Operation Whirlwind: CG Adeniyi Sets Up Special Operation Against Smuggling of Petroleum Products

Operation Whirlwind: CG Adeniyi Sets Up Special Operation Against Smuggling of Petroleum Products

By: Bisi Akingbade

The Comptroller-General of Customs,  CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, has inaugurated a workshop for a newly formed tactical team, Operation Whirlwind, aimed at combating the smuggling of Petroleum Products to the neighbouring countries.

CGC Adeniyi in his opening remarks, emphasised the crucial role the team will play in protecting the nation’s economy from the adverse effects of smuggling petroleum products. “Economic saboteurs must be brought to justice,” he declared. “Over the years, we have rebuilt the service to an enviable height, our revenue is increasing, and our targets have also increased. However, if we are not significantly impacting the Nigerian economy, then we must do better.”

The workshop, held at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College,  (NCCSC), Abuja, is designed to equip the Operation Whirlwind team with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively curb smuggling, particularly of petroleum products diverted to neighbouring countries.

Adeniyi highlighted the significance of the workshop and the strategic importance of the new operation. “This is not a task force or the setting up of checkpoints,” he clarified. “This is an intelligence-driven operation that will support the political will at the highest level. Our dedication and loyalty must not be compromised. There will be serious consequences against whoever acts against this mission. There is zero tolerance for sabotage.”

Adeniyi stressed the need for collaboration and unity among the officers. “You were selected because you can do the job. Your coordinator’s record is impeccable, and your assignment can’t succeed without you working as a team. You are to complement the existing structure. You are not going as competitors; you are going to fight people sabotaging our efforts.”

The Director of Legal Services is scheduled to educate the team on the proper procedures for filing seizures, ensuring that all legal aspects of their operations are handled correctly.

The inauguration of Operation Whirlwind marks a significant step in Nigeria’s fight against smuggling and economic sabotage. As the team prepares to embark on their mission, the Comptroller-General of Customs asserts that the expectation is clear: to protect Nigeria’s economic interests with unwavering dedication and integrity.

Read More

Seme Customs Intercepts 404 Live Tortoise, 8 Tanker Loads of PMS, 1251 Cannabis Sativa, Generates N2.634bn Revenue In Q1 2024

Seme Customs Intercepts 404 Live Tortoise,  8 Tanker Loads of PMS, 1251 Cannabis Sativa, Generates N2.634bn Revenue In Q1 2024

By: Bisi Akingbade

The Customs Area Controller of Seme

Seme Kraken Joint Border Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi has disclosed today the  interception of Four Hundred and Seventy-Four, 474, of various contrabands within the period under review which includes wild live animals.

Comptroller Bomodi while briefing the press affirmed the arrest of a dreaded and  notorious smuggler reign of terror in the community has come to an end and he will be made to face the full wrath of the law while it also arrested another 18 suspects.

He stated that  the Command has sustained its tempo in the area of revenue generation by collecting a total sum of Two Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty Four Million, One Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty Five Naira Fifty Three Kobo (N 2, 634, 190, 645.53) only, in the period under review, which surpasses that of 2023 for the same period  by 272%.

Comptroller Bomodi said “These items includes; PMS: 12,448 Jerrycans x 30 liters each which is equivalent to eight tanker loads, rice: 6,467 bags of 50kg, which is equivalent to 10 trailer loads, 15 used vehicles, 1, 251parcels of cannabis sativa.

“We note that there has been a marked increase in the illegal importation of Cannabis from Ghana and different methods have been used by criminals in their effort to beat our officers all of which has been neutralized.

“Others are wild animals, which include, 20 live parrots, two Honey badgers, Pelican birds, 404 live tortoises, 3, 023 items of general merchandise, 149 packages of Codeine, 45 pieces of used tyers. All with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦840, 003 million only,”

Conversely, he said the Command has continued to sustain the tempo in the area of revenue generation, saying in the period under review, the command collected a total sum of N 2.634 billion and the amount surpasses that of 2023 for the same period by 272 per cent.

The Area Controller said the Command facilitated 143, 468 metric tonnes of export produce, with FOB value of ₦35.199 billion, which is equivalent to $38.461 million.

According to him, the NESS value paid is
₦174. 518 million, adding that a total of 406 SGDs were utilised from January to May 26 2024 for export alone.

“In compliance with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs that Commands give periodic reports of their activities to members of the public, and in the spirit of open governance, we at Seme-Krake Joint Border Post are delighted to present the successes recorded thus far this year,” he said.

He revealed that the Command has also set-up a complaint desk to address issues concerning the molestation of females on this corridor.

“We strongly frown at any act endangering the health and well-being of the vulnerable population of border stake-holders who go about their normal and legitimate businesses daily. Stringent action shall be taken against any officer of the any agency found guilty of molestation of any females on this corridor,” he added.

Read More

MWUN Congratulates Bello, Afolabi On Excellence Delivery, Appointment

MWUN Congratulates Bello, Afolabi On Excellence Delivery,  Appointment 

By: Bisi Akingbade

The President -General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Comrade Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, fnli, has congratulated the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Alhaji Bello Koko, who was recently honoured with double plaques, one for recognizing him as the "Public Servant of the year 2023"; and as head of the "Outstanding Government Agency of the year 2023" respectively.

Dr. Adeyanju affirmed that the Managing Director of NPA is not a mean administrator, having been so bestowed upon with these laudable  awards by the Management of Champion Newspapers Limited. Alhaji Koko is deeply rooted in the Maritime sector, an extra ordinary administrator of note; hence, his germaine expertise has brought so much reforms of development to the Maritime sector.

Comrade Adeyanju, who also doubles as the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in concert with his executives believe that the indefatigable Koko still has a lot to offer in the industry, his double awards are no flukes but a charge for more development in the Maritime sector.

In similar vein, Prince Adeyanju who is also the Chairman Global, International Transport Workers Federation, ITF, congratulated Dr. Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, MoN for his appointment as the first Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Ogun State recently.

Adeyanju and his entire Executives of the Maritime Workers Union salute the CEO/Founder of the SIFAX Group over his pragmatic conduct on work excellence, commitment to nation building and a wonderful employer of labour in the Maritime Sector, whose better management of workers cannot be overemphasized.

Comrade Adeyanju says that Afolabi's appointment as the pioneer Chancellor of the Gerar University of Medical Sciences is as a result of his love for academic excellence, research and development for the growth for quality education in the country. It's therefore not surprising that the Maritime Industry Guru was so appointed.

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria fervently pray that both the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority,  NPA , Bello Koko and the CEO of SIFAX,  Dr. Afolabi find favour and mercy in the eyes of the Almighty God to accomplish much more in their various designations as so honoured.

Read More

SIFAX Group: Dr. Afolabi As Chancellor Advocates Review of Health Workers' salary to End JAPA syndrome

SIFAX Group: Dr. Afolabi As Chancellor Advocates Review of Health Workers' salary to End JAPA syndrome

L-R: Vanessa Uansohia, Head, Corporate Communications, SAHCO Plc; Adegbesan Abiodun, Executive Director, Finance and Administration; Herbert Odika, Executive Director, Operations, SAHCO Plc; Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group and Chancellor, Gerar University of Medical Sciences; and Olumuyiwa Akande, Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group during the investiture of Afolabi as Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences held at the university premises in Imope-Ijebu, Ogun State recently.

By: Bisi Akingbade

Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi has called on Nigerian government to improve the remuneration of health workers in the country in order to stem the tide of migration of doctors and other health workers out of Nigeria.

Speaking at his investiture as the Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Imope-Ijebu, Ogun state, Afolabi said this mass migration of health professionals, especially doctors and nurses, out of Nigeria known as Japa has negatively affected the country’s health care delivery.

He said that the ugly trend must be frontally tackled by the government and further noted that aside from the provision of modern equipment and tools at public health facilities across the country to improve service rendered, priority attention must also be devoted to the welfare of these dispirited health professionals who are left in the country.

 

He said: “Many of our competent medical hands have been lost to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia among other developed economies where sufficient encouragement in terms of remuneration, modern work tools, and a conducive working environment have been provided to attract talents from all over the world. 

 

“This migration by young Nigerians has negatively affected almost every sector of the country, but it is safe to conclude that the health sector has been the biggest victim of this JAPA syndrome. The few doctors, nurses, and other health professionals that are left in the country are overworked and grossly underpaid when compared to their counterparts globally.

 

“This has negatively impacted the quality of services patients could access in our public health institutions.  Our governments, at all levels, need to be strategic and proactive in tackling this menace. Pay for health workers must be improved while a conducive environment that will make them thrive and be fulfilled professionally must be provided.”

 

Afolabi, who lauded the proprietor and management of the specialized institution for their foresight in establishing the university at a time the country needs to produce more quality health workers, said Gerar University of Medical Sciences has the capacity to become a reference point and a centre of excellence in medical education and research in the country.

 

Prof. Niyi Adetoro, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, said the new university will leverage technology and innovation to drive its vision, adding that the support of corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals will be required to support the university’s ambitious vision, which has necessitated an endowment fund of N500 million.

Read More

SIFAX Group: Dr. Afolabi As Chancellor Advocates Review of Health Workers' salary to End JAPA Syndrome

SIFAX Group: Dr. Afolabi As Chancellor Advocates Review of Health Workers' salary to End JAPA syndrome

L-R: Vanessa Uansohia, Head, Corporate Communications, SAHCO Plc; Adegbesan Abiodun, Executive Director, Finance and Administration; Herbert Odika, Executive Director, Operations, SAHCO Plc; Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group and Chancellor, Gerar University of Medical Sciences; and Olumuyiwa Akande, Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group during the investiture of Afolabi as Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical _Sciences  held at the university premises in Imope-Ijebu, Ogun State recently.*

By: Bisi Akingbade

Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi has called on Nigerian government to improve the remuneration of health workers in the country in order to stem the tide of migration of doctors and other health workers out of Nigeria.

Speaking at his investiture as the Chancellor of Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Imope-Ijebu, Ogun state, Afolabi said this mass migration of health professionals, especially doctors and nurses, out of Nigeria known as Japa has negatively affected the country’s health care delivery.

He said that the ugly trend must be frontally tackled by the government and further noted that aside from the provision of modern equipment and tools at public health facilities across the country to improve service rendered, priority attention must also be devoted to the welfare of these dispirited health professionals who are left in the country.

 

He said: “Many of our competent medical hands have been lost to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia among other developed economies where sufficient encouragement in terms of remuneration, modern work tools, and a conducive working environment have been provided to attract talents from all over the world. 

 

“This migration by young Nigerians has negatively affected almost every sector of the country, but it is safe to conclude that the health sector has been the biggest victim of this JAPA syndrome. The few doctors, nurses, and other health professionals that are left in the country are overworked and grossly underpaid when compared to their counterparts globally.

 

“This has negatively impacted the quality of services patients could access in our public health institutions.  Our governments, at all levels, need to be strategic and proactive in tackling this menace. Pay for health workers must be improved while a conducive environment that will make them thrive and be fulfilled professionally must be provided.”

 

Afolabi, who lauded the proprietor and management of the specialized institution for their foresight in establishing the university at a time the country needs to produce more quality health workers, said Gerar University of Medical Sciences has the capacity to become a reference point and a centre of excellence in medical education and research in the country.

 

Prof. Niyi Adetoro, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, said the new university will leverage technology and innovation to drive its vision, adding that the support of corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals will be required to support the university’s ambitious vision, which has necessitated an endowment fund of N500 million.

Read More