Business
Customs Boss To Visit Congo
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Dikko, is to embark on a two-day visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr Wale Adeniyi, the Customs’ Public Relations Officer, newsmen on Monday in Abuja that the visit, billed for between March 10 and March 12, was to discuss issues of common interest.
Adeniyi said the visit would also afford Dikko the opportunity to be present at the regional meeting of the West Africa and Central Africa Directors-General of Customs.
“The meeting is at two levels, the level of experts and the level of the Director-Generals of Customs.
“The meeting of experts would hold two days before the meeting of the Directors-Generals,” he said.
Adeniyi explained that the meeting usually holds annually with 23 customs regional administrations, adding that the last meeting was held in Bamako, Mali, in 2010.
He said it was during the meeting that Nigeria was elected the chairman of the region.
The meeting in Congo, he said, would evaluate the process and challenges in Customs reforms while Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo would present papers.
He further said issues such as capacity building, financing of regional structure, fight against commercial fraud and inter-connectivity of Customs computer system would be discussed at the meeting.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
