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PAGE 6—SUNDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 27, 2022
From left: Secretary General, United Nations World Tourism organisation (UNWTO),
Zurab Pololikashvill; Awardee / Founder of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi
Uko; and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during the
presentation of an Excellence Award in Tourism to the Founder, Akwaaba African Travel
Market by Federal Government of Nigeria Landmark Centre at Victoria Island, Lagos.
Customs records no smuggling
activities through MMIA in one
month
here seems to be fresh
Thopes, as the Nigeria
Customs Service, Murtala
Muhammed International
Airport, MMIA, command
recorded no incidences of
smuggling activities through
the airport in the month of
October, 2022.
This came even as the
Customs Area Controller,
MMIA, Compt. Mohammed
Gidado, disclosed in a
statement that since his
deployment and resumption,
the command has been
successful in the core values
of the Service which includes
Suppression of Smuggling,
Revenue collection and trade
facilitation.
While commenting on its
activities for October, 2023,
he stated that, “We recorded
success in revenue collection
and trade facilitation as there
were no incidences of
smuggling activities through
the Airport within the period
of this report.
“There has been a gradual
increase in the revenue
collection drive of the
Command.
“To be specific, in the
October review, we collected
the total sum of N1.61 billion
which the sum of N982
million was revenue collected
from import duty.
•Rakes in N1.61bn
“This is a remarkable
revenue collection after the
COVID 19 lock down that
placed restrictions on
travelers and drop in
importation coupled with the
inflation on exchange rate.
“The Command also
facilitated the formal export
of locally manufactured
goods although in low volume
due to the peculiarity of the
Command as airport
terminals to the tune of N2
billion.
“This achievement was
through due diligence with the
application of extant laws
such as Sections 72 and 145
of the Customs and Excise
Management Act CAP C45
Law of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria 2004 (CEMA CAP
C45 LFR 2004).
“As a matter of fact, we shall
continue to pursue our given
mandate of trade facilitation
and collection of revenue as
well as suppressing
smuggling within our
jurisdiction, while ensuring an
efficient and friendlier
traveler clearance procedure
ahead of the year end festive
season. Once again, we assure
all voluntary compliance
persons a good travel
experience in the clearance of
their shipment.”
Eha Amufu crisis: Ugwuanyi storms
Mgbuji, forests, markets, others
overnor Ifeanyi Ug
Gwuanyi of Enugu State,
yesterday evening, visited Eha
Amufu on a fact-finding visit
to obtain first-hand information
about the issues that led
to the recent crisis in Aguamaede
and Mgbuji communities.
Ugwuanyi, accompanied
by the State Commissioner of
Police, CP Ahmed Ammani,
the Garrison Commander, 82
Division of the Nigerian Army,
Brig. Gen. M.K Ibrahim, and
the Anglican Bishop of Nike
Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Christian
Onyeka Onyia, visited Mgbuji
community, different forests,
markets, village squares
and other locations in Eha
Amufu where he interacted
with the indigenes to ascertain
the remote cause of the recent
crisis in the community with
a view to addressing the lin-
gering issues in the area decisively.
The governor empathised
with the people, ascertained
how they were faring, and assured
them of his administration’s
commitment to their
safety and wellbeing as well
as the resolution of the crisis
between farmers and herders.
The Eha Amufu indigenes
appreciated Ugwuanyi for
the rare visit, especially at
night, stressing that the gesture
was a demonstration of
his commitment to ending the
farmers/herders issues in Eha
Amufu.
They pointed out that Ugwuanyi
was the first governor
to visit Eha Amufu over
the lingering crisis in the area
and thanked him for the N10
million he released for the
immediate needs of the victims,
among other interventions.
Suspected gay allegedly rapes 5-
yr-old boy to death in Ogun
By James Ogunnaike
olice in Ogun State have
Parrested a 36-year-old
suspected gay, Sikiru Ajibola,
for allegedly raping a fiveyear-old
boy to death in Ogijo
area of the state.
The suspect, according to a
statement by the command’s
spokesperson, Abimbola
Oyeyemi, was arrested on
Friday following a report
lodged at Ogijo divisional
police headquarters by the
CDA Chairman of Olorunwa
Arogbeja Ogijo.
The complainant reported
that one of the community
members informed him
that the suspect had
unlawful carnal
knowledge of a 5-year-old
boy, an act which led to the
innocent boy’s death in the
process.
By John Alechenu,
Abuja
arring any last-minute
Bchange, the National
Chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), Dr.
Iyorchia Ayu, will lead the
party’s delegation to today
(Sunday)’s inauguration of
Sen. Ademola Adeleke as governor
of Osun State.
But same cannot be said of
the G5 Governors under the
leadership of Governor Nyesom
Wike of Rivers State.
The fact that the governors
may stay away from the event
provides a new twist to the PDP
crisis which started immediately
after the party’s presidential
primary that saw Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar who
emerged the winner beating
Wike to the second position.
Traditionally, governors of
the party of a governor-elect
being inaugurated had always
added flavour to the
swearing-in with their attendance
since off-season elections
began in the polity.
It was gathered that the five
PDP governors, namely Wike,
Samuel Ortom (Benue),
Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Seyi
Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi
Igwuanyi (Enugu), had yet to
make arrangements to attend
today’s event in Osogbo, the
state capital as of Friday
night.
The five governors had
vowed to steer clear of the
party’s presidential campaign
activities until the National
Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia
Ayu, resigns from office for a
southerner to take over.
Ayu’s Special Adviser (Media
and Communications ),
Simon Imobo-Tswam, confirmed
plans by the National
Chairman to attend the epoch-making
event.
When asked if his principal
would be attending the event,
Imobo-Tswam told Sunday
Vanguard: “He will be there
by God’s grace.”
It was also gathered that a
sizable number of members
of the party leadership also
confirmed their availability to
attend.
However, the same cannot
be said of the five aggrieved
governors. They have stuck to
their guns by staying away
from party events where Ayu
is expected to play any role,
no
matter how small.
Misinterpretation
A source close to the G5
Governors told Sunday Vanguard
it was unlikely that any
of the governors would attend.
The source, who spoke in
confidence for fear of retribution,
said, “It is unlikely that
any of them will attend.
“They have absolutely nothing
against the brand new
governor of Osun State, Senator
Ademola Adeleke, be-
From left: Director, Trade Information Department, Andy Ambikputen; Director,
Export Development and Incentives Department, Mrs. Gertrude Ukoanam;
Director, Product & Marketing, Mrs. Evelyn Obidike; Board Member,
Ambassador Bello Kazaure; Board Member, Alhaji Salisu Umar; Executive
Director/CEO, Dr. Ezra Yakusak during Export4Survival Walk organized by
Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) held in Lagos, yesterday.
PDP CRISIS: In new twist, G5 Govs may
shun Adeleke’s ‘ Big Day’ in Osun
cause he is joining their ranks
as governor but the concerns
of the G5 Governors are yet
to be addressed by the party
leadership.
“Their thinking is that appearing
in public events of any
nature with the Ayu-led PDP
NWC can be misinterpreted
to mean they have buckled.
“Recall that Governor Makinde
who was appointed DG
of the National Campaign
Council for the Osun PDP governorship
election, was unavailable
during the campaigns.”
The Chief Press Secretary to
the Oyo governor, Taiwo
Adisa, had, at that time, explained
the absence of his
principal.
He said it was mischievous
for anyone to read meaning
into his bosses absence from
the campaign flag-off.
According to him, Makinde,
had prior engagements
outside Nigeria which unfortunately
coincided with the
flag off.
Adisa further explained that
his principal made up for his
absence by sending a powerful
delegation as well as
making adequate arrangements
for logistics including
VIP movement to and from
the venue.
With respect to today (Sunday’s)
inauguration,
however, neither Adisa nor
his colleague in Benue
State, Nathaniel Ikyur, could
confirm if their principals
would be in attendance.
When contacted, on Friday,
Ikyur explained that his principal
was on his way back
By Nnamdi Ojiego
GUzodimma overnor
of Hope
Imo
State has described the
presidential candidate of the
All Progressives Congress,
APC, Bola Tinubu, as a good
product
whose
administration if elected into
office, would benefit the Igbo
and end their years of
lamentations.
This is as the Crime Reporters
Association of Nigeria, CRAN,
has honoured the governor with
an award for his doggedness in
fighting insecurity to a standstill
in the state.
Uzodimma who is the South
East coordinator of the APC
Presidential Campaign Council,
PCC, spoke at Abakiliki, the
Ebonyi State capital during the
presidential campaign rally that
took place on Thursday.
“Tinubu is a very good product
that Ndigbo will benefit from.
There will be no more
lamentation for the South East
if by the grace of God he becomes
home from Port-Harcourt.
He said, “Until he arrives I
can’t confirm whether or not
he will be attending.”
On his part, Adisa said he
was yet to be briefed.
However, none of the G5
Governors has attended any
PDP event where Ayu was in
attendance since they
launched their attack on Ayu’s
continued stay in office after
the party’s presidential primary.
Recall that Wike and his
four aggrieved colleagues
were further miffed by the decision
of the PDP presidential
candidate, Atiku , to pick Governor
Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta
State as running mate.
Roots of crisis
The G5 Governors crisis in
the PDP has its roots in the
party’s presidential primary.
At the primary, held on May
28-29, 2022, Atiku polled 371
votes to defeat his main challenger,
Wike, who polled 237.
Former Senate President
Bukola Saraki scored 70
votes to come third.
Governor Udom Emmanuel
of Akwa Ibom State came
fourth with 38 votes while
Governor Bala Mohammed
of Bauchi finish fifth with 20
votes.
Hours after results were announced,
Atiku and the National
Chairman of the party,
Ayu, visited Governor Aminu
Tambuwual of Sokoto State
who had earlier stepped
down from the presidential
race to declare support for
Atiku.
Ayu was captured on camera
as describing Tambuwal
as the “hero of the convention,”
for stepping down for
Atiku. His comments did not
go unnoticed by Wike’s supporters.
Ayu had, while campaigning
for election as PDP National
Chairman, said should
a northerner emerge as party
candidate, he was prepared to
resign his position if the party
asked him to do so. His position
was hinged on the PDP
tradition of zoning of elective
offices.
After losing out of the race
for the party’s ticket, Wike
and four of his fellow governors,
now referred to as the
G5 Governors, set their eyes
on the vice presidential slot,
which they had hoped would
go to the Rivers governor.
Although the choice of the
running mate is at the discretion
of the candidate, Atiku,
in consultation with party
stakeholders, set up a screening
committee which received
nominations,
screened and recommended
three governors, namely
Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa
(Delta) and Udom Emmanuel
(Akwa Ibom).
The candidate picked
Okowa. This threw up a fresh
dispute as Wike’s supporters
decried what they described
as his unfair treatment.
Sack
Pro-Wike governors began
a campaign for Ayu’s sack alleging
that he wasn’t evenhanded
in his handling of party
affairs.
They demanded Ayu’s resignation
as precondition for
their support for Atiku’s presidential
campaign.
2023: Tinubu’s good product, will end
Igbo marginalisation — Uzodimma
...As crime reporters honour Imo gov for fighting insecurity
president next year”, Uzodimma
stated, assuring that the APC
candidate would rely on his
already established and known
achievements to win the
people’s trust.
The governor declared that
“Tinubu is one of our best and
brightest in Nigeria and we
believe in him”, and therefore,
urged the South East to
transform the huge turnout of
party faithful at the Ebonyi rally
into votes for Tinubu and
Shettima.
He insisted that their place in
the decision-making body was
already assured because victory
was also assured in the five
states of the region for the APC.
Responding, the APC standard
bearer declared that Uzodimma
represents the change, the hope
and the joy of not only Imo but
Nigeria as a whole.
While assuring Ndigbo that he
is their best bet for the office of
the president, assured them that
they would not be sidelined in
his administration when elected
president.
Meanwhile, the Imo governor
has been honoured for his efforts
in tackling the security
challenges in the state.
At the 31st edition of the
Annual Lecture/Awards of the
Crime Reporters Association of
Nigeria which was held in Ikeja,
Lagos, the CRAN commended
the governor for sacrificing
everything available to restore
peace in the state.
Uzodinma received CRAN’s
coveted Platinum Award in
Fight Against insecurity,
among 36 respected and
deserving Nigerians
recognized by the association
for their services to the
country and humanity.
Receiving the award, the
Governor who was
represented by the
Commissioner for
Information, Hon. Declan
Emelumba, said he was quite
happy that his dogged fight
against insecurity in Imo had
been noticed, applauded and
then appreciated.