Customs Arrests 26 Smugglers Over N322m Worth of Contraband Goods

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded 98 seizures of contraband goods valued at N322 million in September 2014. The command also arrested 26 smugglers in connection with the illegal imports.

The Customs Area Controller of the unit, Dimka Victor David, who made the disclosure in Benin said the seizures were made in the South East and South South geo-political zones of the country.

  

According to him, “89 exotic vehicles were impounded, in addition to a trailer load of 1,620 cartons of vegetable oil cleverly concealed with empty jerry cans to deceive the officers/men of Customs while  the driver was arrested on the Benin-Ore Road and detained.”

Giving the breakdown of the seizures, Dimka said the unit was ready to halt the activities of smugglers.
“Our men on the Owerri axis seized a container load of 112 bales of textile materials, 40ft container comprising garments and assorted types of furniture, which the suspects cunningly arranged in a manner to deceive men of the Nigeria Customs Service. He stated that four trucks containing 1,932 (50kg) bags of rice was impounded on the Benin axis while eight bags of Indian hemp weighing 399.5kg was found in a luxury bus in Udi LGA on the Onitsha/Enugu Road, neatly concealed with passengers’ luggage, leading to the detention of the driver and the items for further investigation,” he added.

The FOU Zone ‘C’ Area Controller who expressed dismay at the rate of smuggling in the country despite consistent arrests of the culprits, said NCS has acquired modern communication gadgets to track down smugglers wherever they operate, adding that the existing synergy between the establishment and other sister agencies such as the NDLEA, police, army and the SSS has added impetus to the onslaught against smuggling in the country.

He advised members of the public to always contact the help desk of any Customs formation to ascertain the genuineness of the Customs clearance documents of the vehicles they want to buy to avoid unpalatable consequences.

“We have our men all over the place and they have been trained in the modern techniques of anti-smuggling and with the state-of-the-art gadgets we now have, it has become much more difficult for smugglers to operate without being detected,” he added.

He extolled the Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko Inde, for his consistent support as it has strengthened the operation of the officers/men of the service.

Ponmile Adebayo Launches Her Debut Album Today

Up and coming gospel musician, Ponmile Funso Adebayo believes that in the nearest future, her music will impact on the lives of people positively. Ponmile, a make-up artiste, says her music talks about the love and faithfulness of God upon her life. She says she is set to launch her debut album, entitled: Wonders, at Samak Halls & Events Plot 12, Ikosi Road, opposite Daystar Christian Centre, Oregun Ikeja Lagos.
In a chat with The Entertainer, Ponmile speaks on her views about gospel music in Nigeria, how she combines her music with her make-up business among others.

 

Biography 

My name is Ponmile Funso Adebayo and I am the leader of gospel group called, The 12 Wonders Band, a gospel music band. As a child, I have always been in the choir with Celestial Church of Christ, Odo Ona Apata. I composed my first song when I was five years. When I was seven years, I performed my song at an in-house party on  Christmas day. I later joined Faith Agbala Itura branch and later became a soloist and a backup singer  for about three years.

I am a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State and when I was still in school, I was a member of a band as the lead vocalist. Presently, I am the Choir Director for the Yoruba Church at Daystar Christian Centre, Ikeja, Lagos State.

How would you describe your music?

I will describe my kind of music as Naija Hip-hop fused with gospel songs. Although, we also sing various genre of music such as AfroJuju, Reggae etc.

Gospel music in Nigeria

Well, gospel music in Nigeria needs to still improve because we need to look at it how we can profit from the gift of God in terms of soul winning. I believe as a servant of God, you are sent to a particular people and as gospel artistes, you need to know whom you are sent to minister to through your songs. Gospel musicians need to do good music so that they don’t just become local artistes alone but artistes of international reputation.

My debut album

It is a nine-track album with three bonus tracks entitled Wonder. Wonder is all about praising God who answers by fire. I composed it years ago when I had a challenge and I prayed to God and He answered my prayers. The way and manner that He did it was a wonder to me and that is why, I titled my album, Wonder.

Other tracks in the album include Nigeria and it is a song everyone should have on their phones and listen to. This year has been challenging in the country such as the insecurity and the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) but in all we still give thanks to God for seeing us through these challenges. Another track is Spiritual Something, because it is a song about the spirit of David. If you are familiar with the story of David, he did so many things but God still called him a man after his own heart because he knew how to get God in a place of unrepentant worship and praise. Dancing your heart out, dancing is a spiritual something .so worship of God in the place of dance is a big thing. We also have ‘your praise’ which is a song that reminisces on the love of God. His arms are always wide to open wide to accept you as long as you are ready to come to him.

What are the messages in your song? 

Basically it’s the love and faithfulness of God for me as a person, for Nigeria as a country and for anyone who buys the album.

Who are your target audience?

The Youths.

Don’t you think you are deviating from the normal music style of gospel music?

No. Your message is what makes your music gospel and gospel is good news. I don’t sing secular music and I wont.

How do you combine being a Gospel artiste and make-up artist?

I see my self as a businesswoman. By God’s grace, I also work with the Deputy Governor of Lagos in the area of empowering women and youths in Lagos. As Christians, our calling involves impacting on the lives of people.

After your album launch what’s the next thing?

Well I have not discussed with the band but I hope to have concerts and tours in United Kingdom next year with the remaining five songs we have kept aside.

How do you intend to break free with all other gospel artiste around?

I am not in competition with anybody. I believe when God gives you a vision, He also gives you the provision, location and the right people to help you do what you can do best.

In the next five years where do you intend to see yourself?

I see myself as an International Gospel Artiste winning souls for Christ and impacting the lives of Nigerian youths both here and in the Diaspora. I would want the youths to say, I bless God for the life of this lady for what she has helped me through her music. So in the next five years, I want to see myself as an international and national figure in the Nigerian music industry.

I Have What It Takes to Govern Delta State - Tony Obuh

He is relatively unknown in Delta politics but people who knew Mr. Tony Obuh have described him as a workaholic and an achiever who has served various governments meritoriously since the creation of Delta State. But today, Obuh, who people believe cannot hurt a fly has come out boldly to tell whoever cares to listen that he has all it takes to govern Delta State and turn its fortune around with his magic wand.

The aspirant, who has since quit his plum job as a super Permanent Secretary in the state civil service expresses confidence that he will be the next governor of the state under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In an interaction with Daily Sun in Warri, the Ika-born bureaucrat says big names does not matter anymore in today’s politics, insisting that the only ingredient required to win elections is one’s acceptability by the electorate.

Excerpts:

Why do you want to govern Delta State?

Well, I want to add value to the welfare of the people of the state. I mean, to groom the already developed Delta State that ranks among the best states in the federation.

Do you have the required experience to become a governor?

I will not fail to tell you that I am more experienced now than most of the people aspiring to be governor. The fact is that I am part of the philosophy that believes in Delta beyond oil programme. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in his wisdom and by the super knowledgeable person he is, decided to come out with that philosophy of Delta Beyond Oil programme. If you really view it, you will agree with me that we don’t have to rely on oil alone; infact, we have to diversity and that is exactly what Governor Uduaghan is doing right now. This Delta Beyond Oil philosophy is to also enhance the rapid growth and development of our dear state.

It is no more secret that I have intimidating antecedents that can really catapult me to the Government House in 2015. There are people who respect my views both in government and outside government circle.

What are your chances of clinching your party’s ticket among other big names that are contesting for same?

In fact, I have the greatest respect for them but let me quickly add that in the present day politics, big names no longer count. You are respected and can be victorious with the quality of person you are. Gone are the days when big names are strong factors in the political diadem; however I don’t believe that anybody is more superior to me in this race.

Those people who think that I am still a green horn are making mistakes. The fact that I have not been coming out on the pages of newspapers does not mean that I don’t have contacts. I don’t have to be a newspaper tiger before I can win election. There are a lot of people who know my worth and I believe they will always support me at any time.

Five People Contract Ebola Every Hour in Sierra Leonne

Five people are being infected with Ebola every hour in Sierra Leone and demand for treatment beds is far outstripping supply, the Save the Children charity warned on Thursday.

If the current "terrifying" rate of infection continues, 10 people every hour will be infected with the deadly virus in the West African country by the end of October, the London-based organisation warned.

 

"The scale of the Ebola epidemic is devastating and growing every day, with five people infected every hour in Sierra Leone last week," Save the Children chief executive Justin Forsyth said in a statement.

"We need a coordinated international response that ensures treatment centres are built and staffed immediately."

Nigerian President Notes Victories Over Islamic Extremists and Ebola on Independence Day

Celebrating recent victories over Ebola and Islamic extremists, President Goodluck Jonathan marked Nigeria's 54 years of independence from Britain on Wednesday.

Jonathan congratulated his government on successfully curtailing the Ebola crisis blamed for the deaths of eight people in Nigeria.

"This is how it should be: swift, effective and comprehensive action in defense of citizens," he said in a television broadcast to the nation.

But Jonathan's government has been criticized for not protecting citizens against an Islamic uprising that caught world attention when the insurgents kidnapped more than 270 schoolgirls in April. Dozens escaped but none of the 219 missing have been rescued.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said Tuesday that Nigeria appears to have contained the Ebola epidemic that has killed more than 3,000 people, most in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

No new cases have been reported in weeks in Nigeria, where the disease was carried by a Liberian-American diplomat who left a hospital in Monrovia, where he had exhibited Ebola symptoms, and flew to Nigeria. He infected 20 people in Lagos, Africa's largest city of 21 million people, and the oil capital of Port Harcourt.

Nigerian health workers tracked 894 people who had made contact with the diplomat and made some 18,500 face-to-face visits to monitor for Ebola symptoms, according to the CDC.

Jonathan urged vigilance on Nigerians, as officials continue to monitor arrivals at airports, ports and border posts.

He said his mood remains somber as he remembers all the souls lost to a 5-year-old Islamic uprising and its "crises of nationhood occasioned by the activities of terrorist elements who have done the unimaginable to challenge our unity as a people."

He made no mention of the missing schoolgirls, or his government's failure to rescue them.
Instead, Jonathan praised soldiers for "inflicting devastating blows at the heart of terror" in the uprising centered in the northeast though suicide and car bombs have killed hundreds of people in northern cities and the central capital, Abuja.

The Ministry of Defense and witnesses have reported that punishing bombing raids and ground attacks have repelled the insurgents and stopped them just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the northeast city of Maiduguri, the birthplace of the Boko Haram extremists and headquarters of the military campaign.

But 12 soldiers were sentenced to death last month for mutiny, and dozens are to face a court-martial this month for alleged cowardice and refusing to act on orders to advance.

Jonathan is expected to run again in Feb. 14 presidential elections that promise to be the most competitive since decades of military dictatorship ended in 1999.

In campaign mode, Jonathan boasted of advances in agriculture that have reduced the nation's food import bill from $6.9 billion in 2009 to $4.35 billion.

He also touted his privatization of the power sector though that has yet to end chronic blackouts that boost costs for industries reliant on diesel-powered generators.

Jonathan looks a strong candidate despite a coalition opposition that now has more legislators than the governing party.