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Fidelity Bank Reaffirms Support for MSMEs, Drives Growth Agenda at SME Forum

By Anne Ejuka
L-R: Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Ugochi Osinigwe; Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo; and Representative of the President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and Chairman of SMEs and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Trade Group, Mr. Jack Daboikiabo; at the Fidelity Bank SME Quarterly Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, recently. ‎ Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the growth and sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs), positioning itself as a trusted partner beyond traditional banking and financing. ‎This commitment was reiterated by the bank’s management during a keynote address delivered by the Executive Director, South, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, at the recently held SME Quarterly Business Forum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. ‎ ‎The Forum, themed “Scaling Tr...
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AREFFN INAUGURATES INTERIM LEADERSHIP AS RABIU BALA LAWAN RESIGNS‎

By Anne Ejuka
By Mcanthony Onuoha ‎ ‎ Association of  Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria- AREFFN has appointed Chief (Fwdr.) Francis Obiekezie, the Former National Secretary  as interim President following the resignation of Alhaji Rabiu Bala Lawan. ‎ ‎In a press release signed by the Board Secretary Fwdr. Innocent Daniel Elum, and made available to journalists, the association stated that the appointment was made in line with its Constitution. ‎ ‎The statement reads in part;  ‎"This is to inform the Maritime Industry Stakeholders,   and the general public of a change in the leadership of our great Association." ‎ ‎"Following the resignation of Alhaji Rabiu Bala Lawan as President of AREFFN due to personal reasons, the Board of Trustees, in line with our Constitution, has appointed the National Secretary, Chief (Fwdr.) Francis Obiekezie, to act as President for the remainder of the current tenure. This appointment took effect from 6th June, 2026." ‎ ‎"All membe...
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Maritime Journalists to Hold Seminar, Unveil Book on 'Customs Operational Revolution And Maritime Development Under President Tinubu

By Anne Ejuka
‎ About three years and few months into the life of the present administration, senior  maritime journalists are to unveil a book which captures the performance indices in customs operations and general maritime development. ‎ ‎Part of the book presentation is a seminar with a topic titled ‘3 Years After Marine & Blue Economy Ministry, How Far, How Well?. This paper will be deliered by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola. ‎ ‎The book is about the comprehensive examination of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in both revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations and  transformation within the  country’s broader economic and trade architecture. ‎ The book also   places particular emphasis on the reform trajectory and institutional performance under the leadership of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR as well as the maritime agencies, while situating these developments within the wider policy direction of the administration o...
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Union Bank Backs Nigerian Teachers as Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition Marks 12th Edition‎

By Anne Ejuka
Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigerian teachers and the wider education sector at the flag off of the 12th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition (MTOTY), held today, Monday 8th June 2026 in Lagos. ‎ ‎ Now in its third consecutive year as a partner, the Bank joined organisers, Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, alongside educators and sector stakeholders for a panel session on how educational support can enhance learning outcomes for teachers and students. ‎ ‎Speaking on behalf of Union Bank, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilola Aluko, positioned education as central to the Bank's purpose rather than a peripheral cause. "At Union Bank, we believe education is not a social obligation. It is a strategic investment," she said. "A nation that does not invest in its teachers and its learners is borrowing from its own future, and we are in the business of building futures, not mortga...
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Oyetola Hosts EU Envoy, Targets €59m Support to Fight Illegal Fishing‎

By Anne Ejuka
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola (right) and the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot (left), when the EU Ambassador visited the Minister in his office in Abuja on Thursday. ‎ ‎Nigeria has expressed readiness to leverage the €59 million West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP) as part of intensified efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while strengthening sustainable management of its marine resources. ‎ ‎The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, made this known in Abuja on Thursday during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, where both sides reaffirmed commitment to deepening cooperation on maritime security and sustainable ocean governance. ‎Welcoming the EU Ambassador, Dr. Oyetola commended the European Union for its longstanding partnership with Nigeria, particularly its support for maritime stability in the Gulf of...
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CP Agbaminoja Pledges Stronger Inter- Agency Collaboration As She Received Compt. Anani On Courtesy Visit ‎

By Anne Ejuka
The newly appointed Customs Area  Controller of Tincan Island Port Area Command, Comptroller JA Anani, on Friday, 5th of June 2026 paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, psc mnips, at the Command Headquarters in Apapa,  Lagos. ‎ ‎According to the statement issued by ASP Isaac Hundeyin, anipr, Police  Public Relations Officer, Ports Authority Police,  (Western) Command,  the visit was aimed at fostering stronger inter-agency collaboration and enhancing the existing synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force in securing the nation's maritime domain and facilitating legitimate trade within the ports. ‎ ‎Speaking during the visit, the visiting Customs Controller commended the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command for its unwavering commitment to maintaining security and public order within the port environment. He emphasized the importance of s...
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NIMASA, MALTA SHIP REGISTRY EXPLORE PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE NIGERIA'S SHIP REGISTRY ‎

By Anne Ejuka
The DG of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola and the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen of the Malta Ship Registry, Mr. Ivan Tabone, having a conversation on the need for capacity building and knowledge sharing towards developing Nigeria’s Ship Registry in line with global best practice. The engagement took place on the sidelines of Posidonia 2026, the world's foremost shipping exhibition, in Athens, Greece. ‎ The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, held strategic discussions with the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen of the Malta Ship Registry, Mr. Ivan Tabone, on knowledge sharing and capacity building to support the modernization of the Nigerian Ship Registry. ‎ ‎ ‎ The engagement, which took place on the sidelines of the maritime exhibition, Posidonia 2026, in Athens, Greece  focused on collaboration in ship registration processes, regulatory efficiency, digital transformation and  institutional...
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CGC Adeniyi Strengthens Global Partnerships at Customs Diplomatic Reception‎

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on 3 June 2026 hosted a high-level diplomatic cocktail reception in Abuja, bringing together ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of missions and senior government officials in a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening international cooperation, trade relations, and institutional partnerships. ‎ ‎The event, held at the rooftop of the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, in  Maitama, Abuja, also attracted the Chief of the Air Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, members of the Customs Management, and other senior officials from key security and government institutions. ‎ ‎ Welcoming the diplomatic community, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, expressed appreciation for the sustained support of international partners in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing global trade cooperation with Nigeria. ‎ ‎“We recognize and appreciate your contributions to strengthening diplomatic and trade relations. The ...
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UK Delegation Strengthens Maritime Ties with NPA

By Anne Ejuka
The Deputy British High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, and the United Kingdom National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh, alongside officials of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director, Dr. Abubarka Dantsoho. They were received by the MD NPA and the Executive Director, Engineering & Technical Services, together with other senior management representatives. ‎ ‎ The meeting focused on deepening the longstanding maritime partnership between Nigeria and the UK, particularly in hydrography, navigational safety, port development and capacity building. The Managing Director showcased NPA’s ongoing modernisation drive including major investments in port rehabilitation, channel improvements and infrastructural upgrades  aimed at boosting operational efficiency and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional maritime trade. ‎ ‎ The UK delegation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s hydrographic development...
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Customs, World Bank Group Strengthen Post Clearance Audit Capacity ‎

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) in collaboration with the World Bank Group under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, aimed at strengthening compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit practices. ‎ ‎The workshop, which runs from June 1 to June 12, 2026, is taking place at the Service's  Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. ‎ ‎Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General Babatunde Olomu described the mission as a significant step in advancing the Service's modernisation agenda and strengthening its capacity as a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration. ‎ ‎ He noted that modern customs administrations increasingly rely on intelligence-led, risk-based, and post-clearance interventions that promote vo...
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