Maritime Agencies
BADAGRY: Customs Broker Deplores Role of Unapproved Checkpoints As Baggage Maritime Magazine Celebrates
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The significance of the ancient town of Badagry in Nigeria’s land border trade and the nagging issue of multiplicity of checkpoints along the Lagos-Seme stretch of the Lagos-Abidjan ECOWAS trade corridor formed the subject matter at a maritime industry engagement in Lagos, Friday.
The event put together in Badagry by Baggage Associates in collaboration with Fredrose Foundation was to mark the 20th anniversary celebration of The Baggage Maritime Magazine, a notable industry monthly which birthed in the ancient town of Badagry, 2005.
Chief Okey Iroegbu, Publisher, ‘The Baggage Maritime Magazine’ in his welcome remarks.
Delivering a lecture on the topic ‘Badagry: Nigeria’s Gateway to ECOWAS Trade Facilitation,’ frontline customs broker, Barr Ejike Metu, added a strong voice to the trending robust discussion on the need to reduce or eliminate what he described as the war-like checkpoints scattered along the route leading inward and outward the ancient town of Badagry, a community endowed with rich natural boundaries for security purposes along the lagoon, using the Gbaji Bridge as a beat. Highlight of Metu’s submission at the occasion is that Customs anti-smuggling activities should start from the Seme border post and end at Gbaji.
”The Agbara Customs checkpoint is, therefore, not necessary as it remains a snare and a thorn in the flesh for those living in this area for so many reasons.”
”The joy of the presence of any government establishment in any community is the uncommon development it will bring to the area. With Seme border becoming a customs revenue generation point, Badagry, thirty- -three years after, should be thriving in commerce, warehousing, storage facilities and hospitality businesses. In other words, Badagry should be a major trade hub. Heavy duty trucks used for haulage to convey goods on transit from Benin to Nigeria should be relieved of the incessant falling and damages if the system allows them to discharge their contents at any warehouse as soon as they cross the Gbaji joint checkpoint as the final outgate notwithstanding the tasks at the frontier.”
Metu condemned what he referred to as a proliferation of unapproved agencies identified flaunting different colours of uniforms mounting road blocks for different purposes. These agencies include the regular Police, Mobile Police, Quarantine Services, Customs and Immigration which are prominent at the border as a result of the policies of government.
”In Nigeria, the Customs plays a stringent and vital role at the borders unlike in the United States of America where the Immigration Service is more prominent because of the rate of illegal migrations to America on a daily basis.”
”Nigeria is surrounded by francophone countries of Republic of Cameroon in the east, Benin Republic in the West,Chad and Niger in the north. In these countries, their borders are referred to as frontiers. No known serious international conflict has arisen from these neighbouring countries except for Cameroon which won an International Court of Justice case against Nigeria over the oil -rich Bakasssi Peninsula and some provocative manoeuvres from Benin Republic once in a while. Despite these, we have considered most of these boundaries and borders in Africa as mere political partitions derived from imperialistic domination of our past colonial masters and the Berlin agreement.”
Metu explained that the Nigeria Customs Service is saddled with the arduous task of bringing smuggling to a standstill, recalling that during a routine visit to the Seme-Mile 2 road in 2005, Senator Ade Fadahunsi, a retired Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, was astonished with the number of police checkpoints along Seme-Mile 2 axis of the road. He frowned at a situation where the police had virtually taken over Customs job along the axis. This observation necessitated a joint meeting of the Police, Customs and Immigration at the Seme and Idiroko borders in 2005 aimed at the formation of a joint patrol to curtail the high rate of trans-border crimes prevalent then.
Regrettably, the initiative designed to reduce the arbitrary number of checkpoints on the road ended up a jamboree as the extortion of commuters and the attendant national embarrassment continued unabated. Officers at the checkpoints were suspected to be rendering handsome weekly returns to their respective superiors to remain relevant in the orgy. Officers and men on the road became more dedicated and meticulous in carrying out their unwholesome activities!
Metu regretted the present deplorable condition of the road from Badagry Roundabout to Seme border and urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to take precautionary measures to keep the newly reactivated Mile 2 to Badagry stretch safe and free.
It is recalled that following the burning of tyres as caution to other road users any time trucks break down or fall, this damages the weak bitumen already existing on the already dilapidated Seme -Badagry road thereby creating uncountable potholes and craters. Dangerous accidents and avoidable loss of lives and costly goods on the Seme- Lagos road, Metu stated, can be averted if goods-laden trucks can be allowed to discharge their contents within Badagry and other outskirts of the border.
Maritime Agencies
Maritime Industry Bigwigs Pledge to Attend the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NNMJ) Unity Conference.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As the Network of Nigeria Maritime Journalists (NNMJ) unveils “Seaport Modernisation, Trade Facilitation and Revenue” as the theme of her unification conference scheduled for November 13 in Lagos , several prominent personalities in Nigeria’s maritime industry and political landscape have indicated interest to attend.
These include the former Minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho; Senator Wasiu Eshilokun; former President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Eugene Nweke; and Dr. Kayode Farinto, former Acting National President of ANLCA.
Also participating are key policymakers, heads of maritime agencies, industry leaders, legal practitioners, freight forwarders and other critical stakeholders whose voices cannot be ignored while deliberating on the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barrister Temisan Omatseye, will chair the conference, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, will attend as Special Guest of Honour.
Renowned maritime lawyer, Barrister Emeka Akabogu, SAN, will deliver the keynote address at the event which takes place at Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
Discussions will particularly focus on ongoing reforms, infrastructure development and strategic interventions required to strengthen the maritime industry’s contribution to national economic growth.
According to Elder Dele Aderibigbe and Jerry Aguigbo, the NNMJ President and Public Relations Officer respectively, the conference will provide an avenue for constructive engagement among government representatives, maritime professionals and private-sector operators on practical measures to reposition Nigeria’s maritime industry for improved efficiency, productivity and global competitiveness.
Seaport modernisation, rehabilitation and renewal of critical port infrastructure, trade facilitation, ease of doing business, revenue optimisation and strategies for identifying and eliminating financial leakages across the maritime value chain will form key discussion points at the Unity Conference.
Participants will also examine opportunities for expanding Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, generating employment, strengthening maritime safety and security, and enhancing the competitiveness of the nation’s seaports.
The conference is expected to attract heads of government agencies, managing directors of shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, licensed customs agents and other influential stakeholders across the maritime industry.
The Unity Conference also avails stakeholders opportunity to evaluate existing government policies and reforms, identify implementation gaps and recommend sustainable solutions to improve port operations, facilitate legitimate trade, increase government revenue and unlock the vast economic potentials of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The organizers further underscored the strategic importance of maritime journalism in promoting transparency and accountability, providing credible industry analysis and sustaining informed public discourse on government policies, regulatory interventions and reforms affecting the marine and blue economy.
The NNMJ leadership expressed confidence that the conference would strengthen relationships among industry stakeholders, encourage meaningful policy engagement and reinforce collective efforts towards building a more efficient, transparent and globally competitive maritime industry.
Maritime Agencies
AMANO Advocates Rapid Growth in Nigeria’s Maritime Sector, Holds National Convention
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As the 2026 National Convention and Stakeholders’ engagement of the Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO) kicks off November 12 – 14, the
body has called for accelerated reforms and development in Nigeria’s maritime capacity training sector to ensure job creation for graduating cadets.
The convention will bring together maritime professionals, policymakers, regulators and shipowners, academics, cadets and other stakeholders for high-level deliberations on the future of the industry.
Speaking during a pre-event briefing in Lagos, Saturday, AMANO President, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa described the conference as a platform for policy alignment, innovation and practical solutions as it is more than a re+union of alumni.
This year’s convention, Maiguwa explained, is deliberately focused on moving from talk to action — with emphasis on reforms that can be implemented in maritime education, shipping, port operations, safety and blue economy development.
The convention will also provide an opportunity to introduce newly graduated cadets of MAN, Oron and their lecturers to maritime companies, institutions and stakeholders thus expanding their exposure to professional and employment opportunities.
Maiguwa had at the Academy’s 2026 Cadets Passing-Out Parade last week, urged graduands to embrace networking, professional development and mentorship as essential tools for building successful careers and invited them to the Lagos convention.
As part of its commitment to excellence, AMANO also announced cash awards of ₦150,000 each for Best HND Graduating Cadet and Best ND Graduating Cadet.
Stakeholders say the 2026 convention is coming at a critical time when Nigeria is pushing to unlock its blue economy, modernise its ports, strengthen its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and translate maritime policies into measurable results.
The three-day event is expected to feature keynote addresses, panel sessions, technical workshops, exhibitions and networking sessions, with recommendations to be presented to government and industry for implementation.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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.
This is contained in a release in Lagos jointly signed by Mrs Jumoke Falayi-Johnson and Mrs Anu Thomas, NAWOJ Chairperson and Secretary respectively.
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..
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.
”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.
”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.
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.
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.
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.
Omowole remained actively involved in institutional engagement, public communication, youth development and advocacy for health, child development and gender equality across Nigeria.
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.
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.
Maritime Industry Bigwigs Pledge to Attend the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NNMJ) Unity Conference.
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OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP: NAWOJ Lagos Honours Omowole, NAN’s Managing Editor.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoOUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP: NAWOJ Lagos Honours Omowole, NAN’s Managing Editor.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks ago2026 World Maritime Day: Nigeria Subscribes to Safer Waterways and Excellence.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoDredgers’ Body Disowns Report Alleging Extortion Against Lagos Commissioner Alebiosu, Cardoso.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoCustoms FOU Zone ‘A’ Hits Smugglers Hard, Confiscates 23, 220 Matchettes, Other Contrabands Worth over N6.19bn.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoOyetola, Omatseye, Akabogu, Other Dignitaries To Attend Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists Unity Conference in Lagos.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoSCAN SUMMIT, 2026: Conversion to Earn Higher Interest Rates, the Bane of the CVFF, Omatseye says.
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Maritime Agencies4 days agoAMANO Advocates Rapid Growth in Nigeria’s Maritime Sector, Holds National Convention
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Maritime Agencies4 days ago
Maritime Industry Bigwigs Pledge to Attend the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NNMJ) Unity Conference.