Maritime Agencies
NAGAFF Pledges Total Support And Cooperation As New Ports Police Boss Visits
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The new Commissioner of Police, Port Command, Mr Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba has pleaded for support and cooperation from the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to enable him succeed in the onerous task of policing the ports to ensure safety of business, individual operators and establishments.
The Commissioner was speaking at the NAGAFF Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos, Wednesday, during his maiden visit to the apex freight forwarding organization.
The major reason for the visit, he stated, was to familiarize himself with NAGAFF as an association and freight forwarders who, among other stakeholders, constitute the bulk of key players in ports business.
“We are here to get familiar with NAGAFF. From the briefing I heard, we have been having cordial relationship with NAGAFF and we want that to continue,” the CP told the NAGAFF high command.
In his response, NAGAFF Founder, Dr B.O. Aniebonam who referred to information available on the visitor, welcomed the CP and described him as a thorough-bred professional who has traversed various divisions of the Nigerian Police, making indelible marks in all places he had served.
Dr Aniebonam who doubles as Founder, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) charged NAGAFF members to always play to the rules in their businesses. He warned them not to take advantage of the visit of the Commissioner of Police and the familiarity on ground to perpetrate crime.
“We have no reason to take advantage of the visit of the CP to go and commit crime.The best way we can support him is to be law- abiding”, Aniebonam admonished.
“If you want to protect yourself, be on the path of the law”, he added.
Dr C.C Iwegbuna, NAGAFF National PRO.
He placed on record the warm relationship between NAGAFF and the Nigerian Police spanning decades and commended the posture of reliable partners the association has continued to be.
The NAGAFF and NNPP Founder who assured the CP of the Association’s support affirmed that Nigerians have the best of friends in the Nigerian Police as long as they do not do things tht run counter to the provisions of the law.
NAGAFF, he explained, is an association that cherishes integrity and as such does not get itself involved in acts of criminality.
“This is your home”, Aniebonam told the CP.
“We are not involved in criminality and any member that involves in criminality should consider himself or herself not a member of NAGAFF,”Aniebonam emphasized.
Regarding operational challenges, especially entrance into the port, Dr Aniebonam said port pass should not be an issue because it would cost the Nigerian Ports Authority nothing to issue same to all port users including freight forwarders. As a temporary measure, he advised, NAGAFF leaders should do a register of members and forward same to the police for record purposes pending when the NPA would come up with issuance of port port pass.
He told the visiting CP that the Federal Government recently appointed the sitting General Secretary of the association as the Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria ( CRFFN), a subtle acknowledgement of the relevance of NAGAFF in the scheme of things.
He vowed that NAGAFF would do everything possible to ensure that CRFFN works.
Earlier, the NAGAFF National President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi told the CP that NAGAFF is a place that brings good luck to her visitors, pointing to several police officers who got elevated to higher ranks in the past because they established reasonable friendship with the association.
He prayed that the same fate would befall the new CP who realized the need to visit and familiarize with the Association.
“We assure 100% support from NAGAFF,” Ezisi said.
Maritime Agencies
PORTBIZNESS Celebrates Excellence in Customer Service Delivery, Holds Special Awards Night
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Popular media outfit, Portbuziness, is set to thrill the maritime and business community on Lagos come June, 2025, in an award event tagged the Distinguished Customer Service Appreciation Night.
The event is to showcase and appreciate exceptional corporate organizations and individuals who have made a mark in various fields of business endeavour.
The Award will feature a series of thought-provoking discussions and receptions to celebrate corporate organisations and individuals that are placing measurable value on people, societies and the nation in general.
In a release by James Shodiya, the Convener and MD/CEO, Portbizness, the DCS Awards & Recognitions is one unique event that will bring together brands and persons from different walks of life under one platform to examine the importance of offering quality service delivery to customers and clients under the theme: Standard & Satisfactory Service Delivery in a Challenged Economy.
The Portbizness boss stressed that the DCS Awards & Recognition is considered the Gold Standard for Corporate organisations and individuals who have gone above and beyond in offering exceptional service delivery in different areas of business.
The event, Shodiya added, will be attended by the most innovative and high-impact Corporate Organisations and nominees will be evaluated through strict observations and recommendations by authorities in various business sectors.
The event which takes place at the popular Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, will feature top brands in Telecoms, Maritime, Pharmaceuticals and Food & Beverages. Others are Transportation & Logistics, Real Estate, Hospitality, etc.
Captains of industry, Chief Executives of Companies , Government Agencies and customer service experts are expected to grace the occasion.
Gold Sponsors for the event include Trucks Transit Parks Ltd and Global Transport Policy.
Maritime Agencies
Kebbi Customs Command Introduces Health Screening, Mandatory Sports To Ensure Work-life Balance
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In a renewed effort to promote healthy living and wellness of men and officers, a factor that contributes to operational fitness, increased productivity and morale in the workplace, the Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently took giant steps to re-introduce routine medical check-ups and mandatory weekly fitness exercises.
The first phase of the physical wellness initiative being promoted by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Chidi Chukwumeziri Nwokorie, aims to promote a work-life balance within the Service.
The programme which the CAC flagged off Thursday at the Command’s premises in Birnin Kebbi saw officers and men of the Command participating in a series of health screening and sporting activities. These included football, basketball, and table tennis all aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle among Customs officers in order to make them fit to carry out their responsibilities.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Nwokorie reiterated the importance of regular health check-up to determine the physical fitness of men and officers. This is required for them to maintain the alertness and effectiveness
required for Customs duties. He noted that the exercise is not meant to be seen as a burden or an obligation imposed on officers. It is rather a proactive measure put in place to ensure optimal health status which impacts productivity and effectiveness.
Going forward, the Controller stated, medical examinations would be conducted fortnightly, while physical exercise sessions would be held every week without fail. The objective is to strengthen the resilience, agility, and general health of personnel tasked with enforcing Nigeria’s trade laws and combating illicit smuggling activities across the nation’s borders.
The activities concluded with officers engaging in various forms of sports and recreational games, reinforcing camaraderie and team spirit within the Command. This is essential for building a cohesive team that can work together effectively to achieve its goals.
The Kebbi Command’s renewed focus on health and physical fitness comes at a time when security agencies are under pressure to meet growing national border security expectations and anti-smuggling enforcement. By prioritizing the health and well-being of its officers, the Command is demonstrating its commitment to their success.
The Kebbi Customs Command’s initiative, observers say, serves as a model for other security agencies. By prioritizing the health and well-being of officers, agencies can improve their performance and overall effectiveness.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
For posting an impressive revenue performance, the Ogun II Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has been specifically commended with a firm pledge to address operational challenges she is grappling with.
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known, Wednesday, during a working tour of the Command Headquarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In his welcome address, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bisi Alade described the CGC’s visit as a morale booster for the command’s officers and men.
“Your presence here today Sir,” he remarked, “is not only encouraging but also a strong indication of your commitment to every arm of the Service.”
“It has uplifted the spirit of our officers and reinforced our resolve to deliver on the Service’s mandate with renewed vigour.”
Comptroller Alade disclosed that between January and April, 2025, the Ogun II Command generated a total revenue of ₦15.191 billion, representing a 40 per cent increase compared to the ₦9.165 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2024.
The Ogun II Command, he stated, oversees three Free Trade Zones, 67 excise factories, and one bonded terminal, making it a strategic revenue-generating and industrial oversight zone within the Nigeria Customs Service architecture.
“We shall continue to remain focused, disciplined, and professional in the discharge of our duties, while aligning with the CGC’s reform agenda,” he reaffirmed
The CAC drew attention to several challenges facing the Command, including inadequate operational vehicles, medical laboratory equipment at the Command’s clinic and the need to renovate two 30-man rank-and-file quarters. Others are improved borehole facilities and the installation of a solar power system for the office complex.
In response, CGC Adeniyi commended the Command’s performance and assured that the Service Headquarters would consider the issues raised. He urged officers to prioritise continuous professional development, stressing that competence, knowledge and dedication are essential to enable them to effectively discharge the Service’s responsibilities.
The CGC also praised Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, for leveraging the state’s strategic location as Nigeria’s industrial gateway, particularly in light of its shared border with the Republic of Benin.
“Ogun State is a strategic location in Nigeria, and the Governor is clearly repositioning the state for industrial growth,” Adeniyi remarked.
CGC Adeniyi assured the government and people of Ogun State that the Nigeria Customs Service remains a committed partner in driving the nation’s economic prosperity. He further encouraged Comptroller Alade to deepen collaboration with other security agencies and the state government to achieve
shared goals.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoContainer Movement To Seaports: NPA Meets With APM Terminals, Shipping Lines, for Coordination.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoCG Adeniyi Commends Ogun II Command for Massive Revenue Increase.
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Maritime Agencies6 days agoPORTBIZNESS Celebrates Excellence in Customer Service Delivery, Holds Special Awards Night
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Maritime Agencies6 days agoKebbi Customs Command Introduces Health Screening, Mandatory Sports To Ensure Work-life Balance