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By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Acting Comptroller-General (CG), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi, says the service has exceeded the revenue target for the months of July and August.

Adeniyi, who spoke while presenting the scorecard for his 100 days in office on Thursday in Abuja, said that the NCS generated N307 billion in July and N343 billion in August

“One of our early achievements has been a remarkable boost in monthly revenue collection.

“We have witnessed a substantial increase, with an average monthly collection of 202 billion in the first half of the year that concluded in June, surging to an impressive 343 billion in August.

“This outstanding growth amounts to a remarkable 70.13 per cent increase in revenue collection.

“I am delighted to announce that we have consistently exceeded the monthly target collection, marking a remarkable departure from previous performances,” he said.

He said that the ongoing revenue recovery review activities hadl contributed an additional eight billion Naira during the period.

“This underlines our commitment to revenue generation. Subject to unforeseen circumstances, our aim is to sustain and even expand this momentum until the end of the year.

“This commitment is driven by our resolve to minimise the deviation from the target, especially in light of the substantial shortfalls recorded during the first half of the year,” Adeniyi said.

He said that the NCS had recorded appreciable results in its ongoing battle against smuggling

“We have successfully intercepted various contraband items, including arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, substandard pharmaceuticals and other prohibited goods that pose grave risks to our citizens.

“These seizures accompanied by the apprehension of 62 suspects undergoing legal procedures, underscore our commitment to tackling smuggling and safeguarding our communities.

“ Notably, a significant surge in impactful seizures, especially involving arms, ammunition, and drugs, has occurred in the past two months, reinforcing our resolve to combat these illegal activities,” he said.

He said that NCS had forged stronger alliances and fostered an environment of trust and cooperation among stakeholders in the public and private sectors., as well as international partners.

The acting CG said that NCS was at the verge of introducing multiple cutting-edge solutions to support the enforcement strategies, starting with the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that seeks to put vehicle smugglers out of business for good.

“As we reflect on the achievements of the first 100 days in office and the journey we have embarked upon, it is essential to look ahead with a clear vision for the future.

“The next phase builds upon the foundation we have laid, and it is characterised by unwavering dedication to our policy thrust of consolidation, collaboration, and innovative solutions.

“ Looking forward, we envision a service that is not only the most efficient and service-driven government organ but also a pivotal driver of national economic growth and border security.

“ There are also challenges we face but we are working hard to overcome it and get a better result,” he said.

According to him, the NCS plays a pivotal role in facilitating international trade and economic growth and equally serves as a bridge connecting the nation to the global marketplace.

He expressed commitment to aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda on economic growth and development.

NAN

Governors and stakeholders of South East Nigeria have met in Owerri where they resolved to put up plans and policies to drive the region forward.

They made the resolution at a South East Summit on Economy and Security convoked by the South East Governors’ Forum and Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.

The Protea Hotel, Owerri was venue of the event which drew the five South East Governors and had the theme: “South East Beyond 2023: Time For A Reset.”

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo who expressed the unwavering, unalloyed commitment of the state to the South East Agenda, revealed that the state has started to demonstrate this through the policies and programmes of the state government.

While pointing out the need for a 100-year development plan for the region, Governor Soludo also emphasized the need to drum up homeland consciousness and seek for the right partnerships from the rest of the country and the the international community to implement the plan.

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on his part, noted that there was a time in the region when cohesion and vision were potential drivers of progress, wondering why such is no longer the case, saying that it is only when ndị Igbo reinvent their unique republican and entrepreneurial spirit, driven by the private sector that the region will begin to reclaim its pride of place.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah and the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi-Obila, opined that the past leaders did well because of their commitment to their visions, adding that the development of the region is a collective obligation.

In a Keynote speech, the Director General, World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela who joined virtually agreed that ndị Igbo have been fragmented for a while, advocating for rebuilding the sense of common purpose and cohesion and asked government to increase the IGR, tone down borrowing and get the people to invest in the homestead.

Dr. Okonjo-Iwela suggested that a South East Investment Forum be convened to examine what is blocking investments in the region, take advantage of the Ìgbo diaspora, concentrate on digitally delivered services trade, build a digital backbone, and attract foreign investors while adding that the youth are to ready work but are in search of a truly dedicated leadership.

For the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Emmanuel Iwunayanwu and the Chairman of the South East Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, they are determined to engender programmes that will promote the region, asking the region to set its own overarching agenda and reset the Ìgbo agelong values of truth, compassionate living, patience, restraint, modesty, vigour, natural support, among others.

Earlier, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the Summit, Senator Chris Anyanwu said that the region which was known for industry and innovation is facing insecurity and other challenges which the Governors are making efforts to tackle while the Chairman of the Occasion, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim called for a re-engineering of the entrepreneurial system in the region, saying that the perpetual sit-at-home exercises have adversely affected the region in all facets.

By Flowerbud News

Sept 28, 2023

My attention has been drawn to a mischievous story by the Cable Newspaper claiming that I made approvals of over N11 billion after taking my pre-retirement leave. Nothing can be further from the truth. The entire story was sensationally written with mischief that took the ordinary events of my work out of context with the intent to tarnish my image.

First and foremost, I want to categorically state that after my exit as FIRS Executive Chairman, I made no such approvals as claimed in the report.

Fundamentally: It is important to note that no payment was made by the Service after the announcement of my pre-retirement leave as claimed by this story. An approval for payment in the Service is one step of a journey to payment. It is the custom that when a new Executive Chairman resumes office, he would review, validate and make final authorisation before any payments can be made.

It is important to note for the record that all decisions reached and extant liabilities/ commitments of the Service during my stay in office are contained in the handover notes I made available to my successor, Mr. Zacch Adedeji. He is fully briefed on everything. For clarity the items listed in the Cable Newspaper Report were part of the N16 billion outstanding commitments contained in our handover note.

The N5 billion paid to Joint Tax Board was paid to fund the activities of Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms two months before I left office. It was paid after we received a letter to that effect from the office of Mr. President signed by Zacch Adedeji himself.

The report maliciously attempts to portray a picture that I hurriedly left the country on September 16th after these so called “suspicious approvals” were made. Again, nothing can be further from the truth. If I traveled out of the country on the 16th of September, how then did I attend the handover ceremony with Mr. Zacch on the afternoon of Monday 18th September 2023? That handover ceremony was covered by the media, and can be cross-checked.

It is disappointing to see the Cable, a revered online newspaper attempt to sensationalise events that took place in the ordinary course of my work in office, making them seem as if they were done in bad faith.

I want to categorically state that every decision I made within the time of my stay in office was within the ambit of the law and within the lawful powers I exercised then as Executive Chairman.

I inherited only N1.4 billion in the purse of the FIRS when I assumed office. I left N129 billion in the purse of the Service when I left.

Muhammad Nami

Two final year students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state were killed in a fatal accident in Osun state.

The driver of the 18-seater bus which caught fire at Ojutu area of Ilobu, Irepodun local government area of Osun state was also killed in the accident which occurred on Wednesday evening.

Eye witnesses in the area disclosed that the Mazda bus burst into flame on speed and the three victims were burnt to death on the spot while five others sustained various burnt injuries.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Osun Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corp, Agnes Ogungbemi said the incident was due to speed limit violation and loss of control.

She added that some of the injured victims were taken to Uniosun Teaching Hospital in Osogbo while others have been taken to a private hospital in the town.

She added that the three mobile phones recovered at the scene were handed over to the police.

The Sector Commander, Henry Benamaisia urged motorists to drive carefully on public highways to avoid unnecessary death.

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, on Thursday advised the Federal Government to come up with an effective living wage system in the country.

Tajudeen gave the advice in his remark at the 63rd Independence Anniversary Symposium with the theme,” Actualising the Vision of Renewed Hope for Socio- Economic Development through Effective Leadership.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the symposium held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

The speaker said that the war against corruption would not succeed unless government address the issue of living wage in the country.

“One thing that I have to emphasise concerning all that have been said is an aspect, an area that previous administrations have not taken serious.

“And that is the issue of living wage and the fight against corruption. The discussants have spoken maybe slightly on that issue and that issue is the issue of coming up with a living wage which is the foundation of a corrupt free society.

“If a worker is paid well, he is paid enough to be able to afford his basic needs it will help to eliminate corruption in a significant way because he doesn’t need to steal before he feed his family.

“He doesn’t need to steal to be able to pay his rent. He doesn’t have to steal to take his children school. Today in the Nigerian project, this is what is completely absent particularly when we look at the socioeconomic realities.”

He said that considering the hyperinflation in the country vis-a-vis the level of living wage, it would be difficult for workers to work in a transparent and effective manner.

“I don’t see how any Nigerian can be ale to work in the transparent and effective manner. So, I am going to call on this administration to please look into this issue.

“Let us for the very first time sit-down and look at means and ways of coming up with an effective living wage system.

“A wage that each and every Nigerian irrespective of position has enough to eat, have enough to pay rent, have enough to pay for transportation to office.

“Unless we solve that problem the issue of the fight against corruption will continue to be just a mirage.”

The speaker gave the assurance that the 10th National Assembly would continue to discharge its constitutional role through partnership with other arms of government for the benefit of Nigerians.

Tajudeen said the 63rd independence anniversary was an opportunity for the country to reflect on its past mistakes and proffer solutions for a better future.

NAN

By Stellamaris Ashinze

Google on Thursday called for applications for the Hustle Academy SMB Fund, a N75 million equity-free fund dedicated to the Nigerian Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs).

Head, Brand and Reputation, Sub Saharan Africa, Google, Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde,  said in a statement  that the initiative would offer N5,000,000 to 15 Nigerian small business owners.

Aderemi-Makinde said that this initiative cemented Google’s unwavering commitment to cultivating entrepreneurial growth in Nigeria.

She said that SMBs formed the backbone of Nigeria’s economy but consistently grapple with challenges, notably the perennial obstacle of securing vital funding.

Aderemi-Makinde said that according to the World Bank, African SMBs faced a staggering finance gap of $330 billion.

She said that additionally, only 25 per cent of SMBs in Africa had access to bank loans, a percentage that sharply contrasted the 50 per cent observed in developed economies.

‘’Hustle Academy Fund is a testament to the resilience and innovation of Nigerian small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.

‘’We are hopeful that this fund will further empower them to succeed and drive economic growth, creating jobs and opportunities for all Nigerians,’’ she said.

According to her, Google’s Hustle Academy, introduced in 2022, provides SMEs with business and management education, mentoring, and networking, with a particular emphasis on preparing them to package their businesses.

Aderemi-Makinde said that it was in order to raise the necessary capital to take their businesses to the next level.

She said that since its inception, the programme had graduated over 4,000 SMBs in Nigeria, with a notable 74 per cent  from the first-year reporting marked business growth.

According to her, the fund earmarks a N75 million pool exclusively for Nigeria to support 15 investor-ready SMBs through non-dilutive funding.

She said that this commitment was further enriched with tailored mentorship, ensuring these businesses were primed for success.

Also speaking, Product Marketing Manager and the Hustle Academy Programme Lead at Google, Sinmisola Nojimu-Yusuf, said that the Hustle Academy Fund provided SMBs with the resources and support they needed to succeed.

Nojimu-Yusuf said: ”Wth equity-free funding, mentorship, and opportunities for increased visibility and networking, we are supporting SMBs to grow and thrive.”

She said that Google  was committed to supporting the Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the fund was a key part of that commitment.

According  to her, to be eligible for the Hustle Academy SMB Fund, businesses must be Nigerian-founded, operating within Nigeria for 1-5 years, and have a clear and scalable business plan.

She said that SMBs  should have a track record of commitment to growth, operate in sectors aligned with the digital economy or have a digital enablement strategy.

According to her,  previous participation in the Hustle Academy programme is an added advantage.

Nojimu-Yusuf  said that applications for the fund would open on Tuesday and close on October 12th.

She said that detailed insights into the fund and application procedures are on ‘google/hustleacademyfund’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Google’s mission is to organise the world’s information, make it universally accessible and useful.

NAN