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 Customs Hosts Sensitisation Workshop to Boost Trade Facilitation, Service Delivery   The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully held a sensitisation workshop to enhance trade facilitation and service delivery for licensed Customs Agents and Bonded Terminal Operators in Kano. In a statement signed by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Saidu Nuruddeen, on 10 October 2024, the workshop was part of the ongoing efforts to improve service efficiency and support trade in the region. The event, held at the Abdullahi Dikko Inde Conference Hall, brought together key stakeholders from the customs and trade sectors, fostering collaboration between the NCS, Customs Licensed Agents, and Bonded Terminal Operators. In his opening remarks, Comptroller Dauda Chana, representing the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted the critical role of unity in promoting trade facilitation and combating smuggling.  "The importance of s...

 Recent bandits’ attack on my hometown not personal – Gen Kukasheka A former army spokesman, Brigadier-General Sani Kukasheka, has said he did not view the recent bandits’ attack on his hometown during which he lost a brother as personal. He said it was not the first time such an attack would happen in the area, adding that he had lost other relatives to such attacks in the past. On Sunday night, bandits attacked Kukasheka, the hometown of the former army spokesperson, during which they shot four persons dead and injured five others. Two amongst the injured later died while receiving treatment at the hospital, raising the number of fatalities to six, including the younger brother of the retired general. The wife of the chief imam of the village was kidnapped during the attack. Speaking with Weekend Trust yesterday, the former army spokesman said the attackers came around 10pm on Sunday and opened fire on residents. He said almost all the casualties were family men with many dependa...

 Reps seek establishment of Bola Tinubu University  Another university may be added to the pool of existing ones following the passage for first reading last week by the House of Representatives of a bill to establish the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages. The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and eight others, is aimed at establishing a university for the promotion of the learning of Nigerian languages.

 Anambra Govt Intensifies Efforts On Mental Health Campaign As It Marks `World Mental Health Day’ By Chukwudi Nwauba  The Anambra State Government through the State Ministry of Health has intensified its effort on the Mental Health Campaign as the state joins the rest of the World to commemorate World Mental Day. "So, in observance of the 2024 World Mental Health Day, we are creating awareness campaigns to combat depression and substance abuse of drugs that’s rampant nowadays." The State Commissioner for Health Dr. Afam Obidike announced that initiatives have commenced across all the 179 communities in the state. Dr. Obidike said that World Mental Health day is aimed at raising global awareness about mental health issues. This year’s theme, ``Mental Health at Work,’’ emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive workplace to enhance mental well-being. He said this during a press briefing in his office at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka.  ``The recent menta...

 A Kentucky volunteer firefighter is facing serious arson charges.  Kentucky State Police were called to a report of possible arson on Thursday at approximately 12:50 a.m. The structure in question was a long abandoned home. Due to the fact it had been vacant for so long, there wasn't an apparent reason the structure should have caught fire. When troopers contacted the man who made the 911 call, he had an interesting story to tell... According to the caller he had been contacted by 21-year-old Edward Stephens who is a volunteer fireman at the Montgomery County, KY fire department.  The man went on to tell troopers "Stephens had called him and asked him to call in the fire". Stephens explained to the man that it "would look suspicious if he called it in". Stephens has been responsible for calling in three fires in the last year.  Stephens also asked the man to not reveal his identity if asked and immediately deleted the Facebook message where he has asked the man...

 ‘Final warning’: Defence minister tackles Amaechi for asking Nigerians to protest hardship The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has condemned recent statements made by Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of inciting violence and unrest among the Nigerian populace. Amaechi recently said Nigerians should be protesting against the hardship in the country. Matawalle in a statement released by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, which was obtained by newsmen on Saturday, issued a stern warning to the former Minister of Transport, urging him to desist from making inflammatory remarks that threaten the peace and stability of the nation. Matawalle expressed deep concern over the dangers posed by such rhetoric. “It is both reckless and irresponsible for a former public servant of Amaechi’s standing to incite Nigerians against their own government,” he said. “At a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working tirelessly to address...

 Anambra govt busts syndicate producing fake drinks Anambra State Ministry of health has busted an illegal wine factory which produces all manner of exotic drinks, faking authentic products. The ministry, working in collaboration with a state paramilitary Agency, Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, codenamed OCHA BRIGADE arrested seven persons at Nkpor, near Onitsha, sealing off their premises. It was learnt that the officers of OCHA Brigade raided the fake manufacturing company, which specialized in the mass production of fake wines and other exotic drinks in the State. The fake wine company was said to have over the years produced and distributed several types of fake and unapproved wines in large quantities and distributed for general consumption. A press release by the ministry of health in Anambra State said: “The operation was led by Federal Government Presidential taskforce in collaboration with Anambra State Government against economic sabotage and oil vandalism in the Sta...