Maritimegistplus

… Pledges Effective Communication In NIMASA The newly appointed Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola says NIMASA under his watch will build a purpose driven organisation and  priorities  effective communication at all levels to enhance innovation, collaboration and synergy. The DG made this declaration while delivering his maiden address on his assumption of duty.  He noted that the agency under his leadership will equally prioritise safety, security, efficiency and environmental sustainability. In his words, “We must strive to foster innovation and excellence in everything we do. The maritime industry is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing market dynamics, and evolving regulatory frameworks. As leaders in the sector, we must embrace innovation, adapt change, and continuously seek ways to enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, and resilience of our maritime operations”...

...Vows To Consolidate On Current Free Flow Traffic To consolidate on the gains recently recorded in the free flow of traffic along the Mile 2 TinCan Port corridors and the clearance of illegal check points and extortion centers on the road, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)  Mohammed Bello-Koko yesterday, Monday March 25th inspected the road. Speaking on the sidelines of the unscheduled spot check, the MD said “our zero tolerance for all forms of impediments to free flow of traffic is no fluke, and we are poised to consolidate the gains we have recorded first in Apapa and now Tincan. We are grateful to the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola (CON) and the Lagos State Governor for the tremendous support we have received in this regard”. He went further to say that the Ports access roads are international corridors, which means traffic gridlock along such sensitive road networks apart from negating port producti...

The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in it's  anti Smuggling exploit made seizures of life threatening ammunition, harmful substances and other prohibited items. Addressing journalists on Friday, 15th of March 2024, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), of the command, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu said  the Command, while on anti-smuggling operation along the border lines, his  operatives intercepted smuggled 940 rounds of live ammunition ingeniously concealed in sacks of cassava flakes, commonly known as garri in local parlance. Speaking on the circumstances surrounding the operation , Compt. Shuibu said the Command had been on its trail for more than 2 weeks, from the Republic of Benin, before it was eventually smuggled into the country.  He further stated that during the trail of the cartel, the received intel revealed the level of surveillance mounted and security beef-up by the unscrupulous elements, to safeguard the items and evade arrest. He a...

... Hand Over seized Arms and Illicit Drugs To Concerned Agencies The Tin-Can Island port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has generated over N240.3b as revenue from January  till 14th of March 2024. The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi made this disclosure at a press briefing in the command's Conference hall yesterday. According to him, the command made an impressive performance in revenue generation as the sum of  N240,302,000,000.00 generated so far show that the command, considering it's monthly revenue target of N94billion has surpassed it January and February target by 107 percent and 141 percent respectively. I his word, “If you recall, our revenue target on a monthly basis is N94billion, What this means is that we have been able to surpass our expected revenue target of N188billion for January and February; “By way of percentage, we have surpassed our January revenue target by 107 percent and also surpassed our Febr...

In a concerted effort to alleviate the prevailing economic hardships faced by families across the nation, the National President of Customs  Officers' Wives Association (COWA) and wife of Comptroller-General of Customs has continued with the spearheaded the distribution palliatives to more COWA members  in Abuja. Embarking on a tour of the Federal Capital Territory Command and Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College Gwagwalada on Wednesday, 13th March 2024, Mrs. Adeniyi in her solidarity message to the officers' wives in attendance said the visit is in recognition of their immense challenges and the need of standing united during trying times, Kikelome  reaffirmed COWA's commitment to providing assistance and empowerment. While expressing her gratitude to the attendees for their unwavering commitment, the COWA president acknowledged the sacrifices made by officers' wives and their invaluable contributions to the Customs community, she emphasized the significance of ...

Dana Air has reaffirmed its commitment to providing affordable and convenient travel options for Nigerians with the relaunch of the “Early Bird” initiative.  According to a statement on Thursday,  the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Ememobong Ettete, said the discounted fare initiative was also in response to the growing challenges faced by air travelers in Nigeria, he added that Dana Air had taken a proactive step to ensure that flying remained the smartest way to travel. Parts of the statement reads, “Early Bird” initiative encourages passengers to plan ahead and book their tickets on Dana Air’s website to access exclusive discounts and enjoy a seamless booking experience". Continuing the statement said, “We understand the financial constraints faced by our valued passengers and at Dana Air, we understand the importance of providing our passengers with affordable travel options without compromising on quality or service". ”The Early Bird fare initiative reaffirms...

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the Nation's Economic Regulator has unveiled an Online Registration Portal for Service Providers and Port Users operating at Onne Port in Rivers State. The Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr. Akutah Pius, MON, while speaking at the launch, said that the launching of online registration portal was in line with Shippers’ Council Port Economic Regulation 2015, Part 11, Section 4 (1) which mandates the Council to register all regulated Service Providers and Users operating at the nation’s seaports. Barr. Akutah, who was represented by the Director, South–South Zone, Glory Onojedo, described the launching as a milestone as the Council’s portal has been upgraded from manual registration to a fully automated registration. According to him, the registration provides a database of service providers, as well as genuine shippers and other stakeholders operating at the ports. While expressing optimism that the launching of the portal would create...

Following the death of Herbert Wigwe earlier in February, the pioneer Managing Director of the Access Bank Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhede, has been appointed as the chairman of Access Holdings. According to a statement from the financial institution filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Wednesday, 13th March, 2024,  Aig- Imoukhuede will replace Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, the erstwhile Chairman of the Holding Company who remains on the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Aig-Imoukhede returns to the group 10 years after he left the Access Group which he co-founded with late Herbert Wigwe. Recall that Wigwe, alongside his wife, Doreen, and son, Chizzy died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States of America in February and was buried in Nigeria

Following the rise of insecurity and kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory and it's environ, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday held a closed session with the Commissioner of Police FCT command as well as the Minister of  Federal Capital Territory, Nysome Wike. This was in connection to a motion moved by Senator Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North federal consituency on the Galadimawa Kidnap incident that led to the death of of his Senior legislative Aide. As part of the senate’s resolutions, the upper legislative chamber invited the Minister and the  commissioner of Police to brief the upper legislative chambers on the current security situation in the FCT and it's environs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed for the immediate re-opening of Nigeria’s borders with Niger Republic as well as lifting of other sanctions against the country. According to a statement from the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the directive is in compliance with the decisions of the Economic Committee Of West African State (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit held on February 24, 2024, in Abuja. The statement said, “ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea". With the opening of the borders, the president also directed that all sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted with immediate effect. The statement also vacated the ECOWAS No-Fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic and other west African states. The statement also disclosed that the president has reversed the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions betwee...

The Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said it has secured the sum of  $1.3billion loan from China to complete the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi Rail project. The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, disclosed this through a press statement issued by the Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to the Minister, Jamilu Ja’afaru. Described it as a major milestone in the financing of critical infrastructure, the Minister revealed that the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) is expected to provide 85 per cent of the loan while the remaining 15 per cent would be provided by the Nigerian government. The statement reads in parts, "This rail link, a key component of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is set to enhance regional trade, community development, and cultural exchange, aligning with the administration’s unwavering commitment to national development and a more interconnected African continent; “The ...

T he Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Monday declared Open the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Exercise Haske Biyu 2024.  The opening ceremony, which took place on Monday, 11 March 2024, marked the commencement of the training exercise which will focus on Internal Security and Low-Intensity Conflict operations in Nigeria. Expressing his gratitude to the Commandant of the College for the invitation, the Comptroller-General emphasized the importance of joint collaboration among law enforcement agencies. He stated, “The importance of joint and multi-agency collaboration in internal security and low-intensity conflict operations amongst law enforcement agencies and the military cannot be over-emphasized". While highlighting the objectives of Exercise Haske Biyu, the Comptroller-General said, “The objective of Exercise ‘Haske Biyu’ is to broaden your individual and collective knowledge and understanding of military operations other ...

In adherence to a directive from the Presidency, the Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has released fifteen (15) trucks of grain detained under its custody back to their respective owners. Comptroller Kamal Mohammed mni who presided over the handover ceremony at the Command Headquarters in Sokoto, emphasized the importance of compliance with the Presidential directive During the handover, Comptroller Kamal charged the traders to reciprocate the magnanimity shown by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by ensuring that the grains are sold exclusively within Nigerian markets. He further announced that the Command, in collaboration with the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), would closely monitor the sales of these grains to prevent any attempts at smuggling them out of the country. Highlighting the significance of the directive, Comptroller Kamal reminded traders and the general public that grains and their derivatives are prohibite...

...Commissions Technology Village, Phase 1 Housing Units In a collaborative effort to enhance the well-being of Nigeria Customs Service personnel, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has joined forces with the Nasarawa State Government Housing Commission on 11 March 2024. During the commissioning of Nasarawa State Technology Village Phase 1 at Aso Pada in Maraba- Nasarawa State, the Comptroller-General of Customs, represented by Deputy Comptroller General of Customs Festus Okun, emphasized the NCS's commitment to officer welfare, citing the acquisition of houses as a testament to this dedication. The CGC announced that the commissioned houses would be allocated to officers, underscoring the importance of providing shelter to personnel in service to the nation. He expressed gratitude to the Nasarawa State government, the people, and project promoters for their support, pledging collaboration to ensure the project's success. Governor Abdullahi Su...

As part of a stirring demonstration of solidarity and empathy to relieve the economic Hardship currently being faced by Nigerians, the wife of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service /President of the Customs Officers Wives Association COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi,  orchestrated an impactful initiative aimed at alleviating the challenges faced by Customs Officers' Wives in Karu Customs Barracks, Abuja, on Tuesday, 12 March 2024. Addressing the officers' wives with warmth and determination shortly after arriving at the venue, the  President implored them to embrace unity by becoming registered members of COWA. Reiterating commitment of the association to enlist every officer's wife, irrespective of rank or formation in the Association's database, she emphatically declared that, “Every officer's wife has a rightful place within the COWA family". While distributing the food items, which include noodles, bags of rice, spaghetti, and cookin...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Dayo Mobereola as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). In a statement frim the presidency earlier today signed by the Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said that the appointment follows the exit of the former DG, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, whose tenure expired on the 10th of March 2024. According to the statement, Dr. Dayo Mobereola holds a Ph.D, and an M.Sc in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport in England, and a fellow of the same institute in Nigeria. The new DG of NIMASA was a Deputy Managing Director and Project Development Director at AFM Consulting Plc, London. He was also Senior Economist at British Petroleum Shipping Limited, London. In the public sector, Dr Dayo was the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA)...

. .. Expresses Gratitude to FG In compliance with the Federal Government Establishment Circular tagged “End of Tenure Processes for Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Director-Generals, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-Owned Companies and Succession Guideline dated 4th December 2017, the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, yesterday, Monday 11th March 2024 handed over the affairs of the agency to Honorable Chudi Offodile, the agency’s Executivel Director, Finance and Administration following the expiration of his 4 years tenure. During the handover ceremony at NIMASA Towers in Victoria Island, Jamoh expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for giving him the opportunity to serve in the capacity as Director General and urged the next leadership of the Agency to consolidate on the gains of the past four years. “I wish to express gratitude to Almighty All...

The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service last Friday, handed over a total of 36 live African Grey Parrots to officials of the Nigerian Parks Service. At the event which was held at the command's headquarters in Ibafon, Apapa Lagos, the Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Odaudu Salefu said officers of the command had intercepted the endangered species being smuggled through the Badagry Creeks oversea, en route to Ghana. Compt. Salefu attributed the seizure to his officers dedication to duty, explaining that his officers intercepted the boat while on patrol at midnight on the waterway between Abongo and T-junction, a notorious stretch of the breakwaters adjoining the international waters. He said upon discovering the endangered species, he directed that they should be brought to the office, after which he contacted the NCS Headquarters in Abuja and was granted approval for the handing over to the Nigerian Parks Service. Explaining the interception, he sa...

...Visits Mamuda Group of Companies in Chalawa In continuation of the Comptroller General of Customs visit to Kano state and in a bid to rekindle the longstanding partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kano State Government, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR  embarked on a significant visit to the Kano State Government House. The meeting, which took place on Sunday morning, March 10, 2024, served as an avenue for CGC Adeniyi to highlight the Nigeria Customs Service's commitment to enhance trade and address food security challenges in Kano State. The CGC, who recounted his engagements with a visit to the Emir of Kano and stakeholders at the Dawanau International Grains Market, reiterated the Service's dedication to enhancing trade facilitation and collaborating closely with the Kano community to address common challenges. He said, “Part of the major concerns that we have in Kano include the need for Customs to establish an export...

...Announce Plans To Deploy Electronic Cargo Tracking System. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR , has engaged stakeholders from across the import-export ecosystem in Kano state to a strategic breakfast meeting aimed at addressing operational challenges and fostering a more efficient trade environment. The meeting, which was held in Kano on Sunday,10 March 2024, with stakeholders ranging from the leadership of Customs License Agents, Bonded Terminal Operators, and Importers seized the opportunity to voice their concerns over the bottlenecks in clearing their consignments from Lagos and Onne Ports.  The stakeholders highlighted the challenges associated with the change of procedure code and compounded by a cumbersome process for clearance consignments on transire from coastal ports to Inland Container Terminals in Kano. Addressing the concerns raised by stakeholders, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi emphasized that Nigeria Customs Service committed to trans...

In what could be described as a heartwarming move, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted three  trucks carrying 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions, and 18 bags of dry pepper and instead of taking them to government warehouse were most of the items will rot away while Nigerians are hungry, redirected the items to the market for sale by their owners. The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Unit, Comptroller Kehinde Hussein Ejibunu who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, said the trucks carrying the food items were intercepted along Ajilete/Idiroko road in Ogun state while trying to move the good items en to the Republic of Benin and instead of confiscating the items, the trucks were redirected to a market where the goods were sold to Nigerian consumers by the owners. According to Ejibunu, the move is in line with the Federal Government policy at ensuring food security as well as addressing the high cost of ...

SIFAX Group, one of the leading business conglomerates in Nigeria with investment in Maritime, Aviation, Oil & Gas, Haulage & Logistics, Financial Services, and Hospitality, has appointed Basil Agboarumi as its new Executive Director, Corporate and Intergovernmental Affairs. Agboarumi, who  recently completed his term as the Managing Director/CEO of the SkyWay Aviation Handling Company Plc. (SAHCO Plc.), l holds a National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, a Master in Communications (MSc) from the Lagos State University and a Certificate in Creative Design & Digital Communications from the School of Media & Communications of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. The commutation guru also holds a Management Certificate in Civil Aviation from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. Agboarumi was appointed the Head of Corporate Communicat...

... As  CGC Inspects Construction Site of Zone B Headquarters The present management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under the leadership of  Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR as the Comptroller General has proven that the welfare of personnels of the service is paramount to this administration. The Comptroller-General of Customs established this fact when he flag-off the NCS housing scheme at Gidan Iyali Estate, Millennium City, Kaduna on Thursday the 7th March 2024, in Kaduna. According to a statement from the National Public Relations Officer, of the NCS,  CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, the CGC disclosed  the management plans to  flag-off  similar  projects across the federation such as Kano, Asaba, Yola, Abuja, Enugu, and Uyo. The national spread according to the statement is aimed at providing  officers and men of the service the opportunity to access and benefit from the laudable initiative that is not just pocket friendly but also at convenient l...

The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners  (CONMMEP) has expressed shock that despite Nigeria's  amazing natural endowments and potentials, the country is still struggling in every sector of the economy most especially, the maritime. According to the various publications and information that have put the annual worth of trade within the Maritime Sector at around Twenty Four Trillion dollars ($24 trillion) and most countries of the world especially those that have direct access to the seas do take advantage to get a chunk of this amount.  It is in the light of this, that CONMMEP seeks to unravel the mystery behind Nigeria's lethargic attempt at fulfilling her potentials as a country with a coastline stretching up to 830km and 200 nautical miles into the ocean. The country has a marine bio-diversity that is one of the best in the world culminating in the West African continental shelf being also one of the richest globally. The present Federal Government of Nige...