NUJ Honours Amuwo-Odofin LG Chairman, Prince Sanusi, as Media Games Ambassador

NUJ Honours Amuwo-Odofin LG Chairman, Prince Sanusi, as Media Games Ambassador 

Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Prince Lanre Sanusi (PLS)

Bisi Akingbade 

The Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Prince Lanre Sanusi (PLS), has been named a Media Games Ambassador by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council.

The presentation held at the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Secretariat in Lagos on Tuesday, was attended by members of the NUJ Lagos State Executive Council and the Media Games Committee, led by its Chairman, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi.

Speaking at the event, Ajayi described Prince Sanusi as a selfless and visionary leader whose commitment to grassroots development and responsive governance had earned him widespread admiration.

"The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council is pleased to recognise Prince Lanre Sanusi, Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, as one of its Media Games Ambassadors in appreciation of his commitment to grassroots development, responsive leadership and community-focused governance.

"His administration has continued to demonstrate that purposeful leadership at the local government level can bring meaningful transformation to the lives of the people.

"Through his dedication to service and determination to improve infrastructure and social welfare, Prince Sanusi has continued to earn the admiration of residents, stakeholders and development partners alike.

"Since assuming office, he has pursued several developmental initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of the people of Amuwo-Odofin.

"His administration has focused on the rehabilitation and construction of roads, drainage improvement projects, environmental sanitation, beautification of public spaces and measures to enhance public safety.

"These interventions have contributed to making communities within the local government cleaner, more accessible and more conducive for residents and businesses.

"His commitment to sustainable development continues to leave visible footprints across the council area.

"The chairman has also demonstrated a strong commitment to human capital development through youth and women empowerment programmes, vocational training, skills acquisition initiatives, support for small businesses and employment-driven interventions.

"By investing in people and creating opportunities for economic advancement, his administration has inspired hope among many young people and strengthened the capacity of residents to contribute meaningfully to the local economy.

"Healthcare and education have also received significant attention under Prince Sanusi's leadership. 

"Efforts to support schools, encourage learning and provide a more conducive environment for educational development reflect his belief that lasting progress depends on investing in the health and education of the people.

"His performance demonstrates that visionary leadership can overcome institutional constraints. 

"His administration serves as an example of what can be achieved when public office is approached with dedication, integrity and a genuine desire to improve the lives of the people," he said.

Responding to the recognition, Sanusi thanked the NUJ for acknowledging the achievements of his administration.

"My heart is full of gratitude for this recognition of what we have been able to do for our community. It is one thing to work diligently and another for people to recognise and appreciate those efforts.

"I want to appreciate the management team, staff, legislators and everyone working with us because none of these achievements would have been possible without their support.

"If you drive around Amuwo-Odofin today, you will see numerous ongoing projects. We remain determined to ensure that residents enjoy improved infrastructure and a better quality of life.

"I am not interested in whose responsibility it is to fix a road; whether it belongs to the state or federal government. What matters is that the roads are fixed so our people can enjoy the basic amenities they deserve.

"I can confidently say that we have completed at least 11 major roads within 11 months, and we are hopeful of completing several others before the end of the year.

"As we approach our first anniversary in office, we have lined up several activities to showcase the achievements of this administration.

"We have also renovated the Legislative Chamber, while ensuring that supervisors and councillors are carried along in our development agenda.

"I must specially commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing local government autonomy, which is already yielding positive results.

"In less than one year, residents of Amuwo-Odofin have benefited from various vocational skills training programmes and improvements in our healthcare facilities.

"We are equally investing in sports development to positively engage our youths. This is what governance is all about. 

"Every kobo meant for Amuwo-Odofin will be judiciously spent and properly accounted for.

"We are optimistic that our efforts will restore Amuwo-Odofin to its former glory and make it a model for other local governments."

As preparations intensify for the 2026 NUJ Media Games, the NUJ Lagos State Council expressed optimism about strengthening its partnership with the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government under the leadership of Prince Lanre Sanusi.

The 2026 NUJ Media Games is scheduled to hold from October 5 to October 10 at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

The union also reaffirmed its commitment to recognising and supporting public office holders who demonstrate excellence in service delivery for the benefit of Lagos State and the nation.

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Oyetola Seeks Stronger State, Private Sector Partnership to Unlock Blue Economy Potential

Oyetola Seeks Stronger State, Private Sector Partnership to Unlock Blue Economy Potential

CAPTION
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola; Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, and others at the Second Quarter 2026 Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday.

... Diri Advocates Stronger Coastal State Action_

Bisi Akingbade 

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector and development partners to accelerate the implementation of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, describing sub-national participation as critical to unlocking the sector’s vast economic potential.

Speaking on Thursday at the Second Quarter 2026 Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Oyetola said Nigeria had moved beyond policy formulation and must now focus on implementation capable of delivering measurable economic benefits. 

The engagement, themed “From Policy to Action: Mobilising Sub-National Governments for Effective Implementation of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy,” brought together government officials, diplomats, development partners, industry leaders, academics and representatives of state governments.

The minister said the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy had provided a strategic framework for harnessing Nigeria’s oceans, inland waterways, fisheries and coastal resources, but stressed that its success depended on coordinated action across all levels of government. He noted that many of the country’s blue economy assets were located within states and communities, making sub-national governments indispensable partners in driving investment, creating jobs, improving food security and promoting environmental sustainability.

According to the  press release issued by the Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Bolaji Akinola emphasized that Oyetola said reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had strengthened stakeholder engagement, attracted investment, improved maritime safety and enhanced the competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports. He cited the 2025 Container Port Performance Index by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, which ranked Tin Can Island Port as the tenth most improved port globally and Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, as the twelfth most improved between 2020 and 2025. He added that ongoing port modernisation and plans to develop new deep seaports in states including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos and Ondo would further strengthen Nigeria’s position as West Africa’s preferred maritime hub.

The minister also noted that improved port operations had contributed to Nigeria recording a national trade surplus consistently since 2024. On inland waterway safety, he said the ministry had intensified collaboration with relevant agencies and state governments, distributed life jackets nationwide and urged states to replace unsafe wooden passenger boats with modern fibre boats. He further called on coastal states to align their development plans with the national policy while encouraging private investment in fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, tourism, shipbuilding, renewable energy and marine biotechnology.

Delivering the keynote address, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri, commended President Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a strategic step towards diversifying Nigeria’s economy. He said Bayelsa followed suit by creating its own Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in June 2024 to drive the blue economy component of the state’s A-S-S-U-R-E-D Prosperity Agenda.

Diri said the state ministry had commenced major fish production at the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village in Yenegwe, where an operational hatchery was breeding high-quality catfish fingerlings and juveniles to boost food security and create jobs. He added that the state had expanded its marine transport fleet and was aggressively pursuing the development of the proposed Agge Deep Seaport as the next maritime gateway for the Niger Delta.

The governor also proposed five key pathways for coastal states to maximise opportunities in the blue economy: establishing dedicated ministries of marine and blue economy, enacting enabling legislation, properly mapping and securing their maritime domains, investing in credible data collection and analysis, and developing skills, markets, innovation hubs and logistics infrastructure.

In his presentation on private sector investment and industrialisation, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, said the successful implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy would depend largely on sustained private sector participation. He noted that the policy targets the creation of three million jobs within its first four years, annual sectoral growth of seven per cent and the reservation of at least 50 per cent of new jobs for young people aged between 18 and 35.

Dangote, who was represented by the Managing Director of Dangote Port Operations, Simeon Akin Omole, said industrial transformation required policy consistency, quality infrastructure, access to finance and investor confidence. He identified infrastructure-led industrialisation, value-chain development and stronger public-private partnerships as the three pillars needed to unlock the sector’s enormous potential.

He said the Federal Government’s approvals for major deep seaport projects in various parts of the country would stimulate industrial clusters incorporating agro-processing, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, cold-chain logistics and maritime technology, while also boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness.

Dangote further identified the fisheries value chain as a major investment opportunity, noting that despite rising domestic production, Nigeria still imported fish worth nearly one billion dollars annually due to a significant supply deficit. He said investments in aquaculture, hatcheries, feed production, processing, cold-chain logistics and export infrastructure could reduce imports, conserve foreign exchange, create more than 500,000 jobs and position Nigeria as a leading exporter of fisheries products.

He also stressed that public-private partnerships should go beyond financing arrangements to become strategic collaborations involving government, investors, research institutions and coastal communities. According to him, coastal industrial clusters supported by modern ports, Special Economic Zones and digital infrastructure would attract long-term investment and accelerate industrialisation.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, representatives of the governors of Ondo and Borno states, and private sector operators, all of whom pledged continued support for the successful implementation of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy agenda. 

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TAG ALLIANCE FOR HMO HAILS FIRST LADY'S 140,000 STORYBOOKS INITIATIVE

TAG ALLIANCE FOR HMO HAILS FIRST LADY'S 140,000 STORYBOOKS INITIATIVE 

Bisi Akingbade 

The Tag Alliance, a support group set out to queue behind an impeccable characters to govern Lagos State and the government at the centre, has supported the initiative of the first lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Mrs. Tinubu, on Thursday donated 140,000 copies of seven storybooks on girl-child development to the Federal Ministry of Education for distribution to public school libraries across the country, reaffirming her commitment to empowering young girls through education.

Mrs Tinubu said the initiative underscored her determination to equip girls with the knowledge, confidence and values needed to realise their aspirations while improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu said although the number of books was modest compared to Nigeria’s population, the intervention would make a meaningful impact on the lives of children.

The wife of the President explained that the storybooks, which address different aspects of child development, would benefit both girls and boys by promoting confidence, empathy, healthy living, equity and social responsibility.

"It gladdens my heart that I am able to partner with the Merck Foundation on this initiative. Though the books are small in number compared to our population, they are meaningful. The foundation has been working with several African countries, and we now have them as international partners of the Renewed Hope Initiative,” she said.

According to the First Lady, the partnership with the Merck Foundation extends beyond education, with the organisation supporting healthcare development across the continent.

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Nigeria's Ports No Longer Safe Havens for Smugglers of Illicit Drugs, Expired Pharmaceuticals, Other Prohibited Goods - CG Adeniyi

Nigeria's Ports No Longer Safe Havens for Smugglers of Illicit Drugs, Expired Pharmaceuticals, Other Prohibited Goods - CG Adeniyi 

Bisi Akingbade 

The Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,MFR, has sent a clear and unmistakable message to those who seek to use the ports to traffic illicit drugs, expired 

pharmaceuticals or other prohibited goods, that Nigeria's ports are no longer safe havens for smugglers or organised criminal networks.

Speaking to newsmen at the handover of seized narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceuticals, held at Apapa Area command, he said Nigeria Customs Service is steadily closing the gaps previously exploited by the criminal snydicates through technology, intelligence, coordinated border management and the professionalism of officers.

"We shall continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who 

threaten our economy, compromise public health or undermine the 

security of our nation. Together with our partner agencies, we remain 

steadfast in protecting our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, preserving 

the health of our citizens and securing the future of our country.

He related this to the deliberation held at the Council of World Customs Organisation, in Brussels with over 187 members countries on the theme “Customs Protecting the Society 

through Vigilance and Commitment.

 He said the sessions also provided us the opportunity to engage with critical stakeholders like the International 

Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and INTERPOL and deepen international cooperation to advance our societal protection mandate. 

"Today's briefing specifically relates to Nine (9) seizures recently recorded by the Apapa Area Command following painstaking intelligence 

gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and active 

collaboration with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA). 

The seizures comprise:

a. i. A 1x40ft container with number CAAU7569127 found to 

contain 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) 

weighing 1819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three 

imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts. 

ii. Another 1x40ft container with number HAMU3246311

conveying 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa, weighing approximately 4.95 metric tones, concealed alongside two 

imported vehicles and household items. Others include

b. i. A 1x40ft container with number MRKU3816476 conveying 

1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of Codeine Syrup (CSP)

concealed with 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes.

ii.

Another 1x40ft container with number TGBU5399178 

conveying 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of Codeine 

Syrup (CSP) concealed inside 36 cartons of casserole 

products. 

c. i. Similarly, a 1x40ft container with number HASU4519480 

conveying 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical 

products, including Tramadol (Timakadol).

ii. 1x40ft container with number MRKU4961275 conveying

1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, 

including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and 

Carbamazepine tablets (Termigral brand).

iii. Another consignment in a 1x40ft container number 

PCIU8771576

comprising 

expired pharmaceutical 

products, including Cloxicillin capsules 100mg, Cynamine 12

Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections. 

All intercepted for regulatory action. 

d. A 1x20ft container with number MRKU 6964435 conveying 

Piccan Teething Powder.

The remaining goods shall be in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions as provided by law," the CGC stated.

CG Adeniyi commended the officers and men of the Apapa Area Command 

for their professionalism, vigilance and unwavering dedication to duty. "I 

equally appreciate the sustained collaboration between the Nigeria 

Customs Service, the NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies 

whose partnership continues to strengthen Nigeria's border security 

architecture.

"The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to deepen collaboration 

with all relevant government agencies, the private sector and our 

international partners to deny criminal organisations the opportunity to 

exploit Nigeria's ports and borders. Our resolve is unwavering; every 

intelligence lead will be pursued, every violation thoroughly investigated 

and every offender brought to justice in accordance with the law. We 

remain committed to building a secure trading environment that protects our economy, safeguards public health and reinforces national security.

CG Adeniyi reiterated that "We shall continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten our economy, compromise public health or undermine the security of our nation. Together with our partner agencies, we remain steadfast in protecting our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, preserving the health of our citizens and securing the future of our country.

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Nigeria, Netherlands Seal Landmark Customs Partnership on Trade Facilitation, Border Security

Nigeria, Netherlands Seal Landmark Customs Partnership on Trade Facilitation, Border Security

CAPTIONS: LT-RT- CGC, ADEWALE ADENIYI, MFR AND DG, NETHERLANDS CUSTOMS, MRS. NANETTE VAN SCHELVEN

Bisi Akingbade 

As part of efforts to promote legitimate trade and tackle illegal cross-border activities, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,  and the Customs Administration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a Joint Declaration aimed at deepening collaboration between both Customs authorities. The partnership is designed to strengthen trade facilitation, improve border security, enhance capacity building, and intensify the fight against transnational organised crime.

This declaration was signed on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, in Brussels by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Mrs Nanette Van Schelven, following a series of high-level engagements between both administrations aimed at strengthening customs modernisation, intelligence sharing, compliance management, and enforcement cooperation. The development builds on the Service's bilateral working visit to the Netherlands in October 2025 and the subsequent visit of the Netherlands Customs delegation to Nigeria in March 2026. 

In the  press release issued by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs

National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, mnipr, mniia,

highlighted that during the initial engagements, the two administrations explored opportunities for cooperation in risk management, cargo clearance systems, trade facilitation, border control, supply chain security, capacity development, and the fight against illicit trade. In the Joint Declaration, both parties acknowledged Nigeria's strategic position as one of West Africa's leading economies and an important trading partner of the Netherlands. They further recognised that customs cooperation and institutional capacity-building are critical to facilitating legitimate trade while combating illegal cross-border activities. The declaration highlighted growing concerns over trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, counterfeit goods, wildlife products, and weapons, noting that these threats require coordinated international responses.

The CGC, while signing the declaration, asserted that the Netherlands Customs have demonstrated immense value of international cooperation in addressing emerging trade and border management challenges. He added that the partnership will strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance capacity building, improve enforcement effectiveness, and support the collective efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade. He described the declaration as a significant milestone in the Service's international cooperation agenda and a reflection of the strong relationship established between the two Customs administrations over the past years.

Furthermore, the Director-General of the Netherlands Customs, Mrs Nanette Van Schelven, stated that both administrations face similar challenges in an increasingly interconnected global trading environment. She noted that closer collaboration would promote mutual learning, strengthen operational capabilities, and improve efforts to tackle transnational organised crime while supporting efficient and transparent trade processes.

The declaration commits both parties to deepening collaboration through the exchange of expertise, training, knowledge sharing, and the development of structured cooperation frameworks. It further provides a foundation for developing a joint work plan and future cooperation mechanisms to enhance border efficiency, promote fair trade practices, strengthen supply chain security, and address the challenges associated with both legal and illegal cross-border movement of goods.

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2026 Seafarer's Day : No maritime nation has ever achieved maritime greatness without investing in its seafarers - Captain Olubowale

2026 Seafarer's Day : No maritime nation has ever achieved maritime greatness without investing in its seafarers - Captain Olubowale 

Group Managing Director/CEO of Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Limited, Captain Ladi Olubowale,

Bisi Akingbade 

Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy and one of the continent’s most strategically positioned maritime nations, joins the international community to celebrate the Day of the Seafarer 2026, her maritime future depends significantly on the quality, competence, and sustainability of maritime workforce, and at the centre of the workforce are Nigerian seafarers.

For the country to become a leading maritime nation in Africa, the Federal Government must invest deliberately and consistently in maritime human capital as there is no maritime nation that can build a strong maritime domain without strong seafarers as ships, ports and policies alone do not create maritime nations but people do.

A seasoned shipping professional and Group Managing Director/CEO of Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Limited, Captain Ladi Olubowale, gave this counsel while interacting with the media to celebrate the day in Lagos. 

The immediate past President of Africa Shipowners Association (ASA) Nigeria, Captain Ladi Olubowale said the future of Nigeria's shipping industry, port system, offshore sector, coastal trade, marine services, and Blue Economy depends on the strength of her maritime workforce.

According to him, "throughout history, the world’s leading maritime nations have shared a common characteristic: they invested deliberately and consistently in maritime human capital.

"The maritime success of countries such as Norway, Singapore, Greece, Denmark, Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands was not built solely on infrastructure, ports, ships, or regulations. It was built on the strength of their maritime professionals."

Captain Olubowale added further that for Nigeria to remain competitive in maritime business, there must be a significant increase in investments in maritime education, training while capacity development must become national priorities.

According to him, “No maritime nation has ever achieved maritime greatness without investing in its seafarers. The future of Nigeria’s Blue Economy will not be determined solely by the ships we acquire, the ports we modernize, or the policies we formulate, but by the people we train, protect, empower, and elevate to leadership within the maritime sector."

He expressed worries over the long-standing challenge of sea-time training opportunities for Nigerian cadets, saying this has limited the growth of indigenous maritime manpower.

The challenge, according to the shipping operator, must be addressed through a coordinated framework involving government, regulators, shipowners, offshore operators, maritime institutions, and private sector stakeholders.

"The future competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers depends not only on certification but also on meaningful exposure to modern vessel operations and international best practices," said he. 

To unlock the enormous opportunities within the maritime and Blue Economy sectors, Olubowale averred that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive National Seafarers Development Strategy to align maritime education, sea-time opportunities, certification pathways, welfare standards, employment creation, leadership development, and international competitiveness into a coordinated national framework.

"The strategy should be designed to ensure that Nigeria produces a sustainable pipeline of highly skilled maritime professionals capable of supporting the nation’s shipping, offshore, logistics, marine services, and Blue Economy ambitions over the coming decades," said the former ASA President.

He reiterated the need for the Indigenous Shipping Development and Seafarer Employment to strengthen indigenous ship ownership, support fleet expansion, encourage coastal shipping participation, and increase Nigerian participation in maritime transportation will directly create opportunities for employment, sea-time acquisition, skills development, technology transfer, maritime entrepreneurship, and local capacity building.

Olubowale encouraged the Federal Government of Nigeria to make  seafarers’ welfare a national maritime priority and encourage experienced seafarers become maritime leaders. "while training and certification are critical, they must be accompanied by an equally strong commitment to welfare and wellbeing.

"A truly sustainable maritime sector must create pathways that enable seafarers to transition from shipboard service into positions of leadership and influence ashore.

"The experience gained at sea is invaluable to the development of effective maritime institutions and governance systems."

On the future of Nigeria's maritime sector and strengthening of sustainable growth, he called for deliberate efforts by the government to attract more young Nigerians into maritime careers and create greater opportunities for women in seafaring and maritime leadership.

"No maritime sector can achieve sustainable growth without effective governance. Professional, transparent, accountable, and forward-looking governance remains essential to building a globally competitive maritime industry.

"We are reminded that behind every maritime policy, every shipping strategy, every port reform, every vessel movement, and every Blue Economy initiative are the men and women whose skills, sacrifices, and professionalism sustain maritime commerce and national development," he maintained. 

Appreciating the indispensable role of seafarers in growing the world economy, Captain Ladi Olubowale, who is an Ambassador, International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network UK, said the theme of the celebration “Carrying World Trade. Carrying the Risks" was timely and profound but unfortunately seafarers often remain among the least visible contributors to economic development.

"Today, we at Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Limited join the international maritime community in celebrating Nigerian seafarers serving onboard merchant vessels, tankers, offshore support vessels, container ships, coastal vessels, fishing fleets, dredgers, and specialized maritime platforms across the globe.

"We honour their professionalism. We recognize their resilience. We celebrate their contribution. And we acknowledge their sacrifices."

Concluding, Olubowale said the  occasion should mark the beginning of a renewed national commitment to place Nigerian seafarers at the centre of maritime development.

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Customs Moves to Safeguard Local Manufacturers, Impounds 1,996 Kegs of Smuggled Vegetable Oil Worth N273.7 MN

Customs Moves to Safeguard Local  Manufacturers, Impounds 1,996 Kegs of Smuggled Vegetable Oil Worth N273.7MN

Bisi Akingbade 

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has reinforced its commitment to protecting Nigerian manufacturers and preserving jobs by intercepting prohibited imported goods valued at over N273 million in Cross River State. 

Speaking during a press briefing in Calabar on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, the Customs Area Controller, Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, Comptroller Giwa Dauda, said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to safeguard local manufacturers from the adverse effects of smuggling and illegal importation.

According to him, officers intercepted two 20-foot containers carrying 1,996 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway on 14 June 2026. "The products, with a Duty Paid Value, DPV,  of N195.5 million, were concealed in a truck intercepted during a routine patrol operation", he added.

Comptroller Dauda noted that vegetable oil remains one of the products in which Nigerian manufacturers have made significant investments. He explained that allowing the import of prohibited foreign products into the domestic market would undermine local production capacity, discourage investment, and threaten thousands of jobs across the agricultural and manufacturing value chains.

He stressed that "These products are listed under the Federal Government’s import prohibition policy, which seeks to stimulate local production, promote self-sufficiency, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base."

Beyond the vegetable oil seizure, the Command also intercepted 1,500 used tyres and 105 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing. Combined with other seizures, the total Duty Paid Value of the prohibited items stood at N273.7 million.

The Area Controller further disclosed that officers intercepted 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), bringing the total volume of petrol seized by the Command in 2026 to 5,760 litres. "The product was subsequently disposed of in accordance with approved safety procedures due to its highly combustible nature", he stated.

The Customs Area Controller also warned smugglers and economic saboteurs to desist from illegal importation activities, stressing that such practices weaken local industries, distort market competition, and undermine government efforts to achieve economic diversification through industrialisation.

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