Maritimegistplus

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, is set to launch a strategic engagement platform aimed at promoting the growth and sustainability of small and medium enterprises across Nigeria. ‎ ‎Known as the Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum, the initiative is designed to bring together SME business leaders, founders, policymakers and industry experts to discuss business opportunities, economic trends, innovation and sustainable growth strategies. ‎ ‎Speaking on the initiative, Ugochi Osinigwe, Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises, Fidelity Bank Plc, said the forum reflects the bank’s commitment to delivering a wide range of initiatives that support the growth of small businesses in Nigeria. ‎ ‎“Our Quarterly Business Forum is part of our regular engagement with small businesses across the country. As you may know, Fidelity Bank is a leading supporter of SMEs through numerous financial products, and a strong advocate of a multi-dimensional approach to help...

The  Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to advancing regional maritime integration, cooperation and capacity development across Africa. ‎ ‎Dr. Mobereola made this known when he received the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Liberia in Lagos, Mr. Dapo Akinosun, SAN, at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos. ‎ ‎The NIMASA DG described the meeting as a reflection of the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between Nigeria and Liberia, particularly within the maritime sector. ‎ ‎According to him, stronger collaboration among African nations remains critical to unlocking the continent’s maritime potential, strengthening the Blue Economy, and promoting sustainable regional growth of the continent. ‎ ‎ ‎L-R: Head, Media Department at the Liberian Consulate in Lagos, Mr. Kehinde Ogundimu; Honorary Consul of the Republic of Liberia in Lagos, Mr. Dapo Akinosun,...

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi II, has cited President Bola Tinubu’s public commendation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, as evidence of the confidence reposed in the Customs boss, describing his leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and impact on community development as a source of pride to the ancient Ife Kingdom and the Modakeke community. ‎ ‎The monarch stated this on Thursday, 28 May 2026, during the annual Eid-el-Kabir gathering hosted by the Comptroller-General at his residence in Modakeke, Osun State. ‎ ‎ The event attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, senior Customs officers, community stakeholders, family members, friends and associates. ‎ ‎Oba Ogunwusi said President Tinubu’s public expression of satisfaction with Adeniyi’s performance reflected confidence in his leadership and the results being achieved by the Service. ‎ ‎“We are very proud of him and the work he is doing. When Mr President publicly expressed...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media as a strategic partner in promoting stakeholder awareness, public trust, and national development. ‎ ‎The call for a deeper partnership was the focus of a media parley held on Monday, 25 May 2026, at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command Headquarters, Abdullahi Dikko Inde Conference Hall, Bompai, Kano. The event, organised by the National Public Relations Unit and themed “Building Synergy Between the Media and Customs for Enhanced Stakeholders’ Awareness and National Development,” brought together senior Customs officers, journalists and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) from Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Katsina states. ‎ ‎ Speaking at the parley, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NPRO), Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Abdullahi Maiwada, described the media as a critical partner in nation-building and public enlightenment. “The m...

The Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police Command, CP Oluwatoyin Agbaminoja, psc, mnips, on behalf of officers and men of the Command, heartily felicitates with Muslim faithful, maritime stakeholders, port users, and the general public on the joyous occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. ‎ ‎As Nigerians commemorate this important religious festival which symbolizes sacrifice, obedience, tolerance, and love, the Command urges all residents and visitors within the port environment to uphold the values of peace, unity, and mutual respect throughout the celebration period.  ‎ ‎According to the statement issued by ASP Isaac Hundeyin, anipr,  Police  Public Relations  Officer, Ports  Authority Police  (Western) Command, said  the   Command has emplaced adequate security measures across the nation’s seaports, terminals, jetties, the waterways and other critical maritime infrastructure to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free celebratio...

Fidelity Bank Plc recorded 37.9 per cent growth in gross earnings to N434.95 billion in first quarter 2026 as the international commercial bank continued to expand its core banking market share. ‎ ‎ Interim report and accounts of Fidelity Bank for the three months ended March 31, 2026 released at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) showed that gross earnings rose from N315.42 billion in first quarter 20025 to N434.95 billion in first quarter 2026, representing an increase of 37.9 per cent. ‎ ‎The top-line performance was driven by impressive growth in the bank’s core business operations with interest incomes rising by 22.8 per cent to N314.48 billion in first quarter 2026 as against N256.10 billion in first quarter 2025. ‎ ‎With net interest income at N180.97 billion, the bank closed the period with profit before tax of N92.48 billion. After taxes, net profit stood at N74.47 billion for the three-month period. Earnings per share remained high at N5.69, underlining the capacity of the ban...

The Nigerian Shippers' Council in demonstrating the effective economic regulatory role, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, has intervened and  resolved the operational issues between SIFAX Group and AGL Logistics over the berthing of a vessel operated by AGL Logistics. ‎ ‎The Council’s intervention further reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to seamless port operations, trade facilitation and industrial harmony within the maritime sector. ‎ ‎ The Council also emphasized the need for optimal utilization of terminal facilities and the protection of Nigeria’s maritime image through sustained collaboration among industry stakeholders. ‎ ‎ The engagement concluded with a mutual resolution on cargo evacuation and improved operational synergy among the parties involved. ‎ ‎The Management of SIFAX and AGL, expressed their appreciation for the Council’s quick intervention and commended the NSC boss and the Council for their effec...

  ‎ Barely two months of Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila's saddle as the Customs Area Controller of Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, the command has generated the sum of  ₦9,798,938,969 (Nine Billion, Seven hundred and ninety eight million, nine hundred and thirty eight thousand, nine hundred and sixty nine naira) only as revenue representing an increase of  7,610,533,220 over the ₦2,188,405,749 collected within the same period in year 2025 reflecting a 448 percent increase when compared with the revenue generated within the corresponding period in 2025. ‎ ‎Speaking during his maiden media  briefing held at the Command Headquarters yesterday, Monday 25th May, 2026, the Area Controller described the achievements as a reflection of intensified enforcement, stronger stakeholder collaboration, and renewed operational efficiency  employed by the command on his assumption of office. ‎ ‎ ‎ According to him, the impressive growth was driven by stren...

There is a particular genre of financial commentary that mistakes legal process for a factual verdict. A court delivers a first-instance ruling, procedural questions are raised, and before the ink is dry on the appeal filing, the narrative has already hardened: the regulator overreached, investor confidence is shattered, and Nigeria’s financial governance is on trial before the world. ‎ ‎ Much of the commentary currently circulating about Union Bank of Nigeria belongs to that genre.  It is not without merit on certain procedural questions. But it is, at its core, incomplete  and incompleteness in financial journalism carries costs that run well beyond the column. ‎ ‎The Acquisition That Started Everything ‎In 2022, Titan Trust Bank Limited, then chaired by Mr Tunde Lemo, acquired ‎approximately 94 per cent of Union Bank of Nigeria through two Dubai-registered ‎entities: Luxis International DMCC, promoted by Mr Rahul Savara, and Mr ‎Cornelius Vink’s Magna Internationa...

A critical stakeholders on maritime space is of the opinion that CGC Adewale Adeniyi's beautiful credentials as the best Comptroller General of Customs will be incomplete if he leaves office without revisiting some of the sentimental policies by previous administrations that are affecting trade facilitations for corrections. ‎ ‎ In a review on this issue with Alhaji Adetona Mubashiru, the Chairman and CEO of Only God is Wise Nig. Ltd, a Bonded Terminal would want the CGC to revisit some of the government policies on Trade facilitation. It could be noted that a press release written by CGC Adeniyi on December 5, 2016 as the then National PRO of Nigeria Customs Service captioned "FG BANS IMPORTATION OF VEHICLES THROUGH THE LAND BORDERS," had the followings in that short notice that importation of vehicles into Nigeria through the land Borders have been banned by the Federal Government.  The prohibition order covers all new and used vehicles. ‎ ‎ The Ban was sequel to...