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Customs Celebrates First Female Pilot for Obtaining Commercial Multi-Engine License ‎

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service has celebrated Superintendent of Customs Nafisat Balogun, following her remarkable achievement of obtaining a commercial multi-engine pilot license in the United States of America. ‎ ‎The ceremony, organised by the Nigeria Customs Technical Hangar Service, brought together senior officers, management staff, and colleagues to honour her for breaking new ground in the service. Balogun’s feat marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first female pilot in the Nigeria Customs Service, a field previously dominated by men. ‎ ‎Speaking during the celebration, the Managing Director of the Customs Technical Hangar Service, retired Comptroller of Customs, Captain Kuhi Mbaya, described Balogun’s journey as inspiring and transformative. ‎“Our officer, Nafisat Balogun, has transitioned from being a cabin attendant to a fully-fledged commercial pilot. This is a great achievement not only for her but for the entire service,” he said. ‎ ‎Mbaya noted that her...
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‎Banking The Economy That Actually Exists ‎

By Anne Ejuka
  There is a version of the Nigerian economy that the banking sector has always served well. It is the economy of salaried professionals, corporate treasurers, documented collateral, and monthly pay cycles. It is the economy that fits neatly into conventional credit models, standard account structures and the risk frameworks that Nigerian banking inherited from its colonial and post independence institutional architecture. That economy is real, and serving it matters. ‎ ‎There is another version. It is the economy of the cooperative chairwoman in Ogun whose members pool contributions weekly. The textile trader in Balogun who turns inventory four times a month but has never had a formal credit history. The agro dealer in Kaduna whose working capital needs spike in planting season and collapse in the dry months. The artisan in Aba whose business has been profitable for fifteen years, but whose collateral is her workshop and her reputation. This economy is also real. It is, by most ...
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NIJ Honours Customs CGC With Fellowship Award As He Commits to Multimedia Centre for Journalism Development ‎

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigerian Institute of Journalism  recently conferred fellowship award on the Comptroller General of Customs CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Mfr, PhD, marking a significant recognition for his professional achievements and contributions to national development. ‎ ‎The conferment, which took place during a special convocation ceremony held on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, the CGC noted that it holds personal and professional significance. ‎ ‎"This institution planted in me a set of values that I did not fully understand at the time, but have lived by ever since: professionalism as a standard, not a performance; discipline as a habit, not an event; and continuous self-development as a personal obligation, not to an employer, not to a rank, but to oneself", he stated. ‎ ‎ Highlighting the broader significance of the award, Adeniyi said the recognition extends beyond his person to the Nigeria Customs Service as an institution. "What it means for us is that while we rende...
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Fidelity Bank Advocates for Inmates’ welfare with donation to Enugu Custodial Centre

By Anne Ejuka
‎ L-R: Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; Deputy Controller of Corrections, Enugu Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Dr. Sunday Igwe; Team Lead, Human Resources and Business Partner, East & South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osayi Uwumarongie; and President, Legacy Inductees Class of 2026, Fidelity Bank Plc, Darlington Okereke; during Fidelity Bank’s donation of food and essential items to Enugu Maximum Security Custodial Centre, in Enugu State recently. ‎ Tier one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to health and social welfare with the donation of food and essential items to inmates at the Enugu Maximum Security Custodial Centre. ‎ ‎The outreach was carried out by the newly inducted Legacy Class of 2026 and executed under the bank’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform known as the "Fidelity Helping Hands Project" (FHHP). Through the FHHP, staff identify areas of critical interventions i...
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Oyetola Commissions NIMASA–UNILAG Institute of Maritime Studies Building, ‎

By Anne Ejuka
...Reaffirms Commitment to Blue Economy Growth ‎ ‎ ‎ The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, yesterday Thursday 16 April 2026, commissioned the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) Multipurpose Building at the University of Lagos, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s marine and blue economy through sustained investment in human capital and infrastructure. ‎ ‎The facility, donated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), is equipped with modern lecture rooms, laboratories, and specialised facilities to support teaching, research, and innovation in the maritime sector. ‎ According to a press release signed by Dr. Bolaji Akintola, Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Oyetola described the project as a milestone, saying the initiative reflects the government’s resolve to strengthen institutional capacity and position the blue economy as a key driver of national prosperity. ‎ “The future of the...
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Oyetola’s Reforms, Impact Responsible for Maritime Sector Transformation As Nigeria Sets To Dominate Africa’ Blue Economy -Dantshoho ‎

By Anne Ejuka
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has attributed the transformation of the nation’s maritime sector to the impact of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola and the federal government reforms. ‎ This was as Dantsoho assured investors that Nigeria has the capacity to dominate Africa’s blue economy, citing ongoing federal government reforms and increased private sector participation as critical drivers of transformation in the maritime sector. ‎ ‎Dantsoho gave the assurance while speaking at the Blue Economy Investment Summit in Abuja, where he stressed that Nigeria’s port system would play a pivotal role in unlocking strategic investments and accelerating economic growth. ‎ ‎He noted that the country must urgently refocus its economic priorities toward fully harnessing its vast marine resources in line with global sustainability goals. ‎ ‎“The time has come for a paradigm shift...
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By Anne Ejuka
OYO/OSUN CUSTOMS CONTROLLER VISITS INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC, ILESA ‎ ‎As part of sustained efforts to strengthen collaboration with excise factories and key stakeholders, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Oyo/Osun Customs Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Wale Moses Adewole, On Tuesday 14 April 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the International Breweries Plc plant in Ilesa, Osun State. ‎ ‎ ‎According to a press release issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASC1 Abdulmalik Akintola , during the visit, the Acting Area Controller emphasized the importance of compliance with extant excise laws and regulations, noting that adherence is critical to revenue generation and the national economic stability. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring strict enforcement of government fiscal policies. ‎ ‎ The visiting Area Controller commended International Breweries Plc for its contributions to the economy, parti...
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Fidelity Bank Extends “Give Her Power” Initiative to Ogun State, Empowers 100 Women with Vocational Tools ‎

By Anne Ejuka
‎L-R: Regional Bank Head, Southwest 1, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Folaranmi Jemirin; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Ogun State, Hon. Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo; Head, Women Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Harriba Harry-Pepple; Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Board Chairman, Ogun State, Hon. Oluwaseyi Oyekan; and one of the beneficiaries at Fidelity Bank’s donation of vocational tools to women at the “Give Her Power” Initiative in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently. ‎ In a bold demonstration of its commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc has extended its recently launched “Give Her Power” initiative to Ogun State, as it  empowered 100 women with vocational tools designed to strengthen their economic independence and boost household income. ‎ ‎The outreach is part of the Bank’s nationwide rollout of the initiative, which was unveiled earlier in March during the signing of strategic Me...
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Customs Begins AI-Driven Training on Revenue Generation, Remittances, Reconciliation ‎

By Anne Ejuka
As part of efforts to enhance transparency and efficiency in public financial management, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a capacity-building programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven revenue generation, remittances and reconciliation. ‎ ‎The training, held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel on Monday, 13 April 2026, brought together senior Customs officers, technology experts and representatives of legislative oversight committees. ‎ ‎ The participation of lawmakers and Customs officials reflects growing collaboration between the Service and the National Assembly to strengthen accountability and adopt modern technological solutions in public administration. ‎ ‎Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the Service remains committed to improving transparency in public accounting by adopting innovative technologies. ‎ ‎“We are united in our resolve to ensure transparency in public accounting. T...
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Nigerian Shippers’ Council Meets Stakeholders, Insists on Engagement Before New Tariff Implementation ‎

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) convened a crucial meeting with shipping companies, freight forwarders, importers, and exporters, emphasizing the need for comprehensive stakeholder engagement before the implementation of the proposed tariff increment by shipping companies. ‎ ‎Speaking at the one-day stakeholders’ forum on the proposed increment, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius, MON said the earlier suspension of the tariff implementation in March 2026 was a deliberate move to allow for broader consultations across the maritime value chain. ‎ ‎ He stressed that implementation of the new tariff would only commence after shipping companies conclude engagements with importers, shippers, clearing agents, and other critical stakeholders. ‎ ‎Akutah assured that the approved 30% tariff increase would not destabilize the economy, explaining that it represents a ceiling rather than a fixed rate. ‎ ‎“Today’s engagement was productive. The suspension ...
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