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.

Alake restates Tinubu’s commitment to improving senior citizens’ welfare

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has restated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of senior citizens in the country.

Alake said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikoro-Ekiti, his country home.

According to the minister, Tinubu is determined to accord dignity to senior citizens by giving them a new lease of life in line with his Renewed Hope Mantra.

Alake said that senior citizens had been adequately factored in all the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

NAN reports that Alake had on Saturday, distributed 1,200 bags of rice to the elderly in Ekiti, irrespective of the political party they belonged to.

He thanked the president for listening to the people and demonstrating a caring heart, noting “1,200 bags of rice was made available to me and each minister to further supplement the established channels of distribution.

“We need to reach out to our aged fathers and mothers at times like this to demonstrate the Omoluabi values of taking care of the old in the community.

“In the spirit of inclusion, it is important that we channel this intervention to mainly elderly citizens.

“This is because they do not have the strength to compete for welfare goods such as these at the established centres. We have taken their inventory and we are delivering it to them.

“Subsequent interventions will target other segments of the populace, such as widows, orphans, persons living with disabilities and students in higher institutions of learning,” he said.

The minister said that the onus was on the people to care for the elderly by focusing on issues affecting them, adding that every individual would grow old and require the support of the younger generation at some point in life.