potential impact of the collaboration on academic and research landscapes.

They reiterated their commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence in academia, with the shared goal of advancing knowledge for the betterment of society.

This historic collaboration is expected to yield significant benefits, including advancing research and academic endeavors and promoting knowledge sharing and exchange among participating institutions.

By Anwar Usman

Troops of the Nigerian Army, deployed for a special operation in Sambisa Forest, have eliminated 11 Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists.

The Nigerian Army, in a statement on its official Twitter handle, disclosed this on Saturday.

It said the feat was achieved in coordinated special clearance operations with a hybrid force against a terrorists’ enclave in Jongo Village within the notorious Sambisa Forest.

It stated that the troops targeted the portion and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, killing some while others fled in disarray.

The army stated that its troops conducted further exploitation ahead of the enclave, leading to the capture of some weapons.

According to the post, the arms include 99 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm on a metal link, 19 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 3 AK-47 rifle magazines, two 36-hand grenades, and two locally made guns.

“This successful operation showcases the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian army in combating terrorism and securing in the region.

“The neutralisation of ISWAP terrorists and the confiscation of their weapons will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing security and stability in the area.

The post added that, “This further demonstrated the commitment of the Nigerian military to eradicating terrorism and protecting the citizens”.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared Monday a public holiday to commemorate the beginning of the new Islamic calendar, 1446 AH. 

The governor urged citizens to reflect on the past year and engage in activities that benefit the community. He also promised that his administration would continue to empower citizens through policies and programs. 

Additionally, he called on Muslims to intensify prayers for peace and progress in the state.

This move comes after the Sultan declared Sunday the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1446 AH. 

Other states like Jigawa have also declared Monday a public holiday for the same reason.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, has declared Monday, July 8, a public holiday to mark the beginning of the new Islamic calendar, 1st Muharram 1446 AH.

The state commissioner for establishment, Auwal Dogondaji, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, on Friday.

According to him, the 1st of Muharram is July 7, citing its importance, the government attributes it to the Islamic new year and has decided to shift the public holiday from July 7 to July 8. 

Manu-Dogondaji congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the advent of the new Islamic calendar, urging the Muslims to sustain fervent prayers for peace, security, and prosperity for Kebbi and the nation as a whole. 

“I extend the congratulation of the governor to the entire Muslim Ummah across the globe,” the commissioner said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has called on customs officers to honor their oath of service and fulfill their national security mandate.

Speaking during an operational visit to Apapa on Thursday, June 4, 2024, Adeniyi emphasized the critical role of customs officers in safeguarding the nation’s borders. 

“The declarations made by these people who go through our desks are inside our system. What it means is that we have an onerous responsibility to address the national security emergency that we face in Nigeria,” he said. 

The CGC recalled recent seizures of arms and military accoutrements at Lagos Airport and Onne Port, stressing the need for officers to prevent illegal items from entering the country.

He urged officers to maintain the highest level of integrity, as their actions can be traced and attributed to them. 

“We work with a system that has track and trace. What each and all of you do with our system can be tracked. It can be traced. We can attribute them to you in the next seven years or beyond. What you do not do can also be attributed to you, so either way, we can be located and called upon to account for our actions and inactions,” he warned. 

Adeniyi stated that anyone traced or caught on the wrong side of the law would not be spared. He urged officers to live up to their responsibility, emphasizing that revenue, trade facilitation, and national security are crucial mandates that must not be failed. 

“I, therefore, urge you to live to your responsibility; this nation is ours, revenue is important, trade facilitation is important, we are getting it right on those ends, and we must not fail on our mandate of national security. So the responsibility lies with all of us to live up to the oath of service, the oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stressed.

By Ibrahim Yunusa 

The Labour Party won the 2024 UK general election after winning more than 326 seats. Keir Starmer is set to become the UK’s next prime minister, and the outgoing prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has already accepted defeat.

In his speech on defeat acceptance, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says his party lost the election due to his fault.

“The Labour Party has won this general election, and I’ve called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.

“Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides. That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability and future.

“The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight. There is much to learn… and I take responsibility for the loss.

“To the many good, hard-working Conservative candidates who lost tonight, despite their tireless efforts, their local records and delivery, and their dedication to their communities. I am sorry.”

Speaking to a cheering crowd in central London, the next prime minister, Keir Starmer, says, “Change begins now. It feels good, I have to be honest.”

Labour’s victory is extraordinary, but results show that the party’s candidate has lost its aspirations in areas where Muslims dominate the votes. This gives Leicester East to Conservatives and Leicester South to an Independent candidate. Independent pro-Palestine candidates Iqbal Hussein Mohammed and Adnan Hussein won Batley & Dewsbury and Blackburn seats against Labour’s candidates, respectively.