Author: Saint Augustine

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in an attempt to intensify its effort to enhance the ease of doing business for compliant stakeholders, has commenced the implementation of Authorized Economic Operators, AEO programme benefits for the first set of approved Importers, Exporters, SMEs, Customs Licensed Brokers and Logistics Operators; effective 2nd September, 2024. According to a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada, this landmark initiative introduced new standards in line with global best practices, aiming to enhance trade facilitation, ameliorate existing difficulties within the supply chain and strengthen Nigeria’s…

…Says partnership will boost Nigeria’s exports The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC has lauded the collaboration between SIFAX Shipping and ECU Worldwide, describing it as a venture capable of boosting the nation’s export capacity and earnings. Mr. Arnold Jackson, Director, State Offices Coordinating Department, NEPC said this at the 2024 edition of the International Business Conference & Expo, hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the theme, “Invest Nigeria.” The two-day event, which was held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, attracted key stakeholders and investors from around the globe, interested in investing in…

…As imported cargoes trapped at ports The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics Of Nigeria, APFFLON, on Wednesday, lamented the inability of its members and other freight forwarding practitioners to capture jobs and pay customs duty at Unity Bank since Monday 2nd September, 2024 due to server downtime being experienced at the bank. Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, President of APFFLON who made this known in a chat with our correspondent in Lagos, said that the system breakdown had affected all the Unity Bank branches adding that nobody was able to pay customs duty, culminating in demurrage and rent accruals…

Speaking to business owners at the Elitepreneur Workshop recently, experts emphasized the importance of building a strong brand to drive sustainable growth in today’s competitive market. The event which took place in Lekki, Lagos, brought together prominent industry figures to share insights and strategies for achieving long-term business success. One of the experts who led a masterclass, Israel Oladipupo Ogunseye, Senior Marketing Manager at Mdundo, advised entrepreneurs to integrate marketing, sales, and brand management to create a cohesive strategy that resonates with their target audience. “To build a sustainable brand, businesses must go beyond mere advertising; they need to create…

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola has cautioned members of the public on the existence of several unauthorized social media accounts making the rounds and purportedly belonging to him. Dr. Mobereola via his verified X handle @MobereolaD made it clear that these fake accounts are not affiliated or endorsed by him, or the Agency in any way and advised members of the public to be wary and only communicate with official social media platforms. “For the avoidance of doubt, any party that puts itself forward as acting on behalf of NIMASA,…

…Matching Intellectual Property thoughts with Evidence-Based Scorecard By Enyi Ejike-Umunnabuike Jr. Going by the understanding of the international development institutions, such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, AfDB and significant other global agencies, Development administration is not only the core of any nation’s public service structure but includes such other segments of productive engagements that are private sector-driven. At least, this much was explained and given credence to in an exclusive interview this reporter had with Ajay Banga, the President of the World Bank during his first ever visit to Nigeria in August 2023. During the said state visit…

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s Maritime industry, on Wednesday August 28, 2024, gathered at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos to chat a way forward towards the revival of the annual international conference and exhibition, Nigerian Maritime Expo, NIMAREX. President, Nigeria Ship Owners’ Association of Nigeria, NISA and converner of Nimarex 2024, Otunba Sola Adewunmi in his welcome address at the inaugural meeting, called for Government/private partnership, synergy and collaboration of all stakeholders to bring back NIMAREX which he described as Africa’s biggest maritime event. “As we embark on this new chapter, it is crucial that we all recognise NIMAREX as our event…

Edo elders, on Tuesday, outlined the priorities of the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. “We need a governor who cares about public education, health and the environment. We need a governor who cares about women, youths and elderly. Senator Monday Okpebholo understands Edo voters’ economic struggles and will work every day to make our state a better place to live. We are going to make sure that he is elected governor. We shall make the APC governorship candidate to succeed. This is the project of the Edo people. God willing, we shall succeed”, the elders stated.…

Determined to entrench transparency and accountability in tax collection processes and operations at the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, the Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, has constituted a 12-member Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, ACTU with the mandate to ensure zero tolerance for unethical acts and corruption within the revenue-collecting agency. The body, which is to collaborate with anti-graft agencies, was inaugurated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC at the Revenue House in Abuja on Tuesday. Speaking at the event, Adedeji who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Koleosho, urged the newly inducted members of…

Quality Education is captured as United Nations Goal 4 as a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and Target 4.5 specifically aims to “by 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.” A visit to Alabarago lepers’ community recently by Mass Communication scholars from the University of Lagos, UNILAG underline the neglect of SDG 4 highlighted by one of the community Chiefs, Mr. Umar Abdullahi as one of the biggest problems in the urban slum. As Sydney Badeau…