By Fidelis Ugbomeh. Concerned about the increasing rate of drug abuse and its inherent effect on our youths, Nigeria Customs Service has arrested 2 suspects in connection with importation of unregistered pharmaceutical drugs worth over N550 million through Tin-Can Island port into the country.                    Nigerian Customs. The  drugs were intercepted and seized based on intelligence report which revealed that the drugs were concealed as electrical materials in 2 containers with bill laden numbers: 227578945 and 22789171. After the arrest one of the suspects Boniface Ike claimed to be the importer and offered a bribe of N50 million for his release but the offer was rejected thus leading to his arrest. Area Comptroller Tin-Can Island command of the service Mr.Adekunle Oloyede who made this known on Monday said that on arrival of the vessel the 2 identified containers were immediately transferred  enforcement station. He no...

By Fidelis Ugbomeh. Based on the Cabotage Act, 2023 about 539 Nigerian seafarers especially ratings have been recommended for replacement of their foreign counterparts on board vessels in the first quarter of 2023.              DG of NIMASA Dr. Bashir Jamoh. The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Ssfety Agency helsman who made this known in a ststement made available to newsmen said according to provision of the Act cabotage manning applications are now processed on condition that all foreign crew especially ratings on board vessels are to be replaced by their Nigerian seafarers/cadets within three weeks 2 to 3 weeks of their operations. He explained that under the current administration the agency placed 3,705 seafarers on board Cabotage vessels in the year 2021, 7,238 seafarers in 2022 and 1013 placed in 2023 (Jan – July).  According to him, a total of 11,956 Nigerian seafarers have been placed onboard Cabotage vessels from January-...

By Fidelis Ugbomeh.  The creation of a separate Ministry for Marine and Blue Economy to cover the Maritime industry, must bring to focus key aspect of the Maritime industry such as enforcement of Cabotage legislation, ports development, ocean governance as well as the nation's blue economy.                Barrister Olisa Agbakoba.     This was the position of a Maritime Lawyer and a former President of Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Olisa Agbakoba while chatting with newsmen in Lagos.     Agbakoba who joined other key stakeholders in the industry to commend the federal government for creation of Ministry after several years of agitation, noted that it would give the Maritime industry the right direction and would pave   way for policies which would assist in harnessing the  Industry's vast resources   According to him,"not giving it a Ministry of its own like the Aviation, was a...

By Fidelis Ugbomeh. The Ag. Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi has called for more synergy and collaboration between Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for effective service delivery. Adeniyi, who was represented by the Commandant of Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja;  Deputy Comptroller Haniel Hadison, made the call at the 2023 Gala/Awards Night of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on Friday in Lagos. According to Adeniyi, smuggling activities in the country can be curtailed to a large extent through partnership with the media. "This inter-agency partnership and collaboration needs to be intensified because the media is positioned to inform and educate the public on the merit of anti-smuggling operations of the NCS,' the CG said.            Customs ACG Adewale Adeniyi. The Comptroller-General explained that the activities of the NCS had always elicited mixed ...

By: FIDELIS UGBOMEH Customs Seizes Illicit Drugs, Negative Effects  .                   Comptroller General Adeniyi The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has highlighted the negative effects of the misuse and illicit distribution of codeine-containing medications on the citizens.  The practice, according to the service, has given rise to grave security and public health concerns, contributing to a surge in adverse health effects, addiction and societal challenges. Ag Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Wale Adeniyi stated this at the Federal Operations Unit, (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos, Wednesday, during a follow-up on the significant achievements the Service made in recent times in combating the illicit trade on drugs within Nigeria’s borders. He stated that “As part of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our society an protecting the well-being of our citizens, of the Federal Operating Unit Zone A, acting on ...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Concerned by developments in Nigeria, an Elderly Nigerian,  Elder Akinlosotu Thomas JP has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu offering suggestions for a better Nigeria.                    President Bola Tinubu. Elder Akinlosotu believes that President Bola Tinubu can re-write Nigeria history and put his name on Gold  He suggested that a sum of 5million naira should be given as  national insurance for non oil producing states,10million for oil producing states from the age of 18 years above.  .He suggested the five million insurance to be distributed as follows . one million naira as Education insurance, one million naira for Employment or job creation, one million naira for Health insurance, one million for Housing insurance, one million for social services insurance .  He called for a bill to be presentend to the National Assembly to back it up, through NIN card dist...