The Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt II Command, said it collected N731bn as revenue and intercepted 75 containers in 2025.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Theophilus Duniya, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, described the feat as a remarkable milestone in the command’s revenue collection.

Duniya explained that in 2025, a target of N700.

He added that the outstanding performance is attributed to the leadership and commitment of Comptroller Aliyu Alkali, who effectively implemented the Comptroller-General of Customs’ policy thrust and the indigenously developed Unified Customs Management System, B’Odogwu platform, for faster cargo clearance.

Duniya stressed that the CAC ensured strict adherence to standard operating procedures, maintained high discipline among officers, and fostered continuous engagement with stakeholders.

While acknowledging the importance of providing quality leadership, Comptroller Alkali expressed his gratitude to the management of the NCS, led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for providing an enabling environment that facilitated this achievement.

Alkali also appreciated the cooperation and synergy enjoyed from critical stakeholders who contributed to the command’s success story. The CAC praised the officers of the command for their dedication, diligence, and professionalism.

He stated that the officers’ uncompromising posture and patriotism shaped the incredible milestone in the interception of 75 containers with a cumulative duty paid value of N47.6bn.

“Thirty out of the 75 containers intercepted were found to contain expired, illicit, and unregistered pharmaceutical products. Other cargoes were intercepted for contravening different sections of the Customs laws,” Alkali stressed.

He added that the seizures would serve as a deterrent to intending violators of extant laws. Alkali encouraged importers and customs-licensed agents to make honest declarations, adding that the command remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade and enforcing customs regulations while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

Port Harcourt Customs is a key area command of the NCS, the federal agency responsible for collecting customs revenues, facilitating legitimate trade, preventing smuggling, and enforcing national trade and border regulations.

First HoldCo Plc said its commercial banking subsidiary, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd., has met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N500 billion minimum capital requirement.

The disclosure was made in a statement yesterday by Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank.

Ijabiyi said the milestone followed strategic capital initiatives, including a Rights Issue, Private Placement and proceeds from divesting the group’s merchant banking subsidiary.

He said the successful capitalisation reflected strong market confidence in FirstHoldCo’s business model, long-term vision and growth prospects.

“With a fortified capital base, FirstBank is positioned to accelerate real sector support, deepen financial inclusion and deliver innovative, digitally driven customer experiences,” Ijabiyi said.

He added that the recapitalisation strengthens financial resilience and provides a platform for earnings growth through expansion, technology and new opportunities.

In March 2024, the CBN directed commercial banks to raise minimum capital to N500 billion within 24 months to strengthen sector stability.

Ijabiyi said FirstBank had fulfilled the requirement well ahead of the regulatory deadline.

He said FirstHoldCo plans to raise fresh funding in 2026 to inject additional capital into subsidiaries and new business adjacencies.

According to him, the move aims to enhance service offerings and support strategic expansion.

Commenting, Chairman, Femi Otedola, thanked shareholders for their trust and support throughout the capitalisation programme.

“Securing FirstBank’s capital base ahead of schedule positions us firmly for our next growth phase,” Otedola said, appreciating guidance from the CBN and SEC.

Group Managing Director, Wale Oyedeji, said the capital raise strengthens execution of strategic priorities and delivery of lasting value to stakeholders. (NAN)

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described Lagos youths as being creative and resilient, urging them to sustain innovation in the state’s ever growing creative ecosystem.

Sanwo-Olu said this on Tuesday, during a question and answer session at the Storytellers’ Conference held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos.

He said that Lagos was driven by energy and resilience, noting that the state and Nigeria were filled with talented young people yet to be discovered.

“There are thousands of gifted young Nigerians waiting for the right platform.

“The energy, creativity and resilience of Lagos people define who we are,” the governor said.

He harped on the importance of perseverance, urging creative minds not to give up in the face of challenges.

“Our identity is the ability not to give up, to face difficult moments and keep pushing forward.

”Once you stop innovating, someone else steps in. That is why we must always push ourselves,” he said.

Responding to concerns about trust between government and creatives, Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that building trust was challenging but achievable through consistency and sincerity.

“Trust is built through consistent policies and honest engagement. When people see sincerity, they begin to believe that the government is a genuine partner,” he said.

The governor said that the government does not claim to have all the answers, adding that collaboration and constructive criticisms from creatives were essential.

“We need you to challenge us, push us and help shape the direction.

“Government must provide the environment, policies and support, while creatives do what they do best,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu identified complacency as a major threat to the creative momentum in Lagos, warning that early successes should not breed comfort.

“We must not get comfortable with small wins; Complacency can slow us down. Creatives must keep setting higher goals and asking how to be better tomorrow,” he said.

He added that continuous learning from experiences would help both government and stakeholders improve outcomes and build stronger working relationships.

Looking ahead, the governor said that his vision was for Lagos to become a global benchmark for work, creativity and quality of life.

“In 10 years, Lagos should be the city where if you can succeed here, you can succeed anywhere in the world.

“It must be inclusive, full of opportunities and a place where people can truly thrive,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to continuous improvement, engagement and inclusive growth, describing Lagos as a city determined to work for everyone.

In a keynote address themed “Culture, Heritage and the Storyteller’s Responsibility,” the Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri, described storytellers as powerful forces capable of shaping destiny and influencing societies.

Quoting late Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs, the traditional ruler said that storytellers shape how societies think and evolve, and urged young creatives to be intentional, ethical and rooted in culture and heritage.

The Storytellers’ Conference targets young people with unique narratives, encouraging them to deploy creativity and digital skills to drive development, promote positive values and inspire impact across communities.