By Tony Obiechina Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its zero tolerance for illegal and substandard imports following the interception of 16 containers laden with prohibited goods valued over N10 billion.The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, at Apapa Area Command.

Representatives from key enforcement agencies, including the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), attended the event. The CGC explained that the seizures resulted from sustained intelligence-driven operations to protect the country from harmful imports and enforce existing trade laws.”Today, we have seizures of 16 containers laden with prohibited drugs, expired medication, expired food, and other items that run foul of our import prohibition guidelines, including arms and ammunition. These smuggled items have a harmful effect on the health and well-being of unsuspecting Nigerians who would have consumed them, in addition to causing insecurity in the country.”He noted that among the intercepted items was a container, which initially passed inspection but, upon a second search prompted by intelligence, was found to contain 202 cans of Colorado Loud, a Canadian hard drug, weighing 101kg. Further scanning revealed concealed arms and ammunition, including two pump-action rifles, 25 ammunition cartridges, one pistol with 55 rounds, and related accessories.According to the Customs Boss, the consignment was linked to a Lagos resident, Babatunde Ogidiolu. Other seizures included seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing.The CGC stressed that the NCS would continue to work closely with sister agencies to ensure that harmful, substandard, and counterfeit products do not reach Nigerian markets.”Our vow to protect the national economy and the well-being of citizens and residents of Nigeria remains unshaken. He warned that the NCS, with the support of our strategic partners, will keep delivering uncompromising enforcement backed by intelligence to detect and seize prohibited items”.Representatives of sister agencies commended the Service for its vigilance. The Director of the South-West Zone for NCCSALW, CP Alamutu Abiodun (Rtd), noted that the seizure of arms and ammunition significantly aids in curbing the proliferation of small arms in the country.”I wish Nigeria Customs more success because their breakthroughs assist us. They have helped solve half of the problem we collectively face”, he said.

By Tony Obiechina Abuja

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has commended Lotus Capital’s leadership in promoting non-interest finance in Nigeria, emphasising that collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential to mobilising sustainable, long-term capital for national development.

The Minister stated this on Tuesday when he received a delegation from Lotus Capital Limited, led by its Managing Director Hajara AdeolaAccording to a statement by the Director of Information & Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, the meeting explored ways of expanding Nigeria’s non-interest finance sector as a driver of inclusive economic growth. Discussions further centred on how initiatives such as a Non-Interest Real Estate Investment Fund and a regular sovereign sukuk issuance programme could attract ethical investment into critical infrastructure, boost market liquidity, and widen access to finance for under-served communities.The meeting also underscored the Ministry’s commitment to exploring innovative financing solutions for Nigeria’s economic growth and development, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in driving progress in the non-interest finance sector.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo has promised that youths in the state would be effectively engaged in formulation of policies that would better the present and future generations.The Governor gave the assurance while speaking at the 2025 International Youth Day celebration, with the Theme: Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnerships, held at the Lugard House, Lokoja, on Tuesday.

Ododo who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Farouk Yahaya described youths as the most vibrant citizens whose input on policy formulation and development of the state cannot be over emphasizedThe Governor admonished youths in the state to embrace skills that would add value to their living in order to contribute meaningfully to their immediate societyHe also advised youths to shun acts capable of ruining their lives, such as thurggry, cultism, kidnapping, violence and other social vicesThe Governor noted that the theme of this year’s international youth day celebration is timely and a welcome development as all facets of human endeavours, services and businesses have gone digital”There is urgent need for both the young and old generations to key into the global technology as it is the only way to cope with the present competitive world”Technology is the only tool at the moment with which our youths could use to contribute their quota to the national and global economy and enterprises”In his welcome address, the Kogi state commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Anyebe, commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing funds to his Ministry to organise this year’s international youth Day celebrationThe commissioner also praised Governor Ododo for his administration’s numerous youth empowerment programmes aimed at making them self-reliant in the absence of White Collar Jobs”Kogi is ready to establish partnership with youths in capacity building and to create a favourable environment where every young citizen will thrive in contributing to their immediate society” the commissioner disclosed.