Maritime Agencies
NNPP WARNS: No Merger Talks or Alliance, Expulsion of 16 Members Stands.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has warned anyone associating her with any form of merger or alliance for political purposes to perish the idea as it cannot be contemplated for now.
However, if in the wisdom of the party merger or alliance becomes necessary, this can only be spearheaded by Dr Boniface Aniebonam, the Founder and constitutional custodian of the instruments of registration legally approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This is contained in a communique endorsed by the NNPP National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday and the National Publicity Secretary, Abdulrasaq Abdulsalam on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC), the National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) following a high- level party leadership meeting in Lagos on Sunday, January 28, 2024.
Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Tuesday, the party top hierarchy affirmed the superiority of its leadership over any other member.
It also ratified the expulsion of 16 members at different leadership positions in some states over what it described as gross misconduct bordering on anti-party activities.
This is more so as the personalities concerned refused to honour the invitation of the party’s disciplinary committee to clear themselves of charges misconduct levelled against them.
Those whose expulsion has been
confirmed, NNPP says, include Dr. Tosin Odeyemi (Osun State), Mr. Peter Ologunokun (Ondo State), Prince Ibrahim Adekunle, Amb. Ajadi Oguntoyinbo and Mr. Olowu Olayemi, all from Ogun State; Messrs Kazeem Badmus and Mr. Tunde Oke ( from South West), and Barr. Femi Aina (Ogun West).
Others are Alhaji Sidi Bako (Nasarawa), Mr. Solomon Chukwu (Ebonyi State), Hon. Henfort Grorip (Plateau State), Col. Geoffrey Onyejegbu (rtd), Pst. Ukachukwu and Stephen Onuigbo (all from Anambra State), and Hon. Rex Onajite Ogboru and Mr. Fred Uwangue from Delta State.
The high-level meeting also passed a vote of implicit confidence on the NNPP founder, Dr. Aniebonam, BoT Chairman, Dr. Temitope Aluko, and the National Chairman, Dr. Gilbert Agbo Major including other members of the NWC.
The leadership called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to update without delay the NNPP record as stipulated in the party’s Constitution and resolution of the NEC, NWC and BoT which states that “Dr. Gilbert Agbo Major is the National Chairman of NNPP; Comrade Oginni Olaposu Sunday is the National Secretary, and Dr. T.K.O. Aluko is the BoT Chairman.”
The political party made it clear that it has unanimously adopted and passed a resolution that the official opening of doors for new entrants and aspirants for Presidential, Governorship, Senate, House of Representatives including States Houses of Assembly and other elective positions for 2027 and states with off-circle elections from 2024 to 2027 must be conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 and Constitution of the New Nigeria People’s Party 2022, as amended.
“INEC should, with immediate effect, update the record of the New Nigeria People’s Party according to the Constitution of NNPP and resolution of the National Executive Committee, National Working Committee and Board of Trustees that Dr Gilbert Agbo Major is the National Chairman of NNPP and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday is the National Secretary and Dr TKO Aluko is the Boat Chairman with reference to the Supreme Court judgement that explicitly stated that it is only the political party has the right to determine its membership, leadership, officers and candidates.”
“New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) is not in any merger or alliance talk with any other political party and whosoever discusses merger or alliances with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the erstwhile Presidential candidate, who has been expelled from our Party, does that at his/her own risk.”
“The Original Certificate of Registration of our great party by INEC”, the communique explained, “is with the Founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NPP); Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam and only him and his founding team members can determine discussions with anybody or political party”.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Maritime Seminar for Judges annually hosted by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has been described as a conduit for financial and human waste and must be discontinued and scarce resources directed to profitable endeavours with direct bearing on the agency’s statutory mandate.
National Coordinator of Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC), Chief Patrick Osita Chukwu stated this in Lagos, Tuesday. He called on the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah to suspend what he referred to as a jamboree and, instead, free the funds involved to train freight forwarders and other operators for enhanced operations in the shipping industry.
He said that appropriating huge funds to judicial seminars while neglecting her core mandate as the nation’s port economic regulator is improper on the part of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Organizing judicial seminars, he declared, falls under the purview of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), not the NSC. Chukwu warned that if the council goes ahead to plan for the Judge’s Seminar, going forward, SNFFIEC would seek legal interpretation as well as embarking on industrial action to insist that the right thing is done.
He said: “Recall plans by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to continue hosting the annual Maritime Seminar for Judges. This is a waste of human and financial resources the agency would have used to take care of shippers and the ports.” Since becoming the economic regulator of the ports, he alleged, there have not been concrete actions by the agency to reposition the ports to make them as business – friendly as other ports across the globe.
”I say it that it is not only an economic waste but negates the principle of getting the right to things done for our ports and shippers. We have been trying our best to see that the trillions they are making in all Nigerian customs ports impact on the shippers. Transaction of business in Nigeria has remained so bad that whatever you’re seeing today is not what supposed to be.”
The SNFFIEC boss said it is a huge challenge to his organization and others that the Council ‘s ES cannot be accessed because he hardly stays around to listen to genuine complaints by stakeholders who matter in the sector.
”We are yet to feel the impact of the NSC’s regulatory role. Each time you visit the NSC, the Executive Secretary is not in the office. He’s always away, spending shippers’ money on training judges,” he said.
”We need the NSC to resist whatever may be the pressure that will undermine the principle of accountability and all other actions that can jeopardize the economy by the way they are going.”
”We have the National Judicial Council which can be very free and pragmatic enough to undertake seminars and training sessions for judges.”
SNFFIEC, he indicated, considers sending a petition to the President, the National Assembly, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Attorney General of the Federation on the need to probe the activities and finances of the Shippers’ Council to ensure the proper things are done and accountability enthroned.
Up to the time of going to press, efforts to obtain reactions from the Shippers’ Council yielded no fruits as calls to the Executive Secretary did not go through.
Maritime Agencies
Industry Gurus Head To Badagry As BACCIMA, Portbizness Discuss Trans-Border International Trade.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), in conjunction with Portbizness News is set to host the second edition of her annual Trans-border International Trade Discourse in Badagry.
According to a statement jointly issued by James Shodiya, the Project Director, and Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, the President of BACCIMA,
the conference slated for December 12 and 13 takes place by 2pm each day. Venue is Sycomore Hotel & Suites, Ajara, Badagry, Lagos.
It is designed to discuss actionable strategies to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance competitiveness within the framework of the Continental trade agreements such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA).
The organizers note that in an increasingly interconnected global economy, Cross-Border Trade has become a critical vehicle to deliver regional growth, economic integration and sustainable development.
But in Nigeria, trans-border trade continues to grapple with numerous challenges such as tariff and non-tariff barriers, infrastructure gaps, inconsistent government policies and limited access to funds.
”Against this backdrop, Portbizness News is partnering with the foremost Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines & Agriculture ( BACCIMA) to host the 2025 edition of its
PORTS & TRANS-BORDER INT”L TRADE DISCOURSE – a high level Platform that brings together policy makers, trade practitioners, business leaders, researchers and development partners to discuss challenges and opportunities in promoting seamless trade across borders.”
The event’s theme is ‘Bridging Borders, Building National Prosperity and Strengthening Regional Trade’. Day 1 covers Lecture, Discourse and Gala Night, while Day 2 will feature a Delegates’ Excursion to Tourist Destinations.
Chairman of the event is Hon (Dr) Segun Musa, Chairman/Chief Consultant, Global Transport Policy while Dr. Azeez A. Mustapha and Mr Kola Awe, Chairman, NACCIMA Export Group are the keynote speakers .
Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, Executive Chairman, Badagry Local Government is the Special Guest of Honour while Alhaji Olanrewaju Akeem, MD/CEO, Taloid Group of Companies will be Father of the Day.
Mother of the Day will be Comrade Onome Monije, ANLCA PRO, Tincan Chapter.
Maritime Agencies
OGUN 1 CUSTOMS: DC Oladapo Afeni Pledges Stronger Trade Facilitation, Border Security As He Becomes Acting CAC.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
A change of guards took place Thursday at the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko, with Comptroller Godwin Otunla, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), handing over to Deputy Controller Oladapo Afeni on acting capacity. The change in leadership is sequel to a directive from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Adewale Adeniyi.
The Command’s image maker, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Chado Zakari, disclosed this in a press statement.
At the handing-over ceremony, the image maker stated, the new Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs for reposing confidence in him and pledged to advance and deepen ongoing reforms in trade facilitation, revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
Describing the Ogun I Command as a strategic gateway to the nation’s economy and a critical line of defence against illicit cross-border activities, DC Afeni stated that he was aware of the unique operational challenges available.
“It is a great honour to assume the leadership of Ogun I. I am fully aware of the vast and sensitive terrain of this Command and its importance to national security”.
He pledged to consolidate on the gains of his predecessors as he strives to deepen continuous improvement in efficiency, enforcement, intelligence-led operations, stakeholder collaboration and community relations.
He further emphasised his commitment to deepening inter-agency cooperation, suppressing smuggling to the barest minimum and prioritising the welfare and professional growth of officers under his watch.
DC Afeni, an accomplished administrator with nearly two decades of service, holds a B.Tech in Industrial Design from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos. His professional training spans conflict management, international negotiation, strategic leadership and rural border patrol operations. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and a fellow of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered).
In his valedictory speech earlier, the outgoing Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, described his tenure as challenging yet fulfilling. He highlighted strides made under him in curbing smuggling, enhancing trade facilitation and improving personnel welfare. He noted that strengthened inter-agency collaboration under his leadership significantly boosted security within the Command’s area of responsibility.
He expresseed confidence that DC Afeni would consolidate on his achievements and lead the Command to greater heights.
MARITIME SEMINAR FOR JUDGES: Group Urges Probe of Shippers’ Council Funds.
Industry Gurus Head To Badagry As BACCIMA, Portbizness Discuss Trans-Border International Trade.
OGUN 1 CUSTOMS: DC Oladapo Afeni Pledges Stronger Trade Facilitation, Border Security As He Becomes Acting CAC.
Shippers’ Council Boss, Akutah, Advocates Stronger Alternative Disputes Resolution, Bags Special Honours from NBA
MMA Customs Command Hits 100.1% of Annual Revenue Target 11 Months Before Year-End.
MARAN Dissolves Exco, Appoints An Interim Leadership.
ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING: Seme Border Customs Nabs Traffickers of Lion Cubs, Patas Monkeys.
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IMPRESSIVE REVENUE DRIVE: Tincan Customs Generates ₦154.3Bn In October.
MAN, ORON: Minister, Governing Council, Celebrate Management and Cadets At 2025 Graduation Event
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MAN, ORON, Charges Graduating Cadets To Uphold Academy’s Core Values.
Customs Embraces OSS, A Special Platform, To Deepen Trade Facilitation
MARAN Launches Major Industry Publication In December
PTML Customs Intercepts 1000kg of Cocaine In Empty Container
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APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoIMPRESSIVE REVENUE DRIVE: Tincan Customs Generates ₦154.3Bn In October.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoOyetola, Iheanacho, To Lead Maritime Stakeholders To Launch MARAN’s New Book
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING: Seme Border Customs Nabs Traffickers of Lion Cubs, Patas Monkeys.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoMARAN Dissolves Exco, Appoints An Interim Leadership.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoShippers’ Council Boss, Akutah, Advocates Stronger Alternative Disputes Resolution, Bags Special Honours from NBA
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoMMA Customs Command Hits 100.1% of Annual Revenue Target 11 Months Before Year-End.
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Maritime Agencies6 days agoOGUN 1 CUSTOMS: DC Oladapo Afeni Pledges Stronger Trade Facilitation, Border Security As He Becomes Acting CAC.
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Maritime Agencies1 day agoIndustry Gurus Head To Badagry As BACCIMA, Portbizness Discuss Trans-Border International Trade.