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Akwa Ibom Tasks CBN to New Policies to Facilitate Food Security

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Facilitate Food Security

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Akwa Ibom State Government has tasked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to explore non-conventional approaches to agriculture and create policy direction that would facilitate food security in the country.

The state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, stated this while declaring open a three-day seminar held at the Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo, on Wednesday with the theme Food Security in Nigeria: Options for Policy.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, the governor said a new approach has become imminent in order to stimulate productivity in the all-important agric sector.

“This seminar is, therefore, timely and I am sure that at the end of the exercise, you would come up with policy direction on how to ensure food security for the nation,” he said.

Mr Emmanuel explained that he has used the past six years of his administration to emphasise the need for responsible governments not to avoid or negate that all-important social responsibility.

“Conscious of this reality, one of the first set of tasks I had performed upon being sworn in, was to set up a Technical Committee of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency with the terms of reference that included but not limited to the need to look beyond conventional approaches to agricultural outputs.

“Today, six years after, I can conveniently say without sounding boastful that we are on the cusp of experiencing a considerable level of food security in our state.

“The prices of staple foods have come down considerably because of investments we have made in the agriculture sector,” he disclosed.

In his keynote address, the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said the topic of food security was more critical to the apex bank because, apart from food being a major source of human sustenance, the ability of a country to provide food, accommodation and shelter for the people was a very important indicator for good standing in the global community.

He described food insecurity as a real and pressing challenge in the country, especially with the ongoing insecurity in the major food belts in the country, adding that one of the roles of the CBN, as captured in Section 2 of the CBN Acts of 2007, charges them to pay attention to food.

Mr Emefiele, who was represented by the director, Economic Policy, Mr Kingsley Obiora, said the bank has over the years been engaged in several developmental initiatives and programmes aimed at creating job opportunities and diversifying the economy.

“it is expected that the multiplier effect of these programmes would translate into increased wealth creation, improved food supply, employment generation and ultimately greater food security for the country,” the CBN governor said

He, therefore, urged the participants to come up with fresh and innovative ideas that will not only address monetary and fiscal policies but also provide practical and sustainable financing options for adequate food supply in the country.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Customs Seizes Over $1.1m From Female Passenger At Kano Airport

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Nigeria Customs Service

By Adedapo Adesanya

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted $1,154,900 and SR135,900 undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

NCS spokesman, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, revealing that the seizure was made recently during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Mrs Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.

According to Mr Maiwada, during the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage conducted by NCS Officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm-date fruit packs locally referred to as Dabino.

He stated that the interception aligns with the NCS’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.

“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action,” the statement read.

“Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

“The Service reiterates that all travellers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when travelling in or out of the country. The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. Non-compliance with these regulations constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties. The Service, therefore, urges the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences.

“Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS remains resolute in its enforcement efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other trans-border crimes.

“This latest seizure highlights the Service’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

“The NCS will continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen border security, enhance compliance with financial laws, and safeguard Nigeria’s economy.

“Travellers and stakeholders in the financial sector are advised to remain vigilant and always adhere to lawful financial practices,” he added.

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EFCC Names 58 Ponzi Schemes Nigerians Should Avoid [Full List]

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Ponzi Schemes

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed concerns over the rising rate of Ponzi schemes in Nigeria amid genuine desire by citizens to seeks streams of income to survive the current harsh economic environment.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale, said it has identified about 58 Ponzi scheme operators defrauding Nigerians under the guise of investment opportunities, warning members of the public to be wary of them.

He said these firms have not been registered or authorised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Central Bank of Nigeria9CBN) to operate in the country’s financial markets, making their operations illegal.

According to him, the commission has taken legal action against many of the entities, leading to the conviction of five, while another five have pleaded guilty and are awaiting further judicial processes, with other cases still pending arraignment.

Mr Oyewale urged victims of fraudulent schemes to come forward with complaints and assured them that efforts were ongoing to recover funds where possible.

“We urge the public to verify any investment opportunity with the CBN and SEC before engaging. The EFCC remains committed to safeguarding the public from predatory operators and ensuring a corruption-free economic environment,” he stated.

“In line with its commitment to sanitising the financial space of the nation and providing the investing public with adequate and reliable information, the EFCC hereby alerts Nigerians to the operations of 58 companies posturing as investing entities but defrauding innocent citizens of their hard-earned money,” he stated.

He said some of the flagged companies include Wales Kingdom Capital, Bethseida Group of Companies, AQM Capital Limited, Titan Multibusiness Investment Limited, Brickwall Global Investment Limited, Farmforte Limited & Agro Partnership Tech and Green Eagles Agricbusiness Solution Limited among others.

The firms are Richfield Multiconcepts Limited, Forte Asset Management Limited, (Biss Networks Nigeria Limited, S Mobile Netzone Limited, Pristine Mobile Network), Letsfarm Integrated Services, Bara Finance & Investment Limited, Vicampro Farms Limited, Brooks Network Limited, Gas Station Supply Services Limited, Brass & Books Limited, (Annexation Biz Concept & Maitanbuwal Global Venturescrowdyvest Limited,) and Crowdyvest Limited,

Others are Jadek Agro Connect Limited, Adeeva Capital Limited, Oxford International Group and Oxford Gold Integrated, Skapomah Global Limited, MBA Trading & Capital Investment Limited, TRJ Company Limited, Farm4Me Agriculture Limited, Quintessential Investment Company, Adeprinz Global Enterprises, Rockstar Establishment Limited, SU.Global Investment, Citi Trust Funding PLC, Farm Buddy, Eatrich 369 Farms & Food, Globertrot Farmsponsors Nigeria Limited, Farm Sponsors Limited, Cititrust Credit Limited, Farmfunded Agroservices Limited, Adamakin Investment & Works Limited.

The rest include Cititrust Holding PLC, Green Eagles Agribusiness Solutions Limited, Chinmark Homes & Shelters Limited, Emerald Farms & Consultant Limited, Ovaioza Farm Produce Storage Limited, Farm 360 & Agriculture Company, Requid Technologies Limited, West Agro Agriculture & Food Processing Limited, NISL Ventures Limited & Estate of Laolu Martins, XY Connect Investment Limited, River Branch Unique Investment Limited, Hallmark Capital Limited, CJC Markets Limited, Crowd One Investment, Farmkart Foods Limited, KD Likemind Stakeholders Limited, Holibiz Finance Limited, Ifeanyi Okpe Oil & Gas Services, Servapps Nigeria Limited, Barrick Gold Mining Company and 360 Agric Partners Limited.”

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Our Law Against Noise Pollution, Not Evangelism—Soludo

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Charles Soludo Congratulates Soludo

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Governor of Anambra State, Mr Charles Soludo, has explained that the recent law, which banned noise pollution in the state, was not put in place to frustrate evangelism.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Law Mefor, the Governor emphasised that preachers have nothing to fear if they do not cause noise pollution, especially at markets and other public places in the state.

It was speculated that Mr Soludo came up with the controversial law after his encounter with an itinerant preacher at the popular Onitsha Market recently.

The statement drew the attention of members of the public to the Public Health Law 2006, which prohibits noise pollution and preaching in inappropriate places like markets using loudspeakers.

The Governor advised preachers to conduct their activities in churches or designated areas where people can gather and listen to the word without disrupting others’ activities.

He stressed that noise pollution is punishable under Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State, 2006.

It was noted that as a matter of precedence, a magistrate court in Nnewi made this law actionable against a church in 2019.

The public was advised to disregard any claims suggesting Governor Soludo has banned evangelism or public preaching in Anambra State, urging them to adhere to the Public Health Law and respect other people’s rights to a conducive environment.

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