Maritime Agencies
Reasons NAGAFF Reconstituted 100%Compliance Task Team
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Members of the newly-inaugurated 100%Compliance Task Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) have been charged not to witchunt any NAGAFF member or other freight forwarders as they discharge their duties. Chapter chairmen are also enjoined to strictly see the task team members as people out to serve NAGAFF.
Chairman of the Task Team, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim stated this at NAGAFF Headquarters in Lagos, Wednesday, during the inauguration of 25 members of a new task team.
On reasons for going for a fresh task team, he said as the previous team was functioning, certain negative developments kept recurring.
“We noticed a lot of bad eggs among us. That is why we decided to dissolve them. We took a long time to constitute a new team. Finally, we have to select fresh hands.”
He warned the new task team not to give room for bad eggs to infiltrate their fold.
He assured that henceforth, stakeholders will begin to see a different compliance task team as things will begin to happen differently .
“A lot of things went wrong; we are going to make amendments; we are going to make corrections. If you look at NPA, APMT Bonded Terminal, shipping companies, everywhere, people are not happy. But I bet you, going forward, there will be serious amendments”, he promised.
On fears about newly-posted Customs Controllers, he said even though they may be new in the commands, they are not new in the system. As customs officers, he continued, if they can stick to the things that guide them, there will be no issues with the Task Team, Alhaji Tanko stated.
“What we are saying is that everybody should do the right thing. You and I know what is the right thing. When you refuse to do the right thing, we (the Task Team) will ask: ‘ why are you not doing the right thing?’. For us to say this, I don’t think we are offending any person.”
“What we are expecting from the newly-inaugurated task team is to insist that Customs, importers, freight forwarders and all stakeholders do the right thing.”
Inaugurating the Team earlier, NAGAFF National President, Chief Toochukwu Ezisi, recalled that over the years, the association has evolved as a major stakeholder, a strong voice in Nigeria’s maritime industry. The 100%Compliance Task Team has been instrumental to this laudable achievement. After tinkering with the outlook following emerging operational issues, he announced, it has become necessary to restructure and effect a change in name.
“It is important to highlight that the primary aim for the reconstitution is to achieve strong synergy between the national and chapter chairmen because all are working for the one big family, NAGAFF.”
He said that if all hands are not on deck, achieving the desired results becomes a mirage. He charged every stakeholder to work with a positive mindset towards achieving desired results.
Speaking, the NAGAFF Academy Registrar, Forwarder Francis Omotosho said a two-day compulsory training programme has been designed for the new compliance officers. He advised those of them already enrolled in the Academy to continue with their studies even as they function as compliance officers.
In a vote of thanks, NAGAFF Deputy National President, Forwarder Simeon Nwonu, mandated members of the Task Team to be civil and responsible in their actions and conduct.
“We want to see the Compliance Task Team work as a team. NAGAFF is knowledge-driven. We want all of you to be part of the new order.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), the security outfit keeping surveillance over oil and gas installations and other critical assets in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, has secured an approval to deliver a technical lecture on Drone Security at the 2026 edition of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). This lecture will spotlight the use of drone technology in offshore oil platform protection.
The presentation, scheduled for next year’s global gathering of energy innovation will showcase Tantita’s pioneering efforts in leveraging unmanned aerial systems to monitor and secure Nigeria’s vast offshore assets.
Confirming the development, the company’s Executive Director of Technical and Operations, Captain Dr. Warredi Enisuoh, noted that the approval from OTC reflects growing international recognition of Tantita’s operational successes and technological innovation.
Tantita’s lecture will delve into real-time surveillance, threat detection, and collaborative frameworks for maritime security, aligning with OTC’s broader focus on digitalization, sustainability, and cross-sector innovation in offshore energy.
The 2026 conference is expected to attract thousands of global stakeholders, including engineers, policymakers, and investors, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships.
Maritime Agencies
Stakeholders Cry Out, Seek FG’s Intervention To Avoid a Return of Apapa Gridlock.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As renewed tanker and truck build-up begin to show up on the ports access route in Apapa, there are strong indications that the infamous traffic gridlock that once crippled business activities in Apapa and environs is gradually resurfacing, threatening to paralyze movement and port operations once again.
Port workers now battle renewed evening congestion as truckers and tankers swarm the port access roads daily, preventing other road users from seamless transit.
Investigations by the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NNMI) reveal that while Apapa roads remain relatively free during the day, a long trail of trucks begins forming by evening from both the Costain and Mile 2 entry points.
From the Ijora-Olopa Bridge to Apapa and from Coconut Bus Stop to Tin Can Island’s gates, trucks line up in droves, allegedly paying between N30,000 and N50,000 to secure a spot in the queue.
Officials of key government agencies, investigations show, are complicit in the illegal toll collection as they allegedly look the other way as the situation worsens.
These agencies include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Police.
The most affected areas include Wharf Road, Warehouse Road, Commercial Road, Burma Road, and Creek Road.
Speaking on the development, Moses Fadipe, former National Coordinator of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), attributed the resurgence to the return of vested interests who previously profited from the chaos. The Lagos State Government, he noted, knows what steps to take to prevent a full-blown crisis.
Martins Enebeli, President of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) and the Nigerian Licensed Ship Chandlers Association (NILSCA), blamed government insincerity for the relapse.
He urged authorities to prioritise rail transport for cargo evacuation from Lagos ports and to revive Eastern and Delta ports to ease pressure on Apapa.
“Bonded terminals should be relocated far from the ports and connected by rail. Government must stop concentrating port operations in the West while neglecting other regions,” Enebeli stated.
Speaking anonymously, a senior official confirmed that a syndicate involving both state and non-state actors is profiting from the tolls collected from truckers, exacerbating the traffic crisis.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have been unanimous in their call for urgent federal government intervention to dismantle the alleged racketeering network and restore sanity to Apapa’s transport corridors.
Maritime Agencies
CILT Honours Dr Okonna, MAN Oron Acting Rector, with Outstanding Leadership and Service Excellence Award
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Following his outstanding contributions to capacity development in maritime education and training in Nigeria’s premier maritime training centre, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Training (CILT), Nigeria, Thursday, conferred special honours on the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna.
Tagged “Award for Distinguished Leadership in Logistics and Transport”, the conferment was the highlight of the 2025 National Conference and Awards Ceremony of the Institute which took place in Lagos.
Speaking at the event , CILT Nigeria President, Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro, highlighted the Institute’s strategic partnership with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN). She commended Dr. Okonna for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to repositioning the Maritime Academy of Nigeria as a centre of excellence in maritime education in Africa.
“Dr. Okonna has shown exceptional leadership and professionalism in ensuring the Academy continues to meet international standards. His passion and zeal for the development of the Academy is worthy of emulation,” Mrs. Usoro stated.
In his remarks following the conferment of the award, the elated Acting Rector expressed appreciation to CILT Nigeria for the honour. He described it as a call to continue striving for excellence in his service to the maritime industry and the nation in general
“This recognition is deeply appreciated. It is a call to a higher responsibility. This award reflects the collective effort of the Management, Staff, Students and Cadets of the Academy, whose dedication continues to drive our progress.”
”It means that what we do quietly is seen and valued. We’re ready to continue doing more for CILT, the industry and the country as a whole,” he promised.
Dr. Kevin Okonna, a seasoned maritime academic and administrator, has dedicated over thirty years to the service of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron. As a lecturer, he assiduously rose through the ranks to clinch the position of Acting Rector.
In ten months since he became the Acting Rector, MAN Oron has recorded significant milestones. His leadership has heralded extensive reforms in firming up on training standards, infrastructure renewal, upgrade of teaching facilities and restoration of public power supply to the Academy’s campus and environs. Other key areas include the pursuance of ISO Certification for the Academy, development of Conditions and Scheme of Service, development of Courses on Port State Control, enhancement of staff and cadet welfare and many others.
His tenure has also strengthened collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Nautical Institute, UK, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), and other global maritime bodies.
The CILT recognition, industry watchers say, underscores the Acting Rector’s enduring legacy of excellence. It also reinforces the Academy’s stance as Nigeria’s foremost maritime education and training institution.
Distinguished officers of MAN Oron witnessed the CILT conferment on the Acting Rector. These included the Acting Director, School of Maritime Transport Studies, Mrs Theresa Eyo; Senior Lecturers – Mrs Nse Okon, Dr. Imoh Ekpo, Dr. Obot Idopise and Dr. Ufia Friday. Others were the Lagos Liaison Officer, Mrs Dorcas Titilola Imogore and Domo Umoekpe, the Academy’s Head of Public Affairs Department.
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