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• September 4, 2025
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Nigeria Customs Service begins excise register system automation

The Nigerian Customs Service has announced the commencement of excise registry automation. The spokesperson of NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. This comes after the service successfully concluded the pilot phase of its Automated Excise Register System (ERS). It stated that the Excise Register System (ERS) has officially gone live at
Nigeria Customs Service begins excise register system automation

The Nigerian Customs Service has announced the commencement of excise registry automation.

The spokesperson of NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

This comes after the service successfully concluded the pilot phase of its Automated Excise Register System (ERS).

It stated that the Excise Register System (ERS) has officially gone live at three key excise facilities across the country, namely, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) PLC in Oyo State, International Tobacco Company (ITC) Limited in Kwara State, and Leaf Tobacco & Commodities Nigeria Ltd in Kaduna State.

NCS said the factories were deliberately chosen as pilot sites in recognition of their strategic importance to Nigeria’s excise sector and their capacity to provide a strong foundation for the nationwide rollout.

“The pilot phase, which was conducted between July and August 2025, served as a proving ground for the new digital platform. Notable achievements from the pilot phase included the attainment of a 75 per cent efficiency score during UAT at BATN, the successful integration of production and reporting systems across the factories, and strengthened collaboration between NCS and factory management teams.

“With the commencement of live operations, all excise-related transactions at the three factories will now be managed exclusively through the ERS. This includes recording production figures, computing excise duties, and generating statutory reports. The adoption of the platform is expected to drastically reduce reliance on manual documentation, eliminate inconsistencies in data reporting, and enhance transparency across the excise value chain. Ultimately, this transition is a crucial step towards building a more accountable and technology-driven excise administration framework.

“Consequently, the insights and lessons drawn from the pilot phase will provide a solid blueprint for the system’s nationwide rollout. It is also pertinent to note that the ERS stands as a central pillar of the Nigeria Customs Service’s broader Trade Modernisation Project. In its next phases, the ERS will be extended to cover other excise-regulated industries, including beverages, spirits, and additional segments of the manufacturing sector.

“The NCS, therefore, calls on industry operators and stakeholders to embrace this noble reform and provide constructive feedback as the system is expanded nationwide. The Service also seeks stakeholders’ support in building a more robust and transparent excise regime that fosters compliance, enhances operational efficiency, and guarantees sustainable revenue growth for the Federal Government.”

Nigeria Customs Service begins excise register system automation

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• September 4, 2025
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Non-appointment of ambassadors: Tinubu owes Nigerians explanation – Akinyemi

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, has slammed president Bola Tinubu for not appointing ambassadors after two years into his administration. Akinyemi, who said the situation is unusual, stressed that the president owes Nigerians an explanation. The ex-minister said this on Thursday, while responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television.
Non-appointment of ambassadors: Tinubu owes Nigerians explanation – Akinyemi

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, has slammed president Bola Tinubu for not appointing ambassadors after two years into his administration.

Akinyemi, who said the situation is unusual, stressed that the president owes Nigerians an explanation.

The ex-minister said this on Thursday, while responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television.

He stated that the delay could not be attributed to a lack of funding, stressing that the governments gauge a nation’s sentiment and assesses their own performance by the presence of fully functioning embassies.

“I think the President owes us really an explanation. There must be something there, and that makes it difficult for me to explain. Well, it’s not my job to explain. It’s the job of the foreign minister to explain why we don’t have ambassadors after two years of this administration.

“It cannot be due to lack of money, because since this government came on board, you could see how revenue has increased, and what they’ve done with the revenue is to increase money going to the states, increase money going to the National Assembly. Surely, part of this increase in revenue would have been made available to have ambassadors in different countries,” he said.

Non-appointment of ambassadors: Tinubu owes Nigerians explanation – Akinyemi

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• September 4, 2025
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Illegal mining rampant in Cross River despite arrests – taskforce chairman

Chairman of the taskforce against illegal mining in Cross River, Prince Paul Effiong has said that despite repeated warnings and continual arrests, illegal mining activities have continued to rise in parts of state. He stated this Wednesday, when his taskforce arrested several individuals involved in illegal mining activities of limestones in Akamkpa Local Government of
Illegal mining rampant in Cross River despite arrests – taskforce chairman

Chairman of the taskforce against illegal mining in Cross River, Prince Paul Effiong has said that despite repeated warnings and continual arrests, illegal mining activities have continued to rise in parts of state.

He stated this Wednesday, when his taskforce arrested several individuals involved in illegal mining activities of limestones in Akamkpa Local Government of the state.

He vowed that his taskforce is ready to contain them, saying, “Our duty is to protect the state’s resources and ensure that all mining activities are conducted in accordance with the law.”

“We will not tolerate illegal mining in the state. We urge all miners to operate within the law,” Effiong said.

The arrests followed series of raids conducted by the taskforce in response to increasing reports of illegal mining in the area.

Effiong said they will arrest anyone found to be engaged in illegal mining activities no matter who is involved.

He maintained that they will not be deterred by attempts to intimidate or disrupt their work by powerful forces.

He assured that his team is committed to supporting responsible mining practices that benefit the state and its people.

“We will not be deterred by any attempts to intimidate or disrupt our work”, Effiong vowed.

Two months ago, the taskforce confiscated heavy duty machines belonging to some mining firms said to be owned by a former member of House of Representatives, and reportedly used in illegal mining.

Illegal mining rampant in Cross River despite arrests – taskforce chairman

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• September 4, 2025
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2026 Plateau LG Polls: PLASIEC kick starts electoral process

The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC, has said the Local Government elections in the state will hold on the 1st of September, 2026, which will be over a month before the two-year tenure of the current chairmen in the 17 LGAs expires. PLASIEC said it is kick-starting the election process, as it is empowered
2026 Plateau LG Polls: PLASIEC kick starts electoral process

The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC, has said the Local Government elections in the state will hold on the 1st of September, 2026, which will be over a month before the two-year tenure of the current chairmen in the 17 LGAs expires.

PLASIEC said it is kick-starting the election process, as it is empowered by section 33(1) of the PLASIEC law to issue notice of the polls not later than one year before the date of the elections.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr Plangji Cishak, made the disclosure while briefing journalists at the agency’s headquarters in Jos the State Capital on Thursday.

He said, “As part of its mandate and in compliance with Sections 15, 19, 21 and 33 of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2024, Section 197(1) (B) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Electoral Act, 2022, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) wishes to notify the leadership of all political parties and the general public that elections shall be conducted in the Seventeen (17) Local Government Councils of Plateau State on Tuesday, 1st September, 2026 between 8.00am and 3.00pm.

“Pursuant to section 19 (2) of PLASIEC Law 2024, election into the said offices shall hold not later than thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office. The latest date for the conduct of elections in the Local Government Councils in Plateau State is 1st September, 2026.

According to him, “The Commission is empowered by Section 33(1) of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law to issue Notice of the election not later than Three Hundred and Sixty (360) days before the date of the elections.

“In exercise of the powers conferred on the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission”) by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2024 and all powers enabling it in that behalf, the Commission hereby issues this Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2026 Local Government Elections in Plateau State”, he maintained.

2026 Plateau LG Polls: PLASIEC kick starts electoral process

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• September 4, 2025
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Don’t throw Nigerians into despair – Peter Obi tells FG

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has called on the federal government to rise up to its responsibility and end policies that would throw Nigerians into debt and despair. In a post on his official X handle on Thursday, Obi urged the federal government to show sensitivity and compassion
Don’t throw Nigerians into despair – Peter Obi tells FG

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has called on the federal government to rise up to its responsibility and end policies that would throw Nigerians into debt and despair.

In a post on his official X handle on Thursday, Obi urged the federal government to show sensitivity and compassion to the suffering masses by deploying resources to critical areas that will help to create jobs to alleviate the people’s hardships.

Obi, who lamented that critical economic players and their associated institutions were undergoing a serious dearth of funds, stressed that some of them were even protesting as they could not meet their banks’ and staff needs.

“Why are retired public servants, including service men and women who have risked their lives for the nation, still protesting over unpaid gratuities and pensions?

“It is shameful that those who built this nation with their sweat, those who defended it with their lives, and those who have fulfilled their contractual obligations are reduced to begging for what is rightfully theirs, even after the government boasts of excess revenue,” he wrote.

Don’t throw Nigerians into despair – Peter Obi tells FG