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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The inauguration of a new Board for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Monday, sets a clear reform agenda for Nigerian seaports as reduced port costs and fair pricing now take centre stage.
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‎Dr Bolaji Akinola, Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, stated this in a statement.
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‎At the event, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola charged the Board to focus on improving accountability in operations, reduced cost of doing business and strengthened regulation processes across the shipping sector.
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‎The reconstitution of the Council’s governing structure, he stated, follows the resolve of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that good governance and repositioning of the Marine and Blue Economy should serve as a key engine of national economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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‎Oyetola reminded the Board that as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, the Shippers’ Council is central in efforts to achieve efficiency, transparency and fairness in port charges and service delivery.
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‎Robust economic regulation, the Minister maintained, is critical to lowering trade costs, protecting shippers and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness within the sub-region and beyond.
‎The Minister urged Board members to provide firm strategic leadership and effective oversight, insisting that regulatory decisions must translate into measurable outcomes, including improved port efficiency, fair pricing, and enhanced trade facilitation.
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‎He called for seamless collaboration between the Board and the Council’s management, while assuring members of the Ministry’s full support in delivering their mandate.
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‎Dr Ibrahim Shema, former Governor of Katsina State, is the Chair of the newly -inaugurated Board. Other members are Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of the Council; Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji (NACCIMA); Mr. John Aluya (MAN); Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins and Mrs Olufunmilayo Olaseinde.
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‎Others are Dr. Funmilola Rashidat Adeoti; Alhaji Mele Kofo Gladem; Mrs Hafsatu Mohammed (NNPCL); Hon. Maharazu Adamu Dayi; and Mrs. Uzoamaka Okereke from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
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‎Speaking on behalf of the Board, Dr. Shema thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and commended the Minister for his leadership of the sector. He pledged that the Board would uphold professionalism and integrity while supporting reforms aimed at improving port performance, strengthening regulatory effectiveness, and delivering tangible benefits to shippers and the national economy.
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‎NSC serves as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, mandated to promote efficiency, transparency, competitiveness, and fairness in port operations, while safeguarding the interests of shippers and enhancing the country’s maritime trade environment.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Seven days to the end of 2025, the Tincan Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has comfortably met her revenue target for the year, exceeding same by over N51.8 billion.
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‎The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka who stated this in Lagos, Wednesday, announced that the Command generated a total of ₦1.576 trillion in revenue, surpassing its assigned target of ₦1.524 trillion by about ₦51.84 billion.

‎The performance which he described as remarkable came about following the decision of his officers and men to be on the path of discipline, professionalism and unwavering commitment to trade rules and regulations.
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‎Other enhancers of the achievement, he explained, included the strict implementation of deliberate reforms, improved operational efficiency and a strong sense of collective responsibility.
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‎He said that major contributors to the increased revenue in the year included bulk cargo, general merchandise and imported ‘tokunboh’ vehicles. Strict cargo examination procedures and full compliance with customs regulations ensured accurate assessment and collection of expected revenue.
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‎The Command employed conscious efforts to eliminate revenue leakages and operational inefficiency even as multiple and unnecessary alerts were substantially curtailed by adopting a streamlined alert management and enhanced internal coordination.
‎“This strategy improved operational efficiency without compromising effective customs control”, the CAC disclosed.
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‎Commending the role of stakeholders engagement in the realization of the annual revenue, Onyeka recalled regular interaction with importers, licensed customs agents, terminal operators and shipping companies.
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‎Diligent enforcement coupled with intelligence-driven operations also resulted in massive seizure of prohibited and undeclared goods.
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‎“These seizures reflect our determination to facilitate trade while safeguarding national security, public safety, and economic integrity”, he remarked.
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‎He assured that the Command is ever ready to sustain and improve on the 2025 revenue performance and compliance enforcement. All revenue due to the federal government will be properly assessed, collected and remitted at all times.
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‎The Tin Can Island Port Customs boss expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi for his strategic leadership and institutional support, noting that the Command’s success aligns with the Service’s ongoing reform and modernisation agenda.
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‎He also commended stakeholders for their cooperation and commitment to improved compliance and adherence to extant rules.
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‎“As we progress, the Command remains focused on consolidating these gains, deepening transparency, and contributing meaningfully to the federal government’s fiscal objectives”, Onyeka stated.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎It has been canvassed that as the maritime industry grows in complexity, driven by digitalization, new trade realities, regulatory reforms and global logistic shifts, journalism practice within the space should toe the same line.
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‎Dr Pius Ukeyima Akutah, the  Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) stated this in a keynote address he delivered in Lagos, Thursday, during the 10th Anniversary Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists hosted by First Mediacon Network Ltd, publishers of Shipping Position Daily.
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‎Acknowledging that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has benefitted immensely from the sustained and professional coverage offered by the maritime press, more collaborative efforts is needed to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in the port environment. He was represented by the agency’s Director of Special Duties, Mr Moses Abere.
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‎”This decade-long journey affirms a simple truth: no maritime sector can advance without a strong, knowledgeable and committed media community.” Akutah added.
‎Strengthening maritime journalism for the future, he noted, requires technical accuracy, understanding of global practices and an appreciation of regulatory frameworks.
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‎The journalist should also be equipped to interrogate data, utilize digital tools and apply emerging technologies such as Al in research, storytelling and analysis.
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‎He added that in a sensitive sector such as maritime, misinformation can undermine policy, investor confidence and national economic stability.
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‎”At the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, we remain committed to open communication and structured engagement with the media to enhance mutual understanding and sectoral development.”
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‎Akutah assured that the NSC would continue to partner with the press through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building collaborations and joint initiatives that support a more informed and capable maritime media landscape.
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‎”As the Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council remains committed to promoting efficiency, transparency and competitiveness within the maritime sector.”
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‎”We consider the media as essential partners in informing stakeholders, shaping public understanding and strengthening accountability.”
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‎”We will continue to support credible and responsible maritime journalism and are open to meaningful engagements that enhance professionalism and knowledge within the press community.”
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Dr Akabogu (left) presenting a souvenir to Dr Maiwada, National PRO, Nigeria Customs Service.

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‎a 10-year milestone, Akutah advised, there should be a commitment to build a stronger future, one defined by accurate information, robust collaboration and shared progress.
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‎Unveiling the Centre for Maritime Media & Capacity Development at the event, Mr Sesan Onileimo, CEO First Mediacon Network Ltd stressed the need to future-proof maritime reporting in Nigeria. The new Centre, he said, was created to respond to rapid changes reshaping journalism and the maritime sector.
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‎ “The maritime media space is evolving rapidly under the pressure of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and social media. This Centre is our bold response to ensure journalists remain knowledgeable, relevant and impactful, regardless of how long they have been on the beat,” Onileimo explained.
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‎The Centre, he added, would not only take over the organisation of the annual seminar but would also deliver continuous, year-round manpower development programmes for maritime journalists and content creators.
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‎“What we are doing is moving from an annual event to a permanent structure for capacity development. The Centre is also open to partnerships with industry stakeholders who share our vision of a stronger and more professional maritime media,” Onileimo added.
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‎Dignitaries at the event included Mr Babandede, ACG Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service accompanied by the National Public Relations Officer, Dr Aliyu Maiwada, notable maritime lawyer Dr Emeka Akabogu (SAN) and Dr Kayode Farinto, former Acting National President of ANLCA.
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