Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed his heartfelt condolences over the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a renowned leader of the Afenifere group, who died on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at the age of 96.

In a condolence message issued on Monday in Abuja, Shettima described Pa Adebanjo as a champion of a more equitable and progressive Nigeria.

Shettima acknowledged Pa Adebanjo’s extensive contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey, highlighting his roles as Organising Secretary of the Action Group and leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NADE) during the military era.

He lauded Pa Adebanjo’s unwavering commitment to advocating for a better Nigeria, even in his final days.

The Vice-President eulogised Pa Adebanjo as one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s political history, whose departure marks a significant chapter in the country’s history.

He noted that, in African tradition, the passing of an elderly person like Pa Adebanjo takes with them a vital part of the nation’s history

Shettima extended his condolences to Pa Adebanjo’s family, particularly his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, and expressed hope that they would find the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Pa Adebanjo is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildre

The Commissioner of Police in Osun, Mohammed Abba, has pledged   collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in tackling the menace of drug Abuse in the state.

A statement by the Police Public Relation Officer, CSP Yemisi Opalaola, on Thursday in Osogbo, said that the commissioner made the pledge while playing host to NDLEA State Commandant, Adetula Lawal.

Abba expressed his readiness to further strengthen the healthy partnership between the two agencies.

The police commissioner said that the fight against drug abuse required collective efforts.

According to him, many of those committing crimes are doing so under the influence of dangerous drugs.

Abba promised to provide the necessary support to the NDLEA in the state.

The statement quoted Lawal as commending the police commissioner’s efforts in combating crime and criminality in the state.

He reiterated the agency’s collaboration with the police, as a leading security agency to tackle the menace of drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

Financial experts have raised alarm that the implementation of the 4 per cent Free-On-Board (FOB) Levy on imports would exacerbate inflation in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Feb. 5 announced its introduction of the FOB levy on imports.

According to Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesman of the service, the introduction of the levy was in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

“In line with the provisions of Section 18 (1) of NCSA 2023, the NCS is implementing a 4 per cent charge on the Free On-Board (FOB) value of imports.

“The FOB charge, which is calculated based on the value of imported goods, including the cost of goods and transportation expenses incurred up to the port of loading, is essential to driving the effective operation of the service.”

However, a former Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun Chapter, Dr Wale Adegbite and Evans Osabuohien, a Professor of Economics, said that the levy would worsen the nation’s inflation rate.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ota, Ogun, Adegbite and Osabuohien of the Department of Economics, Covenant University, said that the policy would negatively impact the economy.

The former MAN chairman said that the 4 per cent levy by the NCS “is a disaster and will worsen an already bad situation with multiple devastating effect on the economy.

” Why would the government inflict more hardship on the population as this new policy will certainly lead to more price increase, thus further increasing the country’s inflation rate.

“In addition, the masses will suffer more because of the impending price increase without any corresponding increase in income.”

Also, Osabuohien said that though the new FOB policy by the NCS was meant to generate more revenue for the federal government, but it would negatively impact on the economy.

He said that the NCS action would increase the cost of living of households.

The economist explained further that the development would increase the cost of operations of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially those companies that depend on imported raw materials for their production.

“This additional cost to be incurred through the 4 per cent increase in FOB would be transferred to the consumers and it would automatically trigger increase in the nation’s inflation rate,” Osabuohien said.