…Affirms Adeniyi demonstrates exemplary commitment to achieving the Board’s laudable objectives

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has applauded the integrity and transparency of the Comptroller General of Customs CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, noting that the Customs Arrowhead has demonstrated exemplary commitment to achieving laudable objectives of the Customs’ Service Board.

The Minister who stressed the importance of collaboration, particularly between various ministries and the private sector, also noted that the Nigeria Customs Service Board includes representatives from the ministries of Trade and Investment, Foreign Affairs, and Finance; as well as members of the organised private sector. 

He made the observation on Tuesday, 10 September 2024, while presiding over the 60th regular board meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service NCS. The meeting was held at the newly built NCS headquarters in Maitama, Abuja; and was about the first of its kind since the commissioning of the edifice by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Wale Edun expressed his satisfaction with the board’s adherence to the decision to meet quarterly, describing it as an essential aspect of corporate governance, noting that regular meetings and updates on financial performance were crucial for any government agency seeking to meet its objectives and impact positively on citizens. 

“I think that board meetings serve as an important part of corporate governance and corporate governance is key to running an organisation efficiently as well as providing the necessary direction and management to keep government policies on track”, Wale Edun stated, applauding the integrity and transparency of CGC Adeniyi.

He expressed satisfaction that the Nigeria Customs Service Board NCSB presently provides a forum which, “Ensures that critical national issues are thoroughly discussed and implemented on time”. 

While fielding questions about his feelings, for being the first Minister and NCSB Chairman to have chaired a meeting at the newly built NCS Corporate Headquarters, the Minister took the opportunity to commend the Customs Service on the achievement.

He said: “I congratulate the Nigeria Customs Service on this achievement of not just building a new edifice, but moving into it, making use of it, and keeping it very neat and tidy, and I pray for the success of all those who work at the new facility.

 The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richard Mills, on Friday paid a courtesy visit to the Western Naval Command and the Regional Maritime Capability (RMAC) Centre in furtherance of the bilateral relations between the countries.

Speaking during the visit, Mills said that deepening the partnership with the Nigerian Navy was important in ensuring that the Gulf of Guinea would be as free as possible from maritime crimes.

“We want to reduce to the barest minimum maritime crimes such as piracy, oil theft, and Unregulated Unreported Fishing among others.

“We have been talking about how to strengthen our partnership and what more we can do to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.

The ambassador said that one of the ways to ensure that the partnership was strengthened was through the conduct of maritime exercises between the two navies to improve coordination.

“A lot of things are working well; our intelligence sharing, our training capabilities among other things.

“Some new assets and equipment that will be helpful towards improving maritime security was shared with me and we will be looking at that too,” he said

Similarly, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Mustapha Hassan thanked the U.S. for their cooperation with countries in the Gulf of Guinea.

Hassan said that matters were discussed on how to improve partnership and work together toward making the global maritime economy much better placed.

“One of the focus of discourse centred on upgrading the sensor capabilities of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability system.

“The system is working and in good order but an upgrade will put us in a better state among other leading nations of the world,” he said.

The FOC said that the U.S. was already planning another Obangame Express- a maritime exercise which would help prepare the Nigerian Navy for eventualities in the Gulf of Guinea. 

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), has set up a 33-man Committee to organise the raising of N500 million for its planned new Secretariat on Thursday to guarantee an outstanding and spectacular 25th anniversary celebration. 

The President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi who indicated this, also expressed enthusiasm for two major turning points in the history of NAGAFF, noting that the association was bravely created 25 years ago by Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam in an altruistic determination, to transform Nigeria’s freight forwarding sector.

“First, we gather to inaugurate the committee responsible for planning our Silver Jubilee celebration—a momentous occasion marking 25 years of unwavering commitment and excellence. Second, we are here to launch the committee tasked with overseeing the acquisition of a new Secretariat, a pivotal investment of 500 Million Naira that will shape our future”.

“As we approach the Silver Jubilee of NAGAFF, we are not merely reflecting on the past but also celebrating the progress we have made in the freight forwarding industry.

“Our Silver Jubilee is a testament to the collective hard work, dedication, and vision of every member who has contributed to making NAGAFF a beacon of excellence in our sector. This celebration will honour our achievements, acknowledge our growth, and inspire us as we look towards the future”, Ezisi said, pointing out the need to equally craft an experience that reflects NAGAFF’s values.

Chief Ezisi emphasised that the Silver Jubilee Planning Committee is vital, to guarantee that the event embodies the Association’s ideals and transformative journey.

“Your task is not just to organise an event but to also craft an experience that reflects NAGAFF’s values by embarking on a transformative journey with the acquisition of a new Secretariat, a 500 million Naira investment that will secure a future where NAGAFF can continue to thrive, innovate, and lead.

“Our new Secretariat will serve as a hub for our operations, a symbol of our progress, and a place where we will continue to build on our legacy of excellence”.

The committee members, chaired by Chief Afam Chukwuma and the Secretary, Fwdr Stanley Ezenga, were further reminded of their goal, which was to negotiate terms and choose the ideal site for the secretariat. 

The Maritime First learnt that the committee will additionally guarantee that the recently established secretariat fulfils the utmost requirements concerning efficiency and quality. 

While acknowledging that N500 million was an ambitious goal, the committee chairman, Chief Afam Chukwuma stated that it is achievable. 

He gave his word that the committee had taken on the challenge of reaching out, as well as even exceeding the designated goal. 

He continued, by saying that the committee would plan an appropriate 25th anniversary celebration for the association on November 16, 2024, and hold a grand event to raise money for the new secretariat.