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Senate Alerts Customs of Need for Revenue Drive Increment from 3rd Quarter

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By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Senate has alerted the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) that the N5.079 trillion 2024 revenue target of the agency will be reviewed upwards from the second half of the year to save the country from further borrowings.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Isah Jibrin stated this yesterday at a crucial meeting with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service NCS, Adewale Adeniyi and top management of the revenue agency.

He said, “first of all, Nigeria is saddled with a lot of debt obligations and we need to wriggle ourselves out of that trap and one of the ways to do that is internally generated revenue.

Customs is one of the major providers of internally generated revenue and as it is today, we expect them to play one of the major roles in this drive to reduce our debt burden.

“We need to pay off what we are owing now and minimize additional loans we are going to take. Customs is in a very good position, if they are able to block all perceived leakages, they should be able to generate a significant amount of income that will enable Nigeria get out of debt, at least partially.

On concessions given to some sectors of the economy, for example, agriculture, the Kogi East senator said it is for those who are into agricultural services, those who are into solid minerals and those whose services have direct impact on the economy.

“If somebody is bringing agricultural equipment into the economy and you try to take something out of that person in a way of import duty that will discourage the person and that is what we are saying. It is not that anybody took that money or custom compromised in the course of their services.

“Concessions were in the interest of Nigeria to encourage importers who are going into specific areas in the economy. There is a trade-off here between importers and the country, particularly the things you think you are generating.

Talking about the rate of unemployment in Nigeria, which he described as “very high”, Senator Jibrin said “Customs is not the only employer of Labour. They can only employ the number they believe they can adequately take care of and we are putting them under pressure to exceed the 1,600 benchmark.

“We may not get beyond 2000, but for sure, we will get 1,6000 and like we all know, there are so many unemployed Nigerians out there, I will always say, it is difficult for the Nigeria Customs Service to absorb all unemployed Nigerians, but they can only employ those they can.

Answering questions from the law makers, the CG, NCS also disclosed that the service is seeking approval from the government to allow them to give waivers to owners of smuggled cars to allow them regularise their payment of Customs duties.

He said the approval is given, within a window, say within 3 months, if you are in possession of vehicles that were illegally imported into the country or that have not paid duties, you have this opportunity to go to Customs House for assessment and payment of duties.

This he said will be done after adequate publicity so that those who find themselves in such a situation can get their vehicles regularised through payment of duties.

On the naira exchange rate, Adeniyi said he is equally pained by the volatility in the exchange rate regime. In fact, even if it stays high and people can predict that this is what it will take me to clear, perhaps it is not particularly too bad, but when it is so volatile, today it is X, tomorrow it is X+10, X+20, it does not make for adequate planning and things like that.

“Correctly, it 8s the mandate of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to fix the rate, either the one we use during the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF or the one we use for importation or the one used for payment of Customs duties. I have been in discussions with my minister. Perhaps, what you are going to advocate is that there would be a meeting point between authorities of government that are in charge of monetary policy and those in charge of fiscal policies.

“Personally, what I think we can do is to get a spot rate for a period of time. We can agree that for Q,Y 2024 this will be the spot rate for payment of Customs duties; we could say for the first half of the year”, he said.

POLITICS

Former DG of PDP Governors Forum Defects to ADC

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Former Director General of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Hon C.I.D Maduabum has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement made available to Daily Asset in Abuja on Sunday, Hon Maduabum said he is dumping the PDP because the party has been “hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.

Part of his statement read: “After deep reflection, extensive consultations, and careful evaluation of the current political realities within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.

“As a committed democrat, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and former Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, I have dedicated significant portions of my political life to building the PDP as a platform for democratic consolidation and national development.

“However, the soul of the party I once served with pride has been hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.

“The PDP today is a shadow of its former self. It has descended into chaos, internal betrayal, and systematic destruction by diverse forces who have no regard for the principles upon which the party was founded. Sadly, voices of reason are no longer welcome, and genuine reformers are vilified or silenced.

“I can no longer in good conscience remain in a house that has been stripped of its moral compass and overrun by opportunists.

“In light of this, I am proud to announce that I am joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — a party that now stands as the only credible democratic alternative for Nigeria.

“The ADC is emerging as a beacon of hope for good governance, integrity, accountability, and inclusive politics. It offers the opportunity for principled politics, genuine people-oriented leadership, and a platform for rebuilding our nation from the grassroots up.

“The ADC Coalition includes progressive minded people like Mr. Peter Obi and others.

“I join the ADC not merely as a defector but as a reformer committed to helping build a new political culture — one based on merit, ideology, discipline, youth inclusion, and national unity.

“The time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to take a stand against the decay in our political system. I call on all patriots, especially those disillusioned by the dysfunction in the traditional parties, to rally around this movement for a new Nigeria through the ADC.

“I remain committed to the democratic ideals of justice, equity, and service to the people. The struggle to rescue Nigeria and restore its promise continues — and it begins now on a new, firmer footing.”

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POLITICS

Anambra: INEC Registers 96,085 New Voters, Extends CVR by Three Days

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has registered 96,085 new voters in nine days and extended the exercise by three days in Anambra.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday in Abuja, after its weekly meeting.

He said that on the preliminary stage of the CVR, 56,017 representing 58 per cent of new registrants were female while 50,429 52 representing 48 per cent were young people between the ages of 18 and 34.

“The commission is pleased with the turnout of registrants in Anambra and the peaceful conduct of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in all the 326 registration centres in the state.

“As of yesterday, Wednesday, 96,085 new voters have successfully registered in nine days. On average, the Commission registered over 10,600 voters per day.

“In addition, 12,595 voters applied for transfer of their registration both within and outside the state while 7,061 persons applied for the update of their records or the replacement of their damaged or lost Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

“The CVR in Anambra ends today. However, in response to appeal from citizens, the Commission hereby extends the exercise for three more days. It will now end on Sunday, July 20,” he said.

Olumekun said that the commission would thereafter display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law.

This, according to him, will be followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

“Subsequently, the detailed breakdown of the new registrants by age, gender, occupation and disability will be published for public information,” he said.

Olumekun also disclosed that INEC had received five more letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

According to him, the new application brings the number received so far by the commission to 134.

Olumekun stated that the details of the new associations, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships were already published on INEC website and other platforms for public information.

He said that INEC would continue to keep the citizens up to date on all its activities.

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POLITICS

PDP Stakeholders Olorunda Pass Vote of Confidence on Gov Adeleke

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From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The Olorunda Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Stakeholders has passed vote of confidence on Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, re-affirm loyalty, and pledge to support his future political alignment.

Following a critical meeting of the Olorunda Local Government Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held at the residence of the Apex Leader, Senator Dr.

Oluwole Alabi, stakeholders across the political spectrum unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Dr. Oluwole Alabi and moderated by Aare Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa Asejere, brought together key political functionaries, state appointees, and party executives at state, local, and ward levels from Olorunda Local Government area of the state.

In the communiqué made available to our Correspondent in Osogbo the Osun State capital shortly after the meeting, the stakeholders collectively expressed their unwavering loyalty and unflinching support to Governor Adeleke and committed themselves to following his political direction in the interest of continued progress and good governance in Osun State.

The communiqué reads in part

“We, the undersigned leaders and stakeholders of the PDP in Olorunda Local Government area, having extensively deliberated on the current political climate, hereby pass a unanimous vote of confidence in the sterling leadership of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke

“We commend his people-oriented governance style, visionary leadership, and impactful delivery of the Imole developmental agenda, which stands as the most transformative in the history of Osun State.

“As loyal party stakeholders, we reaffirm our total and unshaken loyalty to Governor Adeleke, who has continuously demonstrated commitment to inclusive development, good governance, and service to humanity.

“We further resolve to follow His Excellency’s political direction and align with his future political choices irrespective of platform, believing in his judgment as the authentic custodian of the Imole mandate and the symbol of progress in our dear state.

“We stand united behind Governor Adeleke’s leadership and remain resolute in our commitment to actualizing his vision for Osun State, now and beyond 2030.”

“This communiqué reflects the collective will of the leadership and stakeholders of Olorunda PDP and symbolises their unwavering readiness to continue working under the guidance of Governor Adeleke for the continued upliftment of Osun State”.

The meeting has in attendance, Senator Dr. Oluwole Alabi, Aare Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa Asejere, Rep. Maruff Adewale Gangaria, Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji, Elder Funsho Isola, Hon. Olaide Ajibola, High Chief Apesin Olanrewaju Akolade, Hon. Obafemi Akolade, Hon. Ademola Nurudeen Hamzat, Hon. Nathaniel Ojetola, and Hon. Kunle Olaniyan while the communique was duly signed by all of them.

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