Connect with us

Business

FAAN Raids MMIA Cargo Terminal, Seize Goods

Published

11 years ago

on

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has raided the Hajj/Camp terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA), seized and destroyed goods.
The Tide source reports that the special raid was supervised by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the terminal, Mr Uche Uken, yesterday.
He said a female suspect was arrested during the raid.
Ukeni said that the suspect would be taken to the Tango City Police Post, inside the MMIA, for prosecution.
Two canopies alleged to be illegally set up, one being used as church and the other used for selling assorted drinks, were discovered by the FAAN security men.
Ukeni told newsmen that the authority carried out the raid as a way of sanitising the cargo terminal from touts and hawkers operating illegal activities.
He said that the illegal activities often allowed people, who have no business at the airport, to loiter around as touts, causing unnecessary panics and mayhems.
He added that the female suspect arrested during the raid claimed to be a food vendor, observing that there was nothing to prove what she claimed to be during her arrest.
“We seized over 20 cartons of assorted beer, 15 cartons of assorted soft drinks, more than 15 pieces of watermelon, one bunch of unripe plantain and five tubers of yam.
“We took away more than five coolers of cooked rice and stew, 50 cartons of bottle water, 30 packets of sachet water and ten suckers of pineapple.
“These seized items would be taken to the graveyard along the airside at the MMIA for destruction,’’ he said.
He explained that any person interested in operating business at the airport should contact the commercial department of FAAN for documents and approval.
The CSO said that the authority would continue to conduct the raid.
He directed the FAAN management to clear the overgrown grasses opposite the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) cargo offices.
He noted that illegal activities were being carried out around the area covered by the overgrown grasses while people also defecate in the area.
A cargo operator at the terminal, Mr Aliu Danbaba, told reporters that the people made use of the shanties to cool down stress after work.
He said that items being sold at the shanties were cheaper than buying them inside the approved shops at the terminal.
“Things are very expensive in the shops here; we prefer patronising the shanties because their items are cheaper and easy to access.
“We are not happy with the raid by FAAN.
“Where do they want these people to go? These traders have families to care for and this is where they make their daily bread,’’ he said.
A security guard at the NAHCO warehouse, simply identified as Okechukwu, said that the hawkers would come back in a few weeks to start their trading.
He said that was the first time FAAN would raid the place.
Okechukwu urged FAAN to create identity cards for people working in the terminal to checkmate unwanted persons in the place.

L-R: Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Benjamin Dikki; Minister of Mine and Steel Development, Musa Sada; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows Ighali And Vice Chairman, Technical Committee, National Council On Privatization, Haruna Sambo, During A News Conference After National Council On Privatisation Meeting in Abuja On Thursday (16/4/15).

L-R: Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Benjamin Dikki; Minister of Mine and Steel Development, Musa Sada; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows Ighali And Vice Chairman, Technical Committee, National Council On Privatization, Haruna Sambo, During A News Conference After National Council On Privatisation Meeting in Abuja On Thursday (16/4/15).

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Business

Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations

Published

7 days ago

on

January 12, 2026

By

The Director, South South Zone National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacist Chujwuma P.Oligbu has said its  thorough implementation of its core mandate of monitoring has no link with witch-hunting or fault finding as perceived at some quarters.
 Oligbu, made this known when he spoke as as guest at the maiden Rivers state Supermarkets stakeholders’ Seminar/Workshop in Port Harcourt recently.
Rather, he said they were mere opportunities for education, correction and continuous improvement.
The Agency’s South South Boss, noted that  Supermarket operators who maintain transparent records, cooperate during inspections, and promptly address identified gaps demonstrate professionalism and commitment to public health standard.
He listed the deserving essence of supermarket operation to include the key aspects of supermarket operation that deserves emphasis is product sourcing.
“Supermarkets must ensure that all regulated products stocked on their shelves are duly registered with NAFDAC and sourced from legitimate manufacturers or distributors”, he said .
According to him, the presence of unregistered, expired, counterfeit, or improper labelled products undermines consumer confidence and poses serious health risks.
He pointed out that such has the likelihood of  exposeing supermarket operators to legal sanctions that could damage their reputation and financial stability.
The NAFDAC Operator, further enlightened the participants that mere registration of a particular product with the Federal agency do not guarantee absolute consumption safety.
“Temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, stock rotation, and proper shelving are not optional practice; they are essential components of compliance”, he said.
The South South zonal director also told the operators of supermarket that their employees rotine training on the basis of the product they display for sale is of utmost importance.
In her presentation a Breast Milk Nutrition Expert , Professor Alice Nte of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was against the body’s prime attention to breast milk substitute or baby milk in supermarkets as well as its advertisement or promotion.
Nye jerked up  the importance of mothers breast milk to the newborn baby and added that it  help in fighting against childhood diseases, infections and combating cancer in breastfeeding mothers.
Meanwhile, NAFDAC Deputy Director, South – South Zone , Mrs. Riter Chujwuma educated the participants on the guidelines for global listing, and the need to adhere strictly to rules guiding global listing to avoid confiscation of their imported products.
By: King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Business

BVN Enrolments Rise 6% To 67.8m In 2025 — NIBSS

Published

7 days ago

on

January 12, 2026

By

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025, up from 63.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.

 According to the data, more than 4.3 million new BVNs were issued within the one-year period, underscoring the growing adoption of biometric identification as a prerequisite for accessing financial services in Nigeria.

NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.

Analysts linked the growth largely to regulatory measures by the CBN, particularly the directive to restrict or freeze bank accounts without both a BVN and National Identification Number (NIN), which took effect from April 2024.
The policy compelled many customers to regularise their biometric records to retain access to banking services.

Another major driver, the statement said, was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country.

The programme has been widely regarded as a milestone in integrating the diaspora into Nigeria’s formal financial system.

A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.

However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.

The gap, it explained, is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.

Continue Reading

Business

AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026

Published

1 week ago

on

January 9, 2026

By

The leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has set the tone for the new year with a renewed focus on food security, unity and long-term growth of the agricultural sector.
The association announced that its General Assembly of Farmers Congress will take place from January 15 to 17, 2026 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries, along Lugbe Airport Road, in the Federal Capital Territory.
The gathering is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, investors and development partners to shape a fresh direction for Nigerian agriculture.
In a New Year address to members and stakeholders, AFAN president, Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi, said the congress would provide a strategic forum for reviewing past challenges and outlining practical solutions for the future.
He explained that the event would serve as a rallying point for innovation, collaboration and economic renewal within the sector.
Mudi commended farmers across the country for their determination and hard work, despite years of insecurity, climate-related pressures and economic uncertainty.
According to him, their resilience has kept food production alive and positioned agriculture as a stabilising force in the national economy.
He noted that AFAN intends to build on this strength by resetting agribusiness operations to improve productivity and sustainability.
The AFAN leader appealed to government institutions, private investors and development organisations to deepen their engagement with the association.
He stressed the need for collective action to confront persistent issues such as insecurity in farming communities, climate impacts and market instability.
He also urged members to put aside internal disputes and personal interests, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility in pursuit of national development.
Mudi outlined key priorities that include increasing food output, expanding support for farmers at the grassroots and strengthening local manufacturing through partnerships with both domestic and international investors adding that reducing dependence on imports remains critical to protecting the economy and creating jobs.
He stated that the upcoming congress will feature the launch of AFAN’s twenty-five-year agricultural mechanisation roadmap, alongside the announcement of new partnerships designed to accelerate growth across the value chain.
Participants, he said wi also have opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange aimed at transforming agriculture into a more competitive and technology-driven sector.
As part of its modernisation drive, AFAN is further encouraging members nationwide to enrol for the newly introduced Digital ID Card.
Mudi said the initiative will improve transparency, ensure proper farmer identification and make it easier to access support programmes and services.
Reaffirming the association’s long-term goal, he said the vision of national food sufficiency by 2030 remains achievable if unity and collaboration are sustained.
He expressed optimism that with collective effort, Nigeria’s agricultural sector can overcome its challenges and deliver a more secure and prosperous future.
Lady Usendi
Continue Reading

Trending