No Hiding Place For ‘Lakurawa’ Terror Group In Nigeria – Tinubu

• Praises Customs on improved revenue, service delivery
• We’ve hit N5.07trn revenue target for 2024 – CG Adeniyi

BY EDMOND ODOK – The Federal Government has vowed that the so-called new terrorist group ‘Lukarawa’ will have no hiding place to carry out their evil agenda in the North-West region of the country.

President Bola Tinubu made the declaration in Abuja on Wednesday, assuring that his administration remains resolute in ensuring criminals and purveyors of terror are defeated and effectively chased out of Nigeria.

According to the President, things have changed for the better, and the terrorist group will find no part of the country comfortable to operate and perpetrate their criminal activities.

Speaking at the 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference, the President, who was represented by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, declared; “We will chase the so-called Lukarawa out of our country. We’ll put critics to shame and shut their mouths in no time.

“Boko Haram, which has been ravaging our country, is now on the run. Its members are now moving to other neighbouring countries because Nigeria is no longer conducive for their operations”.

Away from the worrying security challenges, he said politics aside, progress is being made in many sectors since the current administration took over on May 29, 2023, stressing that strong signs have emerged for Nigerians to see and appreciate things are getting better with the economy.

While citing increased crude oil production in the Niger Delta and the fiscal reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of such efforts, President Tinubu said; “Crude oil production has hit 1.8 million bpd and the Central Bank has been sanitized; no one is taking a dime from the CBN. When we promised that we’ll fix this country, we will do so because President Tinubu has never been a failure”.

Further conveying President Tinubu’s message to the Conference, the NSA said the administration has a clear and unwavering vision to not only strengthen Nigeria’s economic base but also deliver positive growth and development for the benefit of all.

He said after about 18 months in office, this great vision remains unchanged, adding; “In pursuing this vision, we have built upon existing foundations while introducing necessary reforms to adapt to our evolving economic realities. Our focus has been on strengthening what works, refining what needs improvement, and introducing new initiatives where gaps exist.

“We recognised that specific economic policies, though useful in their time, needed to be realigned with current global economic dynamics to better serve our national interests and the well-being of our people.”

On the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)’s performance, the President expressed satisfaction that the Agency has keyed into his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda by strengthening Nigeria’s position as a trade-friendly nation through strategic reforms, particularly in export promotion and port efficiency.

Also noting that the NCS has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s improved global ranking and ease of doing business, President Tinubu said the theme of this year’s conference, “NCS Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose” could not have come at a better time, as it reflects the administration’s broader vision of fostering strategic partnerships and collaborative approaches to governance and economic management.

He praised the Service for showing remarkable progress in revenue generation, and enhancing the government’s capacity to fund critical national development projects, stressing that Nigeria would further deepen its integration into global value chains while strengthening its position as a reliable trading partner.

“Our commitment to sustainable economic reforms, trade facilitation, and creating an enabling business environment is firm and irreversible. We see our international partnerships as crucial catalysts in our journey towards becoming a more competitive player in global trade, particularly as we position ourselves to harness the opportunities presented by expanding regional and continental markets”, the President said.

The Service’s efforts in improving border security and anti-smuggling operations, which have strengthened Nigeria’s position as a trade-friendly nation also got applause from President Tinubu, who noted that these accomplishments affirm his administration’s belief that well-aligned public institutions can drive transformative change.

The President charged participants to focus on fostering strategic partnerships, emphasizing the important role Nigeria plays in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its position as West Africa’s largest economy.

He said; “Your deliberations should be timely and strategic, considering our regional and continental obligations” adding; “Focus on innovative approaches to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones, particularly within the expanding trade landscape of AfCFTA. Your discussions should pave the way for enhancing trade processes and compliance frameworks that will maximize the opportunities presented by regional integration.”

Challenging the Service to build on its progress, with a clear understanding of Nigeria’s economic aspirations and regional commitments, President Tinubu said; “The recommendations from this conference will be crucial in advancing our trade facilitation initiatives and ensuring effective border administration.”

In his welcome remarks, the NCS Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi said the Service has already hit N5.07 trillion revenue target for 2024, adding that the achievement validates its partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation.

He informed participants at the Conference; “I am pleased to announce that yesterday, 12 November 2024, at exactly ten minutes past one, the NCS hit its 2024 revenue target of NGN 5.07 trillion, with more than a month remaining in the fiscal year.

“This exceptional performance projected to exceed our target by at least 10 percent validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation.

“The achievement is not merely about numbers; it demonstrates how enhanced stakeholder collaboration, improved processes, and modernised systems can deliver tangible results for our nation’s economy.”

He however canvassed the need for the government to review the concession granted in 2024 while also lifting the excise duty suspension on single-use plastic products so that the Service can achieve its set revenue target of N6 trillion.