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Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon customs move to deepen intra-African trade with coordinated border mgt

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By Tella Emeh

Nigeria, Benin Republic and Cameroon have taken a major step towards strengthening intra-African trade and improving border efficiency by agreeing to establish a trilateral framework for coordinated border management, following a high-level benchmarking mission to Zimbabwe’s renowned Beitbridge Border Post.

The commitment was reached at the end of a five-day study visit organised with the support of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to examine best practices in modern border administration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a statement said on Tuesday.

The delegation was led by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, and included the Director-General of Cameroon Customs, Fongod Nuvaga; the Director-General of Benin Customs, Colonel Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou; Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Mrs. Lonto Ndlovu; Chairman of Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited, Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu; alongside other technical experts.

Speaking during the adoption of the Joint Communiqué on Monday,  Adeniyi described the mission as a strategic opportunity for African customs administrations to move beyond discussions on border reforms to practical implementation of modern border management systems.

He said the experiences at the Beitbridge and Chirundu border posts in Zimbabwe demonstrated that successful border modernisation depends on coordinated institutions, digital integration, strong leadership and professional human capital rather than infrastructure alone.

“Beitbridge has demonstrated that border modernisation is not merely about infrastructure development. 

“The most important lesson for us is that sustainable reform depends on coordinated institutions, clear accountability, digital interoperability and professional human capital,” Adeniyi said.

According to him, Nigeria and its regional partners would apply the lessons from Zimbabwe to strengthen trade facilitation, improve border security and promote economic growth across West and Central Africa.

During the mission, customs chiefs and technical teams participated in executive briefings and facility tours covering the Beitbridge Modernisation and Concession Model, including its financing arrangements, operational framework, revenue management systems and coordinated border governance architecture.

Participants also inspected freight terminals, cargo processing centres, scanning facilities, traffic management systems and integrated ICT infrastructure that support efficient border operations at one of Africa’s busiest border crossings.

The Joint Communiqué signed at the end of the mission identified the Sèmè-Kraké corridor linking Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as the Mfum-Ekok corridor connecting Nigeria and Cameroon, as priority routes for implementing coordinated border management and One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) arrangements.

Cameroon Customs Director-General Fongod Nuvaga stressed that stronger collaboration among customs administrations is essential to eliminating procedural bottlenecks while maintaining effective border controls.

He said enhanced regional cooperation would enable African countries to maximise the opportunities created by the AfCFTA and accelerate continental economic integration.

Similarly, Benin Customs Director-General Colonel Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou said the Beitbridge experience offers practical lessons for improving border operations across West Africa.

He noted that harmonised customs procedures, coordinated risk management systems and stronger institutional partnerships would be critical to ensuring seamless cross-border trade while improving revenue collection.

Earlier, Afreximbank’s Director for Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion, Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe, said the benchmarking mission formed part of the bank’s broader strategy to promote trade-enabling infrastructure and institutional reforms across Africa.

According to him, beyond showcasing physical infrastructure, the exercise was designed to expose participating customs administrations to governance structures, operational models and accountability systems that have made Beitbridge a successful model for border management.

“Infrastructure is important, but what truly drives performance is an operating model built on accountability, coordination, technology and measurable service standards. Those are the lessons we hope will be replicated across strategic corridors on the continent,” Zanamwe said.

The mission ended with Nigeria, Cameroon and Benin signing a Joint Communiqué committing the three countries to establish a Trilateral Strategic Steering Committee to oversee implementation of the recommendations.

The customs administrations also pledged to harmonise border procedures, strengthen digital interoperability, improve coordinated risk management systems and invest in personnel development as part of efforts to facilitate trade, enhance border security and advance regional economic integration under the AfCFTA.

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Osun guber: APC senator recants, says “I meant kill Accord with votes, not violence” — 

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Few hours after his viral video generated criticisms and reaction over his charge on his supporters to “kill” any member of Accord Party who is seen in Ilesha, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, the lawmaker representing the Osun East Senatorial District, recanted his statement ,  and clarified the intention behind his  ‘Kill Accord’ comment 

The APC senator was seen In the video, speaking in Yoruba and accusing Accord Party members of attacking members of the All Progressives Congress, he therefore urged the gathering to attack Accord Party supporters in Ilesa.

He was also seen daring those present to record his remarks and share them on social media, while reportedly addressing APC supporters in Ilesa ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election.

The video however attracted serious criticism and condemnation after all the 13 participating political parties and their candidates have signed a peace accord ahead of the August 15 election, with the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, calling for his arrest and prosecution for allegedly incitng violence 

But in a swift  reaction, through a statement by his media office,, titled ‘Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,’ the senator said his viral comment was “a call on supporters to overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means during the August 15 governorship election.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement added.

It noted that the comment didn’t portray the lawmaker as an advocate of violence against any member of the public or political party.

“At no point did Senator Fadahunsi advocate violence, intimidation or any form of physical attack against members or supporters of the Accord Party or any other political party. His consistent position has always been that elections should be decided by the votes of the people and not by force.

“The Senator, therefore, urges political actors, party supporters and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election. He also calls on security agencies to remain professional and ensure that every eligible voter is able to exercise their constitutional right without fear or intimidation.

“Senator Fadahunsi remains committed to democratic values, issue-based campaigns and a credible electoral process. He believes that the will of the people, freely expressed through the ballot, must always prevail.

“We, therefore, appeal to members of the public not to misinterpret or deliberately distort the Senator’s comments, as they were clearly intended to encourage electoral victory through the power of the ballot and not through violence,” the statement concluded.

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Kebbi govt spends over N16 Billion on retirement, death benefits – Gov. Idris

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Our Reporter 

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has disclosed that his administration has spent over ₦16 billion on retirement and death benefits since assuming office in May 2023.

The Governor made this known on Thursday while delivering his address at the opening ceremony of the Workers’ Rights Summit, held to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the legalization of trade unionism in Nigeria (1938–2026). The event took place at the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi.

Governor Idris stated that, in line with his administration’s strategic plan for sustainable economic growth, numerous transformative projects have been executed across the state.

“These monumental achievements, alongside many other reforms still in the pipeline, are a testament to the deep commitment of this administration to the dignity and well-being of every worker in Kebbi State,” he said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to people-oriented policies and appealed for the continued support and cooperation of the people to ensure the success of his government.

The Governor emphasized that his administration has consistently prioritized the welfare of civil servants and the entire workforce.

“We are prepared to collaborate with all stakeholders—including trade unions, civil society organizations, and the organized private sector—to enhance the welfare, safety, and protection of workers’ rights,” he added.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and State Head of the Civil Service, Tpl. Mallam Shekare mni, highlighted the achievements of the Kauran Gwandu administration, particularly its commitment to workers’ welfare. He noted that more than ₦16 billion had been expended on retirement and death benefits from May 2023 to date.

The Head of Service commended Governor Nasir Idris for his unwavering support for civil servants, citing the construction and furnishing of the ultra-modern State Secretariat Complex, the implementation of the ₦75,000 minimum wage, and other welfare initiatives.

In his remarks, former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, commended Governor Idris for the remarkable achievements recorded within three years in office. He said the summit was aimed at strengthening workers’ rights and promoting good governance.

He urged participants to emulate the Governor’s commitment to building a better future for workers.

Also speaking, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, represented by the President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Titus Amba, applauded Governor Idris for delivering over 80 percent of his campaign promises. He also commended the organizers for hosting the summit.

He encouraged workers to remain committed to their duties and disclosed that the NLC was working towards a review of the national minimum wage through continued engagement with the Federal Government.

Comrade Amba further thanked the Nigerian Bar Association and the Human Rights Institute for organizing the summit, describing it as a strategic gathering focused on labour, social justice, and democracy at a critical time in the nation’s history.

The Chief Judge of Kebbi State, Justice Umaru Abubakar, also commended the theme of the summit and reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of civil servants.

He stated that the government would continue to partner with relevant organizations to improve workers’ welfare, noting that the dedication of the state’s civil servants has been instrumental to the success of the present administration.

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Tinubu qualified to run for president despite certificate submitted – APC Ex-Legal APC Adviser, Ogala

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By Umar Musa

A former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Babatunde Ogala, on Thursday insisted that President Bola Tinubu is qualified to run for the presidency in 2027.

Ogala said Tinubu is qualified by virtue of his age and the fact that he is a Nigerian.

He made this known on Channels Television’s Politics Today while reacting to the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s qualifications.

Tinubu did not submit his primary and secondary school certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This has led to widespread controversy among Nigerians.

However, Ogala said: “What does the Constitution say about qualification for office? Because I hear things like: Who are his parents? Who is his father? Who is his mother? Who is his sister? And who is his brother?

“Is he a Nigerian? The answer is yes, unless otherwise proven or determined through a judicial process. Is Tinubu qualified to run for the presidency age-wise? The answer is yes, by constitutional provisions.

“Does he have the minimum educational qualification as prescribed by the Constitution, which says educated up to School Certificate level, interpreted to mean Primary Six and the ability to read and write?

“The man says, ‘I have a degree.’ Babatunde Ogala is sitting here. I’m a Senior Advocate, and you are asking me to prove if I’m a lawyer. You want to know which primary and secondary schools I attended, where I did my A-Levels, and all of that.”

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