By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has inspected the Customs Training College, Goron Dutse, Kano, to ensure the facility is fully prepared for the 2026 Basic Training Programme for successful candidates of the 2025/2026 recruitment exercise.

The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos, saying the inspection was part of the Service’s preparations to receive and train the newly recruited personnel.

Adeniyi assessed the college’s facilities, ongoing projects, logistics and other support infrastructure to determine its readiness ahead of the commencement of training in 2026.

The CGC was received by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone B, Assistant Comptroller-General Nsikan Umoh; Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Aminu Sule; College Commandant, Deputy Comptroller Umar Atiku; as well as other principal officers and heads of units.

During the inspection, Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to providing the facilities, logistics and conducive learning environment required for effective basic training and capacity development.

He stressed that the college must be adequately equipped to deliver professional training capable of preparing recruits for the responsibilities they would undertake in the Service’s nationwide operations.

According to him, investment in training infrastructure has a direct impact on personnel efficiency, border security and revenue generation.

Adeniyi also emphasised the importance of personnel welfare, describing it as a key component of the Service’s transformation agenda.

The College Commandant, Atiku, briefed the CGC on the institution’s activities, ongoing projects and preparations for the arrival of the recruits.

Adeniyi thereafter toured the classrooms, hostels, parade ground, workshops and other support facilities, where he identified areas requiring urgent attention before the commencement of the training programme.

He directed immediate action on the identified gaps and charged officers at the college to maintain discipline and professionalism in preparing for the recruits.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Member representing Kokona East in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and APC flag bearer for the Kokona, Karu and Keffi Federal Constituency, Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi, has donated ₦500,000 to support the 2026 Holiday Camp of the Boys Brigade Nigeria, Gunduma Battalion Council, held at Yelwa Soji in Karu Local Government Area.

Ogazi made the donation through the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Nasarawa State Governor on the Greater Karu Development Control Agency (KAPDA), Hon.

Bawa Rabo, who represented him at the Camp.

Addressing members of the Boys Brigade, Hon.

Bawa expressed delight over the large turnout of young boys and girls participating in the Christian youth programme, describing their presence as a source of joy and encouragement.

He urged the participants to take the lessons and training received during the camp seriously, stressing that early moral and spiritual formation was essential to raising responsible citizens and future leaders.

Bawa said the biblical instruction to train children in the right way remained relevant to building a disciplined and morally sound society.

“Please, I charge you all to take advantage of this camp. Take the lessons of this camp, go and emulate and practicalise them, and become good ambassadors of society and Christendom,” he said.

He encouraged the young participants to remain committed to their Christian faith and preach Christ wherever they found themselves, expressing confidence that the experience gained at the camp would positively influence their lives.

Bawa prayed that the period spent at the camp would not be in vain, expressing hope that parents would return home to witness positive changes in their children as a result of the discipline, training and teachings received.

He commended the organisers and trainers of the camp for their commitment to mentoring young people, praying for renewed strength and grace for them to continue their responsibilities.

“I saw elderly men and women who have served this country and have retired, but they refuse to retire from serving the Lord,” he said.

He urged the participants to emulate such commitment, stressing that age should not become an excuse for abandoning service to God and society.

He also appreciated the participants for their prayers and support for the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule, appealing for continued prayers for the government.

“As Christians, we are charged by the Bible that we should also pray for the government,” Bawa said, urging Christians to continue praying for leaders to discharge their responsibilities effectively and work for the wellbeing of the people.

Speaking on the 2027 general elections, Bawa appealed to Christians not to allow religious sentiments to determine their political choices.

He argued that the APC should not be portrayed as a political party that excludes Christians, maintaining that Christians had continued to worship freely and participate in religious activities under APC administrations.

He urged the gathering to resist attempts to manipulate them through religious narratives and instead assess political candidates based on their character, capacity, commitment and ability to deliver good governance.

By David Torough, Abuja

Business leaders and media heavyweight in Kano State have applauded the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) for what they described as ‘far-reaching and impactful’ interventions in the state.

The commendations are coming against the backdrop of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Foundation and the Kano State Government on the management of the Aliko Dangote Skills Acquisition Centre.

According to the Kano State Government, the ADF will takeover the management of the Aliko Dangote Skills Acquisition Centre for some years.

The multimillion naira Aliko Dangote Skill Acquisition centre at Ganaja, Kogi State has also been completed and slated for commissioning.

In his response, Chairman of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kano-Jigawa Branch, Muhammad Bello Isyaku Umar, said skills acquisition is one of the most effective ways of addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria.

“Programmes such as the Aliko Dangote Skill Acquisition Centre can equip young people with practical skills that enable them to become entrepreneurs, artisans or employees. The emphasis should increasingly be on modern technical, digital and industrial skills,” he said.

He noted that Kano remains the economic and commercial hub of northern Nigeria.

The MAN chairman said the overall impact of ADF interventions in Kano and North is huge, far-reaching and impactful.

“The impact has been significant and broad-based. From healthcare and education to women empowerment, water and poverty alleviation, the Foundation has touched many aspects of people’s lives. What is particularly commendable is that these interventions complement government programmes while directly addressing the needs of vulnerable communities,” he added.

He said MAN has also been one of the beneficiaries of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) through annual sponsorship of its programmes.

According to him: “We sincerely appreciate Dangote Group for this gesture. It demonstrates a strong commitment to Nigerian manufacturing and to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. For MAN Kano/Jigawa, it is particularly significant because it strengthens collaboration among indigenous manufacturers, government and major industrial investors. It also sends a powerful message to our over 1,000 members across Kano and Jigawa that Nigerian businesses can support one another in building a stronger industrial economy.”

In his response, a media professional and Managing Director of Radio Kano, Abubakar Adamu, described the intervention as the single most “strategically important areas of partnership for Kano’s future.”

He said: “Kano has a huge youthful population, and the state cannot solve unemployment simply by creating more conventional government jobs. Young people need skills that correspond to actual market demand.”

He added: “One of the strengths of the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s approach is that it has not restricted its interventions to one sector. Its programmes have addressed health, nutrition, education, livelihoods, women empowerment and community development.”

He said the Dangote Group’s support for Radio Kano during its 80th Anniversary celebration added “dignity and momentum to the anniversary, and a significant demonstration of corporate citizenship”

Mr. Adamu added that the “intervention at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital illustrates what an effective public-private partnership can accomplish. Another important example is the Dangote Business School at Bayero University Kano. More recently, it launched a national food intervention programme in Kano in 2025, targeting one million vulnerable Nigerians with food support. The Dangote Micro-Grant Programme was launched in Kano and was subsequently expanded nationally.”