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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is committed to translate maritime policies into practical results as part of efforts to ensure safer waterways, reliable infrastructure and sustainable economic growth.
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‎NIWA Acting Managing Director, Alhaji Yusuf Girei made the commitment while congratulating stakeholders in his goodwill message during the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration.
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‎This year’s celebration whose theme was“From policy to practice: Powering excellence,” has in attendance was graced the  Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Mrs. Fatima Sugra Mahmood, FSM, MCIPM; Chairperson and Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Mfon Usoro; Directors and Heads of Departments, CEOs of Parastatals under the Ministry, members of the diplomatic corps, industry stakeholders and the media.
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‎“This year’s theme,” Alhaji Girei said, “reminds us that strong policies create value only when they are translated into meaningful action. In the maritime sector, that means safer waterways, reliable infrastructure, environmental stewardship and services that support trade and economic growth.”
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‎He noted that NIWA remains committed to working with State Governments, industry stakeholders, host communities and development partners to improve navigation, strengthen safety standards, modernise facilities and protect the waterways on which many livelihoods depend.
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‎Speaking about excellence in the maritime sector, he described it as a shared responsibility that requires skilled professionals, effective regulation, investment in innovation and a culture that places safety and sustainability at the heart of operations.
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‎“By working together, we can build a maritime sector that is competitive, inclusive and prepared for the future,” he added.
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‎He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Permanent Secretary and all stakeholders whose commitment keeps the maritime industry moving, and urged participants to turn shared ambition into practical results.
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‎The celebration peaked when Alhaji Girei joined in the award presentation for the Primary School Children’s Essay Competition category sponsored by NIWA. The first position went to Idris Jibril Oladimeji of Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos, who won N200,000 cash and a laptop computer. The second position went to Suleiman Aisha of St. Paul’s Anglican School, Lagos Island, who received N150,000 and a laptop computer, while the third position went to Yahaya Aliyah of St. Mathias Girls Primary School, Lagos, who received N100,000 cash and a laptop computer.
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‎On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of NIWA, he wished all stakeholders a successful World Maritime Day celebration.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has given kudos to the Controller of the PTML Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller N. I. Miko, for the support extended to freight forwarders at PTML, enjoining him to sustain the tempo  and assist the NAGAFF chapter to deepen the relationship for mutual benefits.
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‎Chief Ezisi made the commendation,  Thursday, when he led the association’s high command on a familiarization visit to the  Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the PTML Command.
‎Ezisi who used the opportunity to welcome the CAC to the Customs Command  also introduced  the newly-elected executive of the NAGAFF PTML Chapter democratically elected to manage its affairs for the next four years.
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‎Describing NAGAFF as a law-abiding organisation which has maintained a longstanding relationship with the Customs Service, Chief Ezisi stressed the importance of collaboration, compliance and professionalism in facilitating legitimate trade.
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‎He urged Miko to maintain open communication with the chapter’s leadership and whenever disagreements or operational challenges arose, the national leadership would intervene where necessary to resolve issues.
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‎As in other large organisations, Ezisi acknowledged, members with different dispositions and approaches to matters populate NAGAFF and managing them and their differences remains the hallmark of  effective leadership at all times.
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‎He also told the CAC that as a body, NAGAFF has in place an active special intervention outfit, a compliance team with guiding slogan, “If you see something, say something.” This body monitors the activities of her members and other freight forwarders who willingly subvert compliance standards in the line of duties.
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‎NAGAFF, he explained, is a non-profit association of freight forwarders whose headquarters relies on the contributions and activities of its chapters to fulfill its responsibilities to the industry.
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‎In his response, the Customs Area Controller of the PTML Command,  Comptroller Nura Ibrahim Miko, assured NAGAFF members of the Command’s continued cooperation. He described the relationship between Customs officers and freight forwarders at the terminal as very cordial and will always be, going forward.
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‎Miko recalled NAGAFF’s organizational structure, describing it as impressive, particularly the commitment to training and capacity development of members through the  NAGAFF Academy .
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‎The PTML Command would continue to support freight forwarders, the CAC pledged as Customs officers and industry operators would continue to deepen the existing harmony and cooperation in the workplace.
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‎He assured that the Command would continue engaging terminal operators on the need to improve the working environment for both Customs officers and freight forwarders.
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‎Miko encouraged freight forwarders to report any shortcomings in the conduct of Customs officers, assuring them that the command would take feedback seriously and work towards improvement.
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‎He also urged stakeholders to acknowledge good performance, emphasising that constructive engagement, mutual respect and collaboration were essential to effective operations.
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‎He reaffirmed his management’s readiness to sustain the healthy relationship with the association and other stakeholders.
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‎Giving a vote of thanks, NAGAFF’s Vice President (Headquarters), Simeon Nwonu, expressed pleasure of the assurance of a continued cordial relationship and accessibility stakeholders associate CAC Miko with right from the Apapa Command.
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‎He thanked Comptroller Miko for the warm reception, expressing confidence that NAGAFF members operating at PTML would benefit from continued engagement.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Within 15 days of taking over as the Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun 1 Customs Command, Deputy Comptroller Abdulhamid Ibrahim has hit the ground running, intercepting 43 consignments of prohibited and improperly imported goods whose Duty Paid Value (DPV) stand at N3.15 billion.
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‎The Acting CAC stated this, Thursday, when he addressed the press at the Command’s headquarters, Idiroko, Ogun State. He pledged his commitment to intensify enforcement operations to prevent prohibited goods from entering the country through Nigeria’s borders with the Republic of Benin.
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‎The seizures, which include foreign rice, pasta, pharmaceutical products, cannabis, petroleum products and 13 exotic vehicles, underscore the command’s renewed offensive against smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage.
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‎Attributing the swift success to intelligence-driven strategies, intensified surveillance and collaboration with sister security agencies and border communities,
‎he warned smugglers that the Command would not tolerate activities capable of undermining the nation’s economy, public health and national security.
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‎“From the outset, I made it clear that Ogun I Area Command under my watch would not tolerate any form of economic sabotage. We are determined to deploy all lawful means to combat smuggling and enforce compliance with existing trade laws and regulations,” Ibrahim stated.
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‎On October 2, 2026, he explained, trucks conveying large quantities of foreign pasta and condensed milk suspected to have been smuggled into the country were confiscated.
‎”The first truck contained 2,740 cartons of foreign Siddo Pasta concealed alongside 500 cartons of Oki Condensed Milk, while the second carried 6,000 cartons of foreign Ginny Pasta. The third truck was loaded with 6,500 cartons of foreign Doga Pasta.
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‎The trucks were subsequently moved to the command’s headquarters for physical examination in accordance with Section 227 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.”
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‎On October 4, he added, officers intercepted a Dangote truck along the Afamin-Dangote-Itori axis conveying 100 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice concealed beneath mica and gypsum stones in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
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‎Yet on October 11, the Command also intercepted a 10-tyre truck containing 321 military camouflage face caps and 27,831 assorted unregistered pharmaceutical products.
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‎The pharmaceutical products included codeine-based cough syrups, injections, eye drops and dietary supplements without registration numbers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
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‎Ibrahim deplored the illegal importation of restricted military accessories and unregistered medicines with serious implications for national security and public health respectively.
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‎“These seizures are not merely about confiscating prohibited goods. They are about protecting our citizens, safeguarding public health, defending our national security and ensuring that legitimate businesses are not undermined by illegal trade,” Comptroller Ibrahim said.
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‎The trucks involved in the major interceptions, he disclosed, would be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with Section 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
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‎Other items seized during the period included 4,013 parcels of cannabis sativa, one wrap of Canadian Loud, 950 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 660 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, four bundles of used pneumatic tyres, 106 bales of second-hand clothing, 1,320 pairs of new shoes, 3,700 pairs of used shoes, 252 imported face caps and 1,250 foreign-used bags.
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‎Ogun 1 Command also impounded 13 exotic foreign-used vehicles, including Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Toyota Venza, Lexus LX 600, Lexus ES 350, Toyota Camry, Toyota Avensis Verso, Peugeot 406, Ford Galaxy and Nissan Almera models.
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‎Ibrahim put the total Duty Paid Value of the 43 seizures at N3,153,591,000, describing the figure as evidence of the command’s determination to frustrate smuggling networks and protect the Nigerian economy.
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‎He expressed particular concern over the interception of cannabis, warning that the substance poses significant risks to young people, public health and national security.
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‎As part of efforts to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, the command formally handed over the seized cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Area Command, for further investigation and necessary action.
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‎He attributed the operational successes to the leadership and support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who continues to c provide strategic direction and motivation to officers across the country.
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‎As he acknowledged the contributions of sister security agencies, traditional institutions, youths and border communities to the fight against smuggling, he praised his officers and men for being resilient and professional in discharging their duties.
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‎“The message is clear: smugglers and their collaborators should steer clear of Ogun I Area Command. We remain committed to protecting the nation’s economic and security interests with professionalism, integrity and courage,” he warned.
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‎In his intervention, Akande Olasumbo Oluwafemi, the Commander,  NDLEA Idiroko Special Area Command, commended the Customs Service for intercepting the prohibited substances and pharmaceutical products.
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‎Oluwafemi described the seizures as an important intervention in efforts to combat drug abuse and disrupt the supply chains through which illicit substances reach consumers.
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‎He expressed concern over the increasing abuse of codeine-based cough syrups among Nigerian youths, noting that products originally intended for legitimate medical use were being misused because of their addictive properties.
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‎“Initially, codeine was something mixed with other ingredients in cough syrups. But because of addiction, our youths now buy a bottle of codeine and swallow the entire contents at once,” he lamented.
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‎He stressed the importance of sustained cooperation between the Customs Service and the NDLEA in identifying, intercepting and preventing the circulation of illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products.
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