Author: Dodo Elias Denen

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has extended its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, to Anambra State, providing essential food supplies to over 2,000 vulnerable residents in Awka, the state’s capital.

The two-day outreach, which held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Catholic Diocese, Awka and at Emmaus House, the Anglican Diocese of Awka, saw the distribution of relief materials to the elderly, widows and other vulnerable members of the community.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, Dr. Nosa Orumwense, Regional Bank Head -Awka, Fidelity Bank Plc, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to fighting hunger and improving the welfare of communities across Nigeria.
“The Fidelity Food Bank was launched as part of our commitment to the well-being of our host communities. We are delighted to bring this initiative to Anambra State, in collaboration with our partners to ensure the most vulnerable among us receive support during these difficult times,” Orumwense said.

The initiative received great commendations from the community and leaders alike. Appreciating the bank’s efforts, Rev. Father Levi Ukor, Director of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Catholic Diocese of Awka, highlighted the importance of collaborations in tackling hunger.
“We are truly excited to partner with Fidelity Bank on this noble cause. Hunger remains a pressing issue for many households, and the bank’s decision to provide food support to this large number of vulnerable people shows genuine compassion and social responsibility,” Rev. Father Ukor said.

The Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, described food as a basic necessity of life and urged other corporate organizations to emulate Fidelity Bank in addressing the plight of the poor.

Similarly, Chinedu Okafor, Chairman, Awka South Local Government Area, also applauded the bank’s intervention and support to the community.
“Fidelity Bank’s intervention could not have come at a better time for the people of Awka. Many of our residents are facing difficult economic realities, and this gesture brings real relief to families in need. We deeply appreciate the bank’s commitment to our community and pledge our administration’s continued support for initiatives that improve the welfare of our people,” Okafor said.

Beneficiaries also expressed gratitude for the bank’s gesture. “The foodstuff will go a long way in supporting my family. Thank you, Fidelity Bank, this just came at the perfect time,” said Mrs. Adanma Mbah, one of the recipients. Likewise, Mrs. Nnenna Okeke, another beneficiary, urged other organizations to follow Fidelity Bank’s lead, emphasizing the importance of food interventions in tackling hunger and restoring hope.

The Fidelity Food Bank Initiative is one of several community-focused programs through which the bank demonstrates its commitment to improving the quality of life for Nigerians, while fostering sustainable development in its host communities. Since its launch in April 2023, the initiative has witnessed the distribution of over 250,000 food packs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, reaching more than 300 communities nationwide.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

The Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Zone RS2HQ in charge of Lagos and Ogun State Command, Assistant Corps Marshal Ann O. Oladayo, has called for enhanced collaboration with the 81 Division Nigerian Army to achieve its mandate within Lagos State. She made the call during a courtesy visit to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, at the Division’s Headquarters in Lagos on 9 September 2025.

According to the signed press Statement by Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 81 Division Nigerian Army, earlier in her remarks, Assistant Corps Marshal Oladayo stated that the purpose of the visit was to familiarize herself with the Division following her recent assumption of office and to strengthen existing ties between the two institutions. She emphasized the need for closer collaboration in areas such as training and joint operations to improve efficiency and ensure the safety of lives and property across Lagos State. She further assured that the FRSC is willing to support the Nigerian Army in relevant areas, including the issuance of driver’s licenses, proper vehicle plate registration, and driver training programmes.

In his response, the GOC 81 Division Major General Farouk Mijinyawa warmly welcomed the Zonal Commanding Officer and congratulated her on her well deserved appointment as the first female Zonal Commanding Officer of Zone RS2HQ in charge of Lagos and Ogun State. He reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to sustaining the existing relationship with the FRSC and assured continued support in areas of mutual interest. The GOC also commended the FRSC for its relentless efforts in reducing road traffic accidents and promoting a safer motoring environment.

The visit was attended by some Commanders and staff officers of the Division, including the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 81 Division; Commander 81 Division Provost Group, Commander 81 Military Intelligence Brigade and representative of the Commander 75 Supply and Transport Brigade among others. Highlights of the events included the signing of the visitors’ book, presentation of souvenirs, and a group photograph.

Barely 24 hours after assuming office as Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba has started implementing his vow to build on the success of his predecessor.

The command achieved a collection of ₦20,156,077,098.56 on Tuesday September 9, 2025, barely 24 hours after he assumed leadership of the area. The latest record-breaking collection now stands as the highest daily revenue of any command in the Nigeria Customs Service using the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu

According to the signed press statement by the Public Relations Officer of the command, SC John Tunde Ayagbalo, this record has not only broken the existing ₦18b achieved by the command but has also confirmed the new CAC’s resolve to meet and surpass the revenue target set for the command as stated in his maiden address on Monday

Shortly after taking over, Comptroller Oshoba
met with senior officers of the command where he commended them for the great feats achieved in the past with a directive urging them to increase their tempo of productivity.

He reminded them that outstanding results are the real proof of hard work, dedication and uncompromising disposition to duty and that he believes they could do better than they did before his arrival.

On the recent ₦20.1b collection in a day, Comptroller Oshoba said it’s only the beginning of greater exploits and it’s not time for celebration because he foresees greater achievements for the flagship command of NCS under his leadership

He described B’Odogwu as a necessity in the build-up to a more modern and efficient customs administration in Nigeria with potential to strengthen the country’s position as Africa’s largest economy noted for trade facilitation.

“I commend my team and stakeholders for this great milestone of ₦20.1b collection in one day just 24 hours after I resumed here. It’s not the time to clap yet because clapping means removing your two hands from work to celebrate.

“Let’s leave the celebration and applause for days ahead when we shall have future achievements of surpassing targets, curbing any attempted smuggling or concealment and treating trade with productive speed without compromising our integrity. I believe in Action, which speaks louder than words

“We are all part of history as our collective efforts are resonating positively on the Nigerian economy. I urge my officers to keep the great work going and for the stakeholders, they should stay on the path of compliance ” Comptroller Oshoba said.

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has urged civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria to adopt a new agenda that goes beyond routine advocacy and monitoring, and to embrace knowledge-driven leadership in the governance of the country’s extractive industries.

Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, made this call on Monday, September 8, 2025, during a courtesy visit to the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in Abuja.

Dr. Orji said the evolving realities of global energy transition, fiscal pressures, and governance challenges demand a stronger role for civil society in shaping extractive sector reforms.

“Civil society must move from simply demanding accountability to providing knowledge-based, evidence-driven, and solution-oriented leadership that adds real value to governance,” he said. “This new agenda calls for leadership in energy transition accountability, fiscal justice, contract analysis, and vigilance in curbing illicit financial flows.”

He highlighted ongoing institutional linkages by NEITI, including collaborations with the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU, and NNPC Ltd., as well as the establishment of a Data Centre to provide real-time disclosures on revenues, ownership, and host community funds. According to him, these platforms are open opportunities for CSOs to deepen their civic impact.

The NEITI boss specifically challenged CISLAC to take the lead in driving civil society’s contribution to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) process. He recommended that CISLAC expand its information platforms from bulletins to peer-reviewed scholarly journals that could support research, teaching, and global thought leadership.

In his welcome address, CISLAC’s Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Hon. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, reaffirmed CISLAC’s long-standing partnership with NEITI and its role in establishing Nigeria’s EITI framework. He noted that the collaboration between both institutions has historically advanced transparency and accountability in the oil, gas, and solid minerals sectors.

Rafsanjani acknowledged NEITI’s contributions through data disclosures and reforms, while stressing the need for stronger accountability at sub-national levels and tangible benefits for communities in extractive regions.

“Today, Nigeria is navigating complex challenges—declining oil revenues, energy transition, and governance risks in the solid minerals sector. This makes our collaboration with NEITI even more urgent,” Rafsanjani said.

He outlined areas of future partnership, including tracking audit recommendations, legislative advocacy, capacity building for journalists and parliamentarians, and safeguarding civic space in extractive governance.

Both leaders agreed that the future of Nigeria’s extractive governance depends largely on how civil society evolves from watchdogs to solution providers, and from observers to reform architects.

The Nigerian Army has intensified its nationwide counter-terrorism and anti-crime operations, recording significant successes between September 1 and 5, 2025. The operations led to the neutralisation of four terrorists, arrest of 64 criminal suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims, and recovery of weapons, ammunition, and logistics.

In the North East, troops of 117 Task Force Battalion, supported by Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes, engaged terrorists at Yimurmuze in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, killing one and seizing an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 24 rounds of ammunition. Similarly, troops of 159 Battalion in Geidam LGA neutralised another terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle with two magazines. In Adamawa State, 115 Task Force Battalion apprehended eight suspected cattle rustlers in Askira Uba, recovering a Dane gun, cartridges, knives, bows and arrows, and mobile phones. Troops also discovered improvised explosive devices in New Marte, disrupting planned attacks.

In the North West, airstrikes by the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with ground troops, destroyed terrorist hideouts at Zango in Katsina State. Intercepted communications confirmed up to 15 terrorists were killed, while others fled with gunshot wounds. In Sokoto State, troops of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion arrested two terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu LGA.

In the North Central region, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised an armed herder in Logo LGA, Benue State, recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition. In Niger State, soldiers rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered 28 rustled cows during coordinated air and ground operations in Mariga LGA.

Elsewhere across the country, the Army also recorded major breakthroughs. In Kaduna State, 19 suspects were arrested in raid operations across Unguwan Dosa, Rigasa, Mando, and Tudun Wada. In Rivers State, troops uncovered 35 sacks of illegally refined petroleum products, amounting to about 1,750 litres, and arrested a suspect despite stiff resistance from bunkerers. In Delta State, soldiers working alongside the NDLEA apprehended three drug peddlers in Sapele, seizing cocaine, tramadol, and other illicit substances, while in Oshimili South LGA, two suspected IPOB/ESN members linked to improvised explosive device production were arrested.

Operations also extended to Lagos, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, leading to the arrest of armed robbers, kidnappers, and drug dealers, with recoveries of firearms, ammunition, and narcotics.

The Army said the sustained operations are part of efforts to stabilise communities, dismantle criminal networks, and create an enabling environment for agricultural and socio-economic activities in support of the Federal Government’s drive for food security.

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved a De Minimis Threshold Value of $300 for low-value consignments, in a move aimed at simplifying clearance procedures and boosting trade facilitation in line with global best practices.

The decision was reached at the Board’s 63rd regular meeting, held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. The policy takes effect from Monday, September 8, 2025.

Explaining the framework, the Board noted that the $300 threshold will apply to low-value imports, e-commerce consignments, and passenger baggage, with a restriction of four importations per annum. Goods falling under this category will be exempted from import duties and taxes, provided they are not prohibited or restricted items.

The Service also clarified that consignments within the threshold will enjoy immediate clearance without post-release documentation. However, it warned that strict enforcement measures would be applied against any attempt to manipulate invoices or evade duties. Penalties include forfeiture, arrest, and sanctions under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

To ensure smooth implementation, the Service announced plans to establish multi-channel helpdesks that will serve as engagement points for stakeholders, providing compliance guidance and resolving complaints. The initiative is expected to stimulate cross-border e-commerce, reduce delays, and consolidate Nigeria’s position as a leader in trade facilitation across the region.

Beyond policy decisions, the Board also addressed disciplinary cases involving officers, following viral social media videos showing acts of misconduct. Two officers were demoted and subjected to mandatory medical re-evaluation, while two others were reinstated after a favourable review of their cases.

The Board issued a stern warning against substance abuse and other unethical conduct among personnel, stressing that such behaviour would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Reaffirming its stance, the Customs Service pledged continued commitment to accountability, discipline, and integrity, with reforms designed to strengthen public trust and ensure fairness in operations.

The Nigerian Army has intensified its nationwide operations against terrorism and criminality, recording significant breakthroughs between September 1 and 5, 2025. The operations led to the neutralization of four terrorists, arrest of 64 suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims, and recovery of weapons, ammunition, and other logistics.

In the North East, troops of 117 Task Force Battalion, supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes, engaged terrorists in Yimurmuze, Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, killing one terrorist and seizing an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 24 rounds of ammunition. Similarly, troops of 159 Battalion in Geidam, Yobe State, neutralized another terrorist, recovering weapons and ammunition, while 115 Task Force Battalion in Askira Uba, Adamawa State, arrested eight suspected cattle rustlers with assorted weapons and communication gadgets. Soldiers also discovered improvised explosive devices in New Marte.

In the North West, coordinated strikes by the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and ground troops targeted terrorist hideouts in Zango, Katsina State, killing up to 15 insurgents, according to intercepted communications. In Sokoto State, troops of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion arrested two terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area.

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE in the North Central region neutralized one armed herder during a gun duel in Logo, Benue State, recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition. In Niger State, joint air and ground operations in Mariga LGA led to the rescue of two kidnapped victims and the recovery of 28 rustled cattle.

Similar successes were recorded across other regions. In Kaduna State, 19 suspects were arrested during raids in Unguwan Dosa, Rigasa, Mando, and Tudun Wada. In Rivers State, soldiers uncovered 35 sacks of illegally refined petroleum products, amounting to about 1,750 litres, and arrested a suspect despite resistance from bunkerers. In Delta State, troops working with the NDLEA arrested three drug peddlers in Sapele, seizing cocaine, tramadol, and other illicit substances. In Oshimili South LGA, troops arrested two suspected IPOB/ESN members linked to improvised explosive device production.

Further operations in Lagos, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory also led to the arrest of armed robbers, kidnappers, and drug traffickers, as well as the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and illicit substances.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security across the country and creating a safe environment for farming and other socio-economic activities, in line with the Federal Government’s agenda on food security.