Leadership Coach and former presidential candidate of the defunct Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Fela Durotoye, has disclosed that he once turned down a N5billion fraudulent government deal despite pressure from a government official.

Durotoye narrated this experience at the ongoing biannual conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), in Abuja on Tuesday.

He mentioned that an official, who professed to be a pastor, approached him with a lucrative training contract, informing him that he had been chosen to train individuals across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

Durotoye said he prepared an invoice as requested and his team calculated a fair price of N1.3billion for the training, he added that three days later, he received a call from the presidency, congratulating him that he had secured the job.

“But they said the amount I was asking for was too small. They promised to add N700m to make it N2bn. Then they asked me to submit an invoice for N5bn,” he said.

Durotoye said he questioned the ethics of inflating the price, especially for a training centred on ethical leadership, but the official dismissed his concerns.

“The man assured me he wasn’t ripping off Nigeria.

“He said he had served the country and deserved compensation. When I reminded him that the blessings of God make one rich and add no sorrow, he fired back, saying, ‘There is no sorrow in this one. You have been doing well for Nigeria. It is time for Nigeria to do well for you,” Durotoye said.

Durotoye said he switched off his phone while the conversation was ongoing because the official was bent on inflating the price, and that three months later, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended some presidency officials for stealing N426m from an ethical leadership training fund.

The Leadership Coach highlighted the importance of strong moral values reminiscing on his time serving under the President Bola Tinubu administration as Special Assistant.

“Only your values can help you turn down corrupt tendencies,” he said.

“I did not collect an official car, I did not collect a house, and I did not collect a salary for serving.

“It was difficult to get my letter out because, according to somebody in government, my refusal to collect those things would make it difficult to pin me to corruption,” he stated.

 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially suspended the implementation of the controversial four per cent Free-on-Board (FOB) charge on imports, a decision announced on Tuesday.

This suspension comes after significant pressure from business stakeholders and industry groups who raised concerns about the sudden introduction of the levy without adequate consultation.

Initially set to enhance customs operations and revenue generation, the four per cent charge was met with backlash from organisations like the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

They argued that the abrupt enforcement could disrupt trade, increase operational costs, and ultimately hinder economic growth in Nigeria.

LCCI’s director general, Chinyere Almona, had highlighted that the lack of prior notice or stakeholder engagement contradicted international best practices and could lead to significant delays in shipments at ports.

Also, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), with Nigeria’s annual imports estimated at N71 trillion, the newly introduced levy will impose an additional N2.84 trillion in costs on importers and businesses.

In response to these concerns, the NCS stated that it would engage in further consultations with stakeholders to address their grievances.

The service said the suspension was to continue consultation with the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Olawale Edun.

 

According to the National public relations officer, Abdulahi Maiwada, the suspension will enable comprehensive stakeholder engagement and consultations regarding the Act’s implementation framework.

 

“The NCS hereby announces the suspension of the implementation of 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) value on imports as provided in Section 18(1)(a) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCSA) 2023. This is sequel to ongoing consultations with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun and other Stakeholders.

 

“This suspension will enable comprehensive stakeholder engagement and consultations regarding the Act’s implementation framework. The timing of this

 

suspension aligns with the exit of the contract agreement with the Service providers, including Webb Fontaine, which were previously funded through the 1% Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS). This presents an opportunity to review our revenue framework holistically.

 

“Under the previous funding arrangement repealed by the NCSA 2023, separating the 1% CISS and 7% cost of collection created operational inefficiencies and funding gaps in customs modernisation efforts. The new Act addresses these challenges by consolidating “not less than 4% of the Free-on-Board value of imports,” designed to ensure sustainable funding for critical customs operations and modernisation initiatives. This transition period will allow the Service to optimise the management of these frameworks to serve our stakeholders and the nation’s interests better,” Maiwada stated.

 

Maiwada stated that the suspension of the Levy would allow the Service to further engage with stakeholders while ensuring proper alignment with the Act’s provisions for sustainable funding of these modernisation initiatives.

 

“The Act further empowers the Service to modernise its operations through various technological innovations. Specifically, Section 28 of the NCSA 2023 authorises developing and maintaining electronic systems for information exchange between the Service, Other Government Agencies, and traders.

 

The Service is already implementing several digital solutions, including the recently deployed B’Odogwu clearance system, which stakeholders are benefiting from through faster clearance times and improved transparency. Other innovative solutions authorised by the Act include; Single Window implementation (Section 33), Risk management systems (Section 32), Non-intrusive inspection equipment (Section 59) and Electronic data exchange facilities (Section 33(3)).

 

“The suspension period will allow the Service to further engage with stakeholders while ensuring proper alignment with the Act’s provisions for sustainable funding of these modernisation initiatives. The NCS remains committed to implementing the provisions of the Act in a manner that best serves our stakeholders while fulfilling our revenue generation and trade facilitation mandate. We will communicate the revised implementation timeline following the conclusion of stakeholder consultations,” he stated.

 

The agency had previously justified the charge as a necessary measure under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, aimed at improving operational efficiency. However, many in the business community viewed it as an additional financial burden amidst already high inflation and operating costs.

 

The suspension of the FOB charge is seen as a positive step towards fostering a more conducive business environment in Nigeria, allowing for continued dialogue between customs authorities and trade stakeholders to promote sustainable economic growth.

Inter Milan moved to within one point of Serie A leaders Napoli on Sunday after bouncback from a painful defeat in the Italian Super Cup final by winning 1-0 at struggling Venezia and going second in the table.

Matteo Darmian shot the injury-hit champions to victory on the Venetian Lagoon with the only goal of the game in the 16th minute, moving Inter a point above Atalanta who were held to a goalless draw at Udinese on Saturday.

Italy defender Darmian tapped home his second goal of the season on the rebound after Lautaro Martinez’s shot was kept out by Venezia goalkeeper and Inter loanee Filip Stankovic.

“We work on getting up the pitch and it doesn’t matter who gets there. I found myself in front of goal and thankfully I managed to score and help the team win,” said Darmian.

Napoli can extend their lead at the top of the division to four points with a home win over Verona, although Antonio Conte will be without Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who has asked to be sold, with an 80-million-euro ($82 million) transfer to Paris Saint-Germain reportedly in the works.

 

However Inter will have two games in hand, the first against Bologna on Wednesday and the other their December fixture at Fiorentina which was stopped, following Edoardo Bove’s collapse on the pitch, and has yet to be rescheduled.

 

Inter have had problems closing out matches this season and Sunday’s narrow win, their sixth on the bounce in Serie A, came after Simone Inzaghi’s side threw away a two-goal lead in the Italian Super Cup final against AC Milan.

 

The away side dominated and should have won by more despite having Italy defender Francesco Acerbi and key midfielders Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan out injured, with Marcus Thuram, Benjamin Pavard and Federico Dimarco starting on the bench.

 

But Stankovic, the son of Inter legend Dejan, was excellent between the sticks and his brilliant save from Davide Frattesi in the 67th minute almost paid off moments later when the post denied USA midfielder Gianluca Busio and allowed Inter to escape with all three points.

 

“It wasn’t easy after losing the final the way we did, but the boys were brilliant because we came here tired with a host of players out but we played really well,” said Inzaghi.