FCCPC Fine: BAT Responds,

...pledges to operate in full compliance with Nigeria laws

ZAINAB JUNAID

Following recent reports regarding the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) decision on $110 million fine placed on British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), the company has clarified that it never had the intention of violating the laws of the land as it pledged to operate in full compliance with the laws of Nigeria.

BAT maintained that the said fine had been previously disclosed in its financial reports and it's not a new development.

The company on Friday December 29, 2023, affirmed that "BAT previously disclosed the investigation mentioned by the Nigerian Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in its year-end 2022 Annual Report and most recently in it's Half-Year Report for the six months to 30 June 2023. 

"In December 2022, the FCCPC entered into a consent order, terminating the mentioned investigation and associated proceedings. British American Tobacco (Nigeria) Limited and British American Tobacco Marketing (Nigeria) Limited have made payments to settle the penalty."

"BAT Nigeria acknowledges the mentioned monitorship and awareness campaigns and has cooperated fully with the FCCPC’s appointed service providers. BAT remains committed to operating in compliance with the laws of Nigeria." 

NAMM Commends Comrade Adeyanju for exemplary leadership role

NAMM extols Comrade Adeyanju for his exemplary leadership role 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), under the leadership of Capt. Tajudeen Alao recently extolled the President-General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, fnli, for his exemplary leadership role which has led to the transformation of the Union.

Captain Alao who eulogized the indefatigable Prince Adeyanju over his dynamic leadership qualities for facilitating the peaceful resolution of a longstanding dispute of twenty-three (23) years between the faction loyal to the pioneer President -General, of MWUN, Comrade Uzoije Ukaummunna and the succeeding leadership of the Union, affirmed that with this united front, a lot will be achieved for all the maritime workforce.

He prayed for the President-General for God's guidance, and more wisdom and knowledge, as it will strengthen him in resolving any challenges he cut across in his of discharging his duties.

NAMM Commends President-General, Adeyanju for exemplary leadership role

NAMM Commends Comrade Adeyanju for exemplary leadership role 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), under the leadership of Capt. Tajudeen Alao recently commended the President-General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, fnli, for his exemplary leadership role which has led to the transformation of the Union.

Captain Alao who eulogized the indefatigable Prince Adeyanju over his dynamic leadership qualities for facilitating the peaceful resolution of a longstanding dispute of twenty-three (23) years between the faction loyal to the pioneer President -General, of MWUN, Comrade Uzoije Ukaummunna and the succeeding leadership of the Union, affirmed that with this united front, a lot will be achieved for all the maritime workforce.

He prayed for the President -General for God's guidance, and more wisdom and knowledge, as this will continue to strengthen him in resolving any challenge whatsoever in his office.

YULETIDE: Adeyanju urges Maritime Stakeholders, Christians esp, to emulate the Virtues of Jesus Christ

YULETIDE: Adeyanju urges Maritime Stakeholders, Christians esp, to emulate the Virtues of Jesus Christ

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the able leadership of Comrade (Prince) Dr Adewale Adeyanju, fnli has urged Maritime Stakeholders, Christians especially, to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ, which entails peace, love, patience and humility as they celebrate the festive season.

Adeyanju stated this in a goodwill message for the festive period to Nigerians and Maritime Stakeholders among which include the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA), National Association Of Stevedore Operators (NASO), Ships and Terminal Operators of Nigeria (STOAN) the four Branches of the Maritime Workers Union namely: the NPA, Shipping, Seafarers and the Dockworkers Branches and the Union’s administrative staffers.

The message was in a communique made available on Monday,25 , December,2023, by media head of the Union Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna.

Prince Adeyanju said the tolerance and sacrifice of Jesus Christ should be imbibed in everyone's life styles as national co-existence, cohesion amongst Nigerians, stressing that these virtues will bring the much expected peace in the country, urging the Christians to lead the way.

MWUN President-General who is also the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) praised all the stakeholders for being good partners in the Maritime sector, charging them to also do more for their employees and for the benefit of the country, as good welfare package remains the mechanism that drives workers for optimal results.

He further admonished Nigerians in general to be of good behavior adding, “we should be our brothers keeper all the time; regardless of what we are passing through today, saying that there's nothing the Almighty God cannot do; hence we should emulate the life of Jesus Christ, who taught us perseverance, long-suffering, while applying his principles of love and patience always.”

In the same vein, Dr Adeyanju was full of praise as he poured encomiums on the Union's administrative staffers, whom he described as one of the best in the sector. The number one Maritime Labour Leader did find time to be with the Staffers during the Union's end of year party at the Union Secretariat, promising them that the end of year partt has come to stay as the event will be observed annually.

 

CGC's Conference: MAJAN scores Customs Boss High on Managerial Competence

...as NAGAFF Harps on more interaction between Customs and Freight Forwarders

Ayodeji ZAINAB

The Maritime Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) on Friday December 22, 2023 did a thorough review of the just concluded Customs Comptroller – General’s Conference, where it commended the leadership prowess of the controller general of customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

The outcome of the association’s review of the customs conference was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, on the association’s platform.

MAJAN’s analysis of CGC’s conference began with the topics, ‘Leveraging data analytics for secure and efficient trade facilitation in Customs operations”, which the association saw to be most appropriate, and in line with global trends in Customs operations.

MAJAN applauded the leadership prowess of the Comptroller – General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, describing him as proactive, result oriented and a goal-getter.

Aside the topic, MAJAN scored CGC Adeniyi high on the schedules for paper presentations and panel discussions at the conference. For instance, the conference began with a retrospective look at NCS, reflections from the past, which was a well thoughtout initiative to give a brief historical perspective and what the Service wants to achieve, going forward.

Most commendable was that the conference programme aligned with the policy of the Federal Government in its renewed hope agenda; and the policy thrust of the Customs Boss anchored on consolidation, collaboration and innovation.

Panel two discussion focused on; ‘data-driven Government, navigating the future of modern Customs administrations. Panel-three centred on ; ‘Harnessing data analytics to enhance NCS core mandates’.

Panel-four was anchored on; ‘Leveraging data to create an enabling environment for Customs administrations’ and panel-five gave vivid analysis on; ‘Using data analytics to create enabling environment for Customs administrations’.

Also, the opening ceremony brought interesting dimensions to the conference, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, attended as the special guest of honour.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, declared open the ceremony, praising CGC Adeniyi for resuscitating the important programme many years after it was abandoned.

The Executive Governor of Lagos State,His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the very conspicuous entrance and contribution of His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, economic experts, members of the National Assembly, maritime stakeholders, the media and other dignitaries, who attended the programme, extolled the virtues of CGC Adeniyi in the successful hosting of a conference of such magnitude.

MAJAN also, commended the CGC’s initiative in choosing Lagos State as the first venue to start the conference after many years, acknowledging the pivotal role Lagos plays in Customs operations, especially in revenue collection of over 70% annually.

Going further, after the indepth review of the programme, MAJAN sought audience with a reputable stakeholder, in order to get expert opinion.

In a roundtable interaction with the Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, (NAGAFF) yesterday, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, the association highlighted its observations at the conference.

In his response, Dr Aniebonam lauded the Customs CG for his exemplery leadership and pragmatic approach. However, he advised CGC Adeniyi to interact more with freight forwarders at the grassroots.

Dr Aniebonam emphasised that such interaction will give him ample opportunity to have first hand information about their challenges and experience in the field.

His words : “The CGC has done well and we acknowledge that. He needs to meet freight forwarders at the grassroots in their domain without hesitation.

“He should not be in a hurry to leave them. Let him spend time and interact well with them to hear what is happening in the field.

Dr Aniebonam, the Founder of New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), and also the Freight Forwarder General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, assured that the tenure of CGC Adeniyi as the Customs Boss will remain most outstanding, if he relates more with stakeholders in the maritime industry, especially those at the grassroots,as this will afford him the opportunity to get first hand what they encounter in the field and also the way forward, therefrom."

WSCIJ 18th Edition: MWUN President Congratulates winner, Sharon Ijasa

WSCIJ 18th Edition: MWUN President-General Congratulates winner, Sharon Ijasa

ZAINAB JUNAID

The President -General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN)  Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, fnli, HFCPSP has congratulated Sharon Ijasa, a Senior Correspondent with Television Continental for winning the 18th Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism on the story of Human Trafficking - Sad reality of trafficked Nigerians in Libya, West Africa.

Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN, confirmed this in a statement which partly read that without a doubt, Sharon's exemplary television reportage is a testimony to this prestigious award. 

In the statement,Comrade Adeyanju statement said, "You have in the recent past demonstrated very rare skills of Journalism; and by extension that of investigative class which has brought you thus far.

"The Wole Soyinka Award is not such a common honour; therefore, we in the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria wish to celebrate you knowing full well that you stand distinctively amongst your equals in the realm of the Fourth Estate.

"You will continue to shine in this noble profession and our fervent prayers for you is that the sky will not limit your excellence. Once again, in concert with my executives, we say congratulations."

NCS Board confirms appointment of 2ACGs, approves promotion of 2209 Senior Officers

....as DC Hussein K Ejibunu of FOU among 67 DCs promoted to Customs Comptroller 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

In recognition of the exceptional performance of Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) in the 2023 promotion examination, NCS Board during its 58th regular meeting held on Tuesday, 19 December 2023, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, chaired by the Honorable Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, has confirmed the appointment of two (2) Assistant Comptrollers General and the promotion of Two Thousand Two Hundred and Nine (2209) Senior Officers. 

National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Chief Supretendent of Customs (CSC) Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this on Friday December 22, 2023, in a statement revealing that the appointed officers confirmed as substantive members of the NCS Management Team are ACG Florence Nano Ogar-Modey and ACG Queen Ogubudu.

The comprehensive promotion list, according to the statement encompasses both General Duty (GD) and Support Staff (SS) personnel who demonstrated outstanding performance in the 2023 promotion exercise. The breakdown of promoted officers is as follows: Inspector of Customs (IC) to Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC II) - 348, ASC II to ASC I - 321, ASC I to Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) - 355, DSC to Superintendent of Customs (SC) - 207, SC to Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) - 500, CSC to Assistant Comptroller (AC) - 333, AC to Deputy Comptroller (DC) - 78, and DC to Customs Comptroller (CC) - 67.

"The board approved special promotions for fourteen officers in recognition of their exceptional performance in various assigned responsibilities.

"Among the newly promoted Comptrollers are TM Daniyan, F Fajana, N Isyaku, MV Umana, AC Nwobi, F Abdulqadir, HK Ejibunu, FM Ojiofor, IN Aliyu, MD Malah, EO Oshoba, JK Oladeji, E Luka, AP Daruaku, FM Ojeifor, IN Nwokorie, EJ Harrison and others," the statement revealed.

While congratulating the newly promoted Officers and Men of the Service, Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR urged them to redouble their efforts in fulfilling the critical roles of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling, adding "this will enhance the NCS's pivotal role in bolstering Nigeria's socio-economic well-being."

He also extended warm wishes for joyous Christmas and New Year celebrations and expressed gratitude to the Honorable Minister of Finance for facilitating the timely conclusion of the 2023 promotion cycle.

The CGC further acknowledged the historical success, pledging to maintain the momentum in future exercises. 

"These strategic advancements are in harmony with his vision to fortify leadership, recognize merit, and inspire personnel for sustained success," he said.