The Federal Government has indefinitely suspended mining activities within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus and the OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile-Ife, Osun.

This is pending investigations into suspected illegal mining activities in the area.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, announced the suspension shortly after meeting with the management of OAU, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, on Tuesday in Abuja.

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had called for investigations into reports of illegal mining activities at OAU.

The President of NANS Senate, Segun Elvis had said that the activities posed a significant threat to the safety and well-being of the institution`s students and staff.

Similarly, the National Association of University Students, OAU chapter, had also condemned the development and called for appropriate actions by relevant authorities to address the situation.

In response to the situation, the school management submitted a formal complaint to the relevant government authorities for prompt action.

The minister stated that, following the reports, officials of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and the Mines Inspectorate were deployed to the institution for an on-site assessment and preliminary investigations.

“Following the outcry generated by reports of illegal mining or suspicion of nefarious activities by mining operators within OAU, we immediately deployed officials of the NGSA and Mines Inspectorate for on-the-spot assessment.

“ Preliminary reports that reached me indicated that there were indeed some activities around the premises. The ministry now orders stoppage of  all activities, whether legal or illegal, for further investigation, “ he said.

Alake stated that  he invited the school authorities to his office when the illegal operators, who had been summoned by the deployed officials, presented some licenses and letters of consent regarding their activities.

He said that the immediate suspension of the activities was necessary to enable the ministry verify the authenticity of the documents.

Speaking, the VC stated that OAU has some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country, who were  capable of handling exploration, research, and other activities of the mining value chain.

“We feel that we need to set up a sort of excellent research and training facility on mineral resources within the university.

“ If we are able to get that in the university, it will help us, support the university community, the state, and ultimately contribute to the development of the mining sector, “he said.

According to him, the university has applied for an exploration license, which if approved, will enable it to carry out legal activities such as exploration and research on the distribution and quality of mineral resources.

He said that the activities would be within the university environs and across the country.

The Ebonyi State Government has debunked the report that it was among the states that borrowed N111.24 billion from domestic and foreign financiers in its first six months in office.

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Leonard Uguru, affirmed that Governor Francis Nwifuru has not borrowed from either internal or foreign creditors since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

Uguru was reacting to the publication of the Debt Management Office, DMO, which reported that the Ebonyi State Government under Nwifuru, among other 16 states, had borrowed $125.1 million (N111.24 billion) from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Ebonyi State, according to the report, has accumulated an external debt of $37.54 million.

Speaking further, the commissioner stated: “Since the inception of this administration, the Ebonyi State Government has not borrowed any money, whether foreign or domestic loans. So, any organisation that’s writing that Ebonyi is among the states that have borrowed money, I don’t know where they are getting their data.”

He further stated: “Among the South East states, Ebonyi is still the least in both domestic and foreign debt. Even though we have a trace of debt, which is the 150 million dollar loan from Africa Development Bank and Islamic Bank inherited from the past administration in the reconstruction of Ring Road, which is what made the loan increase, it is worth it as the road cuts across various local government areas of the state. Outside that, I don’t think there’s any other debt owed by the previous state government.”

He reiterated that the current administration in the state is focused on human capacity development, adding that while less attention is being paid to infrastructure, the governor has mapped out plans for the second phase of the one billion naira empowerment of 500 hawkers.

He enjoined investors to take advantage of the peaceful environment and business-friendly dispositions introduced by the All Progressives Congress government of Governor Nwifuru to invest in the state.

The Federal Government has launched an ambitious policy to check infractions in the nation’s import and export value chain, aiming to bridge over $4 billion in losses owing to bureaucratic bottlenecks.

President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the Committee at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Tuesday, incorporating egg-heads drawn from representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, representatives of the Marine and Blue Economy, those of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment as well as Federal Inland Revenue Service.

The Committee also comprised representatives of the Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, the Standards Organization of Nigeria, the Nigerian Maritime Administration on Safety Agency, NIMASA, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC.

The policy is encapsulated under the National Single Window Steering Committee which will explore real-time digital trade compliance.

The National Single Window project will facilitate a paperless trade volume of $ 2.7 billion to the country.

According to the Nigerian President, the country cannot afford to lose an estimated $4 billion annually to bureaucracy, delays and corruption.

He noted that it was time for Nigeria to join the ranks of countries like Singapore, Korea, Kenya and Saudi Arabia that have experienced significant improvement in trade efficiency after implementing a single window system.

Tinubu said he was optimistic that through the newly launched project, Nigeria will expedite cargo movement and optimize inter-African trade.

He added that the initiative is a testament to his administration’s commitment to regional integration and collaboration.

His words, “Today, marks the beginning of a new era of unyielding commitment to prosperity, efficiency and endless possibilities. The National Single Window is not just a project. This initiative is not just a policy but a bold statement of our commitment to progress, prosperity, and the well-being of every Nigerian.

“It is a symbol of our determination to build a better future for ourselves and generations to come.

“The benefit of this initiative is immense paperless trade alone, which is estimated to bring an annual economic benefit of around 2.7 billion US dollars.

“Countries like Singapore, Korea, Kenya and Saudi Arabia have already seen significant improvements in trade efficiency. After implementing a single window system. It is time for Nigeria to join the ranks and reap the reward of a streamlined, digitized trade process. We cannot afford to lose an estimated $4 billion annually to red tape, bureaucracy, delays and corruption at our ports.