Business
Customs Ejects Illegal Occupants From Barracks
The Nigerian Customs
Service (NCS) has embarked on the ejection of all illegal occupants from its barracks across the country.
This exercise follows the earlier notice which was given by the customs authority demanding all occupants of customs barracks across the country whose stay there is not authorised by the right authority to vacate their accommodation.
Affected in the exercise are those who have retired from the service, and are still occupying such apartments; those that are squatting with friends or relatives, as well as those who through one way or another made their way to the barracks, but their residence in the barracks is unknown to the appropriate customs authority.
According to the customs spokes man Wale Adeniyi, the authorities of the NCS have to embark on the eviction exercise due to numerous abuse of accommodation processes in the barracks across the country.
He said that a notice to that effect had been issued earlier in February this year, pointing out that the customs authority will no longer fold its hand and watch some persons abuse the processes of securing accommodations in the barracks across the country.
For those who have retired from service, but are yet to receive their gratuities, the customs spokes man said that the non payment of gratuities is not enough reason that will make any retired officer still stay in the barracks.
Adeniyi therefore urged the affected persons to comply with the order, as those who will resist will be ejected by force.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
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.