Maritime Agencies
Starzs’ 40th Anniversary: Company Doles out Scholarships to 40 Youths from Host Communities, Maritime Institutions.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Eleme, Rumuadolor and other
host communities of the area of operation of Starzs Investments Co Ltd (SICL), Monday, expressed delight that the company’s Skills Acquisition programme would positively change communities’ lives in the long run.
The week-long 40th anniversary celebration activities continued on Monday in Port Harcourt with the Managing Director, Iroghama Ogbeifun formally flagging off a Special Skills Acquisition and Maritime Education programme, beginning with scholarship to 40 beneficiaries.
At the Monday segment, the SICL boss stressed that the beneficiaries of the scheme must cut across both the males and females gender from the four host communities because her organisation is gender-sensitive.
Four out of the 40 slots are granted to both the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron and the Charkin Maritime School, two tertiary maritime institutions, two slots each; while the remaining 36 slots would provide relevant vocational training.
”We must see our nation advance, with a mindset that every aspect of the society is represented”, the Starzs CEO stressed, adding that if the representatives of the communities could not come up with qualified girl-children in mind, she would personally go the extra mile, to ensure it.
Engr Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman, Starz Group
”If you are picking a pool of 40 people, and you are not able to find 2, 3, 4, 10, 15 females, then we have done an injustice. We have done such an abomination”, she pointed out, highlighting that the organization is trying to give back to the society, a replica of what the Chairman and founder, Engr. Greg Utonwem Ogbeifun enjoyed and ultimately changed his life for good.
”Our chairman is a product of such programs. He was trained by Shell on scholarship”, Iroghama Ogbeifun said.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Transforming Lives, 40 Years On’, the Managing Director said the initial idea of providing leverages and privileges to top class cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, had failed to factor-in the youths of their hosts community, hence the need for the additional measures.
The courses and skills which were Electrical Instrumentation, Welding and Fabrication, and HVAC, which is Air Conditioning and Systems were deliberately chosen to ensure that beneficiaries would not only become highly marketable, but in fact, a sought- after.
”So we’re going to be training 40 people in these three areas of specialization. These 40 people will be drawn from the four communities”, the CEO said, launching it in the presence of the institution that will be carrying out their training.
”So it’s my pleasure to officially announce the award for the commencement of training. And this award will take effect immediately, once all the necessary processes are in place.
She explained that even the choice of the skills for acquisition were deliberately made to ensure that beneficiaries would not remain the same again, either by being able to further run in their career paths, or become somebody commercially, and relevantly desired, immediately.
She recalled that a similar skill / course actually enabled the Chairman the opportunity to chart a career path, even before he actually became an engineer, and then went on to work internationally before he became an engineer, over 40 years ago.
”So for me, I’m very proud to start with human capacity development. And this is the first time that I’m really doing a strong skills acquisition. So it’s actually like a pilot course.
She thanked Emmanuel Ugwumba, a key partner and Managing Director of Diopter Technologies, for anchoring such a mutually- beneficial skills acquisition scheme, following his background story on the core benefits of a functional organisation’s assistance to their host communities in terms of human capacity development.
”I am definitely looking at a long-term partnership, between my organization and his organization. I also want to speak again about why we chose those three areas. You know, I’ve been in the industry for more than 10 years.
”And I see lots of companies do skills acquisition. And it’s almost like a box-ticking exercise. Just so that the community will see that. It doesn’t mean that if you train some people, it should be all about gathering people for one random training, without any reasonable thinking.
”The question should be, when you finish the training, or acquiring the skills, then what next? To my team, I said today, we must look at our main points. And as operators within the industry, I can tell you, based on feedbacks, where the gaps are in the industry!
”I’m just giving you an example so that if you have chosen to do the training, you will also keep that in mind. That there is a potential opportunity.
”So, the intention is, after the training, you will tell us some sort of the start-up plan, including if beneficiaries would have starter packs or tools that they will need”, the MD stated, highlighting that whatever would be required, to guarantee high productivity or self reliance for beneficiary, after training would be considered.
The company said it had done it’s survey, to identify areas that are very specialized, and where there are not so many people in business, areas where few people possessed the requisite skills.
The company obviously intends to assist host communities based on insider knowledge of those operating ships, rigs and other movable and immovable assets.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) is set to confer the prestigious title of Patron on the President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry and his commitment to humanitarian causes.
The investiture will take place at the MARAN Maritime Annual Lecture (MAMAL), the flagship programme of the association, scheduled to hold at the Nigerian Air Force Event Centre, No. 1 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
High Chief Ezisi is a seasoned and accomplished freight forwarder whose decades of experience and contributions to the freight forwarding profession have earned him respect within and beyond the maritime community. He is also widely recognised for his philanthropic activities and commitment to supporting individuals and communities.
MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, said the decision to honour High Chief Ezisi reflects the association’s appreciation of individuals who have distinguished themselves through professionalism, service and contributions to the growth of the maritime sector.
According to him, High Chief Ezisi’s elevation as Patron is also expected to further strengthen the relationship between MARAN and stakeholders across the freight forwarding and broader maritime community.
The MARAN President noted that MAMAL has, over the years, provided a credible platform for critical discussions on issues affecting Nigeria’s maritime industry, bringing together policymakers, government officials, regulators, industry leaders, academics, journalists and other key stakeholders.
The annual lecture is expected to attract top government officials, bureaucrats, maritime industry regulators, members of the academia and major stakeholders across the Nigerian maritime sector.
MARAN said the investiture of High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi will be one of the highlights of this year’s MAMAL and will underscore the association’s commitment to recognising individuals whose contributions continue to advance professionalism, collaboration and sustainable development in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is ever committed to sustain and even surpass the current zeal with which it is prosecuting enhanced revenue generation, trade facilitation, professionalism and stakeholder collaboration because every legitimate revenue collected strengthens government’s capacity to deliver on its development priorities and improve the lives of Nigerians.
The Command’s image maker, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isa Suleiman Ibrahim disclosed this in a press release on behalf of the Customs Area Command Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba.
The release disclosed a historic revenue collection of Twenty-Eight Billion,One Hundred and Two Million, Nine Hundred and Fourteen Naira, Sixty-One Kobo (₦28,102,000,914.61k) on Tuesday, 18th August, 2026, the highest single-day revenue collection ever recorded by the Command.
The feat, the release indicated, surpasses the previous daily record of ₦20.1 billion, achieved in September 2025, shortly after the assumption of office of the present Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba.
The new record is achieved weeks after the Command recorded an unprecedented ₦323 billion monthly revenue collection in July 2026, thus demonstrating the sustained impact of reforms, improved compliance, enhanced trade facilitation, intelligence-driven interventions and the increasing efficiency of digital Customs processes.
Commenting on the feat, Comptroller Oshoba stressed that the achievement is not simply about figures or records. It is about what the Nigeria Customs Service is contributing to the economic wellbeing of Nigerians.
Revenue generated by the Service, he explained, forms part of government resources used to fund public priorities including infrastructure, security, education, healthcare and other services that ultimately impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He therefore dedicated the milestone to the Government and people of Nigeria, while commending the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management team of the Service for their continued support for modernisation, automation and reforms aimed at making Customs operations more efficient, transparent and business-friendly.
The CAC also acknowledged the cooperation of compliant importers, exporters, licensed Customs agents and other stakeholders, as well as patriotic Nigerians who have provided actionable intelligence in achieving this feat.
He stressed that every compliant transaction contributes to national development and urged stakeholders to continue supporting legitimate trade since a stronger revenue base gives the government greater capacity to respond to the needs of the people and create an environment where businesses can thrive.
Comptroller Oshoba charged officers and men of the Command to see the record as a clarion call to do more.
He emphasised that revenue collection must be achieved alongside trade facilitation, professionalism, transparency and respect for stakeholders, directing personnel to resolve legitimate disputes promptly and ensure that Customs procedures do not unnecessarily hinder lawful businesses.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As the political space is heating up and preparations underway for the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restated her firm determination to tighten the noose against the illegal entry of arms and ammunition which could promote violence in Nigeria.
DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd).
Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Adewale Adeniyi made the vow in Lagos, Monday, while handing over seized weapons to the Office of the National Security Adviser through the Director-General, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, (NCCSALW), Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd).
Identifying Robert Eze and Ejiogu Godson as the alleged importers of a consignment containing 399 fully assembled JoJeF pump-action rifles and other firearm components intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, the Custom boss said surveillance and enforcement operations are being intensified to prevent criminal networks from exploiting Nigeria’s land borders, seaports and airports to import dangerous arms to further their evil intentions.
The two persons arrested.
Additional rifle parts intercepted by the Customs include 89 frames, 16 heat shields, 10 trigger pins, three pistons, 25 locking lugs, 80 charging handles and 39 pistol-grip screws. Others are 34 springs, 57 trigger groups, 66 foregrip latches, 45 foregrips/handguards, four pistol grips and five barrels.
“We are about entering a major election cycle, and we know that by this period, men of the underworld will want to use our borders, our ports, our airports to bring in items like this,” CGC Adeniyi warned.
”We are going to redouble our efforts to ensure that we do not allow them to do so,” he added.
He explained that since Customs cannot physically open every container entering the country, applying technology-driven risk profiling in operations has become a tool to identify suspicious consignments. Risk management system enables the Service to determine which containers require physical examination. This particular interception, he explained, demonstrates the effectiveness of the system.
Having completed the inventory and assessment of the illicit shipment, the CGC handed over the seized armaments to the Director General of the NCCSALW. This underscores a unified inter-agency commitment to taking dangerous weapons entirely off the streets and ensuring that cabals behind the trafficking network are tracked down and brought to justice.
The CGC described the development as more than a seizure, noting that the interception, investigation, arrest of suspects, prosecution and handover of the firearms represented a complete enforcement chain.
He added that Robert Eze and Godson Ejiogu, the two suspects arrested during the preliminary investigation, had been remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos, awaiting arraignment for August 25.
The Service, he pledged, would continue to strengthen intelligence – gathering, risk management and collaboration with sister security agencies to identify and disrupt attempts to smuggle firearms into Nigeria.
Accepting the arms and ammunition for further action, the NCCSALW Director-General, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd) described the handing-over as a decisive step in strengthening the collective security of the people.
”This is more than a ceremonial handing/taking over of seized intercepted illicit weapons. It is a statement of intent, a commitment to protect lives, uphold justice and preserve the stability of our communities.”
The proliferation of illegal small arms and light weapons, he explained, remains a primary catalyst for terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and insurgency and other violent crimes.
”Armed violence fuelled by uncontrolled weapons through illegal importation or smuggling exerts a devastating toll on civilian lives, disrupts communities and undermines the foundation of governance and development. Nigeria cannot be indifferent to this reality. Our own assessment has shown with discomforting clarity that a significant proportion of illegal arms in circulation may have at some point passed through official channels.”
DIG Kokumo reiterated that illicit weapons taken out of the hands of nonstate actors is a direct blow to criminal networks and a vital step towards safeguarding innocent citizens.
”So far, over 21000 arms and light weapons have been retrieved while over 19000 have been destroyed since the establishment of NCCSALW.”
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoSeme Customs Arrests 2, Intercepts Explosives, Expired Noodles As Command’s Revenue Hits N19.8bn.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoTopfield College Clinches Overall Position as Customs’ WASA Sports Event ends in Lagos.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoCGC Restates Position on Illicit Arms, Unveils Intercepted Weapons and Drugs Worth N373m
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNAGAFF Tasks Bonded Terminals To Suspend All Illegal Fees Collections, Refund N178m.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoFOU Zone ‘A’ Customs Recovers over N729m Revenue, Intercepts Smuggled Goods Worth N3.24bn.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoKey Industry Stakeholders To Focus on Ports Competitiveness as MARAN Hosts MAMAL.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP On Alleged Police Extortion, Harassment At Sea Ports.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNIWA, Private Agency Target Pollution Elimination, Job Creation To Clean Lagos Waterways.