News

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

In a bid to strengthen ties between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kano State Government, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, held a crucial meeting with Governor Abba Kabir on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

The meeting underscored the commitment of both parties to enhancing trade facilitation and addressing food security challenges within Kano State. 

During the meeting, CGC Adeniyi reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s dedication to fostering trade and cooperation with the Kano community.

He stated the importance of establishing an export terminal in the state to streamline business operations, addressing concerns regarding food security.

Additionally, directives from President Ahmed Tinubu regarding the return of detained grains to alleviate food insecurity were shared. 

Governor Abba Kabir warmly welcomed CGC Adeniyi, commending the proactive efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service in safeguarding national borders and promoting economic prosperity.

He pledged full support from the Kano State Government to facilitate the implementation of policies aimed at enhancing import and export activities, especially within the Dawanau International Grains Market. 

In a separate engagement aimed at fostering collaboration with stakeholders, CGC Adeniyi visited the Mamuda Group of Companies in Kano.

This visit showcased the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to forging strong partnerships with private enterprises to facilitate trade and revenue generation across the nation. 

During the visit, CGC Adeniyi noted the importance of easing business processes for traders nationwide, highlighting the pivotal role of collaboration between the Customs Service and private enterprises.

In response, Mr. Hassan Hammoud, Chairman and CEO of the Mamuda Group, expressed appreciation for CGC Adeniyi’s visit and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to complying with customs regulations, ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship. 

By Uzair Adam Imam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider reopening the country’s borders for the importation of foodstuff in order to address the current food crisis.

Governor Yusuf stressed that the closure of the borders has had a significant impact on the people of Kano State, leading to increased food prices and suffering.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf called for the reopening of the country’s borders to address the current food crisis.

The statement was released following a meeting between the governor and the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the Government House in Kano.

Governor Yusuf noted the critical condition of hunger and starvation in the country, which has been exacerbated by the sharp increase in commodity prices.

The statement read in part; “We wish appreciate the President’s intervention on the ongoing national food initiative which he considers Kano as the host for the initiative to be launched believing that the programme will cushion the effects of food scarcity if implemented”

Governor Yusuf stressed the urgent need for intervention, including the reopening of the borders to allow for the importation of commodities.

In his meeting with the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Governor Yusuf highlighted the hardships faced by the people, particularly during Ramadan.

He stressed that the opening of the borders would be a crucial step in alleviating the distress of the people.

In addition to advocating for the reopening of the borders, Governor Yusuf commended the Customs Service’s initiative to distribute food items to the people of Kano, who have been facing hardship and hunger.

He urged the Customs Service to ensure that the food reaches those who are most affected. The governor also pledged his support to the Customs Service in its efforts to benefit the people of Kano and Nigeria as a whole.

In his response, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of building strong ties between the Nigerian Customs Service and the Kano community.

He emphasized the Service’s commitment to collaboration and constructive dialogue, and pledged to implement policies that would improve business processes and strengthen engagement with all stakeholders.

In addition to his interaction with stakeholders, the Controller General Adeniyi revealed that the Customs Service had made extensive plans to address the challenges of food scarcity and hardship in Kano. This includes the distribution of food items to the people of Kano.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Presidency has vehemently denied accusations of budget padding against Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, following claims made by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (PDP). 

Senator Ningi, representing the Northern Senators’ Forum, alleged in a BBC Hausa Service interview that the executive had inflated the 2024 budget by an additional N3 trillion, surpassing the approved amount. 

Contrary to Senator Ningi’s assertions, the Presidency, through a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that President Bola Tinubu had initially presented a N27.5 trillion budget to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023. 

The statement stated that the final budget passed by President Tinubu on January 1, 2024, amounted to N28.7 trillion, after the National Assembly exercised its appropriation powers to increase the proposed budget by N1.2 trillion. 

Dismissing Senator Ningi’s claims as baseless, the Presidency affirmed the importance of factual accuracy before making such serious allegations.

By Umar Namadi

International Press Centre (IPC) held a two-day capacity-building workshop on combatting information disorder in democratic governance reporting using fact-checking and FOI tools. 

The workshop is being held as part of the activities under Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN II) project. IPC is the lead implementing partner. 

The two-day workshop held at Bafra International Hotel in Kaduna had in attendance 40 participants across nine (9) states of Northern Nigeria (Abuja, Kaduna, Kastina, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Jos, Benue) who are new/mid-level journalists, community journalists, freelance journalists, etc. 

Participants were introduced to the rudiments of fact-checking using a tool and how to hold government and public institutions accountable for their activities using the FOIA (2011). 

As the program manager, Mrs Stella Nwofia, stated in her welcome address at the Sardauna Hall in the hotel, “The training program seeks to address a critical aspect highlighted in the EU-EOM final report on the 2023 general elections, which underlines that online social platforms played a significant role in both campaigning and public oversight of the electoral process. 

However, there were instances where these platforms were misused, either for campaigning lacking transparency or for creating misleading impressions of widespread support. 

Despite repeated warnings from government officials about the dangers of misinformation, various entities, including individuals associated with major political parties, disseminated false information online. 

Additionally, the report notes that major parties utilised paid advertising on online platforms. However, the full extent of this practice remained obscured due to a lack of transparency within these platforms.” 

She added that “The training program, which commenced in Ondo State as the initial phase and was followed by Port-Harcourt, is designed as a three-part series. Its primary goal is to provide journalists nationwide with essential tools, skills, and knowledge. The program aims to empower journalists to adeptly navigate the challenges of the digital era while maintaining standards of responsibility and ethical behaviour.

“Our goal is to empower journalists to uphold truth, advocate for integrity, and safeguard democracy by promoting a culture of critical thinking, fact verification, and media literacy.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made a visit to two public figures, former President Muhammadu Buhari and his Royal Highness, the Emir of Daura, Dr. Farouk Umar Farouk on Saturday 9 March 2024.

Adeniyi’s first port of call was the Daura residence of former President Buhari, where he expressed profound appreciation for the former president’s pivotal role in the emergence of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The CGC stated, “This legislative milestone grants the NCS expanded authority to implement policies aimed at bolstering revenue generation and facilitating trade, thus contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth trajectory.”

During the visit, Adeniyi conveyed the purpose behind his recent expedition to the Maiadua Border in Kongolam, attributing it to President Bola Tinubu’s directive aimed at ameliorating the socio-economic challenges faced by Nigerians.

He said, “I will also use this occasion to brief you on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directives that all trucks of food carrying exports across the border that were seized by Customs be returned to the traders with the hope that they would plow them back into the Nigerian markets.”

He said the Service is responsible for ensuring that food security becomes an integral and essential element of national power, adding that, “I would like to assure you that we may continue to work for the peace, progress, and security of Nigeria, those key ideals that you have worked for, in all your years, in your career in the military, and what you did as president and now as a statesman.”

Giving his response, former President Buhari graciously acknowledged Adeniyi’s visit, commending the NCS for its crucial role in border protection, which he deemed indispensable for safeguarding national security interests.

Subsequently, CGC Adeniyi embarked on another significant visit, this time to the illustrious Emir of Daura, Dr. Farouk Umar Farouk, at his palace in Daura, Katsina State.

This visit, marked by mutual respect and friendship, aimed to strengthen the longstanding partnership between the NCS and the esteemed Daura Emirate.

Reflecting on past interactions with the former Comptroller-General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, Adeniyi reaffirmed his confidence in the collective efforts of the NCS and other security agencies to combat threats to national security, including the scourge of banditry and insurgency.

By Uzair Adam Imam

On orders from President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will return seized food items to their rightful owners, on the condition that the items must be sold in Nigerian markets.

NCS Comptroller Adewale Adeniyi made this announcement yesterday in Katsina during meetings with residents of border communities at the Kongolam and Mai’Adua border posts.

The Customs chief mentioned that President Tinubu had made a decision to use his authority, not based on legal guidelines, “but rather reflecting the deep sense of generosity he holds toward Nigeria.”

Adeniyi said: “In doing so, he has directed that those food items that were going out of the country that have been seized in various border areas should be returned to the owners on the condition that those goods would be sold in the Nigerian markets.

“So, we will be monitoring you to know if there is a violation of this. Those food items will be returned, and it is a directive that we will pass them back into the Nigerian markets,” Adeniyi said.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Bandits have reportedly abducted 15 tsangaya students in a fresh attack Saturday at Gada local government area of Sokoto state.

The Daily Reality learned that several other students are currently missing.

The students were said to have been abducted from their school around 1:am on Saturday.

The attack was coming after President Bola Tinubu on Thursday vowed to crush insecurity in the northern part of the country.

The President was said to have directed the security agents to fish out the perpetrators of these abductions.

The proprietor of the school, Liman Abubakar, told journalists that 15 students were unaccounted for so far after the early morning attack.

Abubakar narrated how the bandits invaded the town around 1 am, shot one person and abducted a woman.

“As they were leaving the town, they sighted our students rushing into their rooms and they kidnapped many of them.

“We have so far counted 15 who are missing and we are still searching for more,” he said

He added that this was not the first time the village was attacked by bandits.

Speaking with the journalists, the member, representing Gada-East Constituency at the state House of Assembly, Kabiru Dauda while has confirming the attack.

He stated that he received a call from the village around 2 am that it was invaded by bandits.

“I reached out to the local government authorities and security agencies and I am sure they are doing something about it,” he said.

However, the Sokoto State Police Command has denied awareness of the attack.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in a demonstration of respect and commitment to bolstering positive relations, yesterday paid a visit to the Palace of the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero. 

During the meeting, CGC Adeniyi stated the importance of fortifying the bond between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kano community, noting a deeper dedication to collaboration and mutual understanding. 

Expressing a resolve to facilitate trade in the region, CGC Adeniyi pledged to implement policies aimed at simplifying business processes and engaging with stakeholders effectively. 

Moreover, CGC Adeniyi revealed the NCS’s plans to address the pressing challenge of food scarcity in Kano by distributing food items to the state’s citizens, aligning with the upcoming season of Ramadan. 

In his address to the Emir and members of the Emirate Council, CGC Adeniyi stated, “We are here in Kano for two reasons: first, as we approach the season of Ramadan, it is good for us to come around and extend our felicitations to the Emir and join him in the prayers that Almighty God will make this month a blessed and glorious one for us and our country.”

Highlighting the agency’s responsibility in tackling national challenges, CGC Adeniyi stated the NCS’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts in achieving food sufficiency. 

He further reiterated the NCS’s readiness to collaborate with the Emirates Council, acknowledging the significance of traditional institutions in preserving cultural heritage. 

In response, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero warmly welcomed CGC Adeniyi and commended the NCS’s initiative to alleviate the suffering of Kano citizens amidst prevailing hardships. 

Expressing gratitude for the gesture, Emir Bayero underscored the importance of effective partnerships between governmental agencies and traditional authorities in fostering shared prosperity. 

The Emir assured CGC Adeniyi of his palace’s unwavering support and cooperation, reaffirming a commitment to initiatives that would yield positive outcomes for Kano and Nigeria as a whole.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has unveiled plans to provide shelters for Customs officers and men. 

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the NCS housing scheme in Kaduna on Thursday, CGC Adeniyi emphasised the significance of the initiative, stating, “This ceremony is not the last episode of what we have planned. There are projects similar to this in Kano, Asaba, Yola, Abuja, Enugu, and Uyo ready for flag-off.” 

Highlighting the service’s commitment to addressing the housing needs of its personnel, CGC Adeniyi recalled a similar project launched in Ibadan in December 2023 aimed at serving officers and men of the NCS.

He stated the importance of providing suitable housing options, especially for retired personnel. 

The CGC indicated that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of providing affordable housing to Nigerians and commended Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for his support for the success of the exercise. 

Addressing officers interested in the housing scheme, CGC Adeniyi urged them to remain steadfast, announcing plans for the service to collaborate with Cooperative Mortgage Bank to streamline the payment process. 

George Anih, Portfolio and Assets Manager of Family Homes, reiterated his firm’s commitment to providing affordable housing solutions, pledging to partner with the Nigeria Customs Service to deliver 5000 houses for its officers and men. 

Mr. Musa Abubakar, Managing Director of Cooperative Mortgage Bank, affirmed his dedication to ensuring the timely completion of the housing project, assuring the Comptroller-General of Customs of his bank’s support. 

The NCS housing scheme represents a significant step towards enhancing the welfare and livelihoods of customs personnel, reflecting the service’s dedication to serving its workforce and contributing to national development.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

There has been outrage over the abduction of over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School at Kuriga, Kaduna State, by bandits on Thursday. 

The bandits reportedly invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday, shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers from both schools.

The secondary school had been relocated to the primary school due to insecurity in the council. 

Various organisations and authorities, including the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Amnesty International, the Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and the House of Representatives, have condemned the attack, calling on the government to rescue the victims immediately. 

This incident occurred barely 24 hours after insurgents abducted 200 internally displaced women in Borno State.

The women were kidnapped in Ngala, the headquarters of Gambarou Ngala in Borno State, while fetching firewood in the bush. 

Sani Abdullahi, a teacher at Government Secondary School Kuriga, narrated the attack, stating that about 280 pupils and teachers were taken by the hoodlums.

He recounted the chaos that ensued as the bandits surrounded the school premises, forcing them to flee into the bush. 

State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, led senior government officials and heads of security agencies to the scene of the attack, assuring the community that efforts were underway to rescue those abducted.

The governor stated that security operatives had swung into action to search for the kidnapped pupils. 

Efforts to identify those kidnapped are ongoing, with the head teacher of the school and some staff members among those abducted.

According to reports, a pupil identified as Ahmed, who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at Birnin-Gwari General Hospital.

The community is reeling from the shock of the incident, with residents describing the bandits as wielding dangerous weapons and taking their victims into the forest.