BPSR Extols NIMASA's Public Service Reforms

BPSR Extols NIMASA's Public Service Reforms

L-T: Director, Administration and Human Resources, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Isichei Osamgbi; Head, Reforms Coordination & Strategic Communication, NIMASA, Nonyelum Okeke-Egbuna; Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola; Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi and Director of Procurement, NIMASA, Otonye Obom during a two-day Sensitization Workshop on the Imperative of Organizational Reform in Lagos.

Bisi Akingbade 

In recognition of its alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,  NIMASA, has been commended for its forward-thinking approach to institutional reforms by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, BPSR.

Director General of BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, who spoke during a two-day sensitization workshop in Lagos, commended NIMASA for its exemplary commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, transparency, and service delivery through the automation of its systems.

In his keynote address titled “Overview of National Strategy for Public Service Reforms,” Dr. Arabi identifed NIMASA as one of the standout MDAs embracing transformative change. He noted that the Agency’s reform agenda,   particularly its adoption of digital technologies, sets a commendable benchmark for other government institutions.

“NIMASA is showing, in practical terms, what alignment with national reform goals should look like. Their embrace of automation is not just innovative—it is essential for modern governance,” Arabi stated.

He further highlighted that Reform Coordination Units within MDAs serve as strategic instruments for  institutionalizing change, improving performance, and aligning operations with the national reform blueprint led by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms,  BPSR. Among the key national reform initiatives he cited were the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS,  and the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, GIFMIS,—all aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in public service delivery.

“Our focus is to equip institutions with tools such as the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) and to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders in order to drive consistent improvements in public service delivery,” Arabi added.

In his opening remarks, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to reform, underscoring its role as a catalyst for national development.

“Reform is the pathway to innovation and national advancement. Without change, we risk stagnation. As a forward-looking organization, NIMASA is embracing transformation to fulfill its mandate and better serve the nation,” Mobereola said.

He urged NIMASA staff to embrace a proactive and open mindset toward change, emphasizing that adaptability is essential to building institutional resilience and achieving long-term success.

The workshop provided a valuable platform to deepen awareness of public service reform objectives among NIMASA personnel and to reaffirm the Agency’s alignment with national priorities focused on improving governance and driving economic development.

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SANWO-OLU ENGAGES MORE WATER GUARDS TO MINIMIZE BOAT ACCIDENTS IN LAGOS

SANWO-OLU ENGAGES MORE WATER GUARDS TO MINIMIZE BOAT ACCIDENTS IN LAGOS

L-R LASWA GM, MR. OLUWADAMILOLA EMMANUEL, MRS. TITLOLA VIVOUR-ADENIYI EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF LAGOS STATE DOMESTIC AND VIOLENCE AGENCY 

 Bisi Akingbade.

As part of efforts to promote water transportation in Lagos State and minimize accidents on the waterways, the Governor of the state, Babajide Olusola Sanwo- Olu, has employed more water guards who are positioned at all  the jetties.

The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, made this known while speaking with naijaonlinenews reporter at the just concluded 2025 Mid-Year Outreach Program and 40 years Anniversary of Lagos State Public Service Christian Fellowship (Interdenominational), Chapel  of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Mr. Emmanuel emphasized that LASWA has taken other steps to ensure safety on the waterways as it introduced biannual inspections of boats, which give room for detection of defective boats which must be fixed before putting it on the water to carry passengers.

"Well, LASWA is doing a lot and  that is the reason why we have  reduced accidents on our waterways. One of the first thing Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu did was to employ more water guards who are positioned at the jetties  to ensure that people adhere to safety rules and regulations.

"Secondly, we introduced what we call biannual inspection of these boats themselves, where we inspect them and make sure that whatever it is that is wrong with their boats, they go and fix it before they come back onto the water.

"And of course, it's a carrot and a stick approach, wherever anybody is found culpable, we ensure that they face the full right of the law," Mr. Emmanuel noted.

He stressed that LASWA now deploys technology to ensure that it can respond much quicker to distress calls with real-time and physical infrastructure for responding to emergency and rescue.

Mr.  Emmanuel who was also the Chairman, Mid Year Outreach Committee explained that there is a growth in the population of users of waterways as more people now make use of water transportation.

"Well, I mean, the current percentage is quite low, but compared to what it was, we have seen it grow from about 2% to now about 5% of mobile population who use public transportation from 2% has gotten to about 5% now", he stated.

Speaking on the impact of the outreach on the life of public servants, the LASWA General Manager maintained that  prayer works and that God is still in the business of answering prayers, saying that they prayed not only for themselves but for the entire public servants in the state. He added that like what was spoken by the guest minister, this is a transition not just for the fellowship but even for the state as the state is transitioning into greater glory.

"We  believe that whatever happens goes to the church, so goes to the nation. So if indeed we are being positioned for transition then you can be assured that the state and the nation even under the President is surely  on its way to greater heights,"  he concluded.

The highlight of the anniversary 

was the presentation of awards to the Lagos State Governor, Mr.  Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, his wife, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel and Mrs. Titlola Vivour-Adeniyi for their exemplary leadership and dedicated support to the fellowship.

Guests at the programme include Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, ably represented by the Special Adviser to Governor on Christian Religion, Very Rev Bukola Adeleke,  Deputy Governor represented by Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Daba Mobolaji, and Mr. Olabode Agoro, represented by the  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure,  Mrs. Ololade Aina.

The  theme of this year's anniversary is  "The Glory of the Latter Shall Exceed the Former, Haggai 2:9.

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NCS Reinforces Anti-Fuel Smuggling, Deploys New Officers for Better Results

NCS Reinforces Anti-Fuel Smuggling, Deploys New Officers for Better Results

Bisi Akingbade 

Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,  has intensified its efforts to combat fuel smuggling with the deployment of newly inducted officers to Operation Whirlwind, a tactical unit launched in May 2024 to check the illegal movement of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across Nigeria’s borders.

The induction ceremony, held on 3 June, 2025 in Abuja, signalled a renewed commitment to national economic protection, as the officers were charged to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and vigilance.

Addressing the operatives, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, underscored the importance of the assignment, stating “We must always affirm to be above board on all matters. Ensure that your integrity is never compromised, and you are not found to have abused your position in this operation. Customs is critical to achieving the vision of fuel product availability in Nigeria.” He noted.

The CGC further emphasised saying “Through this operation, the NCS must deliver impactful service to the nation. We want to be sure our fuel is not smuggled into neighbouring countries.

"Most importantly, we must leverage technology. Programmes will be organised to enable you take advantage of the Geospatial Intelligence tool while in the field.” stated.

National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, ACG Hussein Ejibunu, stressed that the mission's success depends on strategic execution, discipline, and individual commitment. He encouraged officers to sustain the tempo and operational momentum already established.

Operation Whirlwind continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, while reaffirming the NCS's role in national economic security.

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FOU Zone 'A' Seized Goods Worth ₦1.2 billion, Arrested Seven Suspects

FOU Zone 'A' Seized Goods Worth ₦1.2 billion, Arrested Seven Suspects

Bisi Akingbade 

Nigeria Customs Service, NCS)p, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, has Seized goods Worth ₦1.2 billion through anti-smuggling campaign, and arrested seven suspects linked to 46 seizures within the past two weeks.

Briefing journalists in Lagos today, the Controller of the Unit, Mohammed Shiaibu, said the operation was driven by renewed intelligence-led strategies aimed at combating smuggling and economic sabotage.

“These seizures are the result of our renewed vigour to fight smuggling and criminality. Our operatives have inflicted substantial losses on economic saboteurs who are bent on undermining our economy,” Shiaibu said.

"On May 23 and 24, 2025, around 3:00 am and 2:30 am respectively, Customs patrol teams intercepted two 40-foot containers—MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090—along the Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2 axis in Lagos. Upon inspection, the containers were found to contain seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace buses, and three mini shuttle buses—all dismantled to evade customs duties.

"Other seized items include bulletproof vests, used bicycles, 312 bales of printed wax, 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, 30 used flat-screen TVs, 65 table top cookers, and 31 units of used split air conditioners. These items, Shiaibu noted, violate Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff.

"Additionally, on May 19, 2025, at about 3:00 am, another patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck loaded with 1,263 used tyres and other contraband items. One suspect was arrested in connection with the interception.

Comptroller Shiaibu said that the command is committed to intensifying efforts against smuggling, thereby warns perpetrators that the service would not relent in its mission to protect Nigeria’s economy and national security.

"In the same vein, “on the 19th of May 2025 at about 23:00hrs, our officers on a routine patrol along Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun State, intercepted one truck with registration number T24623LA suspected to be conveying uncustoms goods including Bullet Proof vests. Again, an investigation report revealed the content to include some packages of Tramadol.

He concluded that "On the 26th of May 2025, at about 0600hrs, through intelligence-driven operations, he said, “our men on the Ijebu-Ode patrol team arrested one empty Mercedes Benz truck. Thorough rummaging of the truck and careful observation by our officers led to the uncovering of Cannabis Sativa (India Hemp) in the compartments of the truck. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.

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NDIC Seeks Stakeholders’ Inputs to IADI Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance

NDIC Seeks Stakeholders’ Inputs to IADI Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance

Bisi Akingbade 

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC,  has called for feedbacks from financial services industry stakeholders in the country, policy makers and the general public towards the ongoing revision of the International Association of Deposit Insurers, IADI, Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance System.

The proposed revision launched by IADI in May 2025, is a significant step towards enhancing the resilience and relevance of deposit insurance frameworks in the face of an evolving global financial landscape. Specifically, the revision is aimed at comprehensively addressing structural changes, including digital innovation, the growing role of deposit insurers in resolution, and lessons learned from the banking turmoil in March 2023, which is the most significant systemic stress event since the 2007-09 global financial crisis. 

The Head, Communication & Public Affairs,  Hawwau Gambo disclosed this today in the press release made available to Journalists,  that IADI Core Principles are used by jurisdictions, including Nigeria, as a benchmark for assessing the quality of their deposit insurance systems and for identifying gaps in their deposit insurance practices and measures to address them. 

The Core Principles are also used by the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and the World Bank in the context of the Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP), to assess the effectiveness of jurisdictions’ deposit insurance system and practices.

The first set of the Core Principles was issued jointly by the IADI and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) in June 2009 while the document is subjected to periodic revision order to keep it up-to-date with evolving trends on the global financial system landscape. 

As a founding and committed member of IADI, NDIC recognizes the importance of the ongoing revision and hereby invites stakeholders and the general public to actively participate in the process by reviewing the document on the link https://ndic.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Draft-Revised-IADI-Core-Principles.pdf Stakeholders feedbacks should be forwarded to the Corporation on or before 30th June 2025 via email to iadi@ndic.gov.ng in PDF format   

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Nigeria Customs Service Clarifies Circulating Video of Shooting Incident

Nigeria Customs Service Clarifies Circulating Video of Shooting Incident

...  A public statement was issued at the time, and a disciplinary panel was established to investigate the matter thoroughly. At the end of the process, appropriate sanctions were applied, including the dismissal of the officers found culpable - CGC ADENIYI 

Bisi Akingbade 

The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,  has been drawn to a video currently circulating on social media, which captures a tragic shooting incident involving some operatives of the Service. The NCS wishes to categorically state that the incident in question occurred on Sunday, 17 February 2019, and not a recent development, as portrayed by some online platforms.

According to the press statement issued by the Assistant Comptroller of Customs

National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, highlighted that 

 "Following the ugly occurrence at the Shagamu Interchange in Ogun State, the Service took immediate steps to address the situation in line with its internal procedures. A public statement was issued at the time, and a disciplinary panel was established to investigate the matter thoroughly. At the end of the process, appropriate sanctions were applied, including the dismissal of the officers found culpable.

"It is pertinent to reiterate that the NCS is a statutory government agency guided by rules of engagement and, therefore, will not condone any misconduct from its personnel. While the video may have resurfaced unexpectedly, the issue had been conclusively addressed, and justice was served in accordance with the Service’s regulations.

"Furthermore, the Service acknowledges the concerns expressed by members of the public regarding the resurfaced video. However, we urge citizens to avoid spreading misleading content and instead seek accurate information through NCS official channels. We deeply value the vigilance and feedback of Nigerians and reaffirm our commitment to delivering professional, accountable service while upholding the principles of integrity and respect for human dignity.

"Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his management team, the NCS continues to uphold transparency and respect for the rule of law. This is evident in the strategic measures implemented to strengthen internal controls and capacity building through targeted training programs for personnel. These efforts underscore the Service’s resolve to build trust, ensure integrity, and sustain mutually rewarding partnerships with the public.

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WIMA Confers Gender Inclusion Award on SIFAX Group

WIMA Confers Gender Inclusion Award on SIFAX Group 

Bisi Akingbade 

SIFAX Group has been honoured with the Distinguished Gender Inclusion Award at the just-concluded 2025 Women in Maritime and Shipping Conference, organized by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping in Lagos.

The prestigious award, presented during the high-profile event in Lagos, is the only recognition conferred at the annual conference and is reserved for a single organization that has made significant strides in promoting gender inclusion within the maritime industry.  

According to the organizers, SIFAX Group was selected for its unwavering commitment to bridging the gender gap and creating an enabling environment for women to thrive in the sector. 

“This award recognises the outstanding efforts of SIFAX Group in driving gender inclusivity in maritime space. Their leadership, support, and practical initiatives continue to open doors for women across various levels of the industry,” said the Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike during the presentation. 

Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Ololade Dawodu, Head of Clearing and Forwarding at Ports & Cargo Handling Services (a subsidiary of SIFAX Group), expressed gratitude to the organizers and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to gender equity. 

“We sincerely appreciate the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping for this honour. At SIFAX Group, gender inclusion is not just a concept; it is a core part of our organizational culture. We will continue to champion initiatives that give women equal opportunities to grow and thrive in the maritime sector,” she said. 

The event featured a lineup of esteemed speakers and stakeholders from both national and international maritime bodies. Notably, representatives from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Lloyd’s Register, the International Chamber of Shipping, and several African maritime associations joined the conference virtually, lending global weight to the occasion. 

SIFAX Group was also specially featured during the conference, with segments highlighting the company’s policies, impact stories, and initiatives that continue to empower women in the sector. 

The award not only affirms SIFAX Group’s role as a trailblazer in gender equity but also reinforces the growing recognition of inclusive practices as key to the sustainable growth of the maritime industry.

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