Connect with us

General News

Nigeria Loses N2.2Trn to Oil Theft – Gov. Aregbesola

Published

on

Crude_Oil.jpg
Kindly share this post

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, governor of Osun state, on Friday said the Nigeria has lost N2.2 trillion (14.6 billion dollars) to oil theft within a year under the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a release by Semiu Okanlawon, director Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Aregbesola was quoted as speaking in Akure after the Walk for Change programme that saw a huge population of residents of the state joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate Prof Yemi Osinbajo to sensitise the people on the need for change of government in Nigeria.

Walk for Change in Nigeria is a civil society organisation, which is interested in sensitising Nigerians for the necessary change in the country.

The governor revealed that Nigeria loses 400, 000 barrels of crude oil to oil theft everyday according to Federal Government statistics.

According to him, 400, 000 barrels at the conservative figure of 100 dollars a barrel translates to 40 million dollars loss to the country on daily basis.

Aregbesola lamented that what the country lost to oil theft in a year is more than the total amount of what all 36 states gets as allocation in four years.

“If 400, 000 barrel of oil is stolen everyday and the President can say so, it is disheartening.

“From July 2013 to July 2014 if we calculate what the nation is losing by 100 dollars, Nigeria loses 40 million dollars daily to oil theft.

“What we lost in just one year to oil theft in a year is more than the total amount of what all the 36 states of the federation get as allocation in four years.

“This is not a way to develop a country. Nigeria is being bled to death by some unscrupulous individuals.

“We shall not remove them through the barrel of gun or by violence. We are going to chase them away with our votes.

“If this amount is spent on education alone, we will have the best of education; if spent on roads, we will have the best of road network system.

“Today, we are neck deep in poverty, underdevelopment and socio-political and economic stagnation.

“No power can surpass or suppress the will of the people whenever they resolve to change what they do not like,” Aregbesola said.

He added that the February general election is for the people to vote for development and growth and a signal to an end to poverty and misery.

He urged the people to quickly go and collect their permanent voter’s card so as to be able to vote for change.

The Vice-presidential candidate and the running mate of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Oluyemi Osinbajo stated that APC when voted into power come February 14, will be the first government in Africa to institute a social security welfare for its citizens.‎

He added that the APC government when sworn-in May 29 will change the Country from poverty status to that which citizens will have abundance and once more be proud of the nation.

Osinbajo also added that the coming of APC will usher in a government of the masses which will focus on youth employment and infrastructural development in all ramifications.

He said, “our government which will also be your government on assumption of office will employ twenty thousand youths in every state of the country and agriculture will be given a major priority.

“Every pupil of primary schools in Nigeria will be fed free every school days in every state, it will also be a government where health care and other sectors will be adequately catered for by government”. The vice presidential hopeful explained.

The walk for Change which took off from the Buhari Campaigns Officr took the huge population of residents who came out through Oba Adesida Road and terminated at the Fiwasaye Junction.

The shouts of Change and SaiBuhari rent the air for the period the walk lasted.

Others who spoke at the rally include the Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly Hon. Najeem Salam and the Convener of the Change Nigeria Initiative Mr. Bola Ilori.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

General News

Customs Ditches Fast Track Scheme for Authorised Economic Operator

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is transitioning to its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, meant to ease trade processes, after over a decade under the Fast Track Scheme.

Customs Ditches Fast Track Scheme for Authorised Economic Operator

The service is racing to meet international best practices under the World Customs Organisation’s (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards, and contained in Sections 108 to 111 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The programme, the Service said, is expected to reward “trusted traders” who meet specified “compliance, financial, and security criteria.”

Approved operators will benefit from “pre-arrival clearance, minimal inspection, expedited release, and possible mutual recognition with other customs administrations.”

“The scheme is also designed to build trust, ensure cargo integrity, and enhance the predictability and transparency of Nigeria’s import-export operations,” the Service said.

The current Fast Track Scheme, implemented by the Service in 2013 under a more limited eligibility model and was upgraded to an online-based model called Fast Track 2.0, introduced in 2023. The scheme will be officially decommissioned on 31 December 2025.

“All beneficiaries currently enrolled in the Fast Track Scheme are mandated to initiate their migration to the AEO Compliance Programme by submitting their applications through the dedicated portal,” Customs said, adding that only companies approved under the AEO Programme will continue to enjoy trade facilitation privileges previously accorded under the Fast Track scheme.

“AEOs may include manufacturers, importers, exporters, brokers, carriers, consolidators, intermediaries, ports, airports, terminal operators, integrated operators, warehouses, distributors and freight forwarders,” The Service wrote in a handbook.

It requires that an applicant for AEO certification must be an Economic Operator in the international supply chain.

It also added that “The applying entity must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), with a registration period of at least 5 years for AEO Security and Safety (AEO-S) and a minimum of 3 years for AEO Customs Simplification (AEO-C).”

The company must hold a valid Tax Clearance Certificate, with a minimum coverage of 5 years for AEO Security and Safety (c) and at least three years for AEO Customs Simplification (AEO-C).

The company must also provide an audited financial report for a minimum of five years for AEO Security and Safety (AEO-S) and at least three years for AEO Customs Simplification (AEO-C).

Relevant operational licences must also be provided alongside other relevant regulatory certifications (ISO certifications, SON, NAFDAC, etc.).

AEO-S applicants must also require ISO 28001–an international standard that defines the requirements of the Supply Chain Security Management System and provides a management model for organisations seeking to implement it.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

NOA Warns of Fake N1000 Notes in Circulation, How to Identify Them

Published

on

Kindly share this post

National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kwara has cautioned the public on fake N1000 notes circulating in the state.

NOA Warns of Fake N1000 Notes in Circulation, How to Identify Them

Alhaji Abdulganiyu Dare, state director of NOA, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ilorin.

Dare emphasised the need for vigilance among residents and business owners in the state.

According to him, there is confirmed intelligence reports of syndicates flooding the area with counterfeit currency with batch numbers 364232 and 898248.

Dare said the counterfeit notes can be identified by their blurred portraits, watermarks, and irregular security features.

He urged the public to be cautious when handling large sums of money.

“The syndicates behind this crime exploit peak commercial hours in major local markets to carry out transactions with counterfeit notes.

“They target unsuspecting POS operators and merchants by defrauding them of their hard-earned money.

“NOA Kwara Directorate is committed to sensitising the public on the dangers of fake currency and the importance of verifying the authenticity of banknotes.

“The agency is working tirelessly to ensure that residents of Kwara are protected from financial scams,” he said.

While describing the crime as unpatriotic and capable of distorting the Nigerian economy, Dare said NOA would work closely with security agencies to bring the culprits to book.

The director advised residents to report any suspicious transactions or individuals to the authorities immediately.

“Together, we can build a safer and more secure financial environment for all residents of Kwara.

“By working together, the NOA and the public can prevent the circulation of fake currency and protect the financial interests of Kwara residents,” he said.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

NCC, IHS Towers Lead Others To NITRA-ALTON CNII & Telecom Sustainability Conference 2025

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Telecom industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other industry operators, including IHS Towers, Digital Realty and 9mobile Nigeria, have joined the line of partners that will chart the way forward as stakeholders gather for the Maiden Edition of the CNII & Telecom Sustainability Conference 2025 being organized as a collaboration between media body, the Nigeria Information Technology Association (NITRA) and Industry advocacy group, the Association of Licenced Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).

Scheduled for August 7, 2025 in Lagos, the event, which is expected to host the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, will also bring stakeholders from Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Peace Corps Nigeria, to discuss the security of infrastructure, stakeholders’ roles, and the practical implementation of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Presidential Order.

Headlining the event, with its theme as “Telecoms Industry Sustainability and the CNII Act – Way Forward”, IHS Towers will throw light on the state of infrastructure in the country, while the Panel Session will discuss the “Role expectations of stakeholders in the implementation of the CNII Act”

Keynote speeches will come from the NCC EVC, Dr. Aminu Maida and the President of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).

The Nigerian Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, 2024, aims to safeguard critical infrastructure like telecommunications networks, financial systems, and power grids by designating them as CNII and outlining measures for their protection. This order, signed in June 2024, is an extension of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 and seeks to reduce disruptions to these vital systems.

Some of the questions stakeholders will give answers to at the Panel Discussion include:

  • How do we ensure that this Order is implemented to the letter?
  • What are the roles of each stakeholder in the industry – Federal, States, Operators, Consumers, and other actors?
  • Are telecom companies keying into the CNII provisions, and how?
  • Are there areas worth looking into once more, or is the Order perfect as it is?
  • What is the role of regulators in ensuring public compliance to the Bill?
  • How do we ensure security?
  • What is the place of collaboration?
  • Publicity: how much of the CNII provisions are the public aware of?
  • How can we sustain the growth and development of telecommunications in Nigeria?

According to the General Secretary of NITRA, Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, this industry collaborative event will afford stakeholders in the public and private sectors the opportunity to sit back together and review how well the CNII Order has thus far been implemented, and to re-strategise, if need be, on the way forward.

“This event is key because it will bring Stakeholders to the CNII plan to a roundtable to re-evaluate the decision, make amends and continue the journey. This has to be a periodic gathering to make the goals of this order achievable,” he said.

ALTON is the official private sector industry body for all providers of telecommunications and subsidiary services in Nigeria.

The Chairman of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and the Chairman of NITRA, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi will be on hand to welcome industry stakeholders.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending