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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The Nigeria Association of Women in Journalism (NAWOJ), Lagos Chapter has honoured veteran journalist, Hajia Hadiza Omowole, as Iconic Woman of the month for November.
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‎This is contained in a release in Lagos jointly signed by Mrs Jumoke Falayi-Johnson and Mrs Anu Thomas, NAWOJ Chairperson and Secretary respectively.
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‎Falayi-Johnson described Omowole as a true beacon of excellence, resilience and compassionate leadership, noting her selfless dedication to mentoring young journalists, empowering grassroots women and advocating gender equity..
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‎Omowole’s tenacity, she stated, dedication to service and visionary leadership beautify the world. She described her as Mother-General whose pioneering spirit leaves indelible mark on journalism profession and society generally.
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‎”Omowole holds Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from University of Benin and Master’s in Media, Culture and Technology from University of Bedfordshire, UK, spanning over three-decade distinguished journalism career.
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‎”The veteran journalist joined News Agency of Nigeria in 1992, rising steadily through editorial ranks serving as Senior Editor, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and now Managing Editor and Head of Lagos Operations,” Falayi-Johnson said.
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‎She noted that beyond editorial leadership, Omowole served two historic terms as National President of NAWOJ from 2014 to 2020, becoming first president re-elected, championing welfare and advancement of women journalists nationwide.
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‎Through community specialist work, counselling and initiatives supporting rural and needy women, Omowole continues to serve as an inspiring pillar of guidance for the association and media industry.
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‎The entire NAWOJ Lagos family celebrates Omowole’s unwavering commitment, pioneering spirit and incredible service to humanity, collectively wishing her more success in journalism, leadership and humanitarian endeavours ahead.
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‎Omowole remained actively involved in institutional engagement, public communication, youth development and advocacy for health, child development and gender equality across Nigeria.
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‎In her remarks, NAWOJ Lagos Secretary, Mrs Anu Thomas, noted that the association proudly recognised outstanding contributions of Omowole to journalism, women empowerment and leadership development in Nigerian media landscape.
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‎Falayi-Johnson reiterated association’s pride in celebrating Omowole, describing her enduring legacy as an inspiration for upcoming female journalists and a testament to excellence in media leadership nationwide.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Acting Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller O.O.Afeni has extolled the importance of intelligence-driven enforcement, improved surveillance, risk-based examination, stricter compliance checks and stronger collaboration with relevant government agencies in anti-smuggling operations.
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‎Deputy Comptroller Afeni stated this in Lagos, Tuesday, during his maiden press engagement since assumption of duty.
‎Between September 30 and November 3, he announced, the Unit recovered ₦683.66 million following enhanced compliance checks, stricter scrutiny of import declarations, correction of under-valuations and issuance of demand notices.
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‎195 smuggling attempts involving prohibited and restricted goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦6.19 billion, he explained, were foiled following four weeks of intensified enforcement operations
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‎Seizures made, he stated, included 5,986 parcels of Cannabis sativa and indica weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes, 3,028 bags of imported rice weighing 50 kilogrammes each, 995 bags of 25 kilogrammes, 104 bags of 20 kilogrammes and 207 bags of five kilogrammes.

‎Others were 6,949 cartons of spaghetti, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, 23,220 pieces of new matchets, 1,236 used tyres, 21 foreign-used vehicles and 1,250 cartridges of Red Star 12-calibre ammunition.
‎Other seized items included 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup; 400 grammes of cocaine; 100 grammes of methamphetamine; 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC numbers; 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products; and 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

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‎Additional interceptions comprised 101 bags of imported sugar weighing 50 kilogrammes each, 12 bags of Grain Oat products weighing 25 kilogrammes each, eight bags of imported creamer powdered milk weighing 25 kilogrammes each, eight live pangolins, 20 cartons of couscous, 33 used rims and one 40-foot container, number SEG U5347239, containing 2,760 pieces of office chairs in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) form.
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‎Eleven means of conveyance were also intercepted.
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‎Deploring the quantum of narcotics  intercepted and the risk on public health, Afeni cited the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2025 which identified cannabis as the most available and widely used drug which accounts for an estimated 42 per cent of drug use disorder cases worldwide.
‎He said the interception had helped prevent the circulation of dangerous substances and their associated social and health consequences.
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‎He gave kudos to the NDLEA, Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, the Army, DSS, NAFDAC, NESREA and other sister agencies for their collaboration.
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‎Afeni assured compliant importers, licensed customs agents and other members of the trading public that the Unit would facilitate legitimate trade but would not tolerate duty evasion, false declarations or activities that threaten national security.
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‎He commended the Customs Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management for the confidence reposed in him, while praising officers of the Unit for their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty.
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‎Members of the public, he requested, owe Nigeria a duty to report suspicious activities and support lawful trade even as he warned smugglers and economic saboteurs that Customs is ever prepared to disrupt their networks for the overall interest of the nation.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Come November 13, 2026, the Network of Nigeria Maritime Journalists (NNMJ), an umbrella body of all maritime journalists, will convene her Unity Conference.
‎Venue is the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
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‎This is contained in a release jointly signed by Dele Aderibigbe and Jerry Aguigbo, NNMJ’s President and Publicity Secretary respectively.
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‎The Conference is aimed at bringing together maritime industry regulators, policymakers, outstanding industry leaders and other stakeholders to examine the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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‎Key themes include a special focus on the performance, policy direction and operational efficiency of the maritime industry under the new Marine and Blue Economy Ministry with particular emphasis on port modernisation, empowerment and training programmes, trade facilitation and revenue generation.
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Barr Temi Omatseye

‎The Special Guest of Honour is HE Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy while the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barrister Temisan Omatseye, will chair the conference.
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‎Renowned maritime lawyer, Barrister Emeka Akabogu, SAN, is billed to deliver the keynote address.
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Emeka Akabogu, SAN

‎The event whose theme is “Seaport Modernisation, Trade Facilitation and  Revenue” is expected to provide a platform for constructive engagement among government officials, maritime professionals and private-sector operators on practical strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry. It will  also role out ways and means to maximise the  contributions of the Ministry and the sector to national economic growth.
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‎Key areas of discussion will include the modernisation of seaports and the renewal of critical infrastructure, improved trade facilitation, enhanced ease of doing business, revenue growth and measures to curb financial leakages.
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‎Participants will also examine opportunities for expanding the marine and blue economy, creating employment, strengthening maritime safety and security, and improving the overall competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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Dele Aderibigbe, President, NNMJ

‎The conference is also expected to reinforce the role of the maritime media in promoting accountability, providing informed industry analysis and advancing constructive engagement on policies and reforms affecting the nation’s marine and blue economy.
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‎The event tagged the Unity Conference enables the NNMJ to encourage informed dialogue, strengthen collaboration among public and private-sector stakeholders, and promote policy initiatives that will enhance port efficiency, facilitate legitimate trade, improve revenue performance and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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