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Nigeria Loses $500m Annually, $2.5bn In Five Years For Non-implementation Of ICTN

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…as shipping lines association rejects
proposed cargo tracking bill
By Gloria Ikibah
The Executive Secretary, Shippers Council of Nigeria, Pius Akutah, in his submission said that the country lost $2.5 billion in five years and $500 million annually over the non-implementation of the international cargo tracking notes (ICTN).
The Executive Secretary made the revelation at an investigative heaqring organised by the House of Representative Committee On Shipping Services and Related Matters, on the circumstances surrounding the non-implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Notes, whicglh identifies challenges faced by the Nigeria Shippers Council in carrying outfits roles effectively.
Akutah said: “Nigeria has lost almost 2.5 billion dollars. Within the last five years that Nigeria has not implemented this.Because of some investigations that arose out of which EFCC conducted some of its investigations, a period of five years passed.
“Within the last five years. They implemented for two years and somehow stopped.In the last five years they have not done it.We are losing that amount in dollars.
“So in Nigeria today, there have been some attempts that were made at implementing this. Altogether a period of two years, was the period in which this was implemented. And some revenue was generated at that time. But because of some issues surrounding the implementation, and the issues that were raised that led to investigation by even the law enforcement agencies, this only took place within a period of two years.
“And within the last five years or thereabouts that this has not been implemented, Nigeria has lost not less than one to five billion dollars. If we implement it, that is what we should be able to put in the economy, within a period of two years. And the implementation as at that time was very brief, but it generated quite a good number of income for the country. So this is just part of what Nigeria is losing”.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, explained said that though the Federal Executive Council of the previous administration approved the contract at the tail end of the administration but the process of award of the contract was wrong.
According to the  Minister who represented by Director, Maritime Services in the Ministry, Babatunde Sule, the process that led to the approval of the Contract by the previous administration was wrong.
The chairman of the Commitee on Shipping Services and Related Matters, Rep.  Abdussamad Dasuki asserted that the ICTN is far more than an administrative requirement but an essential tool designed to bring transparency, security, and operational efficiency to the movement of cargo across borders.
But the Chairman , Shipping Lines Association of Nigeria, Boma Alabo SAN, in her submission vehemently rejected the proposed Cargo Tracking Bill, as she described it as another toll gate for government, and that it will not amplify the ease of doing business and trading in Nigeria.
According to her, the shipping industry in Nigeria was already over burdened with red tape and does not need another layer of bureaucracy which is what the proposed Cargo Tracking Bill will result in.
She said: “All exporters and importers are able to track their goods on the website of the shipping lines generally speaking. In addition, the shipping lines have to upload their manifest to the Customs NICIS portal which is connected to the CBN single window. They also have to upload this information to NPA, NIMASA, NDLEA, and DSS.
“Adding, the ICTN without streamlining the existing process will only result in further delays and congestion”.
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Jehovah’s Witnesses announce fresh adjustment to blood transfusion policy

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The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has announced that members can now decide whether to accept or donate the four main components of blood based on their personal conscience.

The organisation made this known in a statement issued by its World Headquarters in Warwick, New York and made available on its website on Friday.

According to the statement, “the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person’s blood is a matter of personal conscience.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses announce adjustment to blood transfusion policy
It added that “each Witness must decide whether or not to donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person.”

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However, the organisation said its position on whole-blood transfusion had not changed.

“The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, a core teaching based on the command to ‘abstain from blood’ (Acts 15:20), is unchanged,” the statement said.

International spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters, Paul Gillies, said, “Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God.

“We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”

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The organisation said the adjustment “follows earlier updates regarding blood fractions and the use of one’s own blood during medical procedures.”

It added, “Since the Bible does not comment on such decisions, they are a matter of individual conscience. That same reasoning has now been extended to the four main components of blood.”

On medical care, the statement said, “Jehovah’s Witnesses love life and want the best available medical care. They do not practise faith healing, and they seek out doctors who can provide effective treatment in accord with their wishes, values and beliefs.”

Gillies said local congregations would not interfere in members’ personal decisions.

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“Congregations do not involve themselves in personal decisions that rest with the individual conscience. We will continue to respect and support the personal decisions of our fellow believers.

“We are grateful, too, for the many skilled and compassionate physicians who provide quality medical care that respects our personal wishes regarding blood,” he said.

The organisation said Jehovah’s Witnesses number “over nine million worldwide, in congregations across more than 200 lands.”

Recall that the religious group had clarified its position on the use of a member’s own blood during surgery and other medical procedures.

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The clarification allowed individual Witnesses to decide whether their blood could be removed, stored and returned to them during medical treatment, while the organisation maintained its position against receiving blood from another person.

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Army speaks on Boko Haram, ISWAP attack alert as fake

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The Nigerian Army has dismissed as fake and unverified a purported intelligence alert warning of planned Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks on schools, churches, mosques, NYSC orientation camps and other public institutions across the country.

Anele said the Army was aware of the circulation and had heightened vigilance across its formations and commands to prevent attacks on vulnerable facilities.

She described the purported intelligence as speculation and urged the public not to treat the document as an official Army security alert.

The response followed the circulation of a document purportedly signed by one A.M. Sodiq, which claimed that Boko Haram and ISWAP were planning coordinated attacks across several parts of the country.

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The document listed churches, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations as possible targets and alleged that suspected ISWAP operatives had begun surveillance of selected locations.

It further claimed that the alleged attacks could coincide with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.

However, the Army disowned the document, maintaining that it did not originate from the institution.

The Army assured Nigerians that security formations remained on heightened alert and were taking necessary measures to protect schools, places of worship and other vulnerable public facilities.

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Police Allegedly Shoot Engine Oil Seller During Minna Protest

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MINNA, Niger State — An engine oil seller in Minna, the Niger State capital, has reportedly sustained serious injuries after allegedly being shot during a police operation to disperse protesters.

The victim, identified as Ibrahim Mohammed Dada, was reportedly standing outside his shop at Tunga Market when he was struck by a bullet.

Ibrahim’s brother, Yakubu Dada Mohammed, said the victim was not part of the protest and was attending to customers at his engine oil stall when the incident occurred.

According to him, Ibrahim was simply trying to earn a living and support his family when a police officer allegedly fired a shot that hit him in the head and severely injured his face.

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«“He was not among those protesting. He was standing in front of his shop selling engine oil when one of the police officers fired a bullet that struck his head and badly injured his face,” Yakubu said.»

Ibrahim is currently receiving treatment at Minna General Hospital, where his condition was reportedly described as critical.

The incident occurred amid protests in Minna over the reported deaths of 37 miners who were allegedly in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Reports indicate that 65 miners were arrested on September 15 and 16, with 37 subsequently reported dead while in security custody.

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The protests, which began on Thursday, continued into Friday as security personnel moved to disperse demonstrators. Security forces were reportedly accused of using tear gas and live ammunition during the operation.

However, the circumstances surrounding Ibrahim’s shooting have not been independently established.

The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, appealed for calm and said the incident would be investigated.

The case has since heightened concerns over the conduct of security personnel during the ongoing protests.

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