Business
FRSC impounds 89 vehicles in Plateau over fake diplomatic plates, overloading
The Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has impounded 89 vehicles for using fake diplomatic number plates.
The command also impounded other vehicles for overloading and mixloading.
The vehicles were impounded during a Strategic Intervention Patrol tagged “Operation Guduma” on Wednesday in Jos.
Speaking, Rebecca Aremu, the Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) on Special Duties at FRSC headquarters, said that the operation aimed at tackling illegal and fake diplomatic number plates, mixloading, and overloading in the state.
She explained that the operation, which commenced on Monday, is currently being enforced in 10 other states of the federation.
She named the states to include Rivers, Delta, Anambra, Ogun, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Oyo, Enugu, and Nasarawa.
Ms Aremu, who decried the rise in overloading by commercial drivers, added that fake and illegal diplomatic number plates contravened the National Road Traffic Regulation.
She further said that the special operation aimed at achieving sanity and ensuring safety on highways.
“Overloading has caused untold pain for Nigerians, so we are here to address it.
“Using fake diplomatic number plates is a risk; it contravenes the national road safety regulations.
“It also poses a serious threat to national security.
“So far, we have impounded 89 vehicles: 14 for mixloading, 61 for overloading, and 14 for number plate violation in Plateau,” she said.
Earlier, the Sector Commander in Plateau, Adelaja Ogungbemi, said that officers and men of the command had been deployed for the special operation.
“We have given our marshals a marching order that it is no business as usual; we have also sent out signals to the motoring bodies in the state.
“We want to stop the use of fake diplomatic number plates and other unwholesome practices by motorists on highways,” Mr Ogungbemi said.
(NAN)
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—More than 700 employees of AXA Mansard have participated in a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at combating child abuse and gender-based violence, reinforcing the company’s commitment to protecting vulnerable members of society.
The initiative, held across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, formed part of the 2026 AXA Week for Good, the company’s global employee volunteering programme under AXA Hearts in Action, which encourages staff to support social causes through community service.
This year’s campaign, themed “Being a Child Shouldn’t Be a Risk,” focused on raising awareness about the prevention, identification and reporting of domestic and sexual violence affecting children and women.
As part of the outreach, employee volunteers carried out door-to-door sensitisation, community engagement and educational activities designed to help residents recognise signs of abuse, encourage reporting and promote collective responsibility for protecting vulnerable groups.
Chief Executive Officer of AXA Mansard Health, Tope Adeniyi, said the campaign reflects the company’s belief that businesses have a responsibility to contribute to safer and more inclusive communities beyond providing insurance services.
According to him, the large turnout of employees demonstrates AXA Mansard’s culture of compassion and commitment to making a meaningful social impact, particularly in addressing issues that affect children and families.
Chief Marketing Officer of AXA Mansard, Adebola Surakat, said the initiative aligns with the company’s broader mission of promoting safety, dignity and wellbeing, adding that sustained advocacy is essential to tackling abuse and violence in society.
The week-long programme concluded with a commemorative walk across participating cities, while the company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that address critical social challenges and create lasting value for communities across Nigeria.
The post Over 700 AXA Mansard Volunteers Join Fight Against Child Abuse appeared first on Business Today NG.
Business
Oyedele confirms Nigeria has drawn first $1.5 billion under $5 billion Abu Dhabi financing deal
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has confirmed that Nigeria has accessed the first $1.5 billion from its $5 billion financing arrangement with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).
Mr Oyedele disclosed this while speaking to journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.
He said the financing facility, which had earlier received approval from the National Assembly, is intended to refinance expensive debt, fund infrastructure projects and support budget implementation.
“The approval for that loan went to the National Assembly, so everybody is aware of it. It’s for refinancing of expensive debts, financing of infrastructure, as well as budgets,” he said.
He added that, “So, we don’t want to start making press releases each time we do a drawdown. It is not different from any other loan.”
The minister’s comments provide the first official confirmation that the government has begun drawing on the financing package.
Last week, Bloomberg reported that Nigeria had accessed about $1.5 billion through a Total Return Swap with First Abu Dhabi Bank, marking the first utilisation of the broader $5 billion facility.
Mr Oyedele said the government deliberately structured the financing arrangement to allow funds to be accessed in tranches rather than all at once.
READ ALSO: FEC approves N215bn for CNG buses, $900 million agriculture financing – Minister
According to him, the approach is intended to reduce borrowing costs by ensuring Nigeria only pays interest on funds that have been drawn.
“The loan is meant to be a drawdown in tranches, and one of the advantages of that is, if you need $5 billion and you take everything at once, you start paying interest, even though you’re not spending all of it now. So, this has been structured in a way that makes us even more efficient in the cost of borrowing by taking what we need part time,” he explained.
Mr Oyedele said the phased approach forms part of the government’s broader debt management strategy aimed at lowering financing costs while meeting critical funding needs.
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