Author: Val Kosi

  • Oyetola Advocates Increased Patronage of Dry Ports, Rail for Haulage

    Oyetola Advocates Increased Patronage of Dry Ports, Rail for Haulage

    Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has urged members of the nation’s business community to utilise the various dry ports across the country and utilise the existing rail infrastructure in Nigeria for haulage of cargo

    Oyetola who stated these in Lagos while delivering a goodwill message at the 2024 International Customs Day, said the dry ports are located across various states in the country to promote economic development and emancipation.

    The minister decried the non compliance by truck operators with the existing electronic call up system regime put in place by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and assured that the federal government is committed to addressing the infrastructure gaps that results in delay in cargo movement in and out of the nation’s ports.

    Oyetola also advised port users to move their goods by rail as a viable alternative to the already pressured road infrastructure.

    He added that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was established by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the goal of enhancing Nigeria’s economy by tapping into the vast potential of the maritime domain, valued at over US$24 trillion, supporting 90% of global trade, and generating millions of jobs.

    The minister while congratulating Nigeria Customs Service for it’s various strides in revenue collection lauded the new Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023 addresses challenges, and encourages partnership between the public and private sectors.

    He described the theme of 2024 International Customs Day as relevant for for global trade and reassured of his ministry’s collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service.

    Oyetola said “As it has been expressed by the WCO Secretary General in his message to the global customs community and their stakeholders, collaboration is germane in achieving trade facilitation and the security of the internal supply chain. To this end, we must integrate sustainability into policies and strategies, bolster investments in ports, research, and technology, and, most importantly, foster inclusive alliances among our stakeholders and partners, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, transporters, freight forwarders, shippers, NIMASA, and the Nigerian Customs Service.

    “The recent passage of the Nigerian Customs Act 2023 creates a favourable environment for trade. It recognises opportunities, addresses challenges, and encourages partnership between the public and private sectors.

    “In this era of increased interdependence, Customs and its stakeholders must work hand in hand to ensure the overall success of initiatives that will help unlock the immense potential of collaboration and increase revenue generation. At this juncture, let me commend the leadership of customs for agreeing to abandon the physical examination of cargoes at our ports and priotising the use of scanners. This development would not only increase revenue, it will ensure ports efficiency and competitiveness. And it will reduce drastically the cargo turnaround time.

    “It is by committing to cooperation that we can enhance our effectiveness in safeguarding our waterways and facilitating global trade.

    “With unwavering commitment, I assure you of my ministry’s support for collaborative engagements with stakeholders in the international trade community, aiming for a more sustainable use of Ocean and Coastal Resources for Economic Growth” he said

     

  • Eco Friendly CMA-CGM Scandola Raises Lekki’s Profile As West Africa’s Emerging Ports’ Leader

    Eco Friendly CMA-CGM Scandola Raises Lekki’s Profile As West Africa’s Emerging Ports’ Leader

    Lekki Freeport Terminal has proven to be a first among equals with capacity to handle high volume of trade with the recent reception of CMA-CGM Scandals
    There is a government, industry and professional consensus that the recent berthing of  CMA-CGM Scandola at the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos is a sign of better days ahead for business and the environment
    The vessel, with over 14,000 Twenty Equivalent Units TEUs, has a length overall (LoA) of 366 meters and a width of 51 meters. It is the first Liquified Natural Gas(LNG) -powered container vessel to sail to West Africa.
    With its reduced emissions, the LNG powered ship burns cleaner than conventional marine fuels. It significantly reduces emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. Most importantly, it cuts down on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 25%, which is crucial in combating climate change
    This eco friendly advantage aligns with global trends on climate climate change, greener shipping and the thrust of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) ,
    The IMO through it’s member states has agreed to reach net-zero Green House Gas(GHG) emissions from international shipping by around 2050, with interim checkpoints of 20-30 percent by 2030 and 70-80 percent by 2040
    speaking at the event Managing Director of CMA-CGM in Nigeria,Hinelder Ferreira reiterated that his company is committed to greener shipping for efficiency and cost effective import and export trade.
    Ferreira said  his company has invested over $50b in 20 other LNG powered ships to boost global trade in an environmentally friendly way.
    He added that CMA-CGM vessels will call weekly to lift goods for import and export and achieve faster turnaround time, improving connectivity with neighbouring countries while
    putting Nigeria at the heart of its operations for  transhipment
    Findings indicate that CMA CGM has invested over $10.2 billion  in a fleet of 77 LNG-powered and “e-methane ready” vessels of which more than 32 are already in operation. The company also has six biomethanol-powered, e-methanol ready ships that are scheduled to become available by the end of 2026
    Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu of Lagos State has described the Lekki Deep Seaport and other businesses in the Lekki Freezone ecosystem as critical contributors to Lagos being an investment and trade destination in the world.
    Speaking in Lagos at the ceremony in commemoration of the arrival of  -CMA-CGM SCANDOLA, largest LNG powered vessel to call at the port, Sanwo Olu said the port and other businesses in the Lekki area speak volume about Lagos’ capacity to promote trade
    He said  receiving a vessel of such size calls for celebration as it puts Nigeria in the global logistics map and attests to the place of Lagos recently ranked as the 19th Best City to visit in the World by a British Media and Hospitality Company.
    “I think it’s a big feat, it’s something that we need to roll out drums and get proud of, because what that is highly commendable, indeed. We’re putting Lekki Freeport, we’re putting Lagos, we’re putting Nigeria into the world’s global logistics and marine business map
    “This is a business that has been a privilege to a few countries, developed countries in America, in Europe, Far East and in some parts of Africa as well.
    Lagos is open to business given the size of ships that can be received  and given the size of the business that can come to our community,” he said.
    Also speaking, the Managing Director of Lekki Deep Seaport, Du Rougang, said that the berthing of the vessel is creating a new plan for Nigeria’s ports.
    “We want to ensure that Lekki Port plays a major role in the nation’s maritime industry, ” he said.
    The Minister of Marime and Blue Econnomy, Adegboyega Oyetola said government will place priority on vessels that meets the requirements for environmental standards.
    Oyetola who was represented at the event by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, said that the government is procuring the needed tools to enhance the capacity of the NPA for sulphur analysis.
    Recall that the International Maritime Organization’s Green House Gas Strategy 2023, which envisaged a reduction in carbon intensity of international shipping by at least 40 per cent by the year 2030.
    Speaking further, Oyetola said, “To put action behind our word, we have taken concrete steps towards the procurement of necessary tools to enhance NPA’s capacity for sulphur analysis as well as put in place a sanction regime for vessels who contravene the sulphur regulations,”
    Oyetola reiterated the need to minimise air pollution created in the shipping industry by reducing the sulphur content of the fuels that ships use.
    “So transition to the use of natural gas which is more environmentally friendly by vessels plying our waterways is a most welcome development. This is driven by in the larger national interest due to the fact that Nigeria’s gas quality is reputed to be high and virtually without sulphur,” Oyetola added.
    According to him, “The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is convinced that shipping has a pivotal role to play in global decarbonisation efforts, this is why I will like to seize this moment to commend the management of the NPS’s compliance with the Ministerial directive to take cognizance of global energy transition in its port modernization project by deliberately factoring in measures that promote energy efficiency,”
    The former Osun State Governor said that aside from the vessel’s distinctive feature of eco-friendliness, ‘Scandola’ ranks amongst the largest container ships  to be calling in West Africa with 15,000 twenty equivalent-units.
    He said that with shipping volumes promising to get higher, forward looking investments such as the one we are gathered here to celebrate will certainly have a big impact in the long run.
    Oyetola narrated that the importance of making the Nigerian ports eco-friendly is no fluke.
    “We will continue to support the NPA in its efforts at ensuring stakeholders’ compliance with the International Maritime Organizatiosulfurur Regulation on Nigerian Waterways,” the minister said.
    The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA,Mohammed Bello-Koko joined the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other stakeholders to celebrate the arrival of the largest container vessel (LNG-Powered) to berth at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Nigeria’s biggest seaport.
    Lekki Deep Seaport’s natural depth of 16 meters added to its multifaceted efficiencies, state-of-the-art equipment and robust infrastructure, offers a capacity of up to 1.2 million TEUs in this phase 1. This positions the port to serve as a mega transshipment hub to Nigeria’s neighboring countries in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
    In addition to pioneering of a full automated seaport from inception and facilitation of transshipment, the Lekki Deep Seaport has by this feat proven its readiness to exceed stakeholders’ expectations.
  • Full Text of Peter Obi’s Chatham House Speech

    Full Text of Peter Obi’s Chatham House Speech

    Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi was at Chatham House in London on Monday to speak about his plans for Nigerians ahead of the February 25, 2023 general elections.

    Obi, who stated that the Nigerian state is captive to an elite gang-up, unveiled his agenda to “take back Nigeria”, hinged on seven priority programs, while also promising that resources will be most prudently used.

    He spoke about how his administration will end insecurity, provide stable electricity, move Nigeria from consumption to production, institutional reforms, enhance human capital by investing in education and leapfrogging Nigeria into the fourth industrial revolution through science and technology.

    According to him, Nigeria is at a critical juncture and the people, led by the youths brutalised by bad leadership, are awake and leading the movement to transform Nigerian politics and restart the engine of economic growth and social stability.

    In agreement to the primacy of gratitude among human virtues, please allow me to begin today with words of gratitude. I am most grateful to Chatham House, Dr. Alex Vines, and his team for the global impact of their mission and commitment to engagement with Nation-building in Nigeria. In providing this global platform to interrogate the vision of those seeking to lead Nigeria, at this time when clear existential threats as I will discuss shortly are pervasive across our dear country, this Chatham House event challenges us to new thinking.

    We have alarming insecurity that has led to the loss of many lives and properties, a significant decline in food and economic output, immense trauma that has compromised the mental health of communities, and in some cases, irredentist pressures and disaffection with the Nigerian project. The economy is in crisis with a troubling debt profile worsened by oil theft of proportion once hard to even imagine, two economic recessions in six years, and a lamentable power sector that significantly constrains manufacturing and social life.

    The Nigerian state is captive to an elite gang-up and a rentier political economy that has concentrated political power in the hands of those who came to power and influence mainly through their own contrivances and not through the affirmation of the people, and therefore, do not have the incentive to serve the people’s interest.

    Even after exploiting ethnic and religious cleavages and sentiments to ascend to political power, the very people on whose sentiments they grabbed power often become the primary victims of such political fraud that has rendered Nigeria a failing state with a worsening leadership crisis. Consequently, Nigeria’s Democracy has been on the wane, evident in the Afrobarometer longitudinal tracking which reveals low voter turnout and apathy in the current Republic.

    But this seems to have turned around dramatically last year, allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register over 12 million new voters, with many more complaining they wished to register but were unable to make INEC deadlines. What prompted this turn-around? The reasons for these very high stakes are lurking in facts of demographics, with our dominant population (the youths) frustrated and unhappy with the status quo and the diminished opportunities in Nigeria in an age of globalization when the Internet easily reveals to them the prosperous homes of those who live in better-led and governed countries.

    How did we (Nigeria) plunge into such economic decline that we have overtaken India as home to the biggest pool of the absolute poor in the world? While the poverty rate in India is about 16%, that of Nigeria is about 63% with about 133 million Nigerians classified as multidimensionally poor! This is unacceptable and needs to change! What Nigeria needs is a Great Escape as the 2015 Nobel prize winner in Economics Angus Deaton of Princeton University elucidated, that what separates poor & rich is attributable to Health & Education. But what provides Quality Health and Educational Systems for a society? Committed and Focused Leadership that can Build and Sustain Public Wealth as I was told by Professor Donald Jacobs of The Kellogg School of Management.

    In many ways, this is at the heart of my remarks today which are deeply rooted in my upbringing, particularly my mother’s counsel that I live a life of positive impact and manage both personal and public resources most prudently for sustainable/inclusive growth and development of the society. It is the principle that guided my stewardship as Governor of Anambra State, Nigeria, and led to our much-commended performance with some priced awards to show for it. Some of the awards were for outstanding accomplishments in key Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) now Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is the same counsel and principle that is guiding and motivating me to offer to serve in a New Nigeria!

     

    The answer lies in an understanding of Leadership, Institutions, and Demographics. The good news is that demography is driving the change we are seeing in Africa with election after election in the last year in Africa, in which the establishment parties are being turned by new or small parties. It is for this change that my vision of policy change and institutional development is rooted in the push for a broadened scope of SOCIAL MOBILITY AND FREEDOM for Nigerians, particularly our children and youth. Like Former British Prime Minister Harold McMillan said at the start of the Independence decade, a wind of change is blowing through Africa. Today a new wind of change sees the ballot box as being instrumental in changing of bad leadership.

    Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, my running mate, and I are committed to a new politics that starts with the ethics of servant-leaders and is anchored on the marriage of clean hearts and skillful hands. We know that unless we change our politics by changing our political leadership, we are stuck in this terrible state of underdevelopment and misery. We will patriotically reform our institutions particularly ones directly responsible for implementing Government policies to make them fit for purpose. It is not to be doubted on the global scene that Nigeria is blessed with some of the most entrepreneurial youths in the world, in science, in business, in art, and entertainment.

    We believe that what remains is to change the leadership class from predators to creators of value; from those whose wealth and power derive from the destitution of the nation and its people to those who have demonstrated the competence, character, and capacity to invest in human development, create prosperity, and instill the right values and ethical conduct deserving of servant leaders.

    Nigeria today is at a critical juncture and the people, led by the youths brutalized by bad leadership, are awake and leading the movement to transform Nigerian politics and restart the engine of economic growth and social stability. We count ourselves honored to be trusted especially by the youths, to lead this democratic revolution and we deeply pledge to do so with sincerity, accountability, and unquenchable love and desire for a better Nigeria. We are simply, the symbol of the Nigerian youths’ struggles to reverse the ugly trend that keeps driving them into social anomie, despair, and rejection of their beloved country. We are determined to do everything that needs to be done to rescue and lead our beloved country to prosperity, freedom, security, and peace. We will use merit to assemble competent Nigerians from all sections of Nigeria to form an effective Government of National Unity.

    At the heart of my goal here today is to look at our Labour Party’s key policy planks and how they will drive up the quality of life of the average Nigerian, dramatically reduce poverty, and return Nigeria to a place of strategic relevance in a world that needs a thriving and well governed Nigeria stabilizing the continent of Africa, making it a high value add for a planet imperiled by environmental challenges, terrorism and inequity. I also plan here to speak on institutions and how the leadership we offer can facilitate the evolution of stronger institutions, with the rule of law as a key anchor of nation-building in Nigeria.

    I have no doubt that the policy choices we favour, and the strong institutions La

    bour Party will facilitate, will move Nigeria from a country of rent seekers sharing Oil receipts and consuming conspicuously, to one that produces, based on vast factor endowments whose value chains can move us towards a high employment economy. We will turn our youth bulge to a demographic dividend, rather than today’s harvest of a time bomb of violence and insecurity from the uneducated, unemployed, and marginalized.

    This forms the first and most important thrust of my governance priorities without which the rest may not be achieved: “To secure Nigeria, end banditry and insurgency, and unite our dear nation to manage our diversity, such that no one is left behind”. The growing insecurity in Nigeria is not because the enemy is formidable, it is rather because of lack of focused leadership, ineffective security governance structure, and poor coordination from the center. All these need to be addressed by first, projecting strong leadership signals that allow both state and non-state actors to be mobilized around a single vision.

    Then, by pursuing a robust reform of the security governance structure with a strong coordinating mechanism that assures that all levels of government – federal, state, and local (with a 3-level policing structure) – are aligned with strong collaboration with partners from both the private sector and development groups to provide the required services and deliver results for every Nigerian. Once this is done, it is also important to have a single, clear, coherent, and consistent communication system to keep the government accountable, and citizens engaged and involved in the development process. It is important for institutions to be able to provide strong leadership, and coordination capability, partner, and engage collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders in an environment that mutually reinforces values.

    The second plank of my policy thrust is to “Shift emphasis from consumption to production by running a production-centered economy that is driven by an agrarian revolution and export-oriented industrialization”. With about 70 million hectares of arable land, we will pursue an agricultural revolution through proper segmentation of Nigeria to activate and harness the factor endowments of different parts of the country for both rapid and mechanized agricultural development and as a pillar for Nigeria’s other sectoral development and industrialization. We will incentivize and invest in agro-cluster and industrial cluster development across our geo-resource zones to take advantage of agglomeration and scale effects particularly in the North-West, North-East and North-Central regions of Nigeria. We will dredge both Rivers Niger and Benue, build dams, and massively support the planting of economic trees across the country for local usage, poverty elimination, export and revenue generation.

    A key task is to sequentially but decisively, dismantle the inefficient and anti-market distortionary structures restraining the Nigerian economy from creating the preconditions for a dynamic pro-market economy. We will employ entrepreneurial governance to dismantle impediments to free trade and ease of doing business and implement radical economic policies that will drastically reduce our debt service – a major drain on government revenue today. Our Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) will be robustly supported. Further borrowing will be strictly for productive purposes. While we will aggressively pursue the activation of all opportunities in the oil and gas value chain, we will use targeted incentive schemes that will be professionally administered to diversify our non-oil export portfolio with proper consideration and management of climate change risks and opportunities.

    The third pillar of our governance priorities is to “Restructure the polity through effective legal and institutional reforms to entrench the rule of law, aggressively fight corruption, reduce the cost of governance, and establish an honest and efficient civil service”. Reducing the cost of governance in Nigeria is an effective way to fight institutional corruption. In addition to reducing the cost of governance and streamlining government operations for efficiency and effectiveness, we will ensure that reforms are pursued in a way that protects the livelihood of our hardworking and efficient civil servants.

    Critical to fighting corruption, we shall install a new budgeting system founded on the cardinal principles of public accountability, objective setting, and program implementation. This is against the extant budgetary principles of revenue mobilization, expenditure allocation, and borrowing without emphasis on monitoring, evaluation, and feedback. We will enforce the principle of performance auditing and institutionalize the monitoring and evaluation process of the entire public service delivery as the primary means of actualizing our vision of a new Nigeria. This reform will institutionalize the personal involvement of the President in setting budgetary objectives of MDAs, and monitoring and evaluating the implementation process through the Office of Regulatory Review in the Office of the President. Budget monitoring and evaluation capacity will be strengthened within the Presidency.

    We will embark on effective macro-economic and fiscal restructuring to quickly restore fiscal viability by discontinuing unaffordable subsidies which have left a black hole in government finances. Fiscal and monetary policy will be properly coordinated, with each deploying conventional tools transparently instead of distorting markets to favour a few privileged persons. For the avoidance of doubt, we will collaborate with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the transparent liberalization of the foreign exchange market and the dismantling of the opaque multiple exchange rate regime which effectively subsidizes a few privileged persons.

    We will also seek to boost the supply side, rather than continuing to concentrate exclusively on demand management of the foreign exchange market. When unaffordable subsidies are removed, some carefully calibrated transfers will be used to cushion any adverse impact on the economically weak. If the competitiveness of a sector is to be enhanced, then that will be done via the enactment of transparent and specially targeted fiscal and trade policies designed to stimulate investment and growth. Revenue shortfalls and leakages such as oil theft will be dealt with decisively by holding persons in positions of authority fully accountable.

    The fourth plank of our governance priorities is to “Leapfrog Nigeria into the 4th Industrial Revolution through the application of scientific and technological innovations to create a digital economy”. Building on the gains of the agriculture-led manufacturing and export, we will pursue the development of knowledge and skills to leverage on the emerging disruptive digital technologies, automation, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, blockchain technology, biotechnology, and data science – all of which are at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution.

     

    The fifth plank of our governance priorities is to “Build expansive infrastructure for efficient power supply, rail, road and air transportation, and pipeline network, through integrated public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurial public sector governance”. Our solution to the perennial power problem in Nigeria is a comprehensive one that covers transmission, distribution, generation, and financing as detailed in our Manifesto. However, we will immediately complete the $2.3b Nigeria-Siemens network improvement deal to achieve 7,000 MW stable capacity by the end of this year (2023), 11,000 megawatts by 2024, and 25,000 megawatts by 2025. We will support the local manufacturing capacity of power technologies and encourage and expand local R&D in universities, training centers, and workshops through which many jobs will be created.

    Our 6th priority program is to “Enhance the human capital of Nigerian youths for productivity and global competitiveness through investment in education and research, quality healthcare, and entrepreneurship education”. The World Bank’s Human Capital Development Index ranks Nigeria 168 out of 173 countries. To move Nigeria right to the top bracket of the index, we will pursue a Marshall Plan-type program on education that incorporates compulsory technical and vocational skills, sports, entrepreneurship, programming, and digital skills from the primary to the secondary level. In line with this commitment to transform our educational sector, we will prioritize the funding of this critical sector. Our tertiary institutions will be remodeled to serve as hubs or centers for research, development, and commercialization of ideas for the quick industrialization of Nigeria.

    Finally, our 7th priority is to “Conduct an afro-centric diplomacy that protects the rights of Nigerian citizens abroad and advances the economic interests of Nigerians and Nigerian businesses in a changing world”.

    CONCLUSION

    In conclusion, let me say that the problem with Nigeria is at once complex and simple. It rests on leadership. As our erudite Professor Chinua Achebe stated, ‘’The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership’’. In Achebe’s view, there is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character. ‘’The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of leading in the front by example which is the hallmarks of true leadership’’.

    When people of competence, character, commitment, and compassion take over leadership and pursue their mission and task with the seriousness required, a New Nigeria characterized by peace, unity, prosperity, and inclusiveness will be achieved and sustained. That is what is driving Datti Baba-Ahmed and me to join and offer to lead this desire and crusade of Nigerians, particularly our youths, for an inclusive and sustainable Nigeria that works for all.

    In line with my upbringing, especially my Mother’s counsel, my promise is that Nigeria’s resources will be most prudently used and as the Commander in Chief, I Peter Obi sincerely pledge that Our Pact with Nigeria will be diligently pursued to create a new Nigeria characterized by sustainable/inclusive growth and development.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghost writer, is a maritime journalist of over two decades’ of practice with multidisciplinary background. He holds a masters degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a post graduate diploma in Journalism.

     

  • Train Your Drivers to Avoid Smuggling, Comptroller Chana Urges Kano NARTO

    Train Your Drivers to Avoid Smuggling, Comptroller Chana Urges Kano NARTO

    Customs Area Controller of Kano/Jigawa Command, Comptroller Dauda Ibrahim Chana has advised the leadership of National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) , Kano State Chapter to train their members on being law abiding and avoid acts like smuggling in the course of their duties.

    Comptroller Chana who said this on Tuesday when he received the Kano State NARTO Chairman Alhaji Salisu Ibrahim Balarabe and other members of the association’s leadership in his office in Kano, said there is need for orientation about what is required of the drivers on the road and how to avoid running foul of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA)2023

    He also advised the Kano NARTO leadership to teach their members about import and export prohibition lists and avoid being involved in illegal activities especially in areas where the federal government has directed border closure.

    The Kano/Jigawa Controller who identified transportation as a strong contributor to commercial growth, noted that it is important for persons who operate in that area to adopt basic work etiquette like addressing officers with honesty and avoid using their vehicles as means of conveyance for smuggled items

    Comptroller Chana thanked the NARTO leadership for the visit and reassured them of robust customs community relationship in line with the agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the thrust of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) theme for the year which is “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose”.

    He reminded NARTO that customs is a worthy partner with all stakeholders in the logistics value chain and that the command will continually facilitate legitimate trade to grow the nation’s economy.

    Comptroller Chana said his doors are open to reports and advise on the conduct of Customs officers on the field and that the service would not hesitate to sanction any officer found erring or exhibiting any form of indiscipline and corruption

    Speaking on why he visited the Customs Controller, Alhaji Salisu Balarabe pleaded that where drivers are found to exhibit misconduct, the matter be reported to NARTO.

    He thanked the controller for previous support he has gotten from the command and expressed optimism for better working relationship in Kano between NARTO and NCS in the nearest future.

    Balarabe was accompanied by the Vice Chairman,Alhaji Kabir Musa Mai Lafiya, and the Vice Chairman, Kano State international Human Right Protection Service Barrister Nuradeen Muhammad Sani

     

  • Stop Lying on Twitter, Ezekwesili Tells Atiku

    Stop Lying on Twitter, Ezekwesili Tells Atiku

    A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has taken a swipe at Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for describing himself as the former head of the economic team.

    Ezekwesili who tweeted her reaction to an earlier tweet by Atiku, urged the former VP to ask his Twitter account handlers to stop what she described as ‘misleading’ information

    Ezekwesili: “Dear former Vice President Atiku, please ask the handlers of your @Twitter account to stop misleading the public. You were never the Head of the Economic Management Team.

    “This absurd Lie does you no good at all. Please ask your Team to stop it.
    Happy New Year. Wish you well.”

    Atiku had tweeted yesterday: “As head of the economic management

    Joshua Okoria is a Lagos-based multi-skilled journalist covering the maritime industry. His ICT and graphic design skills make him a resourceful person in any modern newsroom. He read mass communication at Olabisi Onabanjo University and has sharpened his knowledge in media practice from several other short courses. nt team while I was Vice President, I was instrumental in designing a private sector revival strategy and advocated for the opening of the economy for private sector investments in several sectors. And we made tremendous progress. #AtikuAtNESG”

  • Abia PDP Governorship Candidate is Dead

    Abia PDP Governorship Candidate is Dead

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Prof. Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne is dead.

    His death was confirmed by his son, Dr. Chikezie Uche-Ikonne on Wednesday

    The announcement stated: “I regret to announce the death of my dear father, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, who died at the National Hospital Abuja today, 25th January 2023 at 4 am after a brief illness.

    “He was recovering after taking proper treatment in the United Kingdom but relapsed a few days ago leading to multiple cardiac arrests from which he didn’t recover from.

    “Further details and arrangements would be made known to the public after deliberations and meetings are made within the family”.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

  • Customs Collects N1.132b in Katsina, As Comptroller Umar Decorates 30 Promoted Officers

    Customs Collects N1.132b in Katsina, As Comptroller Umar Decorates 30 Promoted Officers

    Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has generated the sum of over N1.132 billion in 2023 fiscal year despite the challenges of banditry and border closure with the neighbouring Niger Republic.

    The Command’s Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Umar, disclosed this Friday, 19th January 2024 while decorating 30 newly promoted Officers of the Command at the Command’s Headquarters in Katsina, the Katsina State Capital.

    This was contained in a press release issued by Tahir Balarabe , Customs Public Relations Officer of the command

    Balarabe, a Superintendent of Customs stated in the release that the N1,132,831,484.75 revenue generated within the period under review was a shortfall from the 2023 revenue target of N1,304,548,912.93 given to the Command.

    He quoted the Controller saying “This figure represents about 87.8 per cent of the revenue target issued. It however indicates an improvement in revenue by N299,110,632.35 from N832,946,852.40 revenue generated in the preceding year 2022” despite the border closure.

    Comptroller Umar, stated that the Command ensured compliance with the border closure directive by strictly adhering and enforcing the principles guiding the border closure. The command during the period under review, intercepted 369 contrabands, including used vehicles, tyres, second-hand clothing, vegetable oil, and foreign parboiled rice, among others, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N553,339,240.00 in its ongoing anti-smuggling operations.

    He added that the Command under his watch has made significant progress in fostering synergy with other security agencies in the state for intelligence gathering and improved operations within and outside the border corridors.

    He noted that the Command has a cordial working relationship with the State Government, traditional institutions, religious leaders, border communities, and other stakeholders in the trade supply chain and would continue to facilitate trade without compromising economic and national security.

    We could not have achieved this feat without the support of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi MFR, his Management Team, Officers and Men of the Command, and other Units of the Service.

    The Thirty (30) Officers decorated in the recently released promotion include, One (1) Comptroller of Customs, Three (3) Chief Superintendents of Customs, Three (3) Superintendents of Customs, Nine (9) Deputy Superintendents of Customs, Ten (10) Assistant Superintendents of Customs l, and Four (4) Assistant Superintendents of Customs ll.

    He charged the promoted Officers to rededicate themselves to work and deliver the Service’s constitutional mandate of revenue generation, legitimate trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling.

    “You must ensure you behave as responsible Officers wherever you find yourselves by giving your uniform the respect it deserves because so many wish to be where you are today”, Comptroller Umar added.

  • Saying Tinubu Brought Buhari to Power is Untrue, Propaganda – Dele Momodu

    Saying Tinubu Brought Buhari to Power is Untrue, Propaganda – Dele Momodu

    Chief Dele Momodu, a spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Presidential Campaign Council has described the assertion that Tinubu made Muhammadu Buhari President as falsehood and a propaganda.

    Momodu who condemned what he described as an entitlement mentality expressed in the ‘Emi Lokan’ slogan by Bola Tinubu, said Buhari’s victory over former President Goodluck Jonathan, was a product of collective effort.

    He said no one should feel especially entitled to being compensated with the office of president as the job should be for the best, which according to him, is Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.

    Momodu, a former presidential aspirant on the platform of PDP, listed Tinubu, Atiku, Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso, former Governor of Kano State as individuals who pulled resources and votes together to achieve Buhari’s victory in 2015.

    He added that if anyone demands being compensated saying it’s his turn, then all the listed politicians are equally entitled to the office of President

    Joshua Okoria is a Lagos-based multi-skilled journalist covering the maritime industry. His ICT and graphic design skills make him a resourceful person in any modern newsroom. He read mass communication at Olabisi Onabanjo University and has sharpened his knowledge in media practice from several other short courses.

     

  • INTERVIEW: Compliance, Quality Propelled Us to AEO Status – Ezenwa, CEO LeLook

    INTERVIEW: Compliance, Quality Propelled Us to AEO Status – Ezenwa, CEO LeLook

    On the sidelines of the just concluded Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Abuja, Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, 73, CEO of LeLook, a Nigerian company specialising in using local fabrics to manufacture bags, told Ismail Aniemu about further plans to containerise their exports for shipping in place of using expensive airfreight.

    Her company is also one of the six approved by Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) as Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) . The AEO programme is designed by the NCS as part of trade facilitation strategy offering exclusive benefits to complaint companies with proven integrity.

    Q:Give us an overview of LeLook and how you felt being a pioneer in this AFCFTA export from Nigeria.

    LeLook that we started in 1985 is almost 39 years now. We set out to produce locally and sell globally at a time that people hated anything made in Nigeria or Africa and we even tried to start with production of wears and people hated it .They wanted to be wearing suit and tie. We decided to go into bags and we said if they can’t wear it ,they can carry it. They bought into that and as time went on, it has become globally acceptable that you can use African fabrics to promote your cultural heritage like the Indians do.

    Going to AFCFTA was like a big leap for someone like me to have lived for over 70 years to see this improvement. I see the AFCFTA as a prosperity agreement. For me, I call it prosperity super highway because it is a highway to progress. The goods and services in diplomatic ties. I am a beneficiary and I am training an army of young people to come onboard by establishing an academy. Our bag Academy is the first of its kind in the entire Africa. It is in Abuja and in Lagos . We have opened partnership with Nigeria Exports Promotion Council (NEPC) to improve on the exports.

    Q:Tell us about the level of acceptability you had in the Kenyan markets.

    It did not take me 3 weeks after the guided trade initiative to gain full acceptance. When we went to kigali and the Secretary General of AFCFTA mentioned our name, the entire Kenyan delegation really swarmed our stand and from there, we opened a warehouse automatically in Kenya.Our goods are already there and they’re making waves.

    Most of our bags are sent by air and the only set back we are having now is the expensive airfare. We are now trying to see how we can start containerising them, but to do that requires a lot of money. I am also talking to other collaborators that can come with similar wares and then we can share the cost.

    QTell us about the level of local content in your raw materials.Is it 100% , 80% , 50-50 Nigeria sourced or totally imported?

    I will not say it is 100% Nigeria sourced. I will say it is 80% Nigeria sourced and 20% foreign sourced. If you look around these fabrics, the Aso Oke, Ankara and Adire are Nigerian. The 20% are the zips and some other little items including some other special fabrics that are not obtainable locally. We get the leather from Kano and Ethiopia.I will say that this is our time .

    Q:How would you describe government support from agencies like Nigeria Customs Service and NEPC. Can you grade the support you get from these agencies So far, and to what extent do you think they can push you beyond the shores of Africa?

    I think there has been a massive government support which we never really obtained before now. For Customs, I think they are the best thing that have happened to us right now because they declared us an authorized economic operator. We are one of the six that were selected and that gives us authority to export and use the fast track to import the few essential things we need but the key to their own thing is compliance and I welcome it because I don’t have anything to hide.

    Complying is the least of my problems. For the Nigeria Exports Promotion Council, they have been a life long partner. Olusegun Awolowo was the first person that held my hand for more than 13 years ago and each successive CEO of NEPC will also want to look out for those who are adding value to the economy ,especially in exports.

    This current one has not relented. As a matter of fact, Nonye Ayeni took the bull by the horn by getting me to sign an MoU with them to train the young people in Lagos under the export skill acquisition center . It is a free training and they will be empowered to export when they get this skill.I’m fulfilled.

    Q:What’s your advice for SMEs that are in Nigeria and want to go to the AFCFTA level and maybe global scene?

    I will encourage them to look for mentors. I am ready to mentor a few. They can look for these agencies and seek their intervention in their business, do due diligence on their products and strive for quality.

    Quality has no state of origin. Without quality there is no trade and so quality is the name of the game.Ours is quality all the way .If it is not good we will not present it. We compete with the best in the industry and everywhere. The Chinese are wondering how we did all these without their help.

     

  • US Based Activist Blames Wike, Amaechi for Rivers Woes.

    US Based Activist Blames Wike, Amaechi for Rivers Woes.

    An American-based human rights activist, Comrade Lebari Nziidee, on Sunday, blamed the current woes confronting the state on two former governors of Rivers State, Barrister Nyenso Woke and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chebuike Amaechi.

    Nziidee, former MOSOP Chairman, Atlanta Georgia, criticized the former governors in a statement following the recent attack on the SDP Governorship candidate, Senator, Magnus Abe, Unrest, poverty, and political thuggery in the state.

    He said the current happenings in the state are capable of affecting unity, adding that the loss of lives being experienced across the state is no longer bearable.

    However, Nzidee accused the former governors of the state of misrule, failing to harness God’s given resources, a development which he said,led to the current condition of a blessed state.

    According to him, “For about 16 years both of them misruled and wasted the rare opportunity to harness our abundant resources to make Rivers a leading state in the country.

    The former MOSOP boss further explained that the state had witnessed a lot of crises that claimed many lives and destruction of properties under their regimes

    Comrade Nziidee who is the current President, of Coalition for Democracy and Fair Election International USA, noted that,” After assessing the body politics of Rivers State over the years considering the quantum of contributions and supreme prices the Ogonis have paid towards the liberation of Rivers people , the emancipation of the Nigerdelta region and the sustenance of democracy in Nigerians, called on the Ikwerres, Kalabaris, Ekpeyes, Ndonis, Andonis, Opobos etc to support the Governorship of the SDP Candidate, an Ogoni son, Senator Magnus Abe.

    In his words,” I am calling on our loving brothers and neighbors in Rivers State to support Senator Magnus Abe towards the materialization of the Ogoni objective, noting that in the past the Ogonis had thrown their weight fully behind the leadership of the state presented by any of her neighbors, and believed that it was logical for their neighbors to reciprocate such gestures by fully and politically supporting Senator Magnus Abe to serve Rivers people”.

    Nziidee also condemned in totality the language used by an Ogoni son, that Ogoni is unripe to be the governor of the state, adding that such language is an insult to the entire Ogoni race.

    According to him, “Is ridiculous for a man who climbed a ladder up and later turned back to break the ladder after achieving his aim”.

    Joshua Okoria is a Lagos-based multi-skilled journalist covering the maritime industry. His ICT and graphic design skills make him a resourceful person in any modern newsroom. He read mass communication at Olabisi Onabanjo University and has sharpened his knowledge in media practice from several other short courses.