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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted $2.2 million in undeclared cash at major airports across the country between January and July, this year.

The service also said its collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other agencies has also led to the seizures of drones, arms, and endangered wildlife products.

It said in the first half of the year, it generated N3.7 trillion, exceeding budget targets by 12.5 per cent and outperforming 2024 collections by 25 per cent.

According to NCS, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Area Command alone contributed N97.16 billion.

The Officer in charge of Special Duties headquarters, Abuja, Comptroller Haniel Hadison, said this at the fourth quarter aviation stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja.

The Service said its operations this year at various airports have evolved into intelligence-driven missions, shaped by citizen insights and collaborative agency efforts, adding that every tip from the public has helped it intercept contraband, enforce currency declarations and protect the border.

On its security and enforcement, he said: ‘Between January and July 2025, the NCS intercepted $2.2 million in undeclared cash at major airports across the country. For instance, $193,000 concealed in a carton of yoghurt at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on March 20, 2025, $1,154,900 and SR135,900 in Saudi Riyals at the Kano airport from a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia and $578,000 in falsely declared cash was intercepted from an inbound passenger arriving from South Africa at Lagos Airport’.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) yesterday pleaded with the Federal Government to explore every means to curb insecurity.

Its President, Archishop Danial Okoh, made the plea at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Triennial General Assembly of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Wuse II, Abuja.

Speaking on the Assembly’s theme: ‘Demand for Justice and Righteousness,’ Rev Okoh said the current security situation threatens the nation’s soul and places fresh moral demands on the government.

He said: ‘The government has a constitutional, moral, and sacred responsibility to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians; without discrimination, without delay, and without excuses’.

The CAN President urged the CCN to continue standing with CAN in pushing for stronger national action, adding that the church must remain firm and consistent in demanding justice for affected communities.

Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has issued a landmark judgment affirming the constitutional validity, scope, and enforceability of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act 2022, over the outdoor advertising in Nigeria.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Isa Dashen, dismissed the suit filed by Godec Power Nigeria and upheld ARCON’s powers over advertising content on all platforms and targeted at the Nigerian market.

The ruling comes few days after a separate Federal High Court in Lagos reached a different conclusion in Massilia Motors v. ARCON case.

Godec approached the court seeking declarations that ARCON lacked powers to regulate or have oversight function on outdoor signage, arguing that these matters fall within the control of councils under paragraph 1(k)(i) of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.

Godec also argued that ARCON’s Notice of Violation which directed the company to comply with ARCON Act 2022, infringed on its rights to freedom of expression. The plaintiff sought 13 reliefs, including a perpetual injunction restraining ARCON from enforcing the Act; and N100 million in general damages.

The court in Lokoja rejected plaintiffs arguments, noting that advertising regulation is not exclusively a residual matter, and that National Assembly acted in its legitimate constitutional authority when it enacted the ARCON Act 2022.

The court also dismissed the plaintiff’s freedom-of-expression claim. Justice Dashen held that the ARCON Act’s pre-approval requirement is a lawful regulatory measure: ‘The regulatory pre-approval requirement does not suppress expression; it ensures that public communications conform to lawful standards of decency, truthfulness and fairness. Such regulation is a legitimate incident of state oversight.’

Justice Dashen was unequivocal that the plaintiff failed to prove any of its 13 reliefs and dismissed the suit. It also awarded ?500,000 costs in favour of each defendant, the Attorney-General of the Federation and ARCON.

In rejecting the plaintiff’s argument that ARCON’s powers apply only to professional advertisers, the Court also affirmed the broad applicability of the Act. It accepted ARCON’s position that advertising regulation applies to ‘any and every person who engages in, regulates, sponsors or takes benefit of advertising services.’

Certified parenting coach, Mrs. Bunmi Adeniran, has urged parents to monitor their children’s online activities.

She spoke at 2025 ‘I AM Bunmi Adeniran’ Parenting Conference: ‘Building generational faith, parenting eternal impact.’

Adeniran said parents must shift from passive observation to active engagement if they are to protect their children from harmful digital influences.

She noted that the fast pace of modern life leaves parents with limited time for hands-on involvement, allowing external influences to shape children’s values and behaviour.

Sharing her experience, she noted importance of parental presence on social media platforms used by their children.

‘There is no way you can do without social media. When my children joined Facebook years ago, I became their friend. My first son, asked why? I told him that as long as I pay for the phone and data, I have a right to know what goes on there. If I can’t know the password, then I can’t pay,’ she said.

Adeniran also addressed the balance between discipline and nurturing, saying love and compassion must remain central to raising well-rounded children.

She warned against punitive discipline, emphasising that its purpose should be to teach, not to instill fear.

‘The goal of discipline should be teaching,’ she said. ‘Parents should adopt correction methods that build skills, self-regulation, and problem-solving.’

She advised parents not to discipline children in moments of anger or emotional overwhelm, noting that waiting until calm allows for more constructive guidance.

According to her, effective parenting rooted in empathy, respect and healthy discipline supports the development of mentally, socially, morally and spiritually balanced adults.

She likened parenting to sowing seeds, saying children flourish when nurtured in the right environment.

Other speakers at the conference, including Pastor Oluwafemi Oyewunmi, Pastor Nifemi Olawande, Coach Femi Adisa, Rev. Tokunbo Adejuwon, and Pastor Elizabeth Olumuyiwa, echoed her message.

They emphasised the need for parents to work together, remain actively involved, and intentionally instil the right values, discipline, and emotional support in their children.

The event also featured a soul-lifting worship session by gospel singer Ernieola Olusoga.

The respective tenures of the late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of both the National Coordinating Office (NAC) of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo Jr., stood out as beacons of ultimate professionalism and patriotic duty, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s export architecture and development.

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), which made this known over the weekend, said the contributions of Awolowo Jr., a distinguished public servant and technocrat, strengthened the bridge between enterprise and national growth.

Awolowo Jr., who was a grandson of late foremost nationalist and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, died at the age of 62, with NACCIMA President Jani Ibrahim expressing deep regret and sorrow at his demise.

The NACCIMA President, in a statement, stated that within the broader ecosystem of Nigeria’s private sector, policy institutions and development frameworks, his work echoed a legacy rooted in disciplined leadership and strategic foresight.

‘His voice, often calm, yet compelling, added depth to conversations that helped shaped our national economic outlook,’ he added.

According to Ibrahim, ‘NACCIMA extends heartfelt condolences to the entire Awolowo clan, his wife, children, grandchildren, staff of both NAC and NEPC and many other colleagues and compatriots who cherished his professionalism, wisdom and personal warmth.

‘His passage is a reminder of the beauty of stewardship and the enduring power of a fulfilled life lived purposefully.’

France’s highest court yesterday upheld former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction for illegal campaign financing in his failed 2012 re-election bid, his latest legal setback after recently being jailed for nearly a month in another case.

Sarkozy, who served one term as president from 2007 to 2012, was convicted in 2021 and again in 2024 for illegal campaign financing related to the election.

Following an appeal, France’s Cour de Cassation yesterday confirmed the convictions, saying that illegal campaign financing had been established. It upheld Sarkozy’s one-year non-custodial sentence, half of which is suspended.

In a statement, Sarkozy’s lawyers said their client was considering bringing the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

The ruling comes after Sarkozy, 70, was sent to prison on October 21 after he was found guilty in a separate case for efforts by close aides to procure Libyan funds for his 2007 presidential bid. He was freed from jail earlier this month, pending appeal.

Sarkozy has denied accusations that his party, Les Republicains, then known as the UMP, in 2012 spent nearly double the 22.5 million euros ($26 million) allowed under electoral law on extravagant campaign rallies and then hired a friendly public relations firm to hide the cost.

He has said he was not involved in the logistics of his campaign or in how money was spent in the run-up to the election.

The 2021 ruling said Sarkozy was made aware of the overspending, that he did not act on it, and that it was not necessary for him to approve each individual expense to be responsible.

Three top public officials have been nominated as Ambassadors by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

They are the first set of individuals to be tipped to lead Nigeria’s Missions abroad by the Tinubu’s administration.

Those recommended for screening and clearance by the Senate are: Ambassadors Ayodele Oke and Amin Mohammed Dalhatu. Also on the list is former Head of the Secret Service, Lateef Kayode Are.

The President nominated the three seasoned security and diplomatic figures to represent Nigeria in the United States (U.S.); the United Kingdom (UK) and France, a post by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said yesterday.

Ambassador Dalhatu, one of the nominees, previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea duringr the administration the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dalhatu, who was appointed in 2016, completed a tenure marked by strengthened bilateral cooperation between Abuja and Seoul.

Ambassador Oke, a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, served as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

He earlier represented Nigeria at the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations in London and is widely regarded for his extensive diplomatic and intelligence background.

A technical committee rated him the best among those considered for ministerial posting during the Buhari Administration. The committee considered his impeccable pedigree on international relations.

But before the name was announced, a former Oyo State governor rushed to the Presidency and engineered the removal of his name and replaced it with his own stooge.

Col. Are will be bringing decades of national security experience to the diplomatic corps, having served as Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007 and later as National Security Adviser (NSA) in 2010.

The former officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980.

The three nominees are expected to play strategic roles in strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic presence in key global capitals once their postings have been finalised after Senate confirmation.

The race to secure places in the prestigious 2025 Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) Governor’s Belt intensifies this weekend as fighters step into the ring for the November Monthly Championships.

On Saturday, November 29, the Agege Stadium will host a fierce contest where boxers battle for coveted slots in the end-of-year Governor’s Belt bouts.

With competition heating up, every punch will carry the weight of ambition, as athletes aim to prove themselves worthy of a place in one of Nigeria’s most respected grassroots boxing events.

LBHF’s monthly championship will deliver fireworks this weekend as three female bouts and seven male contests headline the card.

In the women’s category, Mistura Otenaike of Surulere will slug it out against Aina Adekiwonsa of Lagos Island in the 48kg division. Eniola Idowu faces Oyindamola Agboola in the 45kg class, while an exhibition bout will see Zainab Ibrahim of Queen Elizabeth Junior Secondary School take on Peculiar Ifemaye of Glory International School, Agbado, in the 27kg class.

The men’s contests promise fierce action. The opening bout pits Kareem Yusuf of Amuwo against Olamide Bello of Yaba in the 53kg category. In the 60kg division, Kola Ogunsemore of Lagos Mainland battles Qudus Akinwande of Badagry, while Ganiu Ayomide of Agboyi Ketu faces Daniel Nkem of Oshodi in another clash at the same weight.

Other bouts include Seun Habu vs Fasosi Paisol in the 70kg, Christian Obi vs Paul Melvin in the 85kg, and Victor Okagbue vs Daniel Nwose in the 90kg.

In the men’s exhibition contest, Modeed Omotayo of Layeni Junior Secondary School will square off against Michael Adedapo of Julius International School in the 30kg division.

The tournament serves as a crucial qualifier for boxers seeking slots in the prestigious Governor’s Belt Championship later this year.

According to LBHF Director David Mohamed, this weekend’s event is crucial as the last qualifying bouts before the Governor’s Belt finale.

‘Since we resumed LBHF in October, there has been serious interest from boxers across Lagos. We cannot accommodate everyone, so we aim to select the very best for the Governor’s Belt. This weekend’s bouts will surely produce another set of boxers for the end-of-year tournament,’ he said.

The monthly LBHF show series returned in October 2025 after a hiatus. Founded in 2010 by Minister of Finance Wale Edun, LBHF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to developing amateur and grassroots boxing in Nigeria. It is best known for hosting the Governor’s Belt Championship and monthly boxing shows.

Recently, LBHF partnered with Mainstay Bulletproof Limited to support its events, strengthening its platform for young athletes to showcase their talent. Looking ahead, plans are in place for a new format starting in 2026, involving divisional championships across weight categories, followed by regional and national finals.