NAGAFF: 100% Compliance Team Rejects Increment On Port Storage Charges

 100% Compliance Team of NAGAFF Rejects Increment On Port Storage Charges

ZAINAB JUNAAID

The 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF)has rejected the arbitrary increase in terminal charges by handling companies. 

National Coordinator, 100% Compliance  Team, NAGAFF, Hon. Ibrahim Tanko said this recently adding that, "We wish to acknowledge the prevailing economic circumstances, but for the sustainability of seamless port operations, we object at the arbitrary increment."

To him, "The 650% increment is a serious challenge to smooth operations, inflaming passions with the implications better imagined.

"No gain saying that an increase of this magnitude poses a great danger to the entire logistics and trade ecosystem. The attendant high cost in the markets are better imagined.

"For Nigerian Ports to remain competitive, this sort of sudden and unilateral action is counter productive.

"For a sustainable and viable terminal operations, this knee jerk ambush by Terminal operators will affect the overall logistics business.

"By this notice, we officially notify the general public of the seething restiveness in the freight forwarding community, that if nothing is done immediately, we will be forced to resort to our last Option.

 "We are therefore calling on  the powers- that -be  to intervene in this explosive situation."

Customs Boss Visits FCT Minister

Secures Land to Build Schools 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

As part of his unwavering commitment to strengthening collaboration with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA's), the Comptroller-General of the Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on Thursday visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Barr. Nyesome Wike. 

While speaking, the Customs Boss congratulated Wike on his appointment as FCT Minister by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR saying, "One of the reasons for our visit is to congratulate you on your appointment as FCT Minister. FCT holds a pivotal position in Nigeria, and I believe that by getting it right in FCT, we can get it right in Nigeria.

"We anticipate transparency and integrity, and we believe that Nigerians will look forward to a smart and proud FCT."

Adewale elaborated on the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service, which encompass revenue generation, curbing smuggling, and facilitating trade while noting the significant activities in port areas and other service formations.

He emphasized the need for policies to support the service in fulfilling its mandates in the FCT, considering the substantial presence of over 2,500 service personnel in Abuja. He pointed out the challenge of sending the children of Customs personnel to private schools in the city.

To ameliorate the problem, he made a compassionate appeal to the Minister for the allocation of land to enable the construction of primary and secondary schools for the children of Customs personnel in Abuja.

Responding, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesome Wike expressed appreciation for the visit and assured the CGC of his commitment to allocate land for facilities that will serve the service's needs. 

The Minister, who assured the CGC of his unflinching support to make his tenure a successful one, also said his Ministry had recently received Nigeria Customs Service's letter of request for land allocation - which, according to him, will be approved in due course.

Minister Wike said, “Our policies, like that of Nigeria Customs Service, is to generate revenue to carry out projects in Abuja, but considering the good intentions of the CGC to establish schools to ensure quality education, we're ready to approve NCS' request.”

He also urged the Customs Legal Adviser and the Federal Capital Territory Authority to fine-tune all the legal modalities to accelerate the process.

"Promotion now on merit and not Welfare Programme for Customs"- Ag. CGC Adewale

 "Promotion now on merit and not Welfare Programme for Customs"- Ag. CGC Adewale

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has stressed the need to regenerate Customs Service to ensure that Men and Officers that deserves promotion are elevated.

Speaking during a nationwide promotional examination conducted by the Service this week, Adewale noted that promotion of Officers and Men of the Service will not just be a welfare program for customs.

To him, "it's essential to regenerate the service and ensure that those who are deserving of various positions are elevated, we experienced transparency and fairness during the examination process.

"We had some pep talks with them to help them believe in the system and understand all the efforts that we have made to ensure that there is a lot of integrity in the process. We want them to know that promotion now is based on performance and not who you know.

"The report I got regarding the level of preparations attests to this fact that we are now reconciling ourselves to that reality; it's about what you know, how capable you are, and how you can demonstrate the knowledge of the job. So that's what should come out, and that's what what count for each of these officers writing the exams," Adeniyi explained.

Also Speaking with newsmen, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Odedeji Babajide, said that the promotion would serve as an incentive to spur officers to perform more efficiently.

"Anyone granted the privilege of leadership should definitely know that to whom much is given, much is expected, and that means we should put in more than we have been doing before to make sure that the service is improved. We must ensure that there is value addition," he stated.

DC Oluremi Omisere, on her part said that officers who gain promotion must ensure that the key primary role of customs, which is trade facilitation and border security, must be carried out judiciously.

"Officers must ensure that revenue targets set by the government are met, and every leakage in revenue is being controlled," she stressed.

Also speaking, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu said, "There's a lot of transparency in it. My expectation is high, and I hope to climb higher. Because to whom much is given, much is expected, this promotion will help me do better.

Deputy Comptroller of Customs Idris Abba-Aji said, "We give others the lead to follow. The examination was conducted with world-class standards. With the trend of development globally and the training we get, we will be able to withstand every challenge."

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS)  nationwide promotional examinations for Officers and Men of the service according to National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada started with the rank of Deputy Comptrollers, Assistant Comptrollers, and Chief Superintendent of Customs on October 16, 2023, at Sascon International School in Abuja. 

It saw dedicated officers hailing from various Area Commands and Units showcasing their intellectual prowess in line with the Standard Operating Procedure established to promote deserving officers based on merit.

Customs Strengthens Ties with PAP

Customs Strengthens Ties with PAP,               as Ag. CGC Hosts PAP's Leadership

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of the commitment to enhance trade through implementation of new policies in the Country, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has expressed an unwavering commitment to strengthen ties with the leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Program.

While addressing members of the Presidential Amnesty Program led by their Chief Executive, Major General Barry Ndiomu (retired), on Tuesday, 17 October 2023, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters Abuja, the Acting CGC said he had implemented several measures to improve trade facilitation across the federation.

Speaking on the Service's recruitment standards, Adewale affirmed his dedication to preserving the integrity of the Nigeria Customs Service through fair recruitment process based on competence and adherence to Federal Character principles.

He stated that there are certain things that cannot be compromised.

"It is only when we adhere to these conditions and specifications that we can proudly claim that we are performing well," he said.

He reiterated his commitment to recruit new officers in accordance with the Federal Character Commission's provisions, ensuring that "applicants from the Niger-Delta region will enjoy the same privileges as every Nigerian."

He also expressed appreciation to Major General Ndiomu (retired) and his team for visiting the Customs Headquarters.

In response, the Chief Executive of the Presidential Amnesty Program thanked the Custom Boss for hosting them and expressed confidence in the new leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service. He acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Customs Service to the country and pledged to continue working with them as partners in progress.

Nigeria Customs Conducts Nationwide Promotion Exams to Enhance Transparency

NCS Conducts Nationwide Promotion Exams to Enhance Transparency

ZAINAB JUNAID 

In a bid to promote transparency and enhance career growth, Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has conducted nationwide promotional examinations for Officers and Men of the service.

The examination, according to National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada started with the rank of Deputy Comptrollers, Assistant Comptrollers, and Chief Superintendent of Customs on October 16, 2023, at Sascon International School in Abuja. 

It saw dedicated officers hailing from various Area Commands and Units showcasing their intellectual prowess in line with the Standard Operating Procedure established to promote deserving officers based on merit.

The Ag Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, while noting that the exams ensure transparency and fairness in the process, stressed that promotion is not just a welfare program for customs; it's essential to regenerate the service and ensure that those who are deserving of various positions are elevated.

"We had some pep talks with them to help them believe in the system and understand all the efforts that we have made to ensure that there is a lot of integrity in the process. We want them to know that promotion now is based on performance and not who you know.

"The report I got regarding the level of preparations attests to this fact that we are now reconciling ourselves to that reality; it's about what you know, how capable you are, and how you can demonstrate the knowledge of the job. So that's what should come out, and that's what we count for each of these officers writing the exams," Adeniyi explained.

Speaking with newsmen, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Odedeji Babajide, noted that the promotion would serve as an incentive to spur officers to perform more efficiently.

"Anyone granted the privilege of leadership should definitely know that to whom much is given, much is expected, and that means we should put in more than we have been doing before to make sure that the service is improved. We must ensure that there is value addition," he stated.

DC Oluremi Omisere, in her remarks, noted that officers who gain promotion must ensure that the key primary role of customs, which is trade facilitation and border security, must be carried out judiciously.

"Officers must ensure that revenue targets set by the government are met, and every leakage in revenue is being controlled," she stressed.

Also speaking, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu said, "There's a lot of transparency in it. My expectation is high, and I hope to climb higher. Because to whom much is given, much is expected, this promotion will help me do better.

Deputy Comptroller of Customs Idris Abba-Aji said, "We give others the lead to follow. The examination was conducted with world-class standards. With the trend of development globally and the training we get, we will be able to withstand every challenge."

NCS- Walking the path of Technology to Drive its operations

NCS-Walking the path of Technology to Drive its operations

ZAINAB JUNAID

The 2023 World Customs Organization (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition held in Hanoi, Vietnam, has not only broadened the experience of the Nigeria Customs Officers team led by the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who attended the event but also impacted more on Adewale's policy thrust of Collaboration, Innovation and Consultation.

A strategy he has embarked upon to revive the Service from its comatose state since he took over reigns of leadership of NCS in June 2023.

The Conference under the theme  "Embracing the Digital Age: leveraging technology, fostering innovation, and Nurturing the Next Generations of Customs Professionals." explored how innovation and technology can support Customs in performing its functions of trade facilitation, protection of society and revenue collection, while placing people at the heart of the digital transformation process.

Being a pivotal event for over a decade, the Conference maintained its tradition of exposing participants to advanced technological solutions for addressing complex customs challenges. 

The Acting Comptroller General of Customs overwhelmed with this year's event, believes adopting the technological solutions learnt at the Conference will be a game-changer for Nigeria as it improve trade facilitation and revenue generation.

He said, "We've learned a lot, seeing the deployment of artificial intelligence, machine learning, non-intrusive technology, and various data analytics to analyze customs issues and provide solutions."

He emphasized the significance of the WCO Technology Conference, which has been a pivotal event for over a decade, providing a platform for customs administrations, partner companies, sponsors, technology firms, and more to collaborate and exchange insights on the effective integration of technology in customs operations.

Some take-aways from the Conference include - the breakout sessions that delved into contemporary challenges and innovative solutions in diverse areas, especially gender equality, of which Chief Superintendent of Customs Oluwabukola Omoniyi, a delegate from Nigeria was part of the discussants; the automation and AI-driven approach to improving customs operations in which the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of ICT/Modernization, ACG Kikelomo Adeola said she will embraced back in Nigeria.

Jummai Umar Ajijola, the Managing Director of the Trade Modernization Project, who also attended the Conference emphasized the strong partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Trade Modernization Project, highlighting their alignment to ensure the end-to-end automation of Nigeria Customs Service processes and procedures.

The Conference underscored the importance of technology in customs operations and the continuous development of customs professionals, which has been the policy thrust of the Ag.CGC since his appointment as NCS Boss by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially on how  to improve service delivery of Men and Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

His strategic way of reshaping Nigeria Customs Service system and simultaneously enhancing Trade Facilitation, Increasing revenue generation and also protecting llves of citizens across all borders in the country, by engaging in strategic collaborations with Local and international experts,  Security Agencies, among others is like a rancher taking a bull by the horn.

With the strategic method adopted by the Ag. CG Bashir Adewale MFR and If Men of the service continued to partake in World Conference Organisation(WCO) programmes and also apply the knowledge acquired into their operations, the alleged menace battlling the Nigerian Customs Service systemic administrative issues will soon be a thing of the past.

"God has appointed you to serve the people and no man can remove you"- Prophet Godwin Ikuru

"God has appointed you to serve the people and no man can remove you"- Prophet Godwin Ikuru

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Following the judgement passed by the tribunal sitting in Nassarawa State declaring PDP candidate, Dr. David Ombugadu winner of the last governorship election in the state against Governor Abdullahi Sule, the presiding prophet of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, Prophet Godwin Ikuru has sent a strong message to the sitting Governor that it was God that appointed him to serve the people and no man can remove you.

Speaking after the tribunal passed judgement against the APC Governor that he lost the last governorship election, the highest award winner in 2023, who also earn the title of prophetic hero of democracy, a renowned worldwide Prophet that always prophesied positively, Prophet Godwin Ikuru advised the governor not to believe in fake prophesies as he will come out victorious. 

Prophet Ikuru said Governor Abdullahi should rather focus more on humanitarian service. 

His words, "It is God's will that governor Abdullahi Sule is in that position,  the judgement will turn in favour of him. The governor should not believe fake prophesies, he will surely come out victorious. He should be more focus on humanitarian service. He should be a governor with people's interest at heart, he should be there for the people, he must serve the people, must be humble in spirit, loyal to the king's in his state, he must work in cooperation with his leaders, executive members and the legislature. If he's able to do all this, things will turn in his favour and he will come out victorious," the Prophet said.