Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged regulatory agencies to eliminate overlaps and align their activities with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for economic growth and enhance ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Shettima said this on Thursday during the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Regulators’ Forum to build an effective Regulatory Impact Framework (RIA) for Nigeria held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that President Tinubu’s administration was committed to streamlining the regulatory environment in the country.

According to Shettima, the move is crucial in driving the coordination, transparency and global competitiveness required for the nation’s economic transformation, stressing that the administration’s journey towards a regulatory system built on trust, consistency and collaboration was ongoing.

He said that it was a journey that required all and sundry to remain committed.

“Our duty to the private sector is clear: to listen, process their concerns, and develop solutions that drive growth.

“In recent months, there have been pockets of complaints regarding certain directives from our regulatory agencies.

“I have personally intervened on several occasions to ensure we are not hampered by conflict, but instead move forward with unity and purpose.

“The success of this forum today does not solely depend on our ability to collaborate, share knowledge, and align our regulatory actions with the broader national agenda,” Shettima said.

He said President Tinubu has reassured the business community of his commitment to easing any bottlenecks they may encounter.

“And each regulator here must adopt the same mindset in their dealings with private enterprises.

“The work of PEBEC, particularly through initiatives like the Regulatory Reform Accelerator, has been pivotal in reducing the obstacles faced by businesses.

“Today’s forum offers an unparalleled opportunity to address these issues head-on and chart a new course towards regulatory cohesion.

“This is not merely an event – it is a defining moment for us to reflect on the duties we owe our nation,” he said.

Customs destroy 1,015 sacks of dried Donkey meat, skin in Edo

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, has destroyed 1,015 sacks of dried donkey meat and skin in Edo.

A statement by Mr Jerry Attah, the Public Relations Officer, NCS, FOU, Zone C, on Wednesday, said that the items were part of contraband seized between July 15 and Sept. 15 in the zone.

Attah quoted Comptroller Michael Ugbagu, who oversees NCS, FOU, Zone C, as saying the destruction was carried out in the presence of representatives of other regulatory agencies.

He underscored the need for collaborative efforts to protect wildlife.

Ugbagu said the initiative also aligned with efforts to combat the illegal trade of endangered species.

He said that Nigeria as a signatory to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits the trade in donkeys.

“The National Council on Agricultural and Rural Development in 2017 has also banned the large-scale slaughter of donkeys in the country to prevent their extinction.

“But as you may be aware, donkey parts are highly valued in Asia, particularly in China, where they are used for consumption and medical purposes,” he said.

The comptroller further said that smugglers had become creative, now using luxurious buses to transport donkey meat at night to evade arrest.

“We cannot afford to lose our donkeys on the altar of illicit exports, especially considering their economic importance for agricultural purposes,” he said.

Ugbagu reiterated the unit’s resolve to protect the country’s wildlife and economy.

He thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the service for their support in the fight against smuggling.

Ugbagu also called on the media and Nigerians to assist Customs with intelligence to curb smuggling activities.

He issued a stern warning to smugglers planning illegal activities during the ember months, stating that customs officers would remain vigilant and committed to enforcing the law.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerians to utilise the Eid-el-Maulud celebration for introspection and prayers for the nation.

The Director-General of NOA, Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, also acknowledged the efforts of the current administration in addressing economic challenges and delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja by the Deputy Director of Press, Mr Paul Odenyi, Issa-Onilu noted that the administration is working tirelessly to develop the country.

He urged Nigerians to emulate the virtues of selflessness, tolerance, peace, love, and fairness exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.

Specifically, Issa-Onilu called on Nigerians to offer prayers for wisdom and guidance for President Bola Tinubu to lead Nigeria to its rightful place among developed nations.

“I urge the Muslim community to offer supplications to God for wisdom and guidance for President Bola Tinubu to lead Nigeria to its rightful place among developed nations,” he said.

Issa-Onilu also advised Nigerians to refrain from engaging in any form of lawlessness during the public holiday.

He assured Nigerians that the government had put measures in place to ensure the protection of lives and property during the holiday and beyond.