Category: News

How We Leverage AEO Trade Facilitation Initiatives to Reduce Clearance Time – CGC Adeniyi

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially launched the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and reducing clearance times for compliant businesses.   Speaking at the launch event on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted the significance of the initiative in fostering trust, security, and efficiency in trade operations.   “This partnership is built on mutual trust between Customs authorities and business entities, offering reciprocal benefits through official recognition of…

Nigeria Customs, NPA strengthen collaboration to enhance port efficiency

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at improving efficiency and competitiveness at the nation’s ports.   Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a courtesy visit to the NPA on Thursday, February 13, 2025. He emphasized that the effectiveness of the ports directly impacts the performance of the Customs Service.   “If we get it right in our ports, we will get it right in the Service,” he stated, stressing the need for synergy…

Tinubu hails El-Rufai on 65th Birthday, commends his service to Nigeria

Emporium Reporters

By Idris Mustapha   President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on his 65th birthday, praised his contributions to governance, democracy, and nation-building.   In his message, President Tinubu lauded El-Rufai’s role in the formation of the APC and his strategic contributions to the party’s victories in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections. He commended El-Rufai’s dedication to democratic ideals, governance reforms, and mentorship of younger leaders. The President wished him good health and strength to continue serving the nation.   El-Rufai, a founding member of the All…

CGC Adeniyi honoured as Iconic Maritime Personality of 2024, reaffirms commitment to trade facilitation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has been named the Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024 by the Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NMJ). The prestigious award was presented to him on Thursday, February 13, 2025, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s maritime sector.   Speaking at the event, CGC Adeniyi expressed gratitude for the honor and reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the momentum of reforms initiated in 2024.   “Gradually, we are beginning to restore some sanity in policy formation and implementation, where we play a significant…

Sakinah Medical Outreach, Partners offer free Life-Saving Surgeries in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Sakinah Medical Outreach, in collaboration with Medics Across Continents (MAC), National Hospital Abuja, and volunteer medical professionals, has launched a six-day free surgical mission aimed at providing critical medical interventions to underserved Nigerians. Made possible through donations from Nigerians and other supporting partners, the initiative will deliver over 100 life-saving surgeries for patients suffering from conditions such as urethral stricture, prostate enlargement, kidney stones, hernia, and lipoma. At a press conference in Abuja, Prof. Aisha Abubakar, Vice-Chairman of Sakinah Medical Outreach, described the mission as a lifeline for indigent patients.…

Veritas University Student escapes abductors, rescued by Niger Police

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has rescued Cornelius Damulak, a 36-year-old student of Veritas University, Abuja, who managed to escape from his abductors after being held captive for over a week.   Damulak was found wandering along the Pogo-Paiko highway on February 14, 2025, by a police patrol team from Chanchaga Division. Upon questioning, he revealed that he was kidnapped from his residence in Bwari, Abuja, on February 6 at about 5 a.m. by suspected kidnappers who moved him through different forests.   According to him, after days in captivity,…

Nigeria poised to become West Africa’s Electric Vehicle Hub – BYD Motors MD

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Managing Director of BYD Motors Nigeria, Mr. Moses Ayom, has expressed optimism that Nigeria can emerge as the leading hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and marketing in West Africa through strategic collaboration.   Speaking at an exhibition and demonstration forum for BYD electric cars held at the Tukur Buratai Research Centre in Gora, Nasarawa State, Ayom highlighted the importance of Nigeria aligning with global EV trends. He noted that BYD Motors Nigeria partnered with a Chinese EV company because China has already achieved an 85% EV adoption rate,…

Cairo Ojougboh’s family marks One-Year Memorial with Charity Outreach in Delta State

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The family of the late All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, has marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable activities aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and community service.   Leading the initiative, his widow, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, spearheaded donations to schools, hospitals, and orphanages in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had his early education.   The outreach, carried out under the Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation, included the donation of school bags and books to…

Nigeria Customs launches Authorized Economic Operator Program to boost Trade Efficiency

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially launched the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing trade facilitation, improving supply chain security, and boosting national economic growth. The event, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, was attended by key government officials, industry stakeholders, and international partners. In his keynote address, the Comptroller General of Customs emphasized that the AEO programme represents a shift from traditional transaction-based controls to a comprehensive compliance management system, fostering mutual trust between Customs and businesses. He highlighted that the initiative aligns…

NSCIA postpones Nigerian Quran Convention due to overwhelming interest

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has announced the postponement of the highly anticipated Nigerian Quran Convention, initially planned to accommodate 60,000 participants, due to an overwhelming response and increased international interest. In an official statement signed by Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, on behalf of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto & President-General of NSCIA, the council disclosed that the event had received over 500,000 expressions of interest and accreditation requests far exceeding initial projections. The convention, designed to be a historic gathering of scholars, Huffaz (Quran memorisers),…