NEWS
Customs Announces Plan To Reduce Checkpoints At Seme Border
Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged collaboration with sister agencies operating along the Seme border to address the issue of excessive checkpoints in the corridor.
This assurance was given during his official visit to the Seme area command on Friday.
During his visit, Mr. Adeniyi discussed various concerns raised by the Controller of the Seme area command, Dera Nandi, one of which was the numerous checkpoints along the border axis.
He said “We want to enhance our national security, but we are going to do it with a fewer number of checkpoints; we are working with other security agencies to see how we can rationalise the checkpoints.
“I also want to challenge you that national security is not responsibility of the government agencies alone.
“It is the business of every citizen, in all the parts of the society they treat national security as a priority, so it should not be the business of the security agencies alone.
“This is to make life easier for business, so, I want to charge you all to make life and the work of our security agencies easier.
“The criminal lives among us, those that are bringing arms and ammunition live among us, they operate within us.
“What we can do to help and re-enforce our national security is if you help us with information for us to catch these criminals who are dangerous to our community.
“They are our enemies, they are the ones who do not like us, so there is need for us to help the security with information.
“Once the security agencies get hold of information, they might not need the checkpoints anymore.” he added.
Mr. Adeniyi assured that he would initiate discussions with other relevant agencies to find ways to streamline the checkpoints effectively.
During his statement, he acknowledged that not all closed borders had been reopened yet, but emphasized that ongoing discussions were taking place to address this matter, emphasizing that the process was continuous.
He said “Policies that are aimed at enhancing national security are supposed to be dynamic policies and at different times, we will review them.
“We have started reviewing them that is why some borders were opened about a year ago, so it is a continuous process, more will be opened along the line.
“Everything will depend on the kind of report that will get to the government about the ability of the local communities to support the law enforcement agencies so that criminals do not get through these border areas.”
The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs stated that if all aspects fall into place successfully, the customs service would initiate discussions on the possibility of allowing vehicles to pass through land borders.
Onyekachi Ojinma, the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Seme chapter, made a plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to implement policies that would make the borders more conducive for business and services to flourish aimed at promoting economic growth and trade opportunities at the border region.
During the event, Joseph Gbenu, the Chairman of the Badagry-West Local Council Development Area, expressed his appreciation to the Acting Comptroller General of Customs for his visit to the Seme command.
Gbenu assured the Acting CGC that the local community would cooperate in the fight against economic sabotage and the smuggling of contraband through the borders.
Gbenu assured the Acting CGC that the local community would cooperate in the fight against economic sabotage and the smuggling of contraband through the borders.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for their intervention in the rehabilitation of major Federal roads across the state.
Okpebholo made the remarks during an inspection tour of key Federal road projects in Edo State alongside Umahi, where he commended the Federal Government’s attention to the state’s critical road infrastructure.
ALSO READ: US Military Newspaper Chiefs Sacked Over Editorial Freedom Row
The governor said residents of Edo were pleased with the intervention, urging them not to be distracted by criticisms of the Federal Government on social media.
“Edo people are happy with the President. Don’t listen to all these social media opposition. We know the President means well for Edo,” Okpebholo said.
He stressed the strategic importance of Edo State, describing it as a major gateway connecting the South-South, South-West and other parts of the country.
“Whenever there is a problem, the President always listens because Edo State is like a gateway to any part of the South, South-South and South-West. Even though we are in the North, they are the hub centre point. So anything that happens here affects every state in this country,” he said.
According to Okpebholo, President Tinubu understands Edo’s strategic position and has shown a willingness to respond to the state’s infrastructure needs.
“He doesn’t wait for anything to happen to listen to Edo State,” the governor added.
The governor also thanked Umahi for his role in the ongoing road rehabilitation projects and urged him to convey the appreciation of Edo residents to the President.
“So I want to thank you, Mr Minister of Works, and I want you to take our message back to the President that Edo people are saying thank you,” Okpebholo said.
He further pledged that the state would return to appreciate both the President and the minister after the completion of the road projects.
The inspection is part of ongoing efforts by
the Federal Government to assess and accelerate work on critical road infrastructure in Edo State, a key transportation corridor linking several parts of southern Nigeria.
The Nigerian media industry has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Dotun Oladipo, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Eagle Media Limited, publisher of Eagle Online.
Oladipo died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Lagos, at the age of 56.
His death was announced on the Eagle Online website on Wednesday, with the publication stating that the veteran journalist was in his “usual state of health earlier in the day before suddenly taking ill at his office.”
ALSO READ: Ondo Shock: 23-Year-Old Son Allegedly Hacks 60-Year-Old Mother to Death
The publication described his death as a “shock” to his colleagues, friends and associates.
According to report, Oladipo reportedly drove himself to an unnamed hospital hours before his death.
His death was confirmed by the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, Danlami Nmodu, who announced the development on the guild’s WhatsApp platform.
“It has just been confirmed that Emeritus President, Mr Dotun Oladipo, died today.
“May his soul rest in peace. Amen,” Nmodu stated.
The General Secretary of the Innovative Media Partners Cooperative Multipurpose Society, Nkanu Egbe, also confirmed the death in a statement on Wednesday.
“It is with profound sorrow that I announce the sudden death of our President, Mr Dotun Oladipo, who passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Lagos, at the age of 56,” Egbe said.
Egbe described Oladipo as a dedicated leader whose journalism career spanned nearly three decades.
“Mr Oladipo led our cooperative with dedication, alongside a distinguished journalism career spanning nearly three decades. His passing is a devastating loss not only to IMPCMS but to Nigerian journalism as a whole.”
He said details of the funeral arrangements, condolence visits and interim leadership would be communicated in due course, while urging members to keep Oladipo’s family in their prayers.
Reacting to the development, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, described Oladipo as a
“complete gentleman, accomplished digital journalist and remarkable human being.”
“Dotun Oladipo has passed away. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire community of digital journalists in Nigeria.
“May Dotun Oladipo rest in power!” Sowore wrote.
Oladipo was a former politics editor at PUNCH Newspapers and also worked with the Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Compass and The Sun before founding Eagle Online.
He was a former president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers and was regarded as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s digital journalism industry.
Oladipo obtained a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, in 1992.
The German Embassy in Nigeria has warned Nigerians against relying on information provided by self-styled visa agents when seeking German visas.
The embassy issued the warning on Wednesday in a post on its official X account, urging prospective visa applicants to obtain accurate information directly from official sources.
“Beware of misinformation. Save yourself the hassle & just ask us directly,” the embassy stated.
SEE MORE: Tinubu Moves to Grant Visa-Free Entry for Rwanda
The mission also asked Nigerians to share claims they had heard from “visa agents” in the comments, saying it would respond to some of the claims in subsequent posts.
“Tell us some of the things you’ve heard from ‘visa agents’ in the comments, and we’ll answer in upcoming posts,” it added.
The embassy further clarified that it has no partnership with visa agents.
“We do not work with any ‘visa Agents’!” the German mission stated.
It added that all relevant information concerning visa applications and procedures is freely available through its official website.
The warning comes amid the circulation of potentially misleading information about German visa requirements and application procedures.
The embassy urged Nigerians to verify visa-related information through official channels to avoid unnecessary expenses, confusion and possible fraud.
Prospective applicants seeking to travel to Germany are therefore advised to rely on information from the German Embassy and other authorised German government platforms rather than unverified claims from third-party agents.
‘Edo People Are Happy With Tinubu’ — Okpebholo
Infantino’s Re-Election Bid Suffers Fresh Blow as Italy Withdraws Backing
Shock as Eagle Online Publisher Dotun Oladipo Dies Suddenly at 56
‘Beware of Misinformation’ — German Embassy Warns Nigerians Over Visa Agents
Host Community Angry at FG’s Political Undertones on Kolmani Oilfield
Dangote Raises Petrol to N1,200/l Despite Crude Price Decline
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
