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UK govt, stakeholders move against organised crime in Nigeria
By Francesca Hangeior.
THE United Kingdom hosted a multi-stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to discuss how its Serious and Organised Crime, SOC, Prevent Programme is making significant strides in deterring vulnerable young people from joining Organised Crime Groups in Nigeria.
The meeting included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Police Affairs, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, INTERPOL, Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience, OSPRE, Ministry of Police Affairs, Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and others.
The programme, launched as a three-year pilot in December 2021, is designed to disrupt Nigerian Organised Crime Groups, by redirecting at-risk youth towards positive alternatives in Bayelsa, Edo, Zamfara and Lagos states.
Collaborating closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the programme has trained 83 officers in the Prevent methodology, reinforcing the commitment to institutionalise this approach in tackling SOC.
To date, approximately 1,500 beneficiaries across the four states have been diverted from potential involvement in organised crime.
Speaking at the meeting, the Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever said: “Serious and Organised Crime is a priority for both Nigeria and the UK, and can take many forms. Ranging from online-focused activities like cybercrime to the physical movement of illicit commodities and people in the form of trafficking.
“Our results in Nigeria have proven that the prevent methodology works, and it has been successful in diverting young people from choosing a life of crime. I believe that the valuable discussions that took place today will smoothen the way for Prevent to be fully institutionalised in Nigeria.”
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Before final liquidation, NDIC set to auction Heritage bank properties
In a bid to ensure timely declaration of liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of the failed Heritage Bank (In-Liquidation), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the process of auctioning the landed properties and chattels of the defunct bank.
According to the Corporation, this exercise is in line with its statutory powers as the Liquidator of failed banks under section 62 (1)(d) of the NDIC Act, 2023, noting that; “This is another follow-up action sequel to the disposal of physical assets and chattels belonging to the defunct bank at its leased locations nationwide”.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Bashir A.
Therefore, the auction of the landed assets shall be by competitive bidding in sealed bids scheduled to take place at the six (6) selected locations of the Corporation across the country, for the affected 36 branches of the failed bank beginning from Wednesday 4th December 2024.
“Buyers who wish to participate in the auction are expected to follow laid down guidelines purposely aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition, equity, and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise. This is critical for the payment of liquidation dividends to eligible claimants.
The Corporation shall give preference to financial institutions who are willing to buy at the highest auctioned value to allow for the continuation of provision of banking services to the Nigerian public at the designated locations”, adding; “This is desirable towards bolstering financial inclusion as envisaged by the financial system regulatory authorities.
“However, Corporate bodies and Private individuals willing to compete are equally eligible to compete in the process without prejudice, the auction shall be open and competitive to all bidders.
Furthermore, bidders will be allowed to inspect the properties and chattels across all locations one week before the date of disposal.”
Importantly too, the statement said; “All interested parties are to make available 10% bid security of the value of their sealed bids to be dropped in the bid box provided at the specific centre out of the six locations of the Corporation as contained in the published advertisements.
“All interested bidders are advised to submit their bids only at the designated NDIC offices covering their choices amongst Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.”
Meanwhile, the Corporation has vowed that there would be no hiding place for debtors of the defunct Heritage Bank whose financial obligation portfolio is in the region of over N700 billion.
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Naira slumps in parallel market
The Naira experienced a slight depreciation yesterday, slipping to N1,740 per dollar in the parallel market compared to its previous rate of N1,735 per dollar on Tuesday.
According to data from FMDQ, the indicative exchange rate for the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) strengthened, rising to N1,645.4 per dollar from Tuesday’s rate of N1,689.88 per dollar. This marks an appreciation of N44.48 for the Naira.
The market also saw a significant increase in dollar trading activity, with turnover climbing by 122.5 percent to reach $236.84 million, up from $106.44 million the previous day.
As a result, the gap between the parallel market and the NAFEM exchange rate widened, now standing at N94.6 per dollar, up from N45.12 per dollar recorded on Tuesday.
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Sad! Body of COAS, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, ready to be airlifted to Abuja(Photos)
Body of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, ready to be airlifted to Abuja.
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