General News
ICPC Surveillance on Aviation Staff Yielding Positive Results- Bello
Hajia Binta Bello, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, has expressed delight at the positive results from the collaboration between the aviation sector and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
The Permanent Secretary disclosed this in Lagos recently, while delivering the keynote address at the stakeholders’ inception meeting on Anti-Corruption measures in the aviation sector organized by the ICPC.
According to a statement by Yakubu Dati, general manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, he quotes Bello, who was accompanied by the Directors of Human Resources Abubakar Tsafe and Director Audit jibrin Manigi, of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Chief Executives of Parastatals under the Ministry, saying that the huge potential of the Nigerian aviation industry could only be actualized in an environment that is corrupt-free, upholds high ethical standards and complies fully with international best practices.
At the occasion attended by the Chairman of ICPC, Mr Ekpo Nta, she said that as part of efforts to sustain growth, confidence and transparency in the aviation industry, the Ministry signed an M.O.U with the ICPC in December 2014, which has culminted into the deployment of ICPC staff for surveillance activities at the major airports, undercover operations for detection of infractions, and mandatory training of selected staff of the Ministry’s agencies and other stakeholders on ethics, professional standards and moral values at the ICPC Anti-Corruption Academy (ACAN).
The Permanent Secretary stated further that in practical terms, the collaboration with ICPC has contributed immensely to the drastic reduction in the activities of touts and unscrupulous elements at the nation’s airports.
Hajia Bello, while advising the ICPC to sustain the tempo of its surveillance activities at the airports, assured the Commission of the Ministry’s total support and also implored sister agencies at the airports to do same.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of ICPC, Mr Ekpo Nta said the Corruption Risk Assessment in the Aviation sector inception meeting for stakeholders is bringing together key drivers to deliberate and implement strategies developed to fight the menace.
The Managing Director of FAAN, Eng Saleh Dunoma expressed confidence that this collaboration will yield the needed results.
Eng Dunoma said FAAN had deployed several strategies in the past and will continue to support efforts at helping the Authority achieve its mandate of a safe, secure and customer centric airports.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Director General of the NCAA, Capt Muktar Usman and heads of other aviation agencies.
The session later broke into the business sessions where the Police, Customs, Immigration, NDLEA, Port Health, and other stakeholders discussed strategies for implementation.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, for alleged fraud involving N36.5 billion and $30 million.
Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc,
This follows the probe of alleged diversion of N36.5 billion and $30 million secured as loans from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to Ayeni.
He was arrested by EFCC operatives in Abuja on April 23, 2026, and is still been held in custody as at the time of filling the report.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, confirmed the arrest on Friday but declined to provide further details.
Ayeni is under investigation for diverting funds obtained for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects into other unknown projects.
Investigators allege the loans were instead channelled into telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
About 12 firms believed to be connected to Ayeni are also under investigation for their role in securing the loans.
The EFCC is expected to file charges once the investigation is concluded.
Summit Household Solutions Limited has opened its ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Ota, Ogun State, as part of its efforts to scale production of home and personal care products in Nigeria.
The plant, which started operations in April 2025, produces items such as dishwashing liquids, handwash, sanitisers and multipurpose liquid soaps, with an annual capacity estimated at 7,000 tonnes.
Commissioning the facility on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mr Kehinde Akintomide, said the investment reflects growing confidence in Ogun State’s business environment.
He noted that the state hosts over 6,000 manufacturing firms and described the development as consistent with ongoing efforts to promote industrialisation, attract investment and reduce reliance on imports under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative.
Akintomide disclosed that the factory has already employed more than 50 Nigerians, with projections to exceed 250 jobs as operations expand.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the company, Mr Sadiq Ali, said the facility represents a major step in Summit’s growth plans, adding that its flagship brand, 2Sure, currently leads production at the plant.
He also revealed that the company is preparing to introduce new home and personal care products later this year.
Summit Household Solutions manufactures the 2Sure brand and has expanded into the personal care segment with Lewar, a premium beauty soap line positioned for quality and affordability.
Among dignitaries present were the Onikotun of Otun, Ota, Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, representing the Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege; the Agba Akin of Ota, Chief Dada Olusola; Director of Investment, Ms Yemisi Folarin; Director of Industrial Promotion, Mr Femi Adeboye; former Managing Director of 7Up Bottling Company, Mr Ziad Maalouf; and the Chief Executive Officer of OmniRetail, Mr Deepanker Rustagi.
Speaking at the event, Maalouf, who conceived the 2Sure brand during his time at 7Up Bottling Company, expressed satisfaction with its growth and commended Summit Solutions Limited for advancing the brand.
The special guests were conducted around the facility, and the programme was concluded with a luncheon.
The administration of Donald Trump has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in financial pressure on Tehran.
The move comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and a fragile ceasefire in the region.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that authorities are sanctioning multiple crypto wallets tied to Iran. “We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move outside of the country and target all financial lifelines tied to the regime,” he said.
Tether, which facilitated the transactions, said it worked with U.S. authorities to freeze the funds across two wallet addresses after receiving intelligence linked to unlawful activity.
A U.S. official said blockchain analysis revealed “material links” to the Iranian regime, including transactions routed through intermediary addresses connected to wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran.
Responding to the development, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company does not tolerate illicit use of its stablecoin. “USD₮ is not a safe haven for illegal activity. When there is credible linkage to sanctioned entities or criminal networks, we act immediately,” he stated.
The crackdown underscores the growing reliance of sanctioned states on digital assets to bypass traditional banking restrictions. Data from Chainalysis shows Iran’s cryptocurrency holdings reached $7.8 billion in 2025, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly controlling about half.
Analysts say while the freeze is significant, Iran has historically adapted to sanctions. Daniel Tannebaum of the Atlantic Council noted that targeting third-party actors enabling such transactions may be key to increasing pressure.
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