News

Customs Sets N1trn Revenue Target For 2016

Published

10 years ago

January 27, 2016

The Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, said that the Nigeria Customs Service had set N1 trillion revenue target for itself in 2016.
Ali announced this to newsmen at the sidelines of the celebration of International Customs Day (ICD), yesterday in Abuja.
He said that the service had not received 2016 revenue target from the Budget Office of the Federation, adding that Nigeria Customs had, however, set the target for 2016.
“We (customs) have not received the 2016 revenue target from the budget office yet but we normally set a target for ourselves and we are looking at the N1 trillion for 2016.
“We hope and are working to block all leakages and making sure that our system works perfectly and hopefully the policies of government will also be in our favour; we hope to hit N1 trillion in 2016,’’ Ali said.
On asset declaration by customs personnel, Ali said, “I believe that all my officers are complying.”
According to him, the deployment of e-customs has boosted revenue collection and its role of providing connectivity in the nation’s borders.
He said that Nigeria customs was jointing its global counterpart community to celebrate the day set aside by the world body to appreciate customs men and women who had worked for the economic and security well-being of the nation.
“The deployment of e-customs has boosted customs’ role of providing connectivity between nations divided by artificial borders.
“Collection of revenue and interception of harmful imports have been made easier with the help of technology.
“In line with the change mantra of the present government, let me remind all operatives and stakeholders alike not to abuse the process and corrupt the system.
“Any act calculated to distort and compromise the integrity of e-customs will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate sanctions,’’ he added.
Ali said that in the area of using technology for collaboration and efficiency, NCS was always playing the leading role. According to him, the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS), Nigeria Trade Hub and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) are electronic platforms for effective collaborations and ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Ali said that compliant stakeholders and operatives who had distinguished themselves in the deployment and transparent use of e-customs to enhance revenue and national security would be encouraged and rewarded.
The Secretary General, World Customs Organisation (WCO), Mr Kunio Mikuriya, said that to support the WCO members in their efforts to further adopt digital customs, the WCO had developed an extensive portfolio of instruments and applications.
The Secretary-General was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General, Strategic Research and Policy, Paul Ukaigwe. Mikuriya said customs administrations globally were encouraged to actively showcase and promote the use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) to collect and safeguard customs duties, flow of goods and secure cross border trade from crime.
“Part of our work in these months to come will be to monitor and communicate best practice in topics as diverse as change management, human resource policies and information management.
“Over the course of 2016, all WCO members are to promote and share information on how to they are adapting to the digital environment and how they are leveraging the potential of IT.”
They will also promote how to implement and use digital technologies to advance and achieve their objectives and respond to the expectations of traders, transport and logistics operators.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.