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 The Acting Customs Area Controller in charge of Ogun 1 command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu  has said the viral video of sporadic shooting by operatives of command that went viral on social media was in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023. The Act, which frowns at obstruction, molestation, or assaults of officers on lawful duty, with the infliction of punishment on offenders such as conviction to a fine of five million Naira, and imprisonment for 5 years or both. Also, Section 226 of the NCSA empowers Customs operatives to carry out patrols freely was applied by the operatives of the command on the 16th of December, 2023. The command in  press statement signed on behalf of the Ag. Customs  Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu by Public Relations Officer of the command, SC HAMMED BUKOYE OLOYEDE, the statement reads, "on Saturday, 16th of December, 2023, along the Lanfewa/Enu gada axis of Ogun ...

... Unveils Vision for Customs Service Advancement    The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi MFR, hosted a distinguished gathering on Tuesday, 19 December 2023, featuring the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassadors of the United States and Germany, and representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, as well as the World Bank. The dinner, which was held at the Management Quarters of the Service in Abuja, marked the conclusion of the year 2023. The pivotal event centered on the Customs Service's activities throughout the year, giving room to discussions on innovative ideas to enhance efficiency. Addressing the diplomats, CGC Adeniyi emphasized the NCS's commitment to leverage new technological advancements. He outlined plans for the massive installation of scanners, implementing data analytics, and embracing open-door policies to collaborate with stakeholders, ultimately facilitating trade in the country. ...

...Commits to Ensuring Seamless Trade Facilitation The Nigeria's Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun FCS, on Tuesday, 19 December 2023, presided over the inaugural meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service Board at Customs Headquarters in Abuja. The Minister in his address centered around the commitment to collaborate seamlessly with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, in facilitating smoother trade. As the Board Chairman of NCS, The Minister outlined a three-fold vision to redefine the trajectory of the nation's economic landscape. The event aimed to shape the future of trade, revenue, and economic vitality in Nigeria. The Finance Minister, who articulated his commitment to elevating government revenue, fortifying critical spending in infrastructure and social services, and navigating the intricate realms of macroeconomic reform,  declared, "Today marks a pivotal moment in our pursuit of economic resilience, an...

...as Works Minister Assures Cooperation   The minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that access roads leading to the ports in Nigeria play a pivotal role in the efficiency of the ports. To this end, he has appealed to the minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, to assist in undertaking an urgent comprehensive repair and maintenance programme for all dilapidated roads leading to ports in the country. According to the minister, the dilapidated access roads are making importers and exporters experience high transportation costs, prolonged transit times and heightened risk of accidents, adding that "all these issues cumulatively impede our national economic growth, discourage foreign investment, and hinders international trade competencies." Oyetola, who personally delivered the message to the Works minister on Tuesday during his visit to the ministry, listed 15 roads that require urgent attention. The roads cut across Lagos Port complex, Tincan...

... Move will boost our economy – Jamoh The Federal Government has welcomed the decision by the United Nations to extend Nigeria’s continental shelf from 200 Nautical Miles to 220 Nautical Miles. This coincides with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which will give a boost to the Nigerian maritime sector. The Chairman, United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), Adnan Rashid Nasser Al-Azri, disclosed the development in a statement regarding Nigeria’s submission.  This approval allows Nigeria to redraw the territorial map of its sovereignty in the Gulf of Guinea, thereby granting the right to exploit the abundant carbon and marine resources believed to be present in the area. According to the UN, the Continental Shelf of a coastal State comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the...

The immediate past president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on Sunday 17th December 2023 hosted some of his former cabinet members who had paid a surprise visit to him to felicitate with and pray for him, on the occasion of his 81st birthday, at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. The birthday visit was led by his Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, CFR, accompanied by Abubakar Malami, SAN, CON, former Minister of Justice/AGF; Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, CON, former Minister of Transportation; Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, CON, former Minister of Water Resources; Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, CON, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Alh. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, CON, former Minister of State, Agriculture and Rural Development; Mohammed Abdullahi, CON, former Minister of Environment;, Umana Okon Umana, CON, former Minister of Niger Delta A...

  The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh MFR has congratulated the immediate past President, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. GCFR, on his birthday which was celebrated over the weekend. In his birthday message, Jamoh extolled the former President’s love for Nigeria’s unity, saying, “Buhari’s love for the unity of Nigeria is well documented through his service as a Military Head of State and later a two-term democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the message reads. The NIMASA DG noted that most importantly Buhari’s zeal towards ensuring that democracy is sustained in Nigeria remains one of the greatest gift given to the most populous African nation. “Your commitment to nation building and the attendant achievements has evenly matched the most celebrated nation builders across the globe; On this special day of yours I want to wish you many more years of happine...

 The Comptroller -General of Customs,  Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, held a roundtable interactive session with maritime and excise stakeholders to devise a lasting solution to issues facing clearance processes in ports across the Country. The meeting, which was held in Lagos on Friday, 15th December 2023, was part of activities for the just concluded CGC's Conference, 2023. It was attended by senior serving and retired Customs Officers, Terminal Operators, Freight Forwarders, Licensed Customs Agents, and Representatives of Excise Stakeholders, among others, to create a platform for interaction and identify the way forward to better Customs operations. CGC Adewale Adeniyi clarified that concerns such as multiple alerts, frequent downtime of CPC, numerous checkpoints, and difficulty accessing ports, among others, have been established in previous meetings as the next phase is to set time-bound solutions. In his words, “Issues have been openly discussed. The main ones facing c...

 The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged not to rest on its oars until it meets its goal of integrating and streamlining its operations to meet international standards. The Comptroller-General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the  2023 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGG's) Conference with theme "Leveraging Data Analytics For Secure And Efficient Trade Facilitation In Customs Operation" held on Thursday, 14 December, 2023, Speaking at the Conference, the CGC stated that the Nigeria Customs Service constantly strives for performance in all its engagements. he said, "Our commitment to using meticulous data management to improve security, trade and positively engage with its stakeholders is actively on and running". The event had in attendance the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Tinubu GCFR, represented by the Vice President, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shett...

The Executive Secretary, of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barrister Pius Ukeyima Akutah  has said that the target of the ports economic regulator is in innovations that will promote global trade. saying that, already the Council is deep into championing progress on the dynamic waters of global trade. The Council boss said this at a special management retreat organised by the Council in Lagos on Thursday, with the theme, "Strengthening the Economic Regulation of the Marine and Blue Economy for Sustainable Development”, The Executive Secretary said the council was determined to ensure that it promotes trade facilitation in the country in line with the global best practice. He said that the retreat was an opportunity to achieve what would be of profound significance for the future of nation’s economy. According to him, the focus of the Council on economic regulation underscores a profound understanding, adding that “effective governance , equitable practices and strategic...

...Plans Maiden Annual Maritime and Blue Economy Conference The World Maritime University Allumni Association of Nigeria (WMUAAN) last Tuesday in Lagos held an Innugural dinner to honour past and recent efforts  graduates of the prestigious World Maritime University, Maimo, Sweden to float the association pand to welcome the 2023 set who has just returned after their program at the school. The occasion, which was also used to innugurates members of the executive which was elected last year in an election which was described as a credible election by the president was attended by past graduates of the University, some of whom have retired from the services of the various government agencies that sponsored their training and representatives from the Nigerian Navy, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Abuja MoU and NIIT and a host of others. In his welcome address, the President, of the Allumni,  Mr Lawrence Chukwu stated that the association was established to be a platform for ...

  The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it plans to generate N6 trillion     for the Federal Government in 2024. The Comptroller General of Customs,     Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR stated this at the 2024 budget defense with the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation on yesterday in Abuja, saying the amount was higher than the N5 trillion originally projected in the budget. “I share the optimism of increasing the revenue to N6 trillion in 2024. So, N6 trillion revenue in 2024 is possible,’’Adeniyi said. But he emphasized that the service would be able to generate the N6 trillion revenue if the federal government reduced concession grants in 2024. ‘’The new law will also help us to facilitate a number of issues that will make revenue generation possible,’’ he said. The CGC frowned at frequent import waivers by the government, saying that it was one of the factors that had impeded revenue generation for the service.  ‘’If we can get N1.8 trillion...

  The Nigeria Institute of Public Relations has set up a Compliance and Enforcement Committee to checkmate and sanction unlicensed public relations practitioners in the country.   The Chairman of the Compliance and Enforcement Committee of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), General Chris Olukolade (Rtd), has said that machineries are being put in place to sanction individuals who are practising public relations without certification as required by relevant laws. General Olukolade, a former Director Defence Information (DDI) made the disclosure at the inaugural meeting of the committee which comprises top public relations practitioners in the security, paramilitary, public service and the private sector. He said the institute is putting in place appropriate structures at all levels to effectively enforce NIPR laws and practices by liaising with the council of the institute to set up chapter level Compliance and Enforcement Committee in all states. “Apart from our...

  National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has urged agencies responsible for the regulation of government policies in the maritime industry to ensure an efficient port system that can meet up with global standards. The President of NAGAFF, HighChief Tochukwu Ezisi (RFF) said this while delivering    his welcome address at the 24th anniversary ceremony of the association held on Friday at the Rockview Hotels Apapa Lagos. The ceremony, which has the theme‘ “Agro Allied Products Export: The Bedrock to Sustainable Development”, Tochukwu Ezisi emphasized on the need for a more efficient port system in Nigeria especially under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.  In his words, “if Nigerian ports must remain competitive to attract more cargo flow in the region, the NPA, NSC, NCS and others have to check the inefficiencies in the ports and customs operations which indirectly affects ports operations”. These inefficiencie...

  …Terminal Operators Fails To Remit $852m, N1.8b  The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said it has gotten consultancy from the World Bank to review the concession agreements which would be free from any form of encumbrances as against what was done in 2006. The review was necessitated following the claim by NPA of unmerited the sum of $852m, N1. 8b by the terminal operators which    the NPA said was due to the faulty concession agreement that the federal government signed with the port concessionaires in 2006. Putting more light on the unremitted funds, the Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the port concessionaires refused to remit these sums due to the encumbrances fostered on them by the federal government in the concession agreement. The managing Director said this while speaking before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, he absolved the NPA of any complicity in the unremitted sum. The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation had i...

  The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on 8 December 2023 at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College Gwagwalada, Abuja, emphasized the significance of embracing continuous learning for the recently graduated officers from Senior Course 9 and Junior Course 17. The CGC, who was    represented at the ceremony by Deputy Comptroller General of Customs,    DCG Sa'idu Galadima, in charge of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), highlighted the importance of professionalism and integrity, urging the graduates to uphold high standards in their service, he also encouraged them to use the opportunities in their various commands and take calculated risks. The Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College Gwagwalada , ACG Kingsley Egwuh who praised the graduates for their dedication towards the betterment of the service and the nation. Expressed satisfaction with their 100% success rate, he emphasized diverse training area...