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Nigeria Customs to Step Up Efforts to Curb Cross-Border Petrol Smuggling

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has vowed to permanently shut down all illegal cross-border routes used for smuggling petroleum products, particularly Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, out of Nigeria.

This is as it plans to complement efforts by other security agencies including the Nigerian Army, Navy, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in curbing the illicit trade of energy products.

This was disclosed by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind (NCS) Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, who made the announcement revealed that in a recent operation, Customs officials seized 849 kegs of PMS, each containing 25 liters, along with two Mazda 626 vehicles used for cross-border transportation.

Mr Ejibunu, during a press briefing at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos, said the total value of the seized items, based on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited retail price, was estimated at N30.225 million.

According to him, this marked the seventh successful operation in the southwest region under the ongoing crackdown by Operation Whirlwind.

“About five weeks ago, similar PMS products were displayed here at the college parade ground. Our operation has tightened the grip on smugglers, leaving no room for their illegal activities across the country.

“We will ensure all illegal PMS smuggling routes leading to neighbouring countries are permanently blocked,” Mr Ejibunu pledged.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller-General of Customs for their continued support.

He pledged the commitment of the NCS in continuing with the efforts, with the aim of stabilizing fuel prices and preventing artificial shortages caused by illegal smuggling.

“We are grateful to the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller-General of Customs for their continued support,” he added.

Business Post reported recently that the Nigerian Navy halted the cross-border snuggling of 20,000 litres of petrol bound for Cameroon and arrested three suspects.

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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Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede for Africa Financial Summit in Morocco

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The chief executive of Coronation Asset Management, Mr Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede, will speak at the Africa Financial Summit (AFIS) fixed for Monday, December 9 to Tuesday 10, 2024, in Casablanca, Morocco.

Mr Aig-Imoukhuede, who is also the President of the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN), will participate as a distinguished speaker on a strategic panel titled Connecting the Dots Between Investors and Issuers with AI and Fintech, with the session to be moderated by Senior Director at McKinsey and Company, Anass Bensrhir.

He will be joined by the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Nigeria), Mr Emomotimi John Agama; and the Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority in Egypt, Mr Mohamed Farid Saleh.

The panel will delve into critical topics such as cultivating a digital investment culture to attract investors and issuers, scaling digital investment products through traditional banking channels, and fostering strong collaboration between fintech innovators and regulators.

Mr Aig-Imoukhuede will share insights on how Coronation is developing digital infrastructure and frameworks to enable wealth creation at all levels—individual, organisational, and public sector—while influencing economic growth across the continent.

“At Coronation, we believe that wealth creation should be accessible to all, and technology is the key to making this a reality.

“Through AI and fintech, we aim to bridge the gap between investors and issuers, laying the foundation for a thriving financial ecosystem across Africa. The discussions at AFIS will be instrumental in driving this transformation,” he stated.

Mr Aig-Imoukhuede is a seasoned leader in the financial sector, with extensive experience in wealth management, investment strategy, and policy advocacy.

His leadership at Coronation Asset Management highlights his expertise in driving innovative investment strategies, advancing wealth management solutions, and fostering sustainable growth across Nigeria’s financial ecosystem and the broader African market.

Coronation’s participation at AFIS reflects its commitment to redefining financial services through innovation and partnerships.

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How to Stop Recycling of Criminals, Ex-Convicts—Onabulo

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CRAN Recycling of Criminals

By Emmanuel Udom

The president of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), Mr Olalekan Onabulo, has explained how the various justice systems could work to stop the recycling of criminals and ex-convicts in the country.

Speaking in his welcome address at the CRAN Public Lecture/Award ceremony held at Sheba Event Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, Mr Onabulo said that there is no denying the fact that the pursuit of justice and security is a shared responsibility that demands collective efforts and collaborations.

He further explained that since recidivism, which is the recycling of criminals and ex-convicts is a hydra-headed monster, which has become a significant source of concern for security agents in the country.

Security operatives are in most cases ambushed, killed or maimed by criminals earlier arrested, investigated and prosecuted who returned to a life of criminalities after their convictions.

According to the CRAN leader, these criminals are emboldened and unrepentant and may want to take their pounds of flesh from security operatives to carry out their professional duties.

Speaking on Justice System Administration and Security in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions, Mr Onabulo said all hands must be on deck to address the issue as the whole process seems to have failed and must be redeemed by all and sundry.

”The security operatives, the judiciary and indeed all Nigerians must collaborate and work together to create a safer, just, and equitable society for all,” he stated.

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NIWA to Collaborate With Coastal States to Secure Waterways

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has commenced moves to collaborate with coastal states across the country to increase the safety of Nigerians using the waterways to commute.

According to the waterways regulator, this is part of bids to enhance safety on the nation’s waterways.

This was disclosed by Mr Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of NIWA while speaking at a one-day consultative forum on safety and insecurities on inland waterways, organiwed by the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum in Ilorin, Kwara State on Thursday.

He emphasised the critical role that safety and security play in fostering a thriving water transportation system.

The conference, themed Prevalent Safety, Security Hazards and Practices in Inland Waterways: Passenger Transport Safety in Ilorin, Kwara State, sought to address the pressing issues facing the inland waterways sector.

Mr Oyebamiji acknowledged the ongoing efforts by NIWA to improve safety, such as the recent unveiling of the transportation code for public use, and the inauguration of several operational assets including survey boats, gunboats, water ambulances, and a passenger ferry.

He also noted that safety campaigns have been launched across all operational bases, targeting local communities in their native languages.

The NIWA boss highlighted the support from the National Assembly, including the ongoing discussions on establishing coastal guards and the attention safety and security on inland waterways have received from the House Committee on Inland Waterways.

He appealed to the Commissioners for Transportation across relevant states to collaborate with NIWA in areas such as training, safety campaigns, infrastructure development, and financial empowerment.

He also stressed that while the challenges are significant, they are surmountable through collective action, adding that the efforts must be complemented.

The NIWA MD expressed optimism for actionable and implementable outcomes from the forum, which he believes will contribute significantly to ensuring safer and more secure inland waterways in the country.

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