NEWS
NCS Airport Command Generates N144.2bn in 10 Months
The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says it generated N144.2 billion in import duties and other charges between January and October 2024.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Micheal Awe, disclosed this at news conference on Wednesday in Lagos.
He said that the revenue generated represented a 94 per cent increase compared to the N74.
28 billion collected in the same period of 2023, reflecting a progressive difference of N69. 9 billion.He attributed the growth to enhanced trade facilitation, improved stakeholder compliance, effective law enforcement and strategic resource deployment.
Others, he noted, included interagency collaboration, efficient cargo clearance and intelligent risk management strategies.
The comptroller said that the command also intercepted contraband worth N3.32 billion imported into the country from Canada, Turkiye, among others, between July to October.
“In comparison to the revenue collected in the same period in 2023, which stood at N74.28 billion, this clearly shows a progressive difference of N69.9 illion, depicting 94 per cent increase.
“The efforts to combat illicit trade yielded impressive results, with total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of seized items amounting to N3.32 billion between July and October 2024.
“The seized items contravened some of the provisions of the extant laws as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCS Act) 2023.
“These items include, 23 pieces of Walkie-Talkies; 175 pieces of Military helmets; 50 pieces of drones; 10 packs of Canadian Cannabis Sativa and 250 pieces of live turtles.
“Others are, seven packages of 200mg & 225mg of Tramadol Hydrochloride; 1.5kg of Pangolin Scales and 0.2kg of Porcupine Pins,” Awe said.
He also said that the command implemented initiatives such as streamlined clearance procedures, enhanced cargo inspection and examination to boost revenue collection, facilitate legitimate trade and curb smuggling.
Awe said that the command also introduced improved intelligence gathering and sharing, in collaboration with other security agencies and regular stakeholder engagements.
He assured that the command would enhance trade facilitation measures, strengthen anti-smuggling efforts, improve stakeholder engagement and leverage on technology for efficient operations.
“I express appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for their unwavering support in carrying out official tasks effectively.
“I also commend officers and men of the command for their hard-work and dedication towards achieving this great feat.
“Kudos to our stakeholders, including importers, exporters and clearing agents for their cooperation and compliance to extant laws,” Awe said. (NAN).
NEWS
Bill to Rename Benue Varsity Passes First Reading
A bill to rename the Benue State University (BSU) Makurdi to Moses Orshio Adasu University has passed first reading at the Benue State House Assembly.
The bill was read during Wednesday plenary by the acting Clerk of the House, Mr John Hwande.
Also during the plenary, a bill for the establishment of Benue State University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Ihugh, in Vandeikya local government area also passed first.
Daily asset reports that three other bills also passed first reading.
The bills include a bill for a law to amend a free and compulsory basic education and a bill for a law to establish a task force on quality healthcare and prevention of quackery in the state.
Report says that two out of the bills, which were from the executive, were presented to the house by the Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tiseer.
The others were presented by the member representing Gboko East Constituency, Mrs. Becky Orpin, and that of Kwande West, Mr Thomas Dugeri.
The Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, who presided over plenary, referred them to the House Standing Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative scrutiny. (NAN)
NEWS
Tinubu Approves Leadership Changes for Oye-Ekiti, Lokoja Varsities
President Bola Tinubu has approved the swap of Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of the Governing Councils of Federal University Oye-Ekiti and its Lokoja counterpart.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
“In the reshuffling, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Pro-Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, will move to Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, while Mr Kayode Ojo, who previously held a similar position at Oye-Ekiti, will assume same role in Lokoja.
“This strategic change is part of Tinubu’s initiative to foster diversity and national cohesion in the management of the country’s universities,” he said.
(NAN)NEWS
NYSC Gets new State Coordinator in Delta
Mr John Kwaghe has assumed duty as the new Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Delta.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Stella Ogbummuo, NYSC state Public Relations Officer, on Wednesday in Asaba.
The statement said that Mr Kwaghe, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Master’s degree in Career Management hails from Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
“The new state coordinate has worked in many states and the National Directorates Headquarters in different capacities including Ekiti and Nasarawa State.
“In line with the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters’ sustained drive to optimise the scheme’s operations nationwide, a new state coordinator has been posted to take over the headship of NYSC Delta State secretariat.
“He will take over from Mr Olusegun Alao, who has been transferred to NYSC South South Area Office 1, Delta State,” Ogbummuo stated. (NAN)