By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a Strategic Refresher Course for 100 Deputy Comptrollers as part of efforts to prepare a new crop of senior officers for higher leadership responsibilities and sustain ongoing reforms across the Service.

The workshop, organised by the Human Resources Development Department in collaboration with the Customs Police Unit, began on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.

The Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, declared the workshop open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

ACG Gaura described the participants as officers carefully selected for higher responsibilities within the Service, saying the training was designed to prepare them to lead by example. He added, “These officers are expected to serve as role models for the next generation of Customs personnel.

This training goes beyond professional competence; it focuses on discipline, succession, conduct and leadership.”

Delivering the keynote lecture, retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Dera Nnadi reminded the officers that promotion brings greater responsibility rather than personal privilege, stressing that, “The rank of Deputy Comptroller does not merely confer authority; it confers service.

You owe responsibility to the Service, your colleagues, your subordinates, the nation’s leadership and our stakeholders.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies of the College, Comptroller Haniel Hadison, charged the participants to uphold the traditions of regimentation, discipline and professionalism, stressing that senior officers must set the standard through their conduct, appearance and relationship with their subordinates.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Ag. Customs Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Sanusi Saulawa, said the refresher course was organised to prepare Deputy Comptrollers for the greater responsibilities that come with senior leadership positions in the Service.

He noted that the workshop reflects the Comptroller-General’s commitment to continuous capacity building, adding that officers must constantly update their knowledge, strengthen their leadership skills and uphold the discipline, professionalism and integrity expected of them as future managers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Some participants commended the Comptroller-General for approving the course, describing it as timely and impactful.

They pledged to apply the knowledge they have acquired to strengthen discipline, improve service delivery, and protect the image of the Nigeria Customs Service as they assume higher leadership responsibilities across the country.

By David Torough, Abuja

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has begun discussions with the Solid Minerals Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (SOMMEDI) , an agency under NASENI, on possibilities for partnership in harnessing the potentials of vast mineral deposits in the region.

According to a statement by the Head, Media and Corporate Communications, North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Dr.

Makut Simon Macham, this follows the visit of a team from SOMMEDI led by its Managing Director Prof. Barnabas Ikyo Achakpa to the headquarters of the Commission in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Received by NCDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, Prof. Ikyo explained that they were at the Commission to present a proposal on a partnership that will see the SOMMEDI and NCDC working together develop the solid minerals sector in the region through adequate data generation, enhancement and value addition, training and capacity development, mineral processing and machinery development as well as revenue generation in line with the provisions of the NCDC Establishment Act.

He said the partnership will enable NCDC to fulfill one of its major mandates of generating employment opportunities for the youths through attracting more investment into formal and industrial mining which will help address artisanal mining often associated with some negative challenges.

Responding, MD/CEO NCDC Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil welcomed the visit and said the proposed partnership when fully developed and activated could assist the Commission harness the solid minerals sector as a driver of development to the region and nation at large.

He said the NCDC Act provides for the Commission to draw a 3% revenue from solid minerals companies operating the region which makes it imperative for strategic actions that will help build the sector and attract more investment for economic prosperity.

Dr. Tsenyil said SOMMEDI can help build the SME market in solid minerals within the North Central by developing machinery which helps small scale and large miners to extract, add value and process products.

In separate contributions, Executive Directors Industrial and Commercial Hajiya Aisha Rufai Ibrahim, Corporate Services James Abel Uloko, Finance Prof. Muhammad Bashar Nuhu and Administration and Human Resources Hajiya Bilqis Jumoke Sani agreed that the proposed partnership is promising and should be accorded maximum attention to consummate.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians that there is no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, while unveiling a communication strategy aimed at strengthening public awareness and preparedness against potential public health threats.

The assurance was given on Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the inaugural meeting of the Communication Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats in Abuja.

Idris said although Nigeria remains free of confirmed Ebola cases, recent developments in other African countries underscore the need for vigilance and proactive measures.

“There is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria,” the minister said, urging citizens to remain calm and obtain health information only from verified government sources.

He described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s establishment of the Presidential Task Force as a proactive step designed to strengthen the country’s preparedness through improved coordination, timely response, and effective public communication.

According to the minister, communication will be central to managing any public health emergency, stressing that accurate, timely and science-based information is critical to protecting lives, while misinformation and rumours could weaken public confidence and hinder response efforts.

Idris recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014, attributing the achievement to strong leadership, coordinated action, effective disease surveillance, and sustained public awareness campaigns.

He disclosed that the National Orientation Agency has already commenced nationwide sensitisation campaigns using approved health messages developed in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Reiterating the government’s position, the minister said there was no cause for panic, adding that authorities remain fully prepared and vigilant in monitoring the situation.

He also advised Nigerians to maintain good hygiene practices, promptly report suspected symptoms to health authorities, and rely solely on official information regarding Ebola and other emerging public health threats.

The meeting was attended by members of the Presidential Task Force and key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Orientation Agency, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.