Day: March 4, 2025

Fuel Smuggling: CGC Adeniyi Vows Tougher Sanctions as Customs Intercepts 28,300 Litres of PMS …Operation Whirlwind Seizes Fuel Worth N35.8m

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has issued a stern warning to fuel smugglers, declared that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will adopt more stringent measures in its fight against the illegal diversion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The CGC made this declaration on Monday, 3rd March 2025, during a press briefing at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, following the interception of 28,300 litres of PMS valued at N35.8 million along the Lagos-Ogun border by operatives of Operation Whirlwind. According to Adeniyi, the interception represented a strategic move by…

Nigeria Customs set to expand B’Odogwu Platform, promises seamless rollout in Apapa, Tincan Commands

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to expand its modernisation drive with the nationwide rollout of the B’Odogwu platform, following the successful pilot implementation at the Port Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Area Command.   Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi disclosed this during a pre-launch high-level stakeholders’ engagement at the Apapa Area Command on Monday, March 3, 2025. He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to a seamless transition, despite initial challenges encountered during the pilot phase.   “We experienced some hitches during the PTML pilot rollout, but with your…

NOSDRA DG hails Total Energies over Proactive Measures in Oil Facility Protection

Emporium Reporters

Chief Chukwuemeka Woke, Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), has praised Total Energies for its proactive efforts in safeguarding oil facilities through effective surveillance and protection measures.   Woke made this commendation on Tuesday at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, during the inspection of a West African Surveillance Platform (WASP) workshop organized for Total Energies’ personnel.   WASP, an industry cooperative, provides oil spill surveillance services across West and Central Africa, offering support such as oil spill consultancy, equipment hire, and wildlife services.  …

Group seeks Equity and Justice, submits Memorandum for Creation of Hadejia State to National Assembly

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   A group comprising elders, opinion moulders, royal fathers, and legislators on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to fulfill part of the constitutional requirements for the creation of Hadejia State from Jigawa State.   The Chairman of the Movement for the Creation of Hadejia State, Malam Musa Shu’aibu, while presenting the historical perspective of the struggle, stated that the demand was born out of the people’s desire to take their destiny into their hands.   He explained that the conquest of the Hadejia Emirate in 1906…

MURIC Abuja Chapter commiserates with Kutunku Muslim Ummah, offers Ramadan health tips amid scorching heat

Emporium Reporters

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Abuja Chapter has condoled with the Kutunku Muslim Ummah in Gwagwalada, Abuja, following the sudden death of AbdulRasheed Usman, who reportedly slumped and died while breaking his Ramadan fast on Monday, 3rd Ramadan.   MURIC Abuja Chapter, in a statement jointly signed by Ustaz Yunus Salahudeen, Chairman and Lukman Laleye Babalola PRO,expressed deep sorrow over the incident, described it as a painful loss to the Muslim community. He prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and strengthen his family in this…

NITDA, JICA unveil “IgniteHer” Bootcamp to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a strategic move to promote women’s entrepreneurship in Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has launched the “IgniteHer” Entrepreneurship Bootcamp in Abuja. The five-day intensive program is designed to empower women entrepreneurs with essential business skills, digital literacy, and strategic planning tools.   Speaking at the launch, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, represented by the Special Adviser on Strategic Partnerships, Mrs. Iklima Musa, emphasized the critical role of the program in advancing gender equality and…

Nigeria, UK collaborate to strengthen National Cybersecurity Architecture

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bid to fortify Nigeria’s digital space, the United Kingdom and Nigeria have partnered to establish a National Cybersecurity Architecture, aimed at addressing rising cyber threats and enhancing cyber resilience.   The partnership is being facilitated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the UK/Nigeria Inward Cyber Trade Mission. Speaking during a meeting with UK delegates on Monday in Abuja, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, said the collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to economic reforms driven by digital transformation.   Inuwa emphasized that NITDA’s…

Retired Immigration Comptroller General David Parradang murdered in Abuja

Emporium Reporters

Gunmen have killed retired Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), David Shikfu Parradang, in Abuja on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.   Parradang was reportedly abducted in Area 1 after withdrawing cash from a bank before his assailants dispossessed him of the money and later killed him.   The retired immigration chief served the NIS for over 30 years, holding various key positions, including Comptroller General. He was a recipient of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and an alumnus of the National Institute for…

Tinubu appoints Shamsedeen Ogunjimi as New Accountant-General of the Federation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Shamsedeen Ogunjimi as the new Accountant-General of the Federation.   The appointment, announced on Tuesday, will take effect from March 7, 2025, following the retirement of the outgoing AGF, Oluwatoyin Madehin.   Ogunjimi’s emergence followed a competitive and merit-based selection process involving Directors of Accounts in the Federal Civil Service. The selection process included written assessments, ICT proficiency tests, and oral interviews conducted by a special committee.   According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy,…

CDS charges Armed Forces on Joint Logistics Efficiency as DHQ commences Tabletop Exercise

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General CG Musa, has charged the Armed Forces of Nigeria to prioritize efficiency and synergy in logistics operations to enhance joint military operations. He made this call while declaring open the Vertical Integrated Logistics Tabletop Exercise organized by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Department of Logistics in collaboration with the Vertical Integrated Logistics Approach (VILLA) at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai Hall, Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), Asokoro, Abuja.   Represented by Major General UU Bassey, the CDS described the three-day exercise, which runs from March…