The Police Protest: Our Collective Shame

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July 4, 2018

By Comfort Obi

The photograph which graced the front pages of national dailies on Tuesday, July 3, was a national shame. It is our collective embarrassment.

There they were, hundreds of our Policemen, shabbily dressed, wearing different colours of berets/headgears, brandishing their guns, sticks, clubs and green leaves.

They are of the once feared Mobile Police Force, PMF. Until they were demystified by the Nigerian big man and woman, who reduced them to houseboys, luggage and handbag carriers, they were, at once, both respected and revered. Members of the public compared them to Army personnel. They were so feared they were nick-named “kill and go”. You messed up with them at your own peril. They brooked no nonsense. By their training, they are the NPF’s last line of defence.

But, no thanks to the Police leadership, the Nigerian big man and woman stripped them naked when they began to post them to every money-miss-road as orderlies. Mercifully, that has stopped now.

But, l digress. I was discussing our national shame. And how much Nigeria has failed the police.

According to media reports, the PMF personnel in Maiduguri were protesting the non-payment of their allowances since they were deployed to the state on a special mission.

**Police Mobile Force personnel in Maiduguri protesting non-payment of their allowances.**

To make their point, they stormed the State Command H/Qs as early as 6.30am. When they were unable to enter, they blocked the highway, firing a few gun shots, and screaming their pains.

Aside from the non-payment of their allowances, they complained of lack of accommodation which has reduced them to converting office corridors to their bedroom.

They sleep on bare floors. And there is no point in asking about their bathrooms and toilet facilities. Everything is done in the open very early in the morning.

Reactions since this shameful incident have been coming like claps of thunder.

The FHQ, represented by its spokesman, Ag DCP Jimoh Moshood, confirms the non-payment of their allowances since their deployment. But disagrees with the media over what the men trooped out to do.

Moshood says they were not on any protest; that they were at the Command H/Qs to enquire about the delay in the payment of their allowances.

So questions: Why go by 6.30am when offices were still closed? Why dress shabbily? Why the gun shots, the sticks and the green leaves? In any case, the published photographs tell the story.

But no matter. The important thing is that the men have made their sufferings public. And, suddenly, there are actions.

Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector General of Police took the first action by asking the rugged Commissioner of Police, Borno state, Damian Chukwu, to explain to the men why their allowances are delayed. He followed that up by dispatching the Commissioner of Police, PMF to go to Borno and other North-east states, and explain the delay in the payment of allowances. FHQ put the blame on the delay in approving the 2018 budget proposal.

The Presidency has also weighed in by summoning the IGP to a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osibanjo. And Borno state government has also promised to help. These are fire brigade approaches.

Didn’t the FHQ know before now the predicament of the PMF personnel deployed to Borno and other N-E. states? Did the FHQ just know about the national budget delay? Why did it not occur to anybody to send somebody to explain to the boys before this national shame? And, didn’t the FG know about this? If not, why was it not briefed?

Why do the Police suffer this fate always?

At the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, Cadet ASPs and Inspectors have not been paid their allowances since the inception of the Academy five years ago till now. And it includes those who are graduating later this year.

The most ridiculous reaction so far, came from the PDP. Said the party’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, “Is it not disconcerting that Policemen who daily risk their lives at battle fronts with criminals are denied their allowances for months, left without accommodation, without basic needs and kept forlorn in the face of battle while their Commander- in-Chief enjoy huge offices in Abuja from where they grandstand about their non-existent commitment to security?”

The PDP should shut-up! The fate and welfare of the Police were not better than now during its time. In 2012, under the PDP, over 2000 policemen protested the non-payment of their salaries and allowances in eight Commands. At some point, the police embarked on a strike action.

I have also heard people blaming the Police leadership for the Maiduguri protest. Not quite true. Those who hold the opinion are economical with the truth which is: that successive Nigerian governments have criminally neglected the Police, and treated its personnel with scorn. And that members of the public hold the Police in contempt.

To the public, the Police are no good. Everything about them is bad. Yet, most people cannot do without the Police.

But successive governments have been the worst culprit. Until the Umaru Yar’Adua government, the take- home pay of a police Constable was less than nine thousand Naira. That regime increased it to about 28 thousand Naira. It is better now. Yet, officers and men of the NPF are the worst paid in the West African sub-region.

Their welfare ranks amongst the worst in the world.

Their accommodation is zero. Their barracks are like a pig’s stye. Most have no toilet facilities. Their offices are no better. Their operations are badly funded. When the Police presents its budget, it is cut by half. And even the approved one is never released in full. So, they become beggars.

The Police Commissioners in states go to grovel before state governors for funds to run their Commands including to fuel and repair operational vehicles. Which explains why, except in a couple of states, the CPs are subservient, almost, to the governors. And, we expect them to perform some kind of magic to do their duties.

In the instant case, the FG should be held responsible. It is bewildering that it took this show of shame to draw attention to the deplorable conditions of police personnel, especially those in the North East.

And we should ask: Are there no special funds for the region? Of course there is. So, why is the welfare of the security personnel serving there not a priority? They don’t need to be members of “Operation Lafiya Dole” to deserve special attention. Mere serving in some states is a huge sacrifice, and deserve special attention.

I have heard a few whispers that the “Maiduguri boys” should be punished for misconduct, indiscipline and mutiny.

Perish the thought. On no condition should anybody think of punishing any of them.

Instead, they deserve our pity and commendation for their patience and patriotism in the midst of such deprivations.

No more, no less.

Email: [email protected]

Ikeme Opens Cancer Centre

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 4, 2018

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Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, on Tuesday made the first public appearance after he was diagnosed with leukaemia last year.

He was seen at Solihull, England, where he went to open a new chemotherapy unit at Solihull Hospital.

Ikeme, 32, who, in June revealed he is in remission, isn’t yet ready to speak publicly about his illness. But he was all smiles as he joined Black Sabbath rock legend, Tony Iommi, to open the cancer care unit, reports Express & Star.

Ikeme was there as a form of thank-you to his friend and former consultant, Manos Nikolousis, who first diagnosed him with leukaemia last year.

The Super Eagles number one goalkeeper received treatment at sister hospital, Heartlands, before being cared for at a clinic in Manchester.

Otedola Tanker Fire: Senate Probes NNPC, FRSC

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 4, 2018

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The Senate has called on the Nigeria Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion of a tanker laden with premium motor spirit (petrol) in Lagos last Thursday.

The Senate also plans to meet with the FRSC and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to seek amendment of extant laws needed to check accidents involving articulated vehicles.

This was based on a motion at the plenary on Wednesday by Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos-East), in conjunction with senators Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos-Central) and Solomon Adeola (Lagos-West).

A tanker carrying 33,000 litres of petrol had crashed, emptied its content and exploded on the Otedola Bridge end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway last Thursday, with 12 confirmed deaths and 54 vehicles burnt.

Granting prayers of the motion, the lawmakers resolved to “urge the FRSC, the Nigeria Police and all relevant security agencies to cooperate with Lagos State and other states in ensuring that drivers of articulated vehicles comply with all federal and state traffic safety laws.

“We urge the Nigeria Police to work in conjunction with the FRSC to carry out a thorough investigation of the circumstances leading to the accident that led to the fuel tanker fire, with the view to prosecuting anyone found culpable in this preventable fire incident.

“The relevant committees of the Senate should invite the FRSC and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation with a view to finding a legislative solution towards ensuring that, before trucks are loaded, mandatory safety checks are put in place to ascertain the condition of the tankers and the road worthiness of the vehicles.”

Mahrez Set For Manchester City Move

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 4, 2018

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Riyad Mahrez is set to secure a move to English champions Manchester City from Leicester for a reported fee of £60m ($79m) seven months after the Foxes turned down an offer from City, according to British media reports on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Algerian international – whose performances in Leicester’s astonishing title win in 2016 earned him the players player of the year award – is according to Sky Sports News due to undergo a medical at City later this week.

Mahrez — who signed from French side Le Havre for just £400,000 in 2014 — sat out two matches following Leicester’s demanding £80million for him after declining a £50million offer plus young winger Patrick Roberts, who is valued at £15million, from City during the January transfer window.

However, both Press Association Sport and Sky Sports report that with Leicester having signed highly-rated James Maddison from second-tier Norwich City for £24m and with a month to go to the falling of the transfer window curtain they are now willing to sell him.

Leicester have allowed him extra time off since Mahrez — who has made 179 appearances for Leicester, scoring 48 times — went off on international duty for his country in June.

Mahrez along with striker Jamie Vardy and French midfielder N’GoloKante became unlikely household names during the title winning season as Italian manager Claudio Ranieri engineered one of the greatest sporting surprises of all time.

Mahrez scored 17 goals in that campaign, and then having signed a four year contract played a major role in the club reaching the Champions League quarter finals in 2016/17 as he contributed four goals.

Serie A side AS Roma subsequently came after him last summer but were left frustrated as several offers with the highest reportedly £32m fell well short of Leicester’s expectations.

In another development, Internazionale have completed the signing of Kwadwo Asamoah on a free transfer from Juventus.

A statement published on the Serie A website on Monday confirmed that the versatile wideman officially signed for Inter on May 17, with the domestic heavyweights confirming the deal on their website.

The 29-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with Luciano Spalletti’s side.

Asamoah confirmed in May that he would not be renewing his contract with Juventus, despite a new offer being on the table, after representing the Old Lady for six years.

Since moving to Turin in 2012, he won six Serie A titles with the Italian giants, as well as four Italian Cups. His contract officially ended on June 30.

His time with Juventus was ravaged by injuries, although he still managed to make 156 outings for the club.

Inter also confirmed a deal to bring Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij to the club on a free transfer from Lazio. The international defender has signed a five-year deal with the Nerazzurri.

“It’s been a tough decision to make, because for six years, Juventus has been my life, and everyone here has been my family,” Asamoah told KweséESPN after revealing his decision to seek a change of scene.

“Leaving Juventus is like leaving a family for good but I needed to do this for my family.

“I am leaving with a lot of great memories from the trophies I have won at the club, to some of the greatest players I have worked with on a daily basis,” he added.

“Juventus just didn’t change my career and make me a better player, it made me a better man too.”

Shehu Sani Set To Quit APC

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 4, 2018

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By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Shehu Sani has revealed plans to further aggravate the defection tsunami set to hit the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone told the media yesterday that some aggrieved members of the APC are set to dump the party.

He told reporters in Abuja, on Tuesday, that the new APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole assumed office at a time it had become too late to reconcile them with the party.

Sani said, “I wish Adams has come earlier because like I said these grenades that were laid by the former chairman will explode in a matter of days.”

According to him, party leaders including President Muhammadu Buhari have proved incapable of handling the crisis.

The Senator explained that the ward, local government and state congresses in Kaduna were flawed and that complaints he and other party members lodged were ignored by the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee.

He noted that to further compound am already bad situation, the immediate past party leadership went ahead to inaugurate the executive committee’s which emerged from the flawed congresses.

Sani said, “It is also very clear to us that even President Muhammadu Buhari is incapable of tackling the menace of the governor of Kaduna state.

“How can a governor, openly called for violence against Senators and not a statement came from the seat of power cautioning such a governor?

“How can a governor move bulldozers and demolish a house of a fellow party member, the one who helped him to be where he is and there is not even a statement from the presidency?

“The governor uses the machinery of the state to emasculate political opponents. He even framed me for murder and there was no statement that came from the presidency to caution such a governor.

“Virtually Kaduna state under governor El-Rufai does not create conducive environment for any of us to remain in that party (APC).”

The Senator also said, “There were three attempts to resolve the Kaduna APC crisis; there was Inuwa Abdulkadir committee which was never respected by the governor, there was the governor Masari- led committee which was also not respected and there as you can see, Tinubu’s attempt to reconcile members of the party was simply naturalized and abandoned. So we are not slaves to continue to be in that party.

In the coming days, Senator Sani may officially announce his exit from the APC fold.

Why Buhari Is Deceiving Igbos;His Plots Against the South east

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Chidiebere Onyemaizu

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July 4, 2018

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By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

Rattled by the scanty crowd at the South east APC mega rally for President Muhammadu Buhari held in Owerri, the Imo state capital Tuesday, July 2018, the party is now exploring other means to make the South east embrace it with the view of capturing Igbo votes for the 2019 presidential election.

Impeccable sources told The Source that eggheads in the APC are now convinced that the dummy the party is selling to the region to the effect that voting Buhari in 2019 will translate into the emergence of a president of Igbo extraction in 2023 is not enough to convince the people of that region to throw their weight behind the President. It was gathered that prominent South east APC chieftains driving the project are actually aware that the party is selling the zone a dummy as Buhari has settled for Governor Nasir el-Rufia of Kaduna state as successor in 2023.

Many of them, including the Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha, it was learnt, have been told pointblank that the APC presidential ticket for 2019 is beyond the reach of south east hence those of them shouting themselves hoarse about Buhari and APC’s love for the Igbo and how he intends to install an Igbo president in 2023 are actually scheming for the vice presidential slot for that year’s presidential election.

A former governor of Abia state who is a perennial defector having changed parties more than five times since the dawn of democracy in 1999, the magazine gathered,was specifically mandated by Buhari to ensure that the South east was captured by the APC in 2019.As a way of achieving this task, the former governor who has been doing everything humanely possible to be in the president’s good books is hooked on the mantra of 2023 Igbo presidency to be facilitated by Buhari which he hoped will soften the heart of Igbos towards the president.

Meanwhile, in addition to the promise of an Igbo president in 2023, other promises, including building a sea port in the Azumini axis in Abia state, creating an additional state in the zone among others will soon be made to the South east by the APC and Buhari.

2019: Obasanjo’s Rising Profile in the South-west Unnerves Presidency

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Uche Mbah

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July 4, 2018

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By Uche Mbah

Former president Obasanjo has in recent times been making inroads into the south west geopolitical zone in his bid to unseat the incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2019. His coalition has been working behind the scene in his bid to bring over thirty political parties together in a mega force. It is understood by many that various platforms are being utilized for the coalition to come to agreements over the political relevance of each group.

Surprisingly, the former president is prepared to bend over backwards, even to lick his vomit in his bid to actualize his ambition. This magazine gathered that, as a doctor of theology, he is bringing his influence to bear on many religious leaders to sensitize their congregations on the need to tackle the issue of Fulani herdsmen and their rampaging. Only recently, he was given an employment in the Nigerian Open University, NOUN, as a Facilitator, being the first PhD graduate of the school. He has been given an office in Abeokuta outreach of the school.

Obasanjo recently met with the Afenifere, who has been known to be serious antagonists of the federal government. The meeting was held at the residence of the Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo. Those who accompanied him to the meeting were Chief Abraham Akanle, Mr. Joju Fadairo, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, Dr. Gbolade Oshinowo, Kenny Martins, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, and his media aide, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi. Also present at the meeting were Mrs. Awolowo Dosumu, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Dr. Amos Akingba, Mr. Supo Shonibare, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Professor Akin Mabogunje, Professor Banji Akintoye, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, former governor of Ogun State governor and Director-General, Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, among others.

The presence of Gbenga Daniel underlies one of the issues under discussion. It was gathered that during the closed door meeting, members of the socio cultural group impressed on Obasanjo the need to reconsider his antagonism with his former vice president, Atiku Abubakar. They were said to have pointed out to him that the primary goal is to unseat Buhari, and that Atiku should be given a chance to contest the primaries with others. They pointed out to him that he had his misunderstanding with Buhari yet he, Obasanjo, supported him. After the meeting, for the first time, he visited his erstwhile estranged godson, Bode George, to commiserate with him on the dead of his son a long time ago. After the meeting, George was said to have referred to Obasanjo as his boss, and that it was the devil that came between them. He now met with Atiku and had a closed door meeting with him, after which Atiku came out with a boosted confidence.

Al these activities are being keenly watched by the presidency and the ruling party, APC. It is believed that Obasanjo, whose non-forgiving nature is allegedly only can be equated to that of the Fulani, may still find a way to stop Atiku on the trumped up ground that he is corrupt. Pointers are that he is more inclined to favoring Rabiu Kwankwaso, an educated Northern Irredentist, for the presidency. Kwankwaso himself had recently been consulting with Atiku on the presidency.

The Multi party coalition, however, have their own ideas. They are looking towards the middle belt for salvation. They are scheduled to hold a meeting in Makurdi to finalize the modalities of the coalition and mergers. They also are wooing the nPDP, who, all things being equal will pull out from APC this week, if they can resolve to which platform to will end up. Not all want to return to PDP. The Chief of staff of the senate president, Bukola Saraki, has recently crossed over from APC to PDP, preparing the way for his principal.

If Obasanjo pulls the stunt he is contemplating, it will enormously weaken the south west support base of Buhari, and so weaken the chances of him being returned.

The appointment of Adams Oshiomhole as the party chairman was expected to boost their chances. He was expected to repeat what he did in winning Edo, by whatever means. But his harping on the imminent jail of Obasanjo may well be counterproductive.

Maradona Set To Return As Argentine Coach

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 4, 2018

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Former Argentina Coach and 1986 wold cup winning Argentine captain, Diego Maradona wants to return to the position of Argentina coach and is willing to work for free, as Jorge Sampaoli faces pressure to resign following their World Cup travails.

Speaking on his “Hand of God” television show, the 57-year-old Maradona, who coached Argentina for two years from 2008-10, said it was painful to see the current state of the national team.

I would return to leading the national team and I would do it for free, I wouldn’t ask for anything in return,” Maradona said on his programme, which runs on Venezuelan channel Telesur.

Sampaoli is resisting intense pressure to resign following Argentina’s 4-3 defeat to France on Saturday during a World Cup campaign that was fraught with tension and disputes.

The coach is believed to have lost the support of his players with some claims attributing team selection and tactics to captain and star Lionel Messi.

Sampaoli, though, has another four years to run on his contract, meaning the Argentine Football Association would have to pay a reported $15 million (12.9 million euros) to sack him.

“Hopefully God will give me the strength to return to the bench,” said Maradona, whose own World Cup coaching campaign in 2010 ended in an ignominious 4-0 thumping by Germany in the quarter-finals in South Africa.

“I’m 57, watching my country, which was beaten by a team that isn’t one of the best in the world — it really hursts to see everything that we’ve built destroyed so easily.”

Maradona was a genius as a player, leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and again to the final four years later.

But his coaching career has been far less glamorous despite his stint in charge of the national team, in which he presided over a record-equalling 6-1 defeat to Bolivia.

His last two jobs were in the United Arab Emirates, most recently failing to guide Fujairah to promotion from the Emirati second division last season.

President Macron Thrilled At Afrikan Shrine

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 4, 2018

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Femi Kuti, Afrobeat musician and son of music legend Fela Kuti, thrilled French President Emmanuel Macron and guests alongside dancehall singer Yemi Alade at the New Afrika Shrine on Tuesday.

Both of them were among entertainers and industry experts gathered at the Shrine to celebrate Fela’s legacy during the visit of the French President.

Macron, who visited the shrine to inaugurate the African Cultural season to be hosted in France in 2020, is believed to be the first real President to enter the shrine.

The event, hosted by Banky W and Kenturah King, was tagged ‘Celebration of African Culture’ and witnessed massive turnout of entertainers across the music industry and Nollywood.

Macron was welcomed by the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and was given a tour of the cultural landmark, shortly before he was seen gleefully dancing as Femi Kuti performed.

The New Afrika Shrine serves as the host of the annual Felabration music festival and is currently managed by Fela’s children Femi Kuti and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti.

It is the replacement of the old Afrika Shrine created in 1970 by Fela Kuti until it was burnt down in 1977 and showcases photo galleries of Fela’s life and musical performances.

Performing a medley of her hit songs, Yemi Alade stepped on stage with a crew of energetic dancers to perform live, which elicited the applause of guests, including Macron.

This was followed by a short skit improvisation by Nollywood stars including Joke Silva, Dakore Akande, Rita Dominic and Ramsey Nuoah, where Macron played the role of a film director alongside Kunle Afolayan.

Macron earlier stated that he was not a stranger to the club, adding that he recognised the Shrine as an important place for lovers of African culture.

Customs:Not Business As Usual

By

Steve Ubana

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July 3, 2018

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By Stephen Ubanna

When President Muhammadu Buhari, appointed Hameed Ali, a retired Colonel and Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Services, NCS, with a mandate to improve on the revenue collection of the Service and reform and restructure Customs nobody gave him opportunity to succeed.

This is because of people’s perception of him as a non career officer who find it difficult to penetrate the ranks of the officers and men of the Service to know what they are doing at the seaports , airports and land border stations. They got it wrong. Ali was said to quickly blended with the officers in the last three years that he could speak the Customs language: Revenue generation and anti-smuggling.

In spite of the initial challenges faced within the period of his appointment Ali according to Customs sources remain focused.. Wale Adeniyi, the then Customs Public Relation officer, now a Comptroller and his 2/ic, Joseph Attah, now a Deputy Comptroller and Head of the Unit were said to have played major role to stabilise him in office and accessible to the public. There was the initial fears that the Service yearly revenue generation would drop because of the loopholes at the seaports, airport and the land border areas.

Aware that he cannot afford to fail the fail the President to sustain the tempo of Customs revenue generation he had set his eyes at the seaports and land border stations to force the officers to cue into his policy of eliminating fraud in the clearing process. This is He had vowed to ”prosecute Corrupt officers, Importers and clearing agents involved in shady deals”.

He may have sent signals to the officers and men of the Service that the” era of cutting corners and denting the image of the Service has ended”, forcing many to go underground. The tough talking Ali may have created the impression that he is a hard nut to crack from the onset. His hard-line position may have informed the officers that they needed to sit up and ” do things right” to avoid falling into his trap.

As a prelude to improved revenue generation of the Service he has automated Customs operations from the seaports, airport to the land border station. The automation was said to have covered the transfer of Containers from the seaports to the terminals which was a major source of fraud in the past.

His actions may have sustained the revenue record set by his predecessor in office. Last year, the Customs paid into the Federation Account about N1.3 tn. That much was confirmed by Attah, the Customs Spokesman. The high revenue generation may have forced the government to set a revenue target of N1.5tn for Customs this year. Ali has assured the President that the Customs would still deliver as expected. His optimism is informed by the quarterly revenue generation of the Commands which is very impressive. Take for instance, Tin can Island Command which generated N76.78 billion as against N61.9 billion in the first quarter of 2017.

The gains in Customs revenue generation, according to Attah was also reflected in the area of anti-smuggling. Aware that the Comptrollers at the land border areas could not fight the battle against the vehicle or foreign parboiled rice smugglers alone, Ali was said to called on the Comptrollers of federal Operations Unit and the then Headquarters Compliance team to support in them in driving the smugglers out of business. The Customs image maker disclosed that” once the Comptroller General know that an officer know what he is doing he gives him an opportunity to do so’.’ It is not surprising why he gave Muhammed , Comptroller of FOU, Zone A opportunity to excel.

Ali’s major worry was that more than 90 percent of the vehicles imported through Republic of Benin are normally on transit to Nigeria market. he Magazine learnt that over 10 000 vehicles imported to neighboring countries, particular Republic of Benin, were trapped at Seme and other land border stations with the enforcement of the government fiscal policy measures banning the importation of vehicles, processed vegetable oil and foreign parboiled rice through the land border.

With the support of the Comptroller General, to Muhammed Comptroller, FOU, Zone A, and his counterparts at Seme, Ogun and Oyo/Osun Commands the have found the need to go after the smugglers in their areas of jurisdiction without compromise. The arrow head of the Command operations and Lagos Roving team, Riks Lura, a Chief Superintendent of Customs and his team members are on the road 24 hours daily and have not stopped making seizures of exotic vehicles and parboiled rice. The performance of the FOU, Zone A. may have appealed to Ali that he was said to have giving both written and verbal appreciation to the Command Customs Comptroller and his officers .

Given the volume of seizures made by the Command both vehicles , foreign par boiled rice, vegetable oil and second hand clothing, Ali, the Comptroller General had visited the Customs Training School, Ikeja, last year to see things himself. He was surprised at the exotic vehicles parked at the open field awaiting clearance by the owners .

Critics had argued that there was no basis keeping the seized items to waste in the Customs warehouse when Customs could make good revenue for the government by issuing Demand Notice, DN, to the owners. But the Customs claimed that that it has being DN to importers who deserve it and those who have paid it have been allowed to take delivery of their vehicles. The importers who are said to be having problem taking delivery of their vehicles detained at FOU, Zone A. Ikeja are It was learnt that those who were able to produce their Customs papers had recovered their vehicles while those who could not still have their vehicles detained at the Command..

But the seized vegetable oil, foreign parboiled rice and second hand clothing at the Customs warehouses and other warehouses across the country on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari were said to have been taken to Internally Displaced, Peoples, IDP, Camps in Adamawa, Borno , Yobe and Edo states. This is evident by the volume of vegetable oil, Foreign parboiled rice and second hand clothing that were carried from the Customs warehouse, Ikeja alone between January and May this year.

It is not surprising why the Customs Spokesman could beast his chest that the ”new Customs under Ali is focused and will not give in to any distraction”. Appealing to media Practioners not to allow themselves to be used by disgruntled elements within and outside the Service to pursue their personal agenda”.