Seme Customs Controller Charges

NCS Cadets on Professionalism, Foriegn Languages

ZAINAB JUNAID

Cadets from the Nigeria Customs Service Training College, Ikeja, have been advised to display high level of professionalism as they prepare to be officially integrated into the Nigeria Customs Service. 

The Cadets, who were further urged to be vigilant and acquaint themselves quickly with Customs operations, were received by the Customs Area Controller of Seme Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, on a study tour.

"It is important for you as cadets to know your onions by exhibiting a high level of professionalism, vigilance, cooperation, and adaptability in ensuring the integrity of the nation's borders, as well as sharing real-life examples of successful seizures and interceptions from the border by Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Services working at the border."

On NCS Facebook page, Dera was reported to have said that the Cadets will be passing out from the Training College in few weeks time, and it is pertinent for them to understand what border management is all about. He said it is a deliberate movement to acquire practical knowledge and understanding of the job.

Dera also emphasised the need to introduce and learn a second language to aid easy communication and collaboration with foreign sister agencies. 

"The emphasis on learning a second foreign language adds a new dimension to your training, ensuring you are equipped to excel in a rapidly evolving global environment.”

The college's Commandant, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Haniel Hadison, who led the Cadets, appreciated their host for further exposure to the intricacies and challenges involved in trade facilitation and maintaining adequate border security.

Reflecting on the experience, the Cadets expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn practical knowledge on border activities from Comptroller Nnadi,  acknowledging that the study tour is an insight into Customs practical operations.

NIPR Delegation with the Ag. Customs CG

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Ag. Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on Wednesday, 23 August 2023, received the Chairman, Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR), Mukhtar Sirajo, Members of the Governing Council, Fellows, Chair of State Chapters and other members of the Institute at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abuja.

The coutesy visit, according to Mukhtar Sirajo, was to congratulate the Ag. CGC on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and also to discuss the Institute's readiness for its forthcoming Annual General Meeting(AGM)and elections slated for Thursday, 23rd August 2023.

He said, “As this meeting marks my final act as the President, I feel mandated to congratulate the Nigeria Customs Service for having Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as Ag. Comptroller-General of the Service, I want to tell you that he is an excellent team player."

Muktar appealed to the CGC to deploy patience and humility in his leadership to take the Service to the next level while assuring the audience that the Nigeria Customs Service will be better under his supervision.

He assured the CGC that the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations will not relent in supporting him in all ramifications to succeed.

In response, the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and also the Vice President of the institute, expressed appreciation for their presence at Customs Headquarters, assured continous support for the institute, and anticipated for a successful AGM, election and transition process.

“Now that you are in Abuja for this AGM and elections, I want to implore all of us to maintain our good relationships even after the election, irrespective of the outcome of the election.” He said.

Unemployment, Rejection, SeaTime

Constitue Setback for Nigeria Female Seafarers- Research

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Women are feminine gender that always shouldered series of responsibilities with greater success. There is no field where they've not shown their worth. Their economic empowerment have always increase productivity, economic diversification and also leads to positive development outcomes of a country.

Their involvement in different trade, seafaring trade especially has been a welcome development with a growing phenomenon but are restricted by many challenges.

Being a conventionally man's world, seafaring is a profession some women feared to take up as a profession. However, the courageous ones are being restricted  by many challenges which includes sexual harrassment, job denials, anxiety, isolation, loneliness, gender inequality. These among others have made some female seafarers to feel at some time in their period that they've made biggest mistake of choosing a career at sea.

These problems have been a global trending issue with Nigeria not left out and it has reduced the participation of women in the industry.

At this year's International Women's Day, the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) confirmed that there is still gender imbalance in Maritime Industry, as women still only represent a tiny fraction of the global seafarer workforce. A number that looks a little bleak.

It estimated that there are 1.2 million seafarers across the world with Women making up 34% of the shore-based workforce in shipowning companies; Women account for 29% of the overall workforce in the general industry; account for 20% of the workforce of national maritime authorities in IMO Member States; Female staff in search and rescue teams in national maritime authorities account for only 10% of the workforce; Women seafarers make up just 2% of the crewing workforce which is predominantly in the cruise industry

However, just 1.28% of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) certified seafarers across the globe are women. A percentage that is daunting.

The president of Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria(FESAN), Mrs Koni Duniya also confimed presence of gender inequality and unemployment problem faced by female seafarers in Nigeria.

Speaking as a facilitator at the Maritime Writes Project organised by Ezinne Azunna in Lagos recently, FESAN President, Mrs Koni Duniya disclosed that there is higher patronage of men than their female counterparts in most female dominated work. 

In her paper titled "Pushing for Equity& Justice: The Story of Female Seafarers in Nigeria", Mrs Koni noted that Female participation in Nigeria has not being encouraging.

A situation where most vessel owners tell you that their vessel specification does not encourage female participation in seafaring, which means that they don’t have ships that allows one cabin to one woman. In this situation, Isolation set in for the female involved because they will want to have four to five seafarers onboard using one cabin and the female involved will not want to stay in the midst of the male seafarers".

To her, "Unemployment issue is the problem we are currently facing in Nigeria. We have enough female seafarers who have Certificate of Competency, but most of them are jobless. But, if many female seafarers are thriving and are gainfully employed, the profession will become attractive to young female students who aspire to work on ships.

Further Research also revealed that most Nigerian female seafarers are faced with the issue of Sea Time(all the time spent working on a ship at sea that is actively sailing for cargo transportation and is not the complete amount of time a Seafarer spends at sea which also at the port). The SeaTime is a document provided by the department head (chief engineer and ship captain) to the seafarer, endorsing that the seafarer has sailed on the ship for a particular period of time. Close to 50 Nigerian female seafarers falls victim of this and this called for urgent intervention of the appropriate Authorities in the sector to deploy efficient redressal mechanism.

Strong and efficient redressal mechanism is highly required to resolve the issues of women seafarers. Efforts should be taken to eliminate the social stigma attached to women seafarers in Nigeria.

It has been a ray of hope seeing feminine gender aspiring for a career in the maritime sector, and government intervention is needed, knowing fully well that investing in women is the most effective way to lift communities, companies, and countries. Nations with more gender equality have better economic growth.

Just as International Maritime Organisation (IMO) supports gender equality and the empowerment of women through gender specific fellowships by facilitating access to high-level technical training for women in the maritime sector in developing countries; creating the environment in which women are identified and selected for career development opportunities in maritime administrations, ports and maritime training institutes; facilitating the establishment of professional women in maritime associations, particularly in developing countries, relevant authorities in Nigeria's maritime sector need as a matter of urgency to put into consideration Nigerian Female Seafarers who have Certificate of Competency and are strongly qualified.

MACI Lauds Customs Chief, Adeniyi's Pragmatic Leadership Style

 ...pledges its support for the Success of the CGC

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Media Anti-Corruption Initiative (MACI), a Non-Governmental organization has praised the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale ADENIYI, MFR, for his pragmatic leadership style since he took over the reins of leadership of the service.

MACI, a media coalition against corruption in government institution, said it has confidence in the new Customs boss as a career officer who rose through the ranks and will of no doubt pursue excellence and set a new benchmark for the Service.

In a statement jointly signed by the chairman, Board of Directors (BOT), Captain Adamu Mshelia and Funso Olojo, the Secretary General, of the group, the NGO said it was excited by the dynamic and pragmatic leadership style of the new CGC.

The statement partly reads that, "MACI is impressed by the unique leadership style of the new CGC which has so far brought a spark into the operations of the customs.

"We  are in full support of the new CGC's plan to reduce checkpoints along our borders as well as the seaports.

"He is highly lauded for this and MACI also gives him thumbs up for the scrapping of the CGC Strike Force.

"This is a step in the right direction which will terminate duplication of duty payment, reduce corruption and facilitate trade.

"We want to assure the CGC that we are in the same page with him on the steps he has taken so far.

"We also commend his mobility and promptness in paying working visits to the commands under him to see personally the operational activities of the officers and men instead of relying on third party briefings.

"We know that as a youthful and highly mobile officer, his excellent performance is not in doubt.

"While we continue to watch him as he moves on in managing the Service, we enjoined him to adopt ideas that will reduce cargo clearance time at the ports and make Customs operations seamless in order to facilitate trade and boost the economy " the group admonished.

The group however pledges its support and collaboration for the success of the CGC

Customs College Graduates 50 Officers of Junior Course 16

Customs College Graduates 50 Officers of Junior Course 16

ZAINAB JUNAID

In its unwavering efforts to refine the work efficiency of the Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service through training and re-training, the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, on Friday August 18, 2023 has attained another breakthrough, after the college graduates 50 Officers of Junior Course 16.

The graduation ceremony, which took place at the College's famous Conference Theater, Ahmed Makarfi Hall, Gwagwalada Abuja, was graced by the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ag. CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, as the Special Guest of Honour.

Addressing the graduands, the Ag. CGC felicitated and expressed his commitment towards enhancing the professionalism of Customs Officers through training and capacity building.

He said, “I congratulate you for attaining this level of finishing your course, having shown your commitment and competence in dealing with Customs rules.

“I hereby urge you to make good use of what you have been taught and continue to be good ambassadors of the Service as you leave this college.”

He urged them to maintain good relationships with members of their host communities while contributing to revenue generation and enhancing border security.

The Customs Chief, while revealing some glad tidings to the Directing Staff, also assured the graduands to take the knowledge and skills they gained in the college with high esteem.

However, the Commandant of the College, ACG Kingsley Chukwu Egwu, in his earlier address tasked the graduands on adding value and impacting their acquired experience in the course of their training at the college in suppressing smuggling, generating revenue and facilitating legitimate trade in the country.

His words, "It is with great honour and privilege to be part of this graduation ceremony of Junior Course 16, 2023. It is without a doubt that you have spent three months having rigorous training. I congratulate you for your tenacity and commitment, which has led us to today’s occasion.”

“I want to urge you, the graduands, to build up your competence and capacity in discharging your official duty as trained Customs officers, having undergone this training at the college. I do not doubt that you are now well equipped and ready to serve the Nigeria Customs Service well.” ACG Kingsley said.

The Occasion was graced with the presentation of Certificates and Awards to outstanding student. Some of the courses taken by the officers wuile in college includes-service writing, public speaking, time management among others.

However, the College had earlier organised a regimental pre-graduation dinner for the students on Wednesday, where the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Strategic, Research and Policy, DCG Al-Bashir Hamisu, represented the Ag. CGC as the Special Guest of Honour.

Addressing the students during the feast, the Ag. CGC told them, “I have no doubts in my mind that considering the quality of training you have received, you all will be good ambassadors of the College and the Service at large – and I wish to implore you to exhibit your competence to your subordinates when you go back to your places of work.”

Junior Course is one of the Service's tenets aimed at acquainting the organisation's operatives with productive policies and ethics of Customs work for three months in the College.

SIFAX Logistics Expands Fleet Size

with 13 New Trucks to boost Operations

ZAINAB JUNAID

In a bid to meet the evolving freight market demands and also boost operations, SIFAX Logistics Company Limited, the haulage subsidiary of SIFAX Group, has expanded its truck fleet size to 114 with the acquisition of 13 brand new trucks.

The new trucks, which are 33 tons 6x4 MAN Diesel vehicles with 400 horsepower, are expected to boost the company's operations by increasing its market share and competitiveness in long distance and inter-state deliveries.

Muyiwa Akande, Group Head, Corporate Communications of the Company made this known in a statement made available to Journslists, yesterday. 

In the statement, Adewale Adetayo, General Manager, SIFAX Logistics Company Limited, noted that the truck additions became necessary due to the upsurge in demand for the company’s haulage services across the country.

To him, "Management concluded plan to unveil these new trucks in order for the Company to maintain it's market dominance and expansion to various new routes within the country. 

"Our target is to expand rapidly and we have mapped out a strategic plan to acquire 200 new trucks before the end of the 2024 business year. This will be done in phases and we have started with 13 for now. We hope to buy another 20 in the next phase of our acquisition plan, ”he said. 

On why the company settled for MAN Diesel Brand, a German Product, Adetayo explained that the vehicles have a high rating features that meet the evolving freight market demands. 

"Its features are high rating in the logistics ecosystem, durability, load-bearing capability, driving stability and adaptability," he stated. 

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group, in the statement noted that the company has always braved the odds to invest more in the Nigerian economy during downtimes.

"We are aware that many businesses are not favourably disposed to investing at this moment due to the prevailing economic reality. But the reality is that some economic activities like production and movement of goods always demand for haulage services even in challenging times. We are scaling up through the acquisition of these trucks because of the huge potential in the industry.

“The economic outlook of the country is looking bright and we know that once the economy bounce back, we would reap the rewards of our investments. Many Clients, both existing and potential ones have continue to reach out to us due to the credibility and efficiency we have achieved over the years. To meet these agreements, we need a larger fleet”, he noted.

 

Trans- Border Trade: Ag. CGC Synergies with Borno State Government to Re-establish Trade in North East

ZAINAB JUNAID 

In a bid to improve trade activities in the Northeastern part of Nigeria, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs Service,  Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has expressed readiness to adopt measures will boost the region's economy and provide jobs for the people in the state. 

The Ag. CGC made this known on Thursday, 17th August 2023, while receiving the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was on a courtesy visit to Customs Headquarters in Abuja.

CGC Bashir, appreciated the long-time relationship between the Service and Borno State Government in border security and humanitarian services, and affirmed his readiness to support victims of terrorism in the state.

Speaking on enhancing community relations, he said, “Moving forward, we will need your support to engage members of the border communities in Borno, especially as the insurgency has been degraded. We will build on the good relationship that we have, leverage on it to re-establish a good relationship with Cameroon and, of course, the Southern part of Chad.”

The Ag. Comptroller-General assured Governor Zulum of his administration's commitment to engage the Military to develop new measures to assist in re-establishing the full structure of cross-border trade in the area.

Earlier, the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, congratulated CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR on his appointment as Comptroller-General of the Service.

“Let me, first and foremost, congratulate you on your appointment as the Comptroller-General of Customs; this vital organisation in this Country, and I want to also commend the Nigeria Customs Service for uplifting the standard of living to the displaced communities in Borno and other parts of Northeastern region,” said Governor Zulum.

He applauded the Service's good gesture of distributing food and non-food items to the displaced persons in the state, which according to him, is alleviating the hardship of the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

He said, “I am here once again to solicit your support to continue distributing food and non-food items to the vulnerable people in Borno state.” 

The Governor, who expressed interest in liaising with the Service to promote transborder trade in the Northeast, particularly in Borno State, solicited the cooperation of the Service.

“As peace gradually returned to Borno State, I want to express my readiness to work with the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance transportation of goods between Nigerian borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger,” he said.