…As pioneer president, Engr. Ogbeifun stresses need for sensitisation, Stakeholders’ engagement 

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has assured the nation’s shipowners of adequate vessel protection, stressing that they could go to bed with both eyes closed. 

The Admiral who also noted that the Nigerian Navy is happy and proud to be associated with SOAN; equally believes that SOAN recognizes their enduring cordial relationship with the Nigerian Navy. 

The CNS stated this in Lagos at the weekend, during the inauguration of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria SOAN new executives, headed by Sonny Eja as President.

“The Nigerian Navy is committed to the safety and security of the ships at sea and would continue to provide the enabling environment for shipping trade, movement of goods and cargo”, Ogalla ably represented by Bolaji Orederu said, stressing that everything thing that has legitimate reasons to be on the nation’s maritime space would adequately enjoy naval safety and security.

He called the shipowners’ attention to the importance of the Naval Dockyard as a premier Logistics facility of the Nigerian Navy, responsible for ship maintenance and docking, highlighting that Nigerian shipowners should avail of its services and gladly maintain their assets there.

“As it is today, we dock ships for shipowners apart from the Nigerian Navy”, he highlighted, saying that the dockyard had already created not fewer than three sea-going ships in addition to a noteworthy dockyard, offering services to several other non-navy vessels. 

 “Please bring your ships to the Naval dockyard,” he said, assuring that the Naval Dockyard would certainly exceed their expectations. 

In the meantime, a founding member of SOAN and pioneer president, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun has stressed the need for shipowners to see themselves as an association of global trading bodies and thus, take advantage of the platform’s opportunity.

In this regard, he therefore harped on the importance of stakeholders’ sensitisation and strategic engagement, to re-position, over foreign dominance.

 “It is safe to say that the majority of shipowners in that space are Nigerian shipowners as opposed to those days when it was foreign-dominated. This government has given us the platform to step out and why should we be happy that all the cargoes going out and coming in are carried by foreign shipowners? We must start talking about the global space.”

Some of the dignitaries present were the Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director, Mohammed Bello Koko; the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji; a former Director General of NIMASA, Barrister Temisan Omatseye; a former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Hassan Bello who chaired the occasion. 

…CGC Adeniyi Commends Directing Staff, Instructors on dedicated commitment to Service 

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has commended the directing staff and instructors of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College for their commitment and exceptional input in the training session which has just graduated 50 Officers of Junior Course 18.

The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, marked a significant milestone on Friday, April 19, 2024, in a ceremony, held at the Ahmadu Makarfi Hall of the college. It was attended by top officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, family members, and friends of the graduating officers.

 “The Service is committed to building a strong and effective team, and this graduation is a testament to that commitment,” the CGC who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resources and Development Greg Itotoh, stated.

Also Read: CUSTOMS: We’re Well-equipped To Implement TRS In Nigeria- Wale Adeniyi

He praised the graduating officers for their hard work and dedication, urging them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their training to enhance the service’s operations.

He particularly emphasised the importance of capacity building in achieving the Nigeria Customs Service’s strategic goals, even as he encouraged the graduating officers to be innovative and proactive in their approach to Customs operations, embracing technology to enhance effective service delivery.

Commandant of the College, ACG Kingsley Egwuh, also praised the directing staff for their dedication and hard work in shaping the officers’ minds. He congratulated the graduating students, urging them to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead and make a positive impact in the Nigeria Customs Service.

The graduating officers, who had completed their training in various aspects of customs operations, leadership, and weapon handling, were expected to be deployed to various formations of the Service, where they will apply their knowledge and skills to enhance effective service delivery.

The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates and awards to deserving officers, recognising their outstanding performance during the training.

Earlier, the College had also held a regimental dinner for the graduating officers of Junior Course 18 on the 17th of April, 2027 – where Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi urged them to embrace professionalism and integrity in their service. 

As the Special Guest of Honour at the Regimental Feast, CGC Adeniyi took to the podium to congratulate the graduating students after scaling through a series of rigorous training in the colleges, which, according to him, were meant to equip them to master the technical know-how of the Customs work.

Celebrating their academic achievements, CGC Adeniyi, however, enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the Service and give their careers purposeful meaning and uphold the motto of the Nigeria Customs Service—Justice and Honesty.

He added, “As you all return to your respective Commands, put everything you’ve learned to the test. That is the only gratitude you can show to those who have taken time to develop the curriculum which you were taught here.”

“You have been here for some time. You have developed yourselves. In a couple of years, the business of the Nigeria Customs Service will rest squarely on your shoulders”, he said.

The night concluded with a sense of accomplishment and pride, marking not only the end of academic pursuits but also the beginning of a journey for these graduates to carry forward the values of the Nigeria Customs Service with honour and dedication.

…Commodore Kashim, Jim Steward, Offor laud Imam on synergy, open door policy; Babandede pledges to maintain status quo 

The outgoing Controller of Onne Customs Command, Baba Imam says the Area 2: Command generated over N162 billion, within the first three months of the year 2024.

Comptroller Baba Imam also noted that the figure was more than the revenue generated from January to July (Seven months) in the year 2023.

“I will operate an open door policy just like the Out-going Area Controller”

He stated this amidst encomiums, as the Onne Customs Command at the weekend, witnessed a sensational handing -and-taking over parade in honour of the Out-going Customs Area Controller, Imam and the In-coming Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede.

“I will operate an open door policy just like the Out-going Area Controller”

The parade was witnessed by various Commanders, Heads of Security Agencies and Stakeholders working in the Port environment. 

Also Read: Q1 2024: Tincan Customs Generates N303.9bn, 139% Higher Than Q1 2023

In his glowing remark, Comptroller Baba Imam who noted that in revenue, the Command set an unprecedented record of generating in a single day, over 22 Billion Naira. appreciated God for his mercy and love, even as he also appreciated the Controller General of Customs BA Adeniyi MFR, for the opportunity to serve as the Customs Area Controller of the Command. 

He extended the same appreciation to all Security Agencies and Stakeholders and attributed the successes recorded in the Command to the improved synergy, intelligence sharing and cooperation he enjoyed while working with them.

Comptroller Imam emphasised that Officers and Men of the Command have been trained with the view to bringing attitudinal change to enhance trade facilitation in the Command. 

He recounted some of the achievements made during his 15-month stay as the Area Controller which included the construction of a 110 seating capacity Conference Room with modern facilities, the creation of a Computer training centre with 50 computers to enhance capacity building related workshops and training in the Command. 

He said both facilities were open for use by both Customs Officers and Stakeholders who need them.

He continued that Officers could not have made significant impact in trade facilitation if their homes were in disarray, hence he appreciated his wife who was the Chairperson, Customs Officers Wives Association, Onne Chapter and said to appreciate COWA for all they do, the Command was able to establish a COWA Office within the Customs House, refurbish a canteen in the Office and two additional canteens in the Customs Barracks. 

Finally, the Command established two saloons in the barracks, for males and females from which the proceed goes to the Association.

The In-coming Area Controller Comptroller Mohammed Babandede promised to sustain the cordial relationship already established in the Command with a view to improving the synergy and that he will equally operate an open door policy. 

He said “I will operate an open door policy just like the Out-going Area Controller and I implore all Officers and Men in the Command to give me their support as they continue their good work. This will help improve on the successes recorded to enhance revenue generation, value addition and suppression of smuggling”.

The atmosphere was clouded with mixed feelings of joy and sadness as Officers, Stakeholders and Guests poured out their Goodwill messages to the Outgoing and In-coming Area Controllers.

Speaking on behalf of all the Security Agencies within the Port Environment the Commandant Nigeria Navy Basic Training School, Commodore GJ Kashim said the Out-going Controller has instilled and improved synergy among the Security agencies which he commended and prayed for more success for him in his next duty post.

 He also employed the Incoming Controller to maintain the cordial relationship already established by his predecessor.

On behalf of the Container Terminals situated within the Port, the Managing Director, Onne Multipurpose Terminal, Mr Jim Steward said Comptroller Imam has made Container Terminal activities seamless with his intervention in reducing most of the bottlenecks they experienced in the Cargo clearing process. 

To further add to the goodwill messages the Managing Directors of Bonded terminals operating within the Area 2 Command delegated Mr Kingsley Offor, to speak on their behalf. 

Mr Offor commended the outgoing controller on trade facilitation which he stressed that Comptroller B Imam has made through a conducive working environment for Bonded terminal operators. 

He prayed for success and God’s favour towards him. To the Incoming Controller, he prayed for God’s grace to function more than his predecessor.

On behalf of the various Customs Brokers operating with the Command, the Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Customs license Agents, Mr Mike Ebeatu, commended the Out-going Controller and stated that he has a listening ear and an open door policy which he urged the In-coming Controller to embrace.

In the meantime, the Deputy Comptroller Administration, Deputy Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie on behalf of the Officers and Men of Area 2 Command, has pledged for continuous support for the new Controller and promised that all hands must be on deck to make him succeed.