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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has been  described as a leader whose public life has continued to demonstrate courage, conviction and an unwavering sense of duty.
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‎The Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemuopolo stated this in a message to celebrate and honour the Minister who recently clocked 62. Tantita is the local security services outfit charged with the protection of oil and gas pipelines and other critical installations in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.
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‎In a congratulatory message on behalf of  the leadership and entire staff of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Ekpemuopulo recalled that Wike’s journey through public service marked by legal brilliance, political audacity and firm decision-making has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is defined by impact not rhetoric.
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‎ Wike’s formative years in public administration, he recalled, began when he became a local government chairman, Minister of State (Education) through to his tenure as Governor of Rivers State. Now he is the FCT Minister,Tompolo stated, his performance has remained sterling, anchored on results, resilience and a relentless commitment to public good.
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‎“In the Federal Capital Territory, your presence is already being massively felt. The renewed focus on infrastructure, order, and accountability speaks to a hands-on leadership style that understands Abuja’s symbolic and practical importance to Nigeria’s unity and governance,” Tompolo said.
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‎The TSSNL founder commended Wike for recognising the intrinsic connection between security, development and national stability, stressing that the minister’s insistence on law, order and institutional discipline aligns strongly with Tantita’s mission of protecting critical assets and fostering a safe environment for sustainable growth.
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‎He added that Wike’s reputation as “Mr. Project” was well-earned, given his consistent record of performance and the courage to take difficult decisions when duty demanded it.
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‎“In moments that demand firmness, you have chosen responsibility over convenience, standing by your convictions even when the path was difficult,” he said.
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‎Tompolo prayed for renewed strength, sharper vision and continued success for the minister as he marks another year, expressing confidence that Wike’s service would continue to leave a lasting imprint on national development.
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‎Tompolo added: “Please accept my sincere best wishes for good health, wisdom, and continued success. May the years ahead bring fulfilment and further contributions to the progress and unity of Nigeria.”
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.”
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‎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.
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‎”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.
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‎”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.”
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‎”We have the National Judicial Council which can be very free and pragmatic enough to undertake seminars and training sessions for judges.”
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‎ 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.
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‎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.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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).
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎”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.”
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‎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.
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‎ 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 .
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‎ 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.
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