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Customs Extends Overtime Cargo Automation To 120 Days

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Customs Extends Overtime Cargo Automation To 120 Days

From L-R, Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Muhammed Babadede, the CGC of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Isah Umar, and senior   officer at the sensitisation programme of Automation Overtime Cargos held in Lagos on Monday.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Bashir Adeniyi, says the Service has automated the clearance process for overtime cargoes and extended the window to 120 days to facilitate trade.

Adeniyi disclosed this yesterday, at a one-day sensitisation programme on the Automation of Overtime Cargo Clearance System for stakeholders.

According to him, the extension will also improve the ease of doing business across the nation’s ports.

The stakeholders include consignees, brokers, terminal operators, and customs officers in Zone ‘A’, Lagos.

He explained that the automation would help resolve delays often caused by abandoned consignments and reduce the volume of letters seeking clearance extensions, which make up nearly 50 per cent of correspondence to his office daily.

“We have created a help desk at the headquarters to prioritise clearance of project cargoes belonging to government agencies.

“Importation is critical to Nigeria’s economic development, and our goal is not just to generate revenue but to ensure goods reach their owners quickly and efficiently,” he said.

Adeniyi added that less than one per cent of cargoes arriving at Nigerian ports in 2024 were classified as overtime and expressed optimism that the new system would reduce this to zero.

He also assured stakeholders of continuous sensitisation sessions to ensure smooth adoption of the process.

The Comptroller-General urged terminal operators, shipping companies, and clearing agents to provide feedback for further improvement.

He noted that some consignments were deliberately abandoned while others faced delays due to network challenges.

“The Overtime Cargo Automation programme is fully developed and ready for deployment.

“This sensitisation is to ensure all stakeholders, terminal operators, shipping companies, and agents, understand the system and work together for success,” Adeniyi said.

In his remarks, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Isah Umar, said that the e-clearance system would simplify procedures, enhance transparency, reduce human interference, and strengthen data integrity for imports and exports.

He explained that the system would also provide automatic records of cargo disposal and harmonise documentation through the use of the Single Goods Declaration (SGD).

Chief Superintendent of Customs, Mr Aliyu Abdulkadir, highlighted that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, overtime cargoes are subject to disposal after 120 days, while perishable and inflammable items may be disposed of immediately through e-auction or other approved means to prevent accidents.

Similarly, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mr Ibrahim Muhammed, walked participants through the ICT processes of the new system.

He said cargoes are classified as overtime after 30 days, with clearance escalated step-by-step from the Area Controller to the zonal level, and to headquarters if unresolved within the stipulated period.

He stressed that the system provides a transparent, efficient, and accountable framework for managing overtime consignments.

Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General Muhammed Babadede, described NCS as the most digitalised Customs administration in West and Central Africa and commended the Comptroller-General for driving reforms through automation.

The sensitisation session featured interactive discussions, with stakeholders, including shipping companies, terminal operators, importers, exporters, and clearing agents, seeking clarifications on the new process.

Customs management assured them that continuous engagement would be sustained for effective implementation.

Tinubu Cuts Short Vacation, Returns To Nigeria, Tuesday

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Tinubu Cuts Short Vacation, Returns To Nigeria, Tuesday

President Bola Tinubu has decided to cut short his two-week work vacation and is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

This was disclosed via a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga titled: “President Tinubu ends vacation ahead of schedule, returns to Abuja tomorrow (today).

The statement read: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has concluded his work vacation ahead of schedule and will return to Abuja on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to resume official duties.

“The President departed for France on September 4, 2025, to spend part of his annual holiday and was initially scheduled to divide the period between France and the United Kingdom

“Last week in Paris, President Tinubu held a private luncheon with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, at the Élysée Palace. Both leaders reviewed key areas of cooperation between Nigeria and France and agreed to deepen the partnership for mutual prosperity and global stability.”

World Athletics Championships: Amusan Wins Silver In Tokyo

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World Athletics Championships: Amusan Wins Silver In Tokyo

Nigeria’s sensational 100 meters hurdles champion, Toby Amusan, on Monday delivered a splendid performance when she ran 12.29 seconds to clinch silver medal at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

The event monitored in Lagos is her first medal following a disappointing three years spell at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and 2023 World Athletics in Budapest.

Amusan’s top-notch performance is also the first medal the Nigerian contingent would be winning at the ongoing championships, which began September 13 and ends September 21.

For Amusan, the silver medal is both a moment of pride and reflection as she remains firmly among the world’s elite and continues to write history for Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Itaji Kambundji of Switzerland won the women’s 100 meters Hurdles champion, winning a stacked race in a National Record of 12.24s.

She edged Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, who finished 2nd in 12.29s and Grace Stark of US, who took the bronze medal in 12.34s.

Masai Russell of the US was in fourth position with 12.44, Pia Skrzyszowska of Poland and Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas, both clocked 12.49 season’s bests to share fifth.

Jamaica’s Danielle Williams finished seventh in 12.53, while Nadine Visser of the Netherlands placed eighth in 12.56.

Restructuring: Omehia Pushes For Provinces, Judicial Independence

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Restructuring: Omehia Pushes For Provinces, Judicial Independence

A former Governor of Rivers, Mr Celestine Omehia, has called for urgent restructuring of Nigeria with a new governance model based on geopolitical or zonal provinces.

Omehia made the call in an interview with in Abuja, while speaking on his new book entitled “Restructuring Nigeria: The Way Forward”.

He said the model, which would replace the existing geopolitical zones, was the centrepiece of the book.

According to him, it would enhance administration, economic power, and recognition compared to the former regional system.

Each province, he explained, would be made up of existing states, which would collectively select a provincial headquarters.

“I mentioned in the book the issue of geopolitical arrangement, different from what we had as regional arrangement.

“That the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria should be named and recognized as provinces, not region.

“For instance, we can name the South-South geopolitical zone as South-South province A or whatever province name that will be given to it, and the states that are already existing in these provinces still remain.

“All of the states in the South-South will be the members of the province. These states will locate where their headquarters will be,’’ he said.

Omehia also proposed abolishing the House of Representatives at the national level, while each province would have “Provincial Legislative Houses”.

The Senate, he said, should be retained.

“Now, the houses of assembly of each of the states will make laws for the states, as it were. The states, members of the province, will now have a provincial legislative house.

“The provincial legislative houses will be made of the number of legislators they think will come from each of the states. It may be maybe 20 each.

“There will be an election to elect these members from these states going into the provincial centre as legislative houses.

“If the members of the House of representatives are qualified and interested in going for national recognition, they will go for the senate.

“Now, at this level, we have a senate only at the national level, and the Senators will be elected from the province, not the states, again,’’ he said.

He said the arrangement would ensure equal representation at the Senate and reduce the cost of elections and governance.

“That way, we now reduce the number of legislative representations at the centre. If it is reduced, economically, it is beneficial to the federal government and to the states.

“In fact, the election into this present national assembly is expensive and would be reduced if we take them from provinces,’’ he said.

Omehia said his book also emphasised constitutional amendments to guarantee separation of powers and the independence of the three arms of government.

He recalled the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, by a former president as an example of executive interference in the judiciary.

He said such interference would not have been possible if the constitution had provided for equal and independent powers among the arms of government.

“In the book, I suggested that the judiciary should be 100 per cent responsible for the appointment and recognition of the CJN, not by the executive, and not by the legislature.

“They don’t have anything to do with them because they are separate and independent of each other.

“If NJC is empowered to operate on their own, they will be able to nominate or come up with a formula of nominating who becomes their head,’’ he said.

Omehia added that the judiciary, as a separate arm of government, should be able to produce and swear in its own head through a constitutional process.

Strong Family Structures Vital To Security – First Lady

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Strong Family Structures Vital To Security – First Lady

Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasised that family stability plays a critical role in national security and the moral development of young Nigerians.

Speaking at the opening of Exercise HASKE BIYU 2025 in Jaji, Kaduna State, on Monday, Mrs Tinubu warned that the erosion of family values was contributing to rising insecurity across the country.

The First lady was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima.

The exercise, themed “Family and Security,“ was organised by the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Nigeria.

“A stable home provides an environment where families thrive, economies grow, and the nation’s future can be secured,” she said.

She noted that broken homes and absentee parenting were fueling negative trends such as violence, drug abuse, cultism, prostitution, and extremist ideologies.

“The family unit is no longer what it used to be.

“Many parents, while struggling to survive, neglect their responsibilities, leaving children vulnerable to destructive influences,” she added.

The First Lady urged religious, traditional, and community leaders to reinforce positive values and faith-based teachings in guiding young Nigerians.

Highlighting federal efforts, she noted that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had supported more than 15 million vulnerable households through conditional cash transfers of N25,000, paid in three tranches.

“Through the Renewed Hope Initiative, we will continue to complement government efforts to improve the lives of families,” she said, pledging continued support for social welfare and family empowerment.

Also speaking at the event, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, represented by Deputy Governor Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe, hailed the Armed Forces College for spotlighting the connection between family structure and national stability.

“When the family foundation is weakened, the structures of society inevitably begin to falter,” he noted.

Air Vice Marshal Idris Alhaji, a senior officer at the College, explained that the 2025 edition of Exercise HASKE BIYU was expanded into a whole-of-nation platform.

He said the initiative aimed to promote institutional collaboration and national resilience as key strategies for achieving lasting peace and security.

He noted that the College, established 50 years ago, had trained leaders from more than 40 countries and fostered synergy among Nigeria’s military and security institutions.

“The theme recognises the centrality of the family in our lives, values, and moral compass.

“Sustainable security goes beyond the armed forces, it requires societal acceptance and shared responsibility,” Alhaji said.

Anambra Governorship: Elder Statesman Cautions Politicians Against Mudslinging, Blackmail

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Anambra Governorship: Elder Statesman Cautions Politicians Against Mudslinging, Blackmail

Chief Joemartin Uzodike, a former Anambra Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, has cautioned politicians against mudslinging and integrity attacks, ahead of Nov. 8 governorship election.

Uzodike said in a statement entitled, “Anambra Election: Enough of the Absurd” made available to journalists in Awka on Monday that campaign of calumny and character assassination is unacceptable.

The elder statesman said that he had observed a worrisome and steady degeneration of the quality of conversation in the name of campaign and decided to speak up as an elder should not be in the house while a she goat gives birth in tethers.

“Anambra had not witnessed the level of accusations of certificates forgery, marital infidelity, paternity and fidelity challenges, chastity oaths, DNA disputes and the mental exhumation of the dead with accompanying ‘uncouth, inflammatory and asinine language as is the case recently.

“In my 72 years of existence and more than 46 years of active involvement in politics, I have not seen the display of the absurd in electioneering as has been the case in Anambra presently.

“Anambra has never had a time when the privacy and dignity of families of our politicians are hung on the lines and sun-dried in the marketplace.

“This is especially troubling as our state faces challenges of insecurity, decreasing food production, loss of homesteads to erosion and yearning for better welfare of citizens.

“I vehemently condemn this ugly trend and call on all political gladiators to stop vitriolic attacks and to rein-in their media handlers, many of whom have proven to be unprofessional, unethical, and unable to manage their principals.,’’ he said.

Continuing: “This call for restraint has become necessary because the negative image being created is rubbing off on every Anambra son and daughter anywhere in the world.

“The legacy we bequeath to our children today will turn to our culture tomorrow, this is not who we are,” he said.

Uzodike said that zoning should be discarded in Anambra as it not only bred mediocrity and undermined people’s freedom to choose quality leaders, adding that the state was more sophisticated and deserved the best irrespective of where they came from.

He said that zoning was responsible for diversity of state resources to be concentrated in whatever zone on the seat, instead of working for the people across the zones of the state.

“Zoning was introduced by Mr Peter Obi and was accepted by many it has not only led to complacency but has engendered negative competition among brothers of the same zone.

“Candidates should stop campaigning on zoning and instead be judged on what they have done and what they intend to do.

“The conversation must be rich and enlightening so that the electorate can choose, that is the beauty of democracy.

“Anambra should forget zoning and elect the best to preside over us, not those who merely think it is their turn,” he said.

We Now Have Approval To Establish Court Of Appeal – Gov. Abiodun

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We Now Have Approval To Establish Court Of Appeal – Gov. Abiodun
Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun says the state has received approval to establish a branch of the Court of Appeal in Abeokuta.
Abiodun disclosed this on Monday at the special church service ushering in the 2025/2026 legal year, held at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive environment, facilitating, and strengthening judicial processes to ensure equitable and efficient justice delivery in the state.
“This auspicious occasion presents me with the opportunity to proudly announce that we have finally received the formal approval of the establishment of the Ogun state division of the Federal Court of Appeal.
“As we continue to respect court orders and judgements, we will also continue to support the judiciary in ensuring equitable dispensation and efficient administration of justice in Ogun state.
“In furtherance of this commitment, and apart from providing the needed ambience, we have continued to facilitate and strengthen judicial process in the state,” he said.
He assured that the people of the state would continue to enjoy the dividends of justice as part of the effectiveness of the present administration.
The governor urged the judiciary to ensure that justice was never delayed, denied, or compromised.
Earlier, the Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu stated that over 85 per cent of appeal cases were held in Ibadan, saying the approval of the state division of the court of appeal was a dream come true.
According to Dipeolu the development will benefit the state and help decongest the Ibadan division of the court of appeal.
“When I became the Chief Judge one of the things that I prayed to God to happen before I leave office is the establishment of the court of appeal in Ogun state.
“When the governor came in, it was one of the things I suggested to him, that we should try and work as a government to make sure that we get approved and he promised.
“We finally have the approval; he’s willing and ready to start the construction of the court building,” she said.
In his sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Ijebu-Southwest Diocese, Rt. Rev. Babatunde Ogunbanwo, described the judiciary as the most powerful arm of government.
Ogunbanwo, taking his sermon from Micah 6 vs 8, advised them to always be humble, act in fairness and stand for the truth.

NAPTIP, ICMPD Intensify Efforts To Prevent Human Trafficking

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NAPTIP, ICMPD Intensify Efforts To Prevent Human Trafficking

Mrs Rhoda Dia-Johnson, Project Manager, School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP), said STEAP is working in five states to prevent further human trafficking in the states.

Dia-Johnson told Newsmen on Monday in Benin that the project was funded by the Netherlands Government and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

The project manager said they were working in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to prevent human trafficking among school-aged children.

She stated that ICMPD was working collaboratively in Ogun, Benue, Delta, Enugu and Edo states.

Dia-Johnson pointed out that school-based intervention targets the whole school community and added that students, parents, teachers and the host communities were all included.

The project manager disclosed that ICMPD through STEAP was intervening in 250 selected schools across the five pilot states, adding that 50 schools were selected in each state.

She explained that the benefiting schools were selected from public, private and faith-based schools.

Dia-Johnson further said that to achieve the set goals, the project has started inaugurating School Anti-Trafficking Vanguards for peer-to-peer education on the prevention of human trafficking.

She said STEAP was an integrated approach to human trafficking prevention, working with all relevant stakeholders in the education sector to prevent trafficking among the school-age children.

“This awareness is targeting everyone. We believe the parents can also discuss trafficking issues in their meetings, where they talk about the warning signs, how to identify victims, and where to report suspected cases, among other things.

“These are the information we are giving parents, and we are also working with some civil society organisations to provide communities awareness activities in all the 250 schools,” she said.

Dia-Johnson said ICMPD believes that it was cheaper to prevent human trafficking than to combat and rehabilitate the survivors.

The project manager emphasised they were currently carrying out research on emerging trends in human trafficking to identify their new methods of operation.

“The security challenges in Benue and Enugu states have affected our work progress. Like in Benue, some of the schools we selected early last year for the project are having security issues.

“So we have to change some of these schools and also strategise again with our interventions.

“We are doing one in IDP camps, trying to create awareness because from the report we are receiving, there are a lot of trafficking activities happening in the camps because they are already vulnerable.

“Some of them have a lot of children living with them in the camps. People keep coming to collect the kids, pretending to be relieving them, while in the real sense they are trafficking them,” she said.

NiMet Predicts 3-Day Thunderstorms, Rainfall Nationwide

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NiMet Predicts 3-Day Thunderstorms, Rainfall Nationwide

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted three days thunderstorms and rainfall across the country from Monday to Wednesday.
In Rivers State, the rainfall, which started on Sunday, continued into Monday.

NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Sunday in Abuja, predicted isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains on Monday morning over Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba states.

In the afternoon and evening, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected across the northern region. Flash floods are likely in Adamawa, Taraba, and Gombe states.

For the central region, a cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is expected on Monday morning, with moderate rains over Niger, Kogi, Kwara, the FCT, and Benue.

Thunderstorms with moderate rains are forecast over most parts of the central region later in the day.

NiMet predicted cloudy skies over the southern region on Monday morning with moderate rains expected in Ekiti, Ondo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.

Moderate rains are anticipated over most parts of the southern region later in the day.

On Tuesday, the northern region will experience cloudy skies with sunshine intervals. Isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over Borno, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba, and Adamawa.

Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are forecast over Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Taraba states.

For the central region, cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are expected Tuesday morning, with moderate rains over Kogi, Niger, the FCT, Kwara, and Nasarawa states.

Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected later in the day over Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, and the FCT.

Cloudy skies with chances of moderate rains are expected over the southern region Tuesday morning in Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Delta states.

Later in the day, light to moderate rains are forecast across most parts of the region.

On Wednesday, cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are expected over the northern region, with slim chances of thunderstorms and light rain in Sokoto and Zamfara.

In the afternoon and evening, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto states.

For the central region, cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are expected Wednesday morning, with light rains likely in the FCT, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger states.

Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected in Benue, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states.

Cloudy skies are expected across the southern region on Wednesday morning, with moderate rains likely later in the day.

NiMet advised motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall. Farmers were urged to avoid applying fertiliser or pesticides immediately before rainfall to prevent nutrient leaching.

The agency also advised residents to fasten loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances, and avoid tall trees to reduce risks during storms.

Airline operators were urged to obtain airport-specific weather reports for effective operational planning.

Residents were encouraged to follow weather updates via NiMet’s website: www.nimet.gov.ng

 

 

 

FG Begins Process Of Appointment Of Five Permanent Secretaries

Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) has begun the process of appointing five Permanent Secretaries, following the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
The positions include two vacancies created by the recent retirement of Permanent Secretaries from Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and three zonal vacancies for North-Central, North-East and South-East, arising from the creation of new ministries.
Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, HCSF, in a statement issued by Mrs Eno Olotu, the Director, Information and Public Relations, said that the process was designed to ensure transparency, credibility and merit in line with government’s commitment to good governance.
According to her, only qualified officers on Grade Level 17 who have spent at least two years on the grade and cleared by their Permanent Secretaries as not facing disciplinary action are eligible.
She said the exercise began with compilation and screening of eligible officers by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries, monitored by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Candidates also completed asset declaration forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau, while clearances from EFCC, ICPC, and DSS are ongoing.
Walson-Jack said the written examination, the next stage of the process, will hold on Sept. 15 at a federal government facility, while successful candidates will proceed to an ICT proficiency test on Sept. 17.
She added that the final stage, an oral interview, will hold on September 19 and will be conducted by a panel of serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, former Heads of Service, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission and representatives of the private sector.
She said:”anti-corruption agencies will also observe the process.
”The final recommendations will be submitted to the President for approval”.
According to the HOS, the exercise underscores government’s commitment to professionalism, institutional capacity, and improved service delivery in the civil service.

FG’s N250b Credit Support For Farmers, NASFAT Reacts To Loan Disbursements

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FG’s N250b Credit Support For Farmers, NASFAT Reacts To Loan Disbursements

The Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT) has appealed to the Federal Government to put into consideration the feelings and religious dictates of people of faith in its continued efforts to financially empower Nigerians.

Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, Chief Missioner, NASFAT, made the appeal in a statement on Monday.

Onike’s appeal was against the backdrop of a statement by Vice President Kashim Shettima, directing the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) on the disbursement of a-₦250 billion credit support for smallholder farmers at a single-digit interest rate.

The Vice President had directed the PFSCU to come up with an implementation roadmap for the disbursement of the funds during the sixth meeting of the PFSCU Steering Committee, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, it was necessary to avoid further delays and ensure that the target beneficiaries of the initiative were reached.

However, reacting to the development, Onike said that both Islam and Christianity strongly disapprove of interest-based loans.

The Chief Missioner listed the negative consequences of interest to include exploitation, inequality, unjust wealth distribution, an unsustainable economy, deterrence to production, and the undermining of social harmony.

He therefore enjoined the relevant government agencies to promptly convene a stakeholder forum where religious leaders could offer ethically sound advice.

The cleric also commended the Tinubu-led administration for its efforts to alleviate the suffering of the citizenry.

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