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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Nigeria has described lessons from the Beitbridge and Chirundu Border Posts in Zimbabwe as a huge reinforcement and an illustration of the importance of coordinated institutional frameworks, digital integration and collaborative leadership in transforming Africa’s trade corridors.

‎Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, stated this, Monday, during the adoption of the Joint Communique in Zimbabwe following a fact-finding mission.
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‎He described the benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post between Zimbabwe and South Africa as a strategic opportunity for African customs administrations to move beyond discussions on border reform and embrace practical implementation of modern border management systems.
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‎The mission which brought together  Nigeria ‘s Adewale Adeniyi alongside Mr Fongod Nuvaga, Director General of Cameroon Customs, Mr Raouf Aboudou, Director-General of Benin Customs, Mrs Lonto Ndlovu Acting Commissioner Customs and Excise in the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), as well as Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited was organised with the support of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) as part of ongoing efforts to deepen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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‎“Beitbridge has demonstrated that border modernisation is not merely about infrastructure development. The most important lesson for us is that sustainable reform depends on coordinated institutions, clear accountability, digital interoperability and professional human capital. We are leaving here with a renewed commitment to translate these lessons into practical solutions that will strengthen trade facilitation, security and economic growth across our region,” Adeniyi said.
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‎The five-day mission featured technical sessions, facility tour and executive briefing by various border agencies in Zimbabwe. The benchmarking technical team comprising the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cameroon Customs Administration, Benin Customs Administration, Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited and Bsmart Technologies.

‎The customs Chiefs were briefed on the Beitbridge Modernisation and Concession Model which included its financing structure, operational framework, revenue management systems and coordinated border governance architecture.
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‎Participants also undertook extensive tours of the freight terminal, cargo processing facilities, scanning operations, traffic segmentation systems and integrated ICT infrastructure designed to support seamless border operations. The engagements provided participants with firsthand insights into how technology, institutional coordination and performance management have transformed one of Africa’s busiest border crossings into a model for efficient trade facilitation.
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‎According to the Joint Communiqué signed by the participating customs administrations, the mission was conceived within the broader continental effort to facilitate trade across West Africa and between West and Central Africa. The document identified the Sèmè-Kraké corridor linking Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as the Mfum-Ekok corridor connecting Nigeria and Cameroon, as strategic routes that stand to benefit significantly from the implementation of coordinated border management and One-Stop Border Post arrangements.
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‎Also speaking during the ceremony, Director-General of the Cameroon Customs Administration, Fongod Nuvaga, emphasised the importance of collective action in improving trade corridors across the continent. He observed that customs administrations must work together to remove procedural bottlenecks that hinder legitimate trade while maintaining effective border controls. According to him, stronger regional cooperation will enable African countries to fully harness the opportunities created by the AfCFTA and accelerate economic integration across the continent.
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‎Similarly, Director-General of the Benin Customs Administration, Colonel Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou, noted that the lessons from Beitbridge offer practical pathways for improving border efficiency within West Africa. He stressed that harmonised procedures, coordinated risk management systems and stronger institutional partnerships will be critical to achieving seamless trade movement across regional corridors. He added that sustained collaboration among neighbouring customs administrations remains essential for delivering measurable improvements in trade facilitation and revenue assurance.
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‎Earlier, Director for Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion at Afreximbank, Dr Gainmore Zanamwe, highlighted the significance of the benchmarking exercise as part of the Bank’s broader strategy to support trade-enabling infrastructure across Africa. He explained that the objective was not simply to showcase physical infrastructure but to expose participating administrations to the governance structures, operational models and institutional reforms that underpin the success of modern border posts. “Infrastructure is important, but what truly drives performance is an operating model built on accountability, coordination, technology and measurable service standards. Those are the lessons we hope will be replicated across strategic corridors on the continent,” he said.
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‎The mission concluded with the signing of a Joint Communiqué committing Nigeria, Cameroon and Benin to establish a Trilateral Strategic Steering Committee to drive implementation of the recommendations arising from the visit. The three customs administrations also pledged to pursue harmonised procedures, digital interoperability, coordinated risk management systems and sustained investment in personnel development.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Can a nation richly endowed with over 850 kilometers of coastal waters bordering the Atlantic Ocean and an indeterminate expanse of inland waterways and estuaries said to be economically poor? Of course the answer, industry watchers say, cannot be in the affirmative. But in the case of Nigeria, it is because her largely-endowed but poorly-exploited maritime potentials illustrates the paradox of someone surrounded by water using spittle to clean his face.
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‎As events marking the 21st anniversary celebration of TransQuest Magazine unfolded in Lagos, Saturday, the inescapable reality was all over the venue as presentations and discussions tended towards this reality: Nigeria has no business being poor!
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‎Stakeholders spanning across industry regulators, technocrats, customs, logistics gurus and the ever-bubbling press gathered to discuss and analyse Nigeria’s ‘predicament’ in the present circumstance.
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‎In his lecture entitled “Re-Appraising Nigeria’s Blue Economy: Charting a Pathway to Sustainable Growth,” industry technocrat, Lucky Eyis Amiwero was his vintage self. Perhaps, he told the authorities the hard truth others dread to tell them regarding the massive neglect and misuse of opportunities mother nature has offered Nigeria through huge resources lying waste in her territory.
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‎For a country battling unemployment, food insecurity, infrastructure deficits and the urgent need to diversify its economy, the implications are enormous, he said.  Whereas Nigeria possesses an extensive coastline, inland waterways, fisheries and offshore resources, he argued, much of the economic value embedded in these assets remains largely untapped.
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‎By way of introduction, “Blue economy”, Amiwero explained, is a term in economics relating to exploitation, preservation and regeneration of the marine environment.
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‎”This can include a wide range of economic sector from the conventional Fisheries, Aquaculture, Maritime Transport, coastal, Marine and Maritime Tourism, coastal Renewable Energy, marine Ecosystem service, blue Caborn, Seabed mining and Bioprospecting and Biotechnology.”
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‎Recognising the immense potentials ocean and freshwater resources have for sustainable development, he continued, it has become necessary to protect and conserve oceans and fresh water systems such as rivers, lakes and extensive ocean resources to ensure they remain healthy and productive as one of the most important tenets of the Blue Economy.
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‎”The Nigerian Blue Economy can constitute a major source of wealth and catapult the country’s fortune”.
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‎Blue Economy components, he added, include established
‎traditional ocean industries such as fisheries, tourism and marine transport. Other emerging areas include offshore
‎renewable energy, aquaculture, seabed extractive activities, marine biotechnology and bioprospecting.

‎Additional growth of the Blue Economy is possible, especially in the area of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Coastal tourism, Marine biotechnology and ocean energy. According to him, some of these sector require little encouragement and additional governance while others need more and better planning
‎to achieve the full potentials and return of more sustainable outcomes.
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‎But to what extent are authorities in Nigeria prepared to muster needed governance discipline, infrastructural investment and political will to take advantage of the opportunities offered to realize sustainable  economic development? That is the crux of the problem Nigeria must address to be a maritime nation worthy of the name.
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‎Speaking earlier, Felix  Kumuyi, TransQuest Magazine Publisher, reflected on a 21-year journey built around credible journalism, facilitation and economic growth informed public discourse, progressive policy advocacy and the recognition of excellence across the transport and maritime value chain.
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‎The annual lecture, he said, has now become an opportunity to examine what he referred to as critical questions concerning transportation, maritime development, trade facilitation and economic growth.
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‎He reasoned that aside conventional port and shipping activities, Nigeria must give serious attention to the development of fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, inland waterways, coastal resources, marine biotechnology and renewable marine energy as these represent a vast economic frontier capable of generating employment, attracting investment and supporting national development.
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‎Beyond the establishment of a Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, Nigeria needs a workable framework encompassing modern infrastructure, efficient ports, effective maritime security, environmental protection, investment-friendly regulation, digital transformation and a skilled indigenous workforce.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The newly-inaugurated Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena situated at the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) came alive Monday as the Service hosted students and pupils from secondary schools in Apapa in different sporting events to mark the 2026 edition of the Wale Adeniyi Secondary Schools Sports Competition.
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‎The week-long event which reaffirms the  commitment of the Service to youth development, grassroots sports promotion and community engagement is part of the corporate social responsibility of the Service.
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‎Declaring the event open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, ACG Mohammed Babandede announced sponsorship and career development opportunities for outstanding young athletes who excel in different sporting events.
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‎The ACG said the competition reflects the visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General whose Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda has repositioned the Nigeria Customs Service as a driver of community development through its Customs Cares initiative.

‎He explained that the championship goes beyond sports as it serves as a platform to identify and nurture young talents while promoting discipline, teamwork, healthy living and leadership among secondary school students.

‎The Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena, he added, was deliberately established to serve as a community facility for young people to train and develop their physical, mental and social potentials. The facility is also available to strengthen the bond between the Nigeria Customs Service and its host communities.
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‎About 13 secondary schools competed in events such as football, basketball, volleyball, chess, scrabble and table tennis in a championship the NCS organised in collaboration with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ajeromi-Ifelodun Chapter led by Mrs Morenike Akerele.
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‎According to the ACG, the week-long competition aligns with the Service’s commitment to encourage work-life balance, physical fitness and mental well-being which are essential ingredients for improved productivity and professional excellence.
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‎He urged the Service personnel to always immitate the competitors who are being encouraged to uphold the values of discipline, unity, friendship and sportsmanship throughout the competition. For the athletes, he counselled them to value and maintain the relationships built during the tournament.
‎He commended the partnership between the NCS, NAPPS, the Lagos State Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, describing it as a model for nation-building through sports and education.
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‎In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, reaffirmed the  commitment of the Service to discover and support exceptional sporting talents across the country.
‎Ntadi said the Comptroller-General was delighted by the impressive turnout and described the competition as another demonstration of the Service’s resolve to invest in Nigeria’s future through youth empowerment.
‎He disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service would closely monitor the performances of participating athletes, assuring them that those who distinguished themselves through outstanding talent, discipline and commitment would receive sponsorship and career development opportunities from the Service.

‎This initiative, Ntadi explained, is designed to promote excellence, discover emerging talents and provide promising young athletes the platform needed to realise their full potentials.
‎He urged all participants to give their best throughout the competition, stressing that the Service is searching for athletes capable of making Nigeria proud on national and international stages.
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‎“We want to promote sports among our youths, take our children off the streets, and give them the opportunity to develop their talents so that, in the future, Nigeria will be proud of them.”
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DC A. Attracta entering a Customs boat named after her

‎Special attraction at the event was a display by DC A. Attracta who, in November 2023, travelled across 12 West African countries on a motorbike, covering over 8,000km in 23 days.
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