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Customs intercept 18,750 litres of PMS worth N13.2m in Ogun

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The Nigeria Customs Service, Anti-bunkering Unit, said it intercepted 13, 750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol in Ogun State.

The Coordinator of the NCS’s Anti-bunkering Unit, Husseini Ejibunnu, who disclosed this while addressing journalists in Ikeja on Friday, said that the consignments were intercepted in different parts of Ogun State.

Ejibunnu added that the duty-paid value of the seized petrol was N13.2m, stressing that the contraband was intercepted within three days.

“We seized a total of 760 jerry cans in 25 litres each equivalent to 18, 750 litres with duty paid value of N13.2m,” Ejibunnu said.

He stated that the successes recorded were a clear manifestation of the determination and resilience of the officers to achieve the goals set before them.

“It was a three-day operation, the first one was done at Imeko, the second one was carried out at Owode while the third was conducted at Ijowun,” also Ejibunnu said.

According to him, some of the seizures were brought to the FOU, Zone A.

The coordinator disclosed that a total of nine vehicles used as means of conveyance were also impounded.

“Seven of the vehicles are now in Lagos while two are parked at Abeokuta,” he said.

Ejibunnu said that two suspects were arrested in the previous operations while none was arrested in the recent operation.

He vowed that suspects who fled from the scene would be tracked down through the recovered vehicles.

He disclosed that the Comptroller General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi, is putting together a legal team that would handle all cases in court.

The former CAC in charge of FOU Zone A said that the interception simply shows the unit’s unwavering support of the plans and programs of the service for the greater benefit of our nation.

Speaking on the reason for the formation of the unit, Ejibunnu said, that it was set up by the CGC to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of fuel price deregulation in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said that the activities of the unit cover all zones of the service

Federal govt evacuated willing Nigerians from Sudan – NiDCOM

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Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, say the Federal Government has evacuated its citizens in Sudan willing to return home following the two-week expulsion notice Sudanese authorities issued to foreigners.
The Chief Executive Officer, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa made this known on Friday in Abuja.
TVN had earlier reported that Sudanese security authorities ordered all foreigners to leave the capital Khartoum and the surrounding region.
They gave the foreigners two weeks to do so, according to a statement from the section of the police dealing with foreigners.
The police said foreigners should leave for their own safety amid the fighting still raging between government troops and the Rapid Support Forces, RSF, militia.
According to media reports, hostility towards foreigners, especially those from other African countries, has been on the rise following reports of foreign mercenaries in the RSF ranks.
A few days ago, more than 150 foreigners who did not have valid residence papers were detained.
A bloody power struggle has been raging in Sudan for over a year between de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former Deputy, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.
The UN reports that the conflict has caused almost 10 million people to flee their homes, with risks of famine rife in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa said the war in Sudan had escalated and no one was left behind.
International aid organisation staff and diplomats still in the country left Khartoum after the outbreak of fighting and are now working from Port Sudan, where the situation is comparatively stable.
Federal govt evacuated willing Nigerians from Sudan – NiDCOM

Eight Chinese, Nigerian arraigned for illegal mining

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally arraigned eight Chinese nationals and one Nigerian for their involvement in illegal mining activities in the Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on Friday, said the suspects were apprehended by the Mining Marshals, an elite security outfit derived from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The marshals, under the operation, codenamed “Operation Hayakin Kogo”, were established by the minister as part of his 7-point agenda to clean up the mining sector.

“The establishment of the mining marshals is a crucial step in our agenda to sanitize the mining environment and ensure that Nigeria benefits fully from its mineral resources,” Alake was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesman, Segun Tomori.

According to him, the trial of the suspects began yesterday before Justice J.K Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He added that the prosecution filed a 3-count charge, including mining without lawful authority and obstruction of lawful mining operations.

The defendants are Shen Yongchan, Mo Baixian, Xiao Bin, Huang Xu Fa, Ma Bingli, Yang Jian, Li Peiyin, Que Wenyong, Hiyk Edward Desmond, and Wanda Company Limited.

After hearing pleas and arguments from both sides, the defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until the next court date.

“The ministry is committed to strengthening the operations of the mining marshals through the infusion of technology and more equipment to ultimately ensure that the nation reaps maximum benefits from its God-given mineral resources,” Alake said.

Court jails three illegal BDC operators in Borno

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Justice K. Dagat of the Federal High Court, sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, has convicted and sentenced three illegal Bureau-de-Change operators to one year imprisonment each.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission disclosed this in a statement on X.com on Friday.

The statement revealed that the defendants: Buba Ahmadu Aliyu, Mohammed Mustapha, and Muhammad Zarami, were arraigned by the  Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on Wednesday on a one-count separate charge for operating illegal bureau de change businesses.

The statement partly read, “The count against Aliyu reads, ‘That you, Buba Ahmadu Aliyu, sometime in May 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did carry on other financial business without a license issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, contrary to section 57 (1) and (2)b and punishable under section  57 (5) b of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.

“While the charge against Mustapha reads: That you, Mohammed Mustapha, sometime  in May 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did  carry on, other financial business without a license issued by the Central  Bank of Nigeria contrary to Section 57 (1) and (2)b and punishable  under 57 (5) b of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.”

The defendants were said to have pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

Justice Dagat thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendants to one year imprisonment with an option of N100,000 each.

The convicts were reported to have bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested for operating bureau-de-change businesses without an appropriate licence.

According Online reported in May that operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested thirteen fake Bureau-de-Change operators in Lagos.

 

Tackle security challenges from grassroots – Ex-CDI, Morgan tells Tinubu

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Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Intelligence, CDI, Air Vice Marshall Monday Riku Morgan has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take the battle on security challenges engulfing the country to the grassroots level for meaningful improvement to be achieved.
The security expert said the federal government must look inward and set the stage for the fight against suspected criminals at the community levels of the country.
Air Marshall Morgan who spoke at the ongoing lecture series of the Peace Corps of Nigeria in Abuja expressed optimism that the spate of insecurity would be brought down greatly when intelligence gathering is kick-started at various local community levels of the nation.
At the lecture attended by eminent Nigerians including some members of the National Assembly, the former Chief of Defence Intelligence asked the President to deploy voluntary organizations especially the Peace Corps of Nigeria to rural areas for intelligence gathering purposes.
He said the autonomous relevance of the Peace Corps operating at the local government and community as a third line of security would be greatly advantageous to the security well-being of the nation.
“It will not be out of place if Peace Corps as a functional grassroots organisation can be deployed by Mr President to gather intelligence at community level that would help our conventional kinetic forces like Army, Airforce and Navy to better target criminal and insurgent elements.
“As a non-governmental organization now evolving to a quasi-governmental organization, the PCN has designed for itself, special development goals, which recognize the non -homogenous nature of the youth as a demographic class in our society.
“Everyone desires peace and security. Conflict is inevitable in any nation in the world.
but when it becomes difficult to resolve emerging conflicts, they result in a lack of
peace and insecurity and no country can develop economically, or politically without
peaceful co-existence among its population and within its borders.
“There had been incessant and visible cases of insecurity in Nigeria; such as terrorism, kidnapping, ritual killings and cultism which have led to fear and insecurity with the resultant effect of sorrow, hardship, pains, destruction of lives and properties.
“Many reasons have been adduced for the lack of security and peace in Nigeria, including youth unemployment, governance that is not participatory, political insinuations, religious problems and clashes among ethnic groups.
“Nigeria faces a plethora of security challenges ranging from violent extremism, to
farmer-herder conflict, banditry, a revived secessionist movement, police repression,
piracy and attacks on oil infrastructure among others. ‘
“This lecture combines both scholarly and practitioner perspectives, by identifying the links between these security challenges and Nigeria’s patronage-based state institutions.
“There is the need to look at the collaborative efforts of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, especially as regards the role of the Peace Corps as a means of strengthening
national identity, harnessing aspirations of youth to advance governance reform, create more accountability within the security services and avoid the militarization of every security challenge.
“Across the planet, there are currently numerous ongoing low conflict counter-insurgency wars being fought, Iraq, Afghanistan, the DRC, Mozambique and
Nigeria is an example.
“Over the past 75 years, the overwhelming majority of conflicts have been similar in nature. Terrorists, by fomenting armed conflict are able to inflate the political pressure they bring to bear on local governments.
“These movements are often poorly equipped and trained, however ideological fanaticism
coupled with local discontent, rugged terrain and the logistically challenged national militaries give them a disproportionate rate of success, often allowing them to move through the phases of an insurgency war up to occupation and domination of large swathes of territory.
“In the information age, insurgencies have become especially dynamic. Their leaders study and learn, exchange information, exploit seemingly leaderless networks and establish relationships with states in Nigeria.
“Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has said.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration is supportive of autonomy for local
government areas in the country.
“The SGF said that President Tinubu was committed to the rules of law and the
Constitution of the country and had also shown good faith in true fiscal federalism
since he assumed office.
“According to him, the present administration has recognized the fact that local
government areas are the closest tier of government to the people at the grassroots
in particular.
”However, it is obvious to discerning and well-meaning people that Nigeria’s insecurity problems emanate from the grassroots, our villages and local governments, which have huge swathes of ungovernable spaces far removed from our state capitals and big cities, if security is tackled at that fundamental level, then we nip the problem in the bud”, he said.
Tackle security challenges from grassroots – Ex-CDI, Morgan tells Tinubu

BREAKING: Govs to meet over Supreme Court judgement on LG autonomy

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Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and Governor of Kwara, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman has reacted to the Supreme Court judgement granting full autonomy to Local Government Areas, saying the development is a huge relief on governors.
But the NGF chairman also said the governors will meet next week to consider the judgement, and come out with a resolution.
AbdulRahman, who met with President Bola Tinubu in the Presidential Villa on Friday, said many people are oblivious of the burden the state governors carry, especially in terms of bailing LGs out.
“We welcome the ruling of the Supreme Court. Compliance is a given and our Attorney Generals have applied for the enrollment order, which we’ll study carefully.
“But by and large governors are happy with the devolution of power in respect to local government autonomy. It relieves the burden on governors. Our people really don’t know how much states expend in bailing out local governments, and that’s the issue there,” the NGF Chairman told State House Correspondents.
Reacting to how the judgement would affect his state, Kwara, the governor said the implication is that the various LGs would have to manage themselves, especially on the payment of salaries to workers and traditional rulers.
He said, “It’s not going to affect Kwara State. We’ve never tampered with local government funds. So it’s going to continue. What the local governments have to do is to manage themselves, especially with the oncoming minimum wage, to manage their affairs and make sure salaries are paid, traditional rulers get their 5% and those are the main issues.
“Like I said, we haven’t seen the enrollment of the court order and so we really don’t know what is in there.
“The Forum will meet next Wednesday, to look at the issue wholly and then come up with a resolution on that.”
BREAKING: Govs to meet over Supreme Court judgement on LG autonomy

CBN sells $122.671m to 46 authorised dealers

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has commenced sales of forex to Bureau De Change operators after a four-month hiatus, The According has learnt.

This was after the apex bank confirmed forex sales of $122.67m to 46 authorised dealers on Friday.

A statement signed by the Bank’s Director in charge of Financial Markets, Dr Omolara Duke, said the new release is part of the bank’s determination to promote stability and reduce market volatility in the foreign exchange market.

The statement read in part, “The Central Bank of Nigeria has sold the sum of $122,671,000 to 46 authorised dealers in its determination to promote stability and reduce market volatility in the foreign exchange market.”

Last month, The President Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, Aminu Gwadebe, told The According that the apex bank had suspended supply to the BDCs since March and was moving towards a complete liberalisation of the foreign currency market, which would not require its intervention.

He said, “The BDC window has been suspended by the Central Bank of Nigeria since around March or so. The last time we were funded I think was around March.”

This forex sales break allowed the naira to depreciate further to N1554/$ at the official market on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Nigeria’s external reserves increased yet again, reaching $35.05 billion as of July 8, 2024.

This is the first time it has crossed the $35 billion ceiling under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

More Details Soon…

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Contact: [email protected]

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the growth of Insurance Industry in Nigeria

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries worldwide, including the Nigerian insurance industry. Imagine a future where filing a car accident claim is as easy as chatting with a friend. This is not a distant dream but a reality unfolding with the integration of AI in insurance.

To understand its impact, let’s explore its various applications, benefits, and how it enhances customer experience and personalization.

Coronation Insurance is committed to leveraging the power of AI to enhance customer experience, streamline processes, and improve risk management. Here’s a closer look at how AI is applied at Coronation Insurance:

  1. Claims Portal: AI has revolutionized the claims processing system at Coronation Insurance. This aspect of insurance operations is crucial for customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. With AI-powered systems, Coronation Insurance can now:
  • Analyze claim documents: AI algorithms can quickly review and analyze large volumes of claim documents, ensuring that all necessary information is included and reducing the time needed for manual reviews.
  • Validate information: The systems can cross-check the details provided in the claims against existing data to ensure accuracy and completeness. This helps in minimizing errors and speeding up the claims approval process.
  • Facilitate settlement of claims: The streamlined process ensures that genuine claims are settled promptly, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  1. Marine Portal: The Marine Portal at Coronation Insurance leverages AI to improve customer experience for marine-related transactions:
  • Online purchase of Marine Insurance: Customers can conveniently purchase marine insurance policies online. AI assists in providing tailored policy options based on the customer’s specific needs and previous transaction history.
  • Smooth transaction process: From obtaining quotes to finalizing the purchase, AI ensures a seamless transaction process. Automated systems handle the entire workflow, reducing the need for manual intervention and making the process quick and hassle-free.
  1. Retail Portal: Coronation Insurance’s Retail Portal is designed to offer customers a seamless experience when purchasing retail insurance products from the comfort of their homes:
  • Personalized product recommendations: AI analyzes customer data to provide tailored product recommendations that best suit their needs. This ensures that customers receive relevant options without having to sift through numerous products.
  • Ease of purchase: The entire purchase process is automated, from selecting a policy to making payments. AI ensures that the process is user-friendly and efficient, reducing the time and effort required from the customer.

Benefits and Challenges of AI Integration in Insurance

Benefits:

  • Enhanced efficiency
  • Improved customer satisfaction
  • Better decision-making

Challenges:

  • Technological limitations: The low level of technological advancement in Nigeria poses a challenge to widespread AI adoption.
  • Data availability: Effective AI implementation requires access to vast amounts of data, which may be limited in some cases or unavailable in Nigeria.
  • Skill gap: There is a need for skilled professionals to develop and manage AI systems.

The Difference Between Manual Systems and AI Applications

Initially, Nigerian insurers focused on automating routine tasks and back-office operations. However, as technology advances, AI has begun playing a pivotal role in risk assessment, fraud detection, customer engagement, and product innovation.

Muftau Oyegunle, the Past President/Chairman of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN),emphasises the significance of discussing the impact of artificial intelligence on the insurance industry, as it plays a substantial role in the evolving world of insurance.

He highlights that AI algorithms can now assess risks by analyzing historical data, making accurate pricing forecasts, and automating underwriting processes. This speeds up policy issuance and ensures more accurate risk assessment and pricing.

Impact of AI on Insurance Penetration

AI can significantly increase the low penetration rate by making insurance services more accessible and efficient. AI-driven personalized services can attract more customers, especially the tech-savvy younger generation. Automating processes can reduce operational costs, making insurance products more affordable.

Ultimately, AI holds immense potential to transform the Nigerian insurance industry. For AI to achieve its full potential, however, there needs to be higher collaboration among insurance practitioners, increased technological advancement, and a focus on building the necessary skills.

See the table below showing Insurance Africa Penetration as at 2021 (Source: Atlas Magazine)

African Insurance Penetration Rates in 2021

Country Life Insurance Non-Life Insurance Total Insurance
South Africa 10.0% 2.2% 12.2%
Namibia 5.1% 2.0% 7.1%
Morocco 1.8% 2.2% 4.0%
Kenya 1.0% 1.2% 2.2%
Tunisia 0.5% 1.6% 2.1%
Côte d’Ivoire 0.5% 0.7% 1.2%
Algeria 0.1% 0.6% 0.7%
Egypt 0.3% 0.4% 0.7%
Nigeria 0.2% 0.2% 0.4%
Ghana 0.5% 0.6% 1.1%
Africa Average 2.00% 1.17% 3.17%

The table above highlights the significant gap in insurance penetration between Nigeria and other African countries.

With Nigeria’s total insurance penetration rate at just 0.4%, compared to South Africa’s 12.2% and Namibia’s 7.1%, it underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions like AI to boost accessibility and efficiency in the Nigerian insurance sector.

For more information, visit our website: www.coronation.ng to get started. Call 02-012774500 | 02-012774566 | 02-012774577 or send an email to [email protected].

BREAKING: Olakulehin  crowned 43rd Olubadan

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Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has been crowned as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, The Nation reports Friday.

The event was held at the Labosinde compound in the ancient city of Ibadan – the family whose right is to crown any Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Those present at the venue include a former Oyo State Governor and member of the Olubadan-in-Council, Rashidi Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, among others.

Details later…

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BREAKING: Makinde presents staff, instruments of office to 43rd Olubadan, Olakulehin

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has presented staff and instruments of office to the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1.
The governor made the presentation around 2:45 pm on Friday, during a ceremony at the frontage of Mapo Hall in Ibadan.
Makinde, while making the presentation, said, “They said they want to sabotage, they want to sabotage, we are here today at Mapo Hall.
“I, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State by the virtue of power conferred on me, hereby present the staff of office to the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“Let us say Kabiesi!”
More details later.
BREAKING: Makinde presents staff, instruments of office to 43rd Olubadan, Olakulehin