Business
Saraki’s Death, Nigeria’s Loss: Dame Jonathan, PDP, Others Mourn …House Adjourns For 8 Days
The dearth on Wednesday of Second Republic Senate Leader and strongman of Kwara State politics, Dr Olusola Saraki, has continued to cause disquiet across the country as Nigerians from all walks of life pay their last respect to a great political leader who combined patriotism with philanthropy.
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi commiserated with the Saraki’s family and the people of Kwara State on the death of their father and political leader.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr David Iyofor, Governor Amaechi said the death of Saraki was a huge loss to the nation.
Amaechi described the late Saraki as a political giant with great values whose commitment to nation building and the development of Kwara State was great.
He said, “the late Saraki was an astute politician and great leader. He contributed to the political development of Nigeria. On behalf of my family, the government and people of Rivers State, I condole with my friend, Dr Bukola Saraki, the Saraki family and Kwara State indigenes as they go through this sad time. “We pray for the repose of his soul and urge the Saraki family to take heart and stay strong in unity as they mourn the passing away of this great man.”
Also, wife of the president, Dame Patience Jonathan, described the death of Sen. Olusola Saraki as a great loss to the political class. According to a statement signed by Mr Ayo Osinlu, the Special Assistant (Media) to the First Lady.
“Dr Olusola Saraki’s death is a loss not only to the people of Ikwerre, which he faithfully served for decades, but the entire nation, especially the political class. His death came as a rude shock and becomes more painful with reference to his invaluable wisdom which is obviously required in the urgent efforts to re-engineer the development process of our great country. “It is also worthy to note the dedication, courage and deep focus of Dr Olusola Saraki, especially his personal accomplishments as a professional, businessman, community leader and politician,” the statement added.
The First Lady also recalled Saraki’s “lofty place in the political evolution of our dear country, especially in the Second Republic during which he shone brilliantly as Leader of the Senate”.
She commiserated with Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Senator Bukola Saraki and his siblings, and prayed God to give the entire family the strength to bear the loss.
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), said the death of Dr Olusola Saraki is like the gradual extinction of the “last of the Mohicans”.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh, “Nigeria has lost a political guru and a titan who compared in every respect with the generation of the independent Nigerian leaders.”
He described the deceased as a fine medical doctor, philanthropist, humanist and an astute politician.
Metuh called Saraki “a game changer and a man who changed the destiny of his people like the great Zik of Africa, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Chief Obafemi Awolowo.”
He said that the PDP was saddened by the death of Saraki, describing the development as a huge loss to the nation.
Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, described the late Dr Olusola Saraki as a bridge builder and a detribalised Nigerian, who contributed immensely to the development of the country.
“I have no doubt that many Nigerians irrespective of class, creed and community also feel a sense of loss,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Kwara House of Assembly has adjourned sitting for eight days in honour of late Dr Olusola Saraki.
The Speaker of the House, Hon Rasaq Atunwa, announced the adjournment at the plenary session, Wednesday, after announcing the demise of Saraki.
Atunwa, who ordered the suspension of all matters in the order paper for Wednesday, described the death of Saraki as “a rude shock”.
For officers and men of the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the battle is not over until smuggling is over.
In the wake of Wednesday May, 8, 2024, the ever vigilant officers, acting on a tip-off, intercepted 177 sacks and 61 kegs of 25 litres containing petroleum products, valued at about N8.750,000million.
The items were intercepted along Isalu Creek, Badagry Waterway en-route Benin Republic.
While briefing newsmen, the Command’s Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, said: “This seizure is most economically significant to the Command at this period of scarcity of Petroleum Products, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in our cities, and shows the anticipatory posture in our response to economic saboteurs.
“At about 2:330hrs on Wednesday 8th May 2024, while on joint patrol by teams in the Command, credible intelligence was received of the movement of 2 boats laden with what was suspected to be petroleum products concealed in sacks. Upon receipt of the information, the team moved into Isalu creeks, Badagry waterway.
“On sighting the approach of the Officers, the smugglers took to their heels through the shore of the Creek. The loaded boats were then towed to the station at Badagry where preliminary examination was conducted and transferred to Western Marine Command Headquarters, Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos.
“Careful examination at the Command Headquarters revealed that the arrest was found to contain One Hundred and Seventy Seven (177) Sacks and Sixty One (61) Kegs of 25 Litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) containing Twelve Thousand Five Hundred (12,500) Liters with a total Duty Paid Value standing at Eight Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N8,750,000) only”.
Bamisaiye noted that the action of the smugglers is a contravention of Section 245 & 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 which the service, through Western Marine Command, is responsible for enforcing.
“The Command, under the leadership of Compt. PK Bamisaiye, is poised more than ever to rid the waterways of all acts of smuggling and economy sabotage for the benefit of the growth of economy of Nigeria”, he said
Bamisaiye said so far, no suspect was arrested in the Command’s anti-smuggling operations.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Petroleum products being sought by motorists have disappeared from virtually all filling stations within Lagos and its environs, but are now booming in business in retail outlets.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that while the product could not be got at some of the petrol service stations, activities are in top gear in the local retail outlets where the price has gone beyond the reach of users.
It was also gathered that in some filling stations supplied with the products, preference are often given to retail outlet operators by petrol attendants against the consuming public.
A source, directly involved in the business, said some petrol dealers are cashing on the irregular supply to divert the products to retail outlets where they could easily make their gains.
It was also gathered that some sales representatives in the service of major oil marketing firms indulged in the diversion exercise because of their personal interest.
At the retail outlets a liter goes for N950,00 against the normal N760,to N800 at some stations.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has confirmed the appointment of five Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs) and eight Assistant Comptrollers-General (ACGs) of Customs during its 59th regular meeting.
The meeting, chaired by the Honorable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, was held at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja last Tuesday.
National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, gave details of the confirmed appointments as: O.O. Peters (DCG /Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (rtd); B.M. Jibo (DCG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation); and B.U. Nwanfor (DCG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives).
Others are: S.A. Bomia (DCG, Commander Training and Doctrine Command); and C.K. Niagwan (DCG, Tariff & Trade).
The Assistant Comptrollers General (ACGs) are: B. Imam (ACG Board); A.A.S. Oloyede (ACG, Trade & Tariff); S.K. Dangaldima (ACG/Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘B’); A. Abdul Azeez (ACG/Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘D’); S.A. Yusuf (ACG, Human Resource Development); N.P. Umoh (ACG, Training and Doctrine Command); C.O. Obih (ACG/Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘C’); and S. Chiroma (ACG, Strategic Research and Policy).
The new appointments, according to the statement, were made to fill the vacancies created by some senior officers who recently retired from the Service, noting that the principles of federal character, seniority and merit guided the appointments approved by the board.
“These appointments are a testament to the officers’ exemplary services and dedication to the Nigeria Customs Service. The NCSB remains committed to providing strategic leadership to ensure effective and efficient service delivery for optimum performance”, he said.
While thanking the retired members of the management for their meritorious services, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, congratulated the newly confirmed officers and charged them to redouble their efforts to ensure the service attains greater heights in its mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation amongst others.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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