SAHCO Appoints Herbert Odika

SAHCO Appoints Herbert Odika as New Executive Director of Operations

ZAINAB JUNAID

Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc has announced the appointment of  Herbert Odika as the new Executive Director of Operations at the company’s 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja in Lagos.   

The Head of Corporate Communications for the company, Mrs Adetola Vanessa Uansohia, disclosed this today adding that by adding Odika to its astute Management team, the company has proven its determination to maintain its position as an aviation ground handler of reference in Africa by ensuring that the team encompasses of highly skilled aviation professionals of international experience to ensure that the growing list of clienteles are treated to international standards.

Prior to his new appointment, Herbert Odika is a professional in aviation ground operational management, business development, sales, and marketing.

He is a 2001 graduate of business studies from the University of North London. He started his career in the United Kingdom developing skills and experience in business negotiation with proven ability to motivate and influence others, excellent judgement with the ability to implement positive changes and raise performance standards.

After five years of working in the United Kingdom, Odika came to Nigeria to assume the office of the Head of Operations and Business Development at FMC Aviation Services Limited where he helped to grow the business from the initial start-up stage to a prosperous period of sustainable growth and profitability from 2011 to 2018. He was responsible for the operational management, finance and budgetary control, administration, and marketing strategies.

In 2018, Odika proceeded to Stansted Airport College in the United Kingdom as the Senior Tutor Aviation Operations to deliver classes, seminars and workshops within the Aviation and tourism landscapes while working closely with the Manchester Airport group.

Afterwards, Herbert Odika assumed the office of the Chief Operating Officer at NAHCO Aviance in 2019 where he was responsible for engaging in business acquisition in Africa, Middle East and Europe while establishing policies that promoted service excellence. He went back to the United Kingdom in 2022 where he worked with Menzies Aviation as the Lost Luggage Coordinator, focusing on Operations, Customer Services, planning and reconciliation duties.

With his new appointment as SAHCO’s Executive Director of Operations, Herbert Odika would oversee the management of the day-to-day operations of the Passenger handling, baggage handling and ramp handling amongst other ground handling activities in all SAHCO’s stations across Nigeria. Odika is a strict adherer to policies and procedures and is skilled in aviation ground handling, especially in accordance with international standards. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

SAHCO is an aviation ground handling company that offers Passenger Handling, Baggage Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation security and profiling, Premium Lounge services and other aviation related services.

CISLAC Tasks FG on Anti Corruption Reforms

 CISLAC Urges FG to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Reforms and Corporate Accountability

ZAINAB JUNAID

In a bid to reduce the extent of damage caused by corruption in the society, Executive Director of the Civil Society and Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr. Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's led administration to adopt anti-corruption reforms that will help curb the menace that has become a cankerworm disease which has eaten deep into the fabrics of Nigeria. 

Mr Auwal made this call on Monday in Lagos, while fielding questions with our correspondent at the ongoing two-day Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and media training centered on sensitising participants on the use of Beneficial Ownership Information to improve natural resource governance in Nigeria. 

The training, scheduled to hold between Monday 26 and Tuesday 27th of June 2023 was organised by the Accountability in Extractive Sector (AES) that is the Oil and Gas sector, cluster in partnership with the Niger-Delta Open Government Partnership Observatory (NOGO) and the Media Initiative for Transparency in Extractive Industries (MITEI), the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project with funding support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) implemented by Palladium.

Mr Rafsanjani, who is also the Head of Transparency International - Nigeria and the Chairman Board of Trustee, Amnesty International - Nigeria; as well as the Chairman Transition Monitoring Group, charged the government not to limit itself to sacking of Service Chiefs or Appointment of new ones but to ensure it blocks all leakages and promotes more of accountability and transparency in governance. 

His words, "We expect the new government to not only sack the Service Chiefs but has to ensure it blocks leakages and expand greater accountability and transparency in governance and must provide basic infrastructure facilities for the citizens in terms of quality health system, standard education and infrastructure. 

"We expect government to ensure that waste, duplication and diversion of public funds is not experienced again. Competent and qualified Nigerians should be considered in the new appointments. 

"Justice, fairness and equity should be institutionalized within the governance in the country at all levels. However on subsidy removal, the proceeds should be used to invest in health care system, water, education as well as quality infrastructure especially in the energy sector that will pave way for more job opportunities to many citizens."

The activist further opined that the new government needs to adopt concrete policy/ legal framework that will help reshape the country. 

"The appointments by the new government is welcomed but we need to see more of security sector reform, concrete policies or legal framework because there is need to deal with the corruption in that sector." 

However, in his opening remarks at the training session, CISLAC Chief maintained that it was in recognition of the crucial role of the media as the fourth pillar of democracy and the need to strengthen the capacity of the media to perform their traditional roles as watchdogs of the society; the need to build local stakeholders’ capacity on the importance of quality and timely beneficial ownership data, and to share skills, tools and methodologies to analyse and use the data, brought about the training. 

The Accountability in Extractive Sector (AES) cluster anchored by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), comprises Better Community Life Initiative (BECOLIN) in Imo state; Community Conciliation and Development Initiative (CCADI) in Port-Harcourt, Rivers state; Connected Advocacy for Empowerment & Youth Development Initiative (Connected Advocacy) in Edo state; Good Governance Team (GGT) Nigeria in Abuja-FCT; Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation (ISDF) in Abuja-FCT; International Centre for Women Empowerment and Child Development (ICWECD) in Delta state; Policy Alert in Akwa-Ibom state; Social Development Integrated Center (Social Action) in Abuja-FCT/Rivers state; Speak Out Africa Initiative in Abuja-FCT; and Support for Training and Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state.

 

Adewale Sets to Unlock full Potentials of Customs Practices

 

NCS Acting CG, Drives Innovative Projects for Enhanced Customs Efficiency

ZAINAB JUNAID 

As part of the vision to redefine and unlock the full potentials of customs practices in the country, the newly appointed Acting Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, has advocated for the exploration of AI-driven solutions, which includes Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions like ChatGPT and advanced geo-spatial intelligence approaches such as GEOINT.

The technologies, according to a release made available to Journslists on Sunday by the National Public Relations Officer to the Comptroller General of Customs, ABDULLAHI MAIWADA, present immense potentials that will enhance communication, decision-making processes, and enforcement operations within Customs. 

While leveraging a global Customs Community platform, the Acting CG engaged in topical discussions that will help achieve this goal. 

The appointment of Acting CG Adewale Adeniyi, was announced on Monday, 19 June 2023, while he was attending the Policy Commission and Council meetings of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in Brussels, Belgium. 

Additionally, the NCS has already established a GEOINT unit, leveraging geospatial data, mapping techniques, and satellite imagery to gain valuable insights for customs operations. Collaborative engagements are already underway to operationalise the use of GEOINT to enhance the efficiency of NCS enforcement operations and contribute to overall efficiency. These advancements underline the NCS's proactive approach toward embracing cutting-edge technologies. 

The Acting CG further engaged in strategic discussions with partners such as the WCO, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Japan Customs Administration. The discussions aim to garner support for the establishment of a customs Laboratory, a significant milestone in enhancing customs operations and trade facilitation across Nigeria. 

Amidst the current landscape of evolving global trade dynamics, the NCS Laboratory will provide comprehensive solutions to address challenges such as counterfeit goods, smuggling, and non-compliant imports, thereby bolstering revenue generation and ensuring the protection of public health and safety. With its advanced analytical capabilities, the laboratory is expected to deliver precise identification, verification, and classification of goods, enabling efficient enforcement measures and informed decision-making, while fostering an environment of trust and credibility within Nigeria's trade ecosystem, marking a transformative step towards achieving seamless customs operations, trade competitiveness, and national economic growth in line with the vision of the President Tinubu Led Administration. 

Furthermore, Acting CG Adeniyi’s engagements extended to fruitful discussions with relevant experts and donors, focusing on crucial areas such as conducting a Time Release Study (TRS), implementing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, leadership, and management development. These discussions underscore his commitment to comprehensive improvements and his inclination to adopt innovative solutions across various customs domains, ultimately enhancing customs operations.

The outcome of the council meeting witnessed the election of Ian Saunders of the United States as the new Secretary General of the WCO, an important position that sets the direction for customs practices worldwide. This election highlights the significance of the council meeting and the influential role the NCS played in shaping the future of customs operations on a global scale.

Under the leadership of the Acting CG, the Nigeria Customs Service is embarking on an exciting journey towards enhanced customs efficiency. Through international collaborations, engagement with the WCO, exploration of AI-driven solutions, and strategic discussions, the NCS is pioneering innovative projects that will shape the future of customs practices in Nigeria. With a strong emphasis on technology and international partnerships, the NCS is well-positioned to make substantial advancements in customs operations, ultimately benefiting trade facilitation, security, and operational effectiveness.

Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Emerges Acting CG of NCS

 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Appoints Wale Adeniyi as acting CG of NCS, Dissolves Boards of all Government Parastatals, Agencies and Government-owned Companies

ZAINAB JUNAID

Following the recent termination of appointment of all Service Chiefs and that of Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col(rtd) Hameed Ali, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Deputy Comptroller General of Customs ( DCG), Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Acting Comptroller General of the Service. 

This was contained in a statement signed by Willie Bassey, Director of Information for the Secretary to the Government of the FEDERATION made available to journalists recently. 

With over 30 years experience in custom service, Adeniyi Bashir Adewale, prior to his new appointment, was the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, and was conferred with the National Honour of Member of the Order of Federal Republic (MFR) by former President Muhammad Buhari in October 2022.

He has also won Comptroller-General of Customs Award for seizure of $8,065,612 million cash at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, January 2020.

Acting CG Bashir Adewale has strong command of customs regulations, laws, and procedures as well as ability to navigate and adapt to changing policies and regulations.

In a related development, Willie Bassey also disclosed that the President has approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies in the exercise of its Constitutional Powers and in the Public interest.

Willie said the dissolution does not, however, affect Boards, Commissions and Councils listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

To him, "In view of the development and until such a time new boards are constituted, the Chief Executive Officers of the Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies are directed to refer matters requiring the attention of their Boards to the President, through the Permanent Secretaries of their respective supervisory Ministries and Offices.

"Permanent Secretaries are directed, also, to route such correspondences to Mr President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Consequently, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to ensure compliance to the provision of this directive which took effect from Friday 16th June, 2023.

"Permanent Secretaries are particularly directed to inform the Chief Executive Officers of the affected Agencies under the supervision of their respective Ministries/Offices for immediate compliance," the statement reads.

The exit of my mentor.

 *Ray Ugochukwu*  :

*Oh, my PEN refused to write* !!!

By Udeme MAJAN MEMBER 

"Because ZAINAB JUNAID can't just think straight with the news of your death MR RAY UGOCHUKWU,, don't know what to WRITE,, UDEME u still tried to put sth down, so make I publish ur stuff" 

... Oga Ray, today, June 1, 2023, is the day my PEN refused to write because of you !

... My thoughts refused to flow because of your exit !

...My mind refused to think straight because of the sadness that engulfed me !

...My brain refused to calm because of the restlessness this sad news brought !

...My eyes are staring at the sky, looking at Jehovah God, the Father of tender mercy for comfort !

...Oga Ray, you left us without a word !

...Oh, Oga Ray, you took away your fountain of knowledge, your intelligence and wisdom  !

...Oga Ray, you will forever remain unforgettable !

...Ray Ugochukwu, the President of all presidents !

...Oga Ray, I know you are sleeping and will soon wake !

*Adam & Eve* :

If Adam and Eve had been remorseful after they sinned in the garden of Eden, may be Jehovah God would have shown us mercy from sickness and death.

 

... Our first Parents, Adam and Eve, were unrepentant. Their  disobedience brought us this deep grief th