The Baggage Magazine: October 2023

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

A PEEP INTO THE NUMBER OF CHECKPOINTS BETWEEN SEME AND BADAGRY ROUNDABOUT

By Okey IROEGBU

You cannot imagine that fifty-two checkpoints comprising Police, Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence, NDLEA, Plant Quarantine and others are found along the Seme expressway. They are tentatively as follows: (1) J5 - NPF...Seme command; (2) Catholic Church – Seme command; (3). POLICE in front of their station; (4). ASHIPA - Immigration; (5).TOTHA - MOPOL Border Patrol; (6).TOTHA – Customs on visit for now; (7). SEA-VIEW – Police, Seme Command; (8). IGBEGBOMEH – MOPOL Border Patrol; (9) GBETHROMEH - JBPT; (10). GBETHROMEH - MOPOL Border Patrol; (11). BOGLO - MOPOL Border Patrol; (12). FALOLA – Police, Seme Command; (13). AKORO – Customs on visit; (14). AKORO - MOPOL Border Patrol; (15). BOLINGTON - NPF Seme Command; (16). SUNTAN - MOPOL Border Patrol; (17). SUNTAN – Customs Seme command; (18). SUNTAN Police Post, Customs Seme command; (19). SECOND MALU ASAKPO, MOPOL Border Patrol; (20). MOHAGAFAR - Customs; (21). YARD – Civil Defence; (22). YARD - Immigration; (23). YARD - JBPT; (24). YARD - Customs; (25). GBEREFU JUNCTION - MOPOL Border Patrol; (26). HOKEDAHO - Police; (27). HOKEDAHO - IGP Police; (28). B/4 SMALL BRIDGE - JBPT; (29). AFTER SMALL BRIDGE - MOPOL Border Patrol; (30). AFTER SMALL BRIDGE – Customs Anti-fly; (31). AFTER SMALL BRIDGE - Immigration; (32). OWODE APA U TURN – Plant Quarantine; (33). OWODE APA U TURN – Port Health; (34). AFTER OWODE U TURN - FRSC; (35). GBAJI JUNCTION – Police, Seme command; (36). GBAJI JUNCTION (2) - MOPOL Border Patrol; (37). GBAJI JUNCTION Immigration; (38). GBAJI JUNCTION IGP Police & another Police; (39). GBAJI YEKETOME - NDLEA; (40). GBAJI U TURN - Customs; (41). GBAJI U TURN – Plant quarantine; (42). GBAJI DOWN – Police Seme command; (43). GBAJI UP - CUSTOMS; (44). GBAJI UP - JBPT; (45). GBAJI BRIDGE SLOP - MILITARY; (46). OLOKO (1) - NPF Badagry command; (47). OLOKO (2) - Customs; (48). NPF - Area K Command; (49). NPF. Seme command; (50). NNPC-FSWAT Police; (51). NIPCO-STATION - Police; (52). MUZAINAH FILLING STATION – Civil Defence; 53. AJARA TOPA SMALL BRIDGE U TURN – Police.

A PEEP INTO THE NUMBER OF CHECKPOINTS BETWEEN SEME AND BADAGRY ROUNDABOUT

By Okey IROEGBU

Friday, October 27, 2023

A PEEP INTO THE NUMBER OF CHECKPOINTS BETWEEN SEME AND BADAGRY ROUNDABOUT

By Okey IROEGBU

A PEEP INTO THE NUMBER OF CHECKPOINTS BETWEEN SEME AND BADAGRY ROUNDABOUT

By Okey IROEGBU

WE SHOULDN’T EAT OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE TODAY – Nnadi mni

By Okey IROEGBU

Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni is seriously showcasing the stuff he is made of with the revenue strides he and his officers are making at Tincan Island command. The Customs Area Controller who turned things around before he left Seme a while ago has seriously turned the revenue generation at Tincan command also. While receiving members of the League of Maritime Editors in his office at Tincan, he expressed his joy over the relationship that has existed between the members of League and himself. He went into sweet memory lane on some past activities between him and many of the members of this body. On his duties at the command which centered primarily on revenue generation, the workaholic Customs Area Controller confirmed that when they took over the mantle of leadership at the command, the revenue was at 52% remaining 48% of the N801Billion annual revenue target for the command. This was for the relatively short period remaining for the fiscal year to come to an end. It could be noted that Comptroller Nnadi mni took over in Tincan command on Thursday, September 14, 2023. He

confirmed that through hard work by his officers and the compliant stakeholders, they were able to reduce the percentage of the revenue generation to 37% at the end of September. He went further to say that on resumption at the command the daily target set for the command was N3.3Billion. Through diligence, they were able to set their own target at N5.2Billion which his officers promised to achieve.

According to him, the intention as he rightly put it in a proverb is that "if you are aiming to get to the top of a tree, you better aim at getting to the moon. If you cannot make the moon, you will definitely get to the tree top." Their self-imposed revenue target did the magic as they were working hard to meet this target which they finally did and even surpassing it to the tone of N9.2Billion collected in a day recently. In all, he confirmed that his officers are working round the clock to achieve this. He thanked the industry critical stakeholders but did not fail to categorize them into three viewpoints representing the freight forwarders who work for these importers. "We have the very compliant ones ... we have those who are not compliant out of ignorance, whenever we call for meetings, whenever we educate them, they’re very willing to change and do the right thing. We have received the cooperation of the first and the second.”He went ahead to discuss the third set which actually is one of the challenges they face at the command. These are very obstinate and stubborn category. They are never ready to be compliant and in most cases they in this category makes the loudest noise against any government policy.“The first are enjoying fast track, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR just launched Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) policy for them, we have quite a number of them. We also have those who are willing to do it right out of ignorance or lack of opportunity they didn’t do it, we have also been encouraging them, they are also doing it.“But we have very few who are recalcitrant, who will never, no matter what you do, change. These are the most vocal ones, unfortunately. For every policy you want to introduce, they are the ones that will say anything, mislead the press just to create confusion.”Comptroller Nnadi mni at this juncture pleaded with the foremost maritime media operators to help out in their agenda setting and gate keeping to seriously educate these non-compliant and many others against de-marketing the country as this will definitely affect the economy of the nation. “There is something I told those I held meeting with yesterday, I said for every negative opinion you express about this our industry and get the media to write, you de-market this industry. So when we say do it right and you run to the media and say all manners of things, the ports are not working, customs is killing us, tariffs are so high, they are killing business, the media must write, it is their duty to write. “And that is why I always appeal rather than throwing blames here and there, can we talk in-house to address some of these challenges? Because in the meeting we held yesterday, with stakeholders and other government agencies on the challenges of multiple interventions in cargo clearing process, I told them it is an embarrassment that close to 20 years we are still discussing the same issue. “If you bring 100 containers and examine them, and then I return verdict that you complied, duty was paid correctly, items imported are correct, I expect the next batch of PAAR that will come to be green. So I asked them yesterday, how come every PAAR issued, over 70percewnt or more still turns out to be red over the years and yet you complain that there are interventions in the system. Ants will only go to where there is sugar.“So I talked to them yesterday, I said please

can we talk to our importers to do the right thing so we can change this narrative? Let our risk levels tend towards green, even for the few that we said okay, there are some reasonable grounds not to be suspected go to the orange, yellow for scanning. All of you were here when I was in NIPPS, almost every newspaper report was ‘give us scanners, give us scanners’, now the scanners have been brought, people are saying the scanners are delaying, we don’t want to go to scanners…so I asked them, what do you people really want?“I am very passionate about this industry and we need to interrogate issues, I am making this appeal because I know you are elders in maritime reporting, let us face reality, let us say the truth, forget about personal considerations and think about the industry; we shouldn’t eat our children’s future today.”

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

COMPTROLLER MARTINA TILLY GYADO TAKES OVER AS CONTROLLER OF KLT AREA COMMAND LAGOS

Comptroller Martina Tilly Gyado has assumed office as the Customs Area Controller of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command (KLTC) in Lagos. She formally took over from Comptroller Timinadi Bomodi on Friday, September 15, 2023. During the brief handing-over ceremony in the KLT Conference Hall, the outgoing Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bomodi, who resumed duties at the command from January to mid-September 2023, disclosed that the command raked in N36.93 Billion, representing a 22.44% increase when compared to the N30.16 Billion it generated during the same period in 2022. He also noted that it represents 59.37% of the total expected revenue for 2023. It should be recalled that Comptroller Bomadi, the then Customs Area Controller of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal command recently disclosed that facilities available for trade at the terminals have the capacity to accommodate huge volumes of both import and export consignments for optimal utilization but it is not patronized.The statement was a lament made by him as he briefed some media on the whooping N7.8 billion generated by the command in the month of July, 2023. It could be noted that this is a departure from what used to obtain in the command. Speaking with journalists at the command, Comptroller Bomodi said that the figure was the first of its kind in the history of the command. It is a leap from the N3.5 to N3.6 billion that the command used to generate in six months.“As for revenue, like I said, we are operating at less than ten percent so between January and June, we have been doing an average of N3.5 to 3.6 billion but remarkably, in July, for the first time in the history of the command, we were able to make N7.8 billion“Not because necessarily, there was an increase in output, we tightened our revenue collection mechanism, we made our business processes more efficient. In a way, the exchange rate impacted on that too. We are beginning to see an uplift in our collection which is remarkable and we believe that going forward, that will be our new reality.”Comptroller Bomodi said that the terminal had a space that is equivalent to the big commands like Apapa and Tin Can but that it was unutilized. He added that the command has the potentials to increase the revenue generation of the command if the potentials are put into maximum use.While welcoming and congratulating the incoming Customs Area Controller on her posting to KLTC, he also appreciated the Officers and Men for their professionalism, discipline, and the massive support he received during his time. He said, “We pray that in the future, there will be more significant and positive strides both for the Command and the Service at large.” The new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Gyado in her response, thanked God and the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for finding her worthy of the appointment and promised to meet management’s expectations. She stated that her leadership would adopt emotional intelligence strategies and apply Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis in addressing matters of revenue collection, anti-smuggling, trade facilitation, and robust stakeholder engagement to improve compliance. “I am here to deploy emotional intelligence, which comprises teamwork, interpersonal relationships, and knowledge of the environment,” She further explained.She also emphasized that her doors are open to criticism and that she is willing to accommodate even negative criticism as long as it benefits the Command. She then tasked Officers and Men for robust cooperation while thanking stakeholders for finding time to grace the event.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

THE PERPETUAL PROBLEM OF MULTIPLE CHECKPOINTS ALONG SEME ROAD

By Okey IROEGBU

The perennial and proliferation of checkpoints along Seme border is one of the long lists presented to CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi before his visit to Seme border. The continuous growth of these checkpoints had been a serious concern to stakeholders along this corridor. Travelers along the West Coast cannot hide their feelings any longer over the disparity between Nigeria and other West African nations on this corridor. A journey from Cote D'voire to Lagos would continue to be smooth until the traveler enters Seme Krake border where the situation would definitely change. In most cases, observers have asked if there is a crisis in Nigeria. First timers have made attempts to return back to their countries as a result of fear that, there might be an uprising which led to the multiple checkpoints. It all started unchecked until it became a tradition. Like an African proverb would say; if wickedness continues unchecked for a year, it becomes the culture of the people. Seme border was at a time booming with trade across the border. There is no doubt that this period of boom might have some violations of the best practices in international trade. There were violation on ECOWAS protocols on movements of people and goods. To checkmate these irregularities, various security operatives swung into action by placing

their presence to prevent 'breakdown' of order and actions that could undermine national security. How true was their initiative? This could be determined by their mood of operations. A situation where a particular security outfit moves virtually every officer in their station to the road, creating checkpoints on every twenty meters apart may not be seen as a tight security where tolls are involved. Officers along Seme checkpoints have been tempted to declare that they are working on fulfilling a special financial target given to them. The boom along Seme Express road brought in security agencies to the area from far and near. On police which could be regarded as more notorious on the road, there are IGP patrol and even Zone 2 Onikan at a point. On Nigeria Immigration whose work should have been restricted to the point of exit

and entry are seen scattered along Seme border. The question on the Immigration is therefore, why are there no such checkpoints along the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos, asking every commuter heading towards the airport direction their passport or where they are heading to? The people of Badagry community who are the perpetual victims have not taken a bold step to get these anomalies addressed. Their representatives at the state and national assemblies are also not helping matters to addressing this issue. With these numerous checkpoints, one would have the feelings that there are a lot of illegalities going on along this corridor but it is not true. As mentioned above, certain abnormalities have been established here and they have come to stay as tradition. How should a commercial driver be expected to pay a toll of N100.00 or N200.00 at every

police checkpoint without transferring the effects on the commuters? It is on this not that a journey of less than 25 kilometers would cost commuters N700.00 and the journey of less than 30 minutes will take two hours because of these stop and pay-your-toll. New police intakes sees the toll collection as normal and could do it with careless abandon even to the extent of delaying passengers in their bid to find change for the driver. Which other parts of Lagos state are these done? When the CGC was presented with this pathetic story of war-like checkpoints, he showed compassion but advised that it would be a symbiotic responsibility if there are other hidden agenda.According to him, “these are conversations that would happen within us when we have gotten assurances from the communities that they would be ready to assist the agencies in doing their job. Before I came here, I have received communications from the Area Controller (Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni), he had reflected a number of the burning issues which is the source of concern for the communities here.“The list is very long, but the most important is that we want to enhance our National security, we want to do it with fewer number of checkpoints. We get your message and we would be doing it with other security agencies to see how we can rationalize the checkpoints“I also want to challenge you that National Security is not the responsibility of these government agencies alone, this is the difference between us and our counterparts in West Africa, National Security is the business of every citizen, and all strata of the society treat it as a priority.“So, it should not be the business of only the security agencies. So, as we make life easier for business, I want to charge you also to make life and the work of our security agents easier.“The criminals live among us, those importing arms and ammunition live among us, they operate within our precinct, what you can do to help our national security is to help us with information and intelligence for us to catch these criminals visiting mayhem on our communities. “If the security agencies can do the job with accurate intelligence from you, then, we might not need these checkpoints again," the CGC said. Thinking that these checkpoints actually were trimmed down, the CGC was delighted on his way back as he said, “Now that we have dismantled the checkpoints, your people must also obey the law when they are stopped for checks, if not, they would lose their means of conveyance." The truth is that the checkpoints frizzle out on the information that a government official is visiting. As soon as he goes, the checkpoints like evil spirits comes back in folds to keep tormenting the people. Is there any solution to this abnormal situation, yes there is. From critical investigation, these checkpoints are products of corruption, established from the high authority. SP Sunday Bada of blessed memory once told Editors of this media on a lecture on how the monies collected at these points are shared. He took us to a secret room where the money from each checkpoint were collated as the heads of each patrol team makes returns regularly. This is where the issue of meeting ones target comes from. Bada did not see it as a crime instead he volunteered to sponsor our trip to Abuja to go and uncover the huge corruption at the National Assembly. The National Assembly with her huge Baggage of corruption cannot therefore make any law to repel these illegal checkpoints because one do not know if they have their own shares here too? The solution lies on the people voicing out continuously.

THE PERPETUAL PROBLEM OF MULTIPLE CHECKPOINTS ALONG SEME ROAD

By Okey IROEGBU

African proverb would say; if wickedness continues unchecked for a year, it becomes the culture of the people. Seme border was at a time booming with trade across the border. There is no doubt that this period of boom might have some violations of the best practices in international trade. There were violation on ECOWAS protocols on movements of people and goods. To checkmate these irregularities, various security operatives swung into action by placing their presence to prevent 'breakdown' of order and actions that could undermine national security. How true was their initiative? This could be determined by their mood of operations. A situation where a particular security outfit moves virtually every officer in their station to the road, creating checkpoints on every twenty meters apart may not be seen as a tight security where tolls are involved. Officers along Seme checkpoints have been tempted to declare that they are working on fulfilling a special financial target given to them. The boom along Seme Express road brought in security agencies to the area from far and near. On police which could be regarded as more notorious on the road, there are IGP patrol and even Zone 2 Onikan at a point. On Nigeria Immigration whose work should have been restricted to the point of exit and entry are seen scattered along Seme border. The question on the Immigration is therefore, why are there no such checkpoints along the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos, asking every commuter heading towards the airport direction their passport or where they are heading to? The people of Badagry community who are the perpetual victims have not taken a bold step to get these anomalies addressed. Their representatives at the state and national assemblies are also not helping matters to addressing this issue. With these numerous checkpoints, one would have the feelings that there are a lot of illegalities going on along this corridor but it is not true. As mentioned above, certain abnormalities have been established here and they have come to stay as tradition. How should a commercial driver be expected to pay a toll of N100.00 or N200.00 at every police checkpoint without transferring the effects on the commuters? It is on this not that a journey of less than 25 kilometers would cost commuters N700.00 and the journey of less than 30 minutes will take two hours because of these stop and pay-your-toll. New police intakes sees the toll collection as normal and could do it with careless abandon even to the extent of delaying passengers in their bid to find change for the driver. Which other parts of Lagos state are these done? When the CGC was presented with this pathetic story of war-like checkpoints, he showed compassion but advised that it would be a symbiotic responsibility if there are other hidden agenda.According to him, “these are conversations that would happen within us when we have gotten assurances from the communities that they would be ready to assist the agencies in doing their job. Before I came here, I have received communications from the Area Controller (Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni), he had reflected a number of the burning issues which is the source of concern for the communities here.“The list is very long, but the most important is that we want to enhance our National security, we want to do it with fewer number of checkpoints. We get your message and we would be doing it with other security agencies to see how we can rationalize the checkpoints“I also want to challenge you that National Security is not the responsibility of these government agencies alone, this is the difference between us and our counterparts in West Africa, National Security is the business of every citizen, and all strata of the society treat it as a priority.“So, it should not be the business of only the security agencies. So, as we make life easier for business, I want to charge you also to make life and the work of our security agents easier.“The criminals live among us, those importing arms and ammunition live among us, they operate within our precinct, what you can do to help our national security is to help us with information and intelligence for us to catch these criminals visiting mayhem on our communities. “If the security agencies can do the job with accurate intelligence from you, then, we might not need these checkpoints again," the CGC said. Thinking that these checkpoints actually were trimmed down, the CGC was delighted on his way back as he said, “Now that we have dismantled the checkpoints, your people must also obey the law when they are stopped for checks, if not, they would lose their means of conveyance." The truth is that the checkpoints frizzle out on the information that a government official is visiting. As soon as he goes, the checkpoints like evil spirits comes back in folds to keep tormenting the people. Is there any solution to this abnormal situation, yes there is. From critical investigation, these checkpoints are products of corruption, established from the high authority. SP Sunday Bada of blessed memory once told Editors of this media on a lecture on how the monies collected at these points are shared. He took us to a secret room where the money from each checkpoint were collated as the heads of each patrol team makes returns regularly. This is where the issue of meeting ones target comes from. Bada did not see it as a crime instead he volunteered to sponsor our trip to Abuja to go and uncover the huge corruption at the National Assembly. The National Assembly with her huge Baggage of corruption cannot therefore make any law to repel these illegal checkpoints because one do not know if they have their own shares here too? The solution lies on the people voicing out continuously.

Monday, October 23, 2023

SEME BORDER: FOUR MONTHS AFTER NIGERIA/BENIN 12 POINT BILATERAL AGREEMENTS, WHAT NEXT?

It is over four months that the feelings of the critical stakeholders at Seme-Krake were aroused over the rumour that President Bola Tinubu might soon reopen the Seme land border fully for importation of vehicles and movement of other goods and services including rice, in order to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians due to years of border closure.This issue was heightened by the information given by Mr. Ibrahim Musa, Director, Road Transport Federal Ministry of Transportation at the ECOWAS Monitoring Team during their visit to Seme-Krake Joint Border Post on Tuesday, June 21, 2023.According to Mr. Musa, the freight forwarders operating at the Seme Border had made an appeal to the former Minister of State for Transportation, Alhaji Jaji Sambo during his last visit to the border, asking for the reactivation of the border and this request was granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) “I was here with the former Minister of State for Transportation and the Freight Forwarders pleaded that the border should be reactivated for free movement of goods and services. The Minister made us to prepare a memo to that effect. It was considered and sent to the government,” Mr. Musa said. The former Customs Area Controller of Seme border command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni who was very enthusiastic over resuscitating the foremost land border corroborating this view from Mr. Musa said “the Honorable Minister of Transportation, the immediate past one, responding to some of our requests and from the stakeholders, promised to take them to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) one of them is how to fully open this border.”

Meanwhile Comptroller Nnadi mni called on Nigerian exporters/importers and other investors to take full advantage of the lift on the ban on export by the government and ensure that they obtain the necessary documents from the right authorities to operate within the land border.Speaking also, the Head of ECOWAS delegation, Mr. Maliki Ashoke, Head, Road & Railways, ECOWAS Commission, said the essence of the visit was to take stock of all activities in the Corridor since the last visit over a year ago and hear the challenges being faced by operators which include Customs, Immigration and others from both countries. According to him, huge resources were expended to train personnel from Nigeria and Benin Republic on the use of these facilities but they are no longer being utilized.He urged both countries to come out with their challenges so as to enable the ECOWAS make budget for them. Since the closure of the border and subsequent reopening by the former administration of

Muhammadu Buhari the trade relations of Benin Republic and Nigeria has not been very cordial. Importers have being lamenting on the high charges slammed on Nigerian-bound transit cargoes by the government of Benin Republic, making it impossible for them to bring in transit cargoes through the Seme land borders any more. In some quarters, this has been viewed as a retaliatory action by Benin Republic for the irrational action of closing the borders without notice by the former administration.If not, how would Nigerians currently pays about CFA2.2m as charges on 40ft transit containers, as against CFA500,000 paid by other neighbouring countries like Chad, Niger to move the same consignment out of their port. It was on this note that cargo importation through Seme border has dropped drastically in the first quarter of 2023 as a result of this retaliatory policies introduced by the government of Benin Republic on Nigeria bound import and export cargoes.The former chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Lasisi Fanu, was headlong on normalizing this issue during his tenure as the Chapter chairman. His views also indicated that what was happening was not far from the retaliatory policies introduced on Nigeria import and export bound cargoes by the government of Benin Republic.According to him, the government of Benin Republic calls the payment administrative charge, but it is definitely not so. “Third party goods are also known as transit cargoes and they originate from South Korea, China, London among others, but those containers are not coming anymore and even if they come, it may be once in a month. The only goods coming into Nigeria through Seme border now are ETLS. The 3rd party goods are not coming anymore because of the charges we pay in Cotonou.“For instance, Nigerians pay between CFA2m to CFA2.2m in Cotonou. If we come to Seme border, we pay normal duty for Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) before containers can come into Nigeria and it’s the same Pre Arrival Assessment Results (PAAR) for Cotonou that will be used in Nigeria,” Fanu said. It was on this note that the people rejoiced that the man who knows the job is now on board and could pacify the neighbouring country of Benin which by now is ready for a better negotiation and bilateral agreements for the best practice on international trade.The coming of CGC Adewale Adeniyi has shown some lights at the end of the tunnel. Speaking during his maiden working visit to the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service and Seme-Krake Border communities recently, the Customs CG noted that national security is the responsibility of everyone and should not be left for government agencies alone.He said that the borders were closed for security purposes but not all of them were reopened. He assured that they have already started discussions along this line. Policies that are aimed at enhancing national security are supposed to be dynamic policies, at different times they would be reviewing them.

Speaking at a meeting with the business community, CGC Adeniyi said that reopening of the borders fully, depends on the readiness of the local communities to corporate with the customs and other law enforcement agents in combating insecurity and smuggling.According to him, the security agencies need intelligence from the communities on the nefarious activities of smugglers, and to properly protect the border areas against illicit importations.“It is going to be a symbiotic relationship that would be beneficial to all of us. By the time this is done, we can now start discussing about allowing vehicles to come in through the borders. We can now start considering allowing food to also come in through the borders if we cannot have enough capacity to feed ourselves.“These are conversations that would happen within us when we have gotten assurances from the communities that they would be ready to assist the agencies in doing their job,” the CGC said. To further confirm that the working relations with Benin Republic will definitely come back to normalcy, the CGC embarked on a working visit to the Customs Administration of Bénin Republic where agreement was reached on twelve critical issues bordering on promotion of the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and the facilitation of the movement of goods and community products in particular.According to a press release by, CSC Maiwada, the Service’s spokesperson on behalf of the Comptroller General, the two Customs chiefs unanimously agreed at the end of the meeting and a joint communiqué signed by the two delegations reads as follows: “The continuation of efforts to promote the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and the facilitation of the movement of goods and community products in particular; Facilitation of the issue of Laisse passe for a short stay in one of the countries of means of transport registered in the other country; The removal of barriers and other obstacles to legitimate trade and the establishment of Customs units when the traffic justifies it; Strict compliance with transit rules; Harmonization of the list of products prohibited by the two countries; The rapid integration of Nigeria into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), which already includes the Customs Administrations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo; Strengthening the fight against cross-border crime through cooperation, intelligence sharing and the pooling of resources; Holding meetings twice a year to discuss matters of common interest; The reactivation of the joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations; The revival of consultation frameworks of border customs units with the active participation of the private sector; Promoting good relations with border populations, professionalism and tax compliance and securing the international supply chain.” These views were reviewed between CGC Adeniyi, his Benin Republic counterpart, the Director General of the Customs Administration in Benin, Mr. Alain Hinkati, and Customs partners Webb Fontaine and Benin Control.According to the report, “The objective of the visit is for us to review friendship with the customs administration of Benin and also to deepen collaborations in areas of common interest.“I saw the attention that was given to the port of Cotonou, the progress that is being made in reducing clearance time, ensuring that there is no congestion at the Port and, more importantly, using technology to drive operations of the Customs Administration.“The attempt which Benin Customs has done towards trade facilitation is something that Nigeria Customs will also be doing particularly to look at where we can use our processes to reduce the cost and time of doing business”, CGC Adeniyi stated.Four months after these agreements, what is happening to the bloated hope of the traders along this corridor?

Sunday, October 22, 2023

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONFIRMS ADENIYI AS SUBSTANTIVE CGC

By Okey IROEGBU

Many knew that Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR) may likely be the successor of Col. Hameed Ali rtd., from the commissioning of the N19.6 billion naira office complex of the service at Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. He was more or less the cynosure of the event because of his prominent role as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Commissioning of the multi-billion naira project that was said to have been started by the Late Abdullahi Dikko’s Administration.Given his role as the Chairman of the Customs office Complex Organizing Committee, Adeniyi, had made Nigerians to know that the Customs Headquarters building which has become a reality was started by Late Dikko in 2007 following the need to build a befitting office complex for the service as a second highest revenue generating agency in the nation.Until his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the new Customs boss, Adeniyi had spent much of his years in the service in the public Relations Unit starting from the Area Command level to become the Customs National Public Relations Officer. In January 2017 he was redeployed to the Apapa Area Command as a Deputy Comptroller. On promotion as a substantive Comptroller, he was sent to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, I Command, Ikeja Lagos, where he was able to earn the rank of an Assistant Comptroller General ACG, in February 2020 as a result of his diligence that led to the seizure of $8.65 million. The money was said to have been intercepted in a bus belonging to the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, at the airport tarmac when it was to be loaded into an aircraft. This promotion therefore qualified him to be a member of the Management Team. CGC Adeniyi joined the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over three decades ago, and had served the NCS in different capacities, including being the longest-serving National Public Relations Officer of Customs from June 2003 to May 2011; he also served as Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College Gwagwalada, Abuja. He holds a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in June 1987 and a Master of Arts in Communication Science in November 2013 from the Universitaire Svizzera D’Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland. In recognition of his service to the motherland, former President Muhammadu Buhari, on October 11, 2022, conferred the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) on him. It was not a surprise when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the confirmation of his appointment as the next Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service. This was contained in a statement by the Director of Information in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey. The statement which reads in part says, “His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the confirmation of the appointment of Adewale Adeniyi (MFR) as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service. The appointment takes effect from 19th October, 2023 and his tenure is in accordance with the extant provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR). The President tasks him to bring his wealth of experience to bear on his new assignment.” This has put a stop to the continued use of the words "Acting Comptroller General of Customs"

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

SEME CUSTOMS BREAKS RECORD, OVERSHOOTING HER REVENUE TARGET AT THE NINTH MONTH UNDER NNADI mni

At the time of producing this report, another information reaching this media had it that Seme border under Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni kept faith with their promise of beating the revenue target for the command for 2023 which is N1,966,000,000 but as at September 15, the command has collected N2,088,578,048 only.The outgone Customs Area Controller of Seme border Area Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, made a startling remark that the smugglers celebrating his redeployment met their waterloo when his operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted 1,364 of 30 liters jerrycans of Petroleum Motor Spirit PMS equivalent to 40,800 litres over one tanker load with a DPV of N24,663,355 at the early hours of Friday, September 8, 2023 along the Badagry Coast. He made this known while briefing the media on the activities of his Command for the period under review at the command’s headquarters at Seme Krake border. He said the achievement was as a result of painstaking efforts made in partnership with stakeholders. In this press briefing which could be regarded as a lecture, he enlightened the journalists that Seme krake is a unique route and also a “component of the Lagos-Kano-Jibiya (LAKAJI) corridor which extends from Lagos through Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Kastina states in Nigeria. The LAKAJI corridor compliments the trade route from Abidjan through Cotonou to Niamey and even to Libya and Egypt. The significant of this corridor as an economic, cultural and political platform for regional integration of West Africa cannot be over emphasized.”He went further to give in details other trading connection of this foremost land border to the ECOWAS, Central Africa and the Sahel region on a coordinated network. “Seme Area Command advantageously lies on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor (ALCO) which connects Lagos-Cotonou-Lomé-Accra-Abidjan. With a population of over 350 million people, this corridor and indeed the Command accounts for about 70 per cent of the transit traffic in the ECOWAS sub-region,” he said. Comptroller Nnadi mni who resumed duty on the 23 of January, 2023 at Seme border came up with new strategies to boost trade while enforcing the nation’s anti-smuggling laws at the foremost premier border. He carried this out by making amends with the freight forwarders who were already been eaten up by their frustrations.According to him, “Several factors have been adjudged to hamper trade (between Nigeria and her proximate neighbour) within the sub-region especially transit trade across the countries and along the corridor. There have been several complaints by operators against the closure of the borders, the non-adherence to transit agreements signed under the ECOWAS, World Trade Organisation (WTO), World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the General Agreement on Trade and Tariff.”The highlight of the day was the seizures and the impressive revenue generation made by the Area command between January to September 2023. The officers of the command intercepted different seized items with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.8 billion from January 23rd to September 8th 2023. One other stunning observation was the huge seizure of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) despite the removal of subsidy on the petroleum product in Nigeria.Giving a breakdown, the outgoing Area Controller said they include 9,500 50kg of rice, equivalent to 16 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice, with a Duty Paid Value of N312.2 million.“Six Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty-Nine (9500) 50kg bags of rice equivalent to sixteen (16) trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value of N312, 242, 064.93k. 13, 835 x 30 liters Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit equivalent to 415, 050 liters or 13 petroleum tankers with Duty Paid Value of 738,276, 461k. 15,389 of General Merchandise Goods. Hard Drugs and Narcotics: 41 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 4,900 Tablets 225mg of Tramadol Tamol-X, 3,600 Tablets 225mg Tramadol Royal 225, 157 Tablets of Heineken Ecstacy, 864 Packs of Cigarette “In the same vein, Officers and Men of the Command acting on credible intelligence intercepted One Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty Four (1,364) 30 Liters Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit equivalent to forty thousand eight hundred (40,800) litres over one Tanker Load and with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of (N24, 663, 355) only at the early hours of Friday 8th September, 2023 along the Badagry Coast“The duty paid value for items seized for the period January to 8th September 2023 is One Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Seven Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Nineteen Naira (1, 827, 362, 619. 00),” he said.On revenue, Comptroller Nnadi mni was of high spirit as he praised his officers on the wonderful achievement of 97.2 percent of the expected revenue target for the year. According to him “the revenue target for the Command for the year 2023 is One Billion Nine Hundred and Sixty Million Naira Only. As at this morning the 8th of September, 2023 the Command has collected One Billion Nine Hundred and Four Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Naira, Seventy-Seven Kobo (N1,904,459, 390.77) only. This represents 97.2% of N1,960,000,000 allotted target for the year 2023.“In the corresponding period under review for year 2022, the revenue was Eight Hundred and Eighty-Five Million, Five Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, Ninety-Eight Naira Eleven Kobo (N885,543,098.11) The implication is that the Commands revenue profile witnessed a tremendous increase of N1, 018,916, 292. 33 (51.98%).At this juncture he presented the officers who made the seizure of the fake $60m with commendation letters from the Acting Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.“In addition to the above, in line with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) dictate of encouraging its personnel, the Officers and Men of the Command that were involved in the seizures of fake Six million USD ($6,000,000) currency, Fifteen (15) fake international passports and Ten (10) Driver’s license, and that of Donkey skins in January, 2023 have been commended by the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, dsm, fnipr, psc (+).” Their Commendation letters and Congratulatory letters from the Command were presented to the beneficiaries at the press briefing. Finally, he appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs for his support to the Command and also appreciate the Seme Badagry Community for their cooperation and to officers and men of the Command for their gallantry and patriotism. “Our greatest appreciation goes to the media for highlighting our modest effort in Seme Area Command, thank you and God bless you all,” he concludes.

ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO INVEST ON MODULAR REFINERY

With the information reaching this media, it is now confirmed that the governor of Abia state is working towards repositioning the state as one the oil producing states. At a recent media parley in Lagos where the state governor was duly represented by Joel Ogbonna, his commissioner for petroleum mineral resources disclosed that the energy transition hub would help to reduce the carbon footprint of the oil and gas industry. According to him, the project aims to grow the economy of the state and ensure prosperity for its citizens.

He said, “The Abia State government’s decision to provide land and infrastructure for the project is a significant step towards achieving a sustainable energy future. The project will also create job opportunities for the citizens of Abia State and boost the state’s economy.

“We are committed to unleashing and spending resources on technology and infrastructure to make this agenda a reality. We are however committed to decarbonisation to reduce our carbon footprint.

ABIA STATE PLANS TO INVEST ON MODULAR REFINERY

the energy transition hub would help to reduce the carbon footprint of the oil and gas industry. According to him, the project aims to grow the economy of the state and ensure prosperity for its citizens.

“We are committed to unleashing and spending resources on technology and infrastructure to make this agenda a reality. We are however committed to decarbonisation to reduce our carbon footprint.

“So as a government in Abia state, we have decided to drive a good environment clean initiative,” the Commissioner for Petroleum Mineral Resources said.

“We are committed to unleashing and spending resources on technology and infrastructure to make this agenda a reality. We are however committed to decarbonisation to reduce our carbon footprint.

WHY NIGERIANS USE SUN GLASSES

Iroegbu Okey

Sun rays in Nigeria are devastating most especially during the dry season. It is always at its peak between November and January when the season is taking its toll on the environment. At this point in time the temperature reaches between 37 to 40 degrees farenheight in the Southern part of Nigeria while it is hotter in the north.

To contend with the scorching heat and accompanying sun rays, Nigerians resort to wearing sun glasses to reduce the effect of the sun rays to their eyes. To confirm this, it took the writer to Seme Border where various activities were going on in the scorching heat of this season. The first respondent was one Mr Bright Ibekwe, a Customs Broker who hurriedly told me that without the sun shade as he called it, he cannot effectively carry out his business successfully. He further confirmed that without it he feels dizzy and may faint.

To confirm his views he pointed at other passers-by also wearing same. "My brother look over there you will notice what I am telling you. Every ten persons that pass through that gate seven or even eight of them are wearing sun shades". When asked why it is prevalent at this area, he was quick to point to a direction which he said is the Atlantic Ocean. According to him "the Atlantic Ocean over there reflects the sun rays over to this side between the early hours of the day and the result is this scorching heat"

SCIENTIFIC PROOF. Efforts were made to scientifically confirm his views but there were no experts within the area to take on. By mere observation, it is glaring that the heat is unbearable at this period.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

MESSAGE OF HONOUR

Onyekachi Ojinma the Chapter Chairman of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA ) in his congratulatory message to the newly elected National President of the Association is very optimistic that this willwbring lasting peace totthe foremost freight forwarding Association "We the entire members of ANLCA SEME BORDER CHAPTER send our hearty CONGRATULATIONS TO CHIEF EMENIKE NWAKEOJI, on your ASCENSION to the post of ANLCA PRESIDENT in the just concluded ANLCA NEC ELECTION. We are hopeful that your LEADERSHIP will be fruitful and peaceful that will bring the desired progress in the foremost Customs Brokers Association in the industry. Once again CONGRATULATIONS and God bless your leadership with wisdoms.ALHAJI OJINMA ONYEKACHI SULE,

CHAIRMAN, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents ANLCASeme Border Chapter.

SEME CUSTOMS BREAKS RECORD, OVERSHOOTING HER REVENUE TARGET AT THE NINTH MONTH UNDER NNADI

LEAGUE OF MARITIME EDITORS INAUGURATES NEW SECRETARIAT

Key stakeholders in the maritime sector gathered at the new secretariat of League of Maritime Editors to commission the association Secretariat with a Roundtable on Thursday, September 14, 2023. at the Round Table vital issues were discussed among which centered primarily on Blue Economy. During the discuss, participants enunciated fresh measures to be adopted, to ensure that the Blue Economy contributes tremendously, to the development of the Nigerian society. The stakeholders, include the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh ably represented by the Agency’s Director of External Affairs, Chief Isichei Osamgbi, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Muhammed Bello Koko, represented by Jibril Buba, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hon Emmanuel Jime, represented by Chief Cajetan Agu and the Patron of the League of Maritime Editors, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, who is an ex-President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA). During the Roundtable, titled, “How to Achieve the Benefits of the Blue Economy,” Chief Osamgbi, said that the blue economy is already operational, but required the proper identification of comparative advantages, for the purpose of what is potentially advantageous and sustainable. “Today we are no longer talking about benefits of the blue economy, we have passed that conception stage, and current discussions should be how to tap into the various strata, the unfolding of the separate gold mines as already enshrined in the NIMASA Act. “We must come together and set the agenda for a functional blue economy and it is commendable that the League of Maritime Editors has been doing this, because however we look at it, today, the blue economy and the maritime domain holds the biggest prospect for achieving the required GDP. Also speaking, the representative of the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Jibril Buba, the Tin Can Island Port Manager, advocated enhanced capacities through deliberate policy and stakeholders’ actions necessary to drive the processes. While applauding LOME for providing the arena to brainstorm on the dynamics of the blue economy, he said the Authority has for a long time already prepared the grounds for its takeoff. He said, “We know where we are coming from, we remember the era of warfare in the port, we used to have women delivering babies in the port and all that. And NPA in its quest for excellence in 1993, said look, we cannot continue to remain like this. It was consciously or unconsciously the way of re-awakening the blue economy, it’s only that it didn’t get the name blue economy. The NPA boss commended LOME for the acquisition of its secretariat which has been designed to also serve as Centre for Media Advocacy, noting that the place will serve as catalyst for positive change in the industry. “I am particularly delighted by the fact that this Secretariat will serve as a hub for collaboration, information exchange, and the development of best practices. It will be a platform where stakeholders from various segments of the maritime industry can come together to address challenges, explore opportunities, and shape the future of our sector.” In his contribution, Chief Cajetan Agu, Director Consumer Affairs Department, Nigeria Shippers’ Council described blue economy, as having huge economic potentials that should be harnessed by all. Describing Nigeria as a blessed country in terms of the abundance of Blue Economy, he said what is needed is to harness the potential of the blue economy. He pointed out that the opportunities embedded in blue economy were so much that it has become the project of the entire African Union (AU). The NSC boss identified the potential of blue economy as shipping, fisheries, underwater mining, cruise transportation, tourism, among others. He said that realizing these potentials, the AU, sees blue economy as a project which no country will do alone because of the issue of security. He however acknowledged that Nigeria through NIMASA has been able to reduce drastically the issue of piracy in her territorial waters and Gulf of Guinea (GoG. Before the League’s Patron, cut the tape to inaugurate the Secretariat, the NIMASA DG; NPA MD, and the Shippers’ Council ES/ CEO, had identified the various benefits that would accrue to the League from having its own Secretariat and encouraged the members of the Association to tap into those benefits. They all, lauded the various contributions of the League members, to the development of the maritime sector, and urged the League to ensure that it uses the Secretariat to brainstorm to set agenda for the success of the Blue Economy, as well as the additional progress of the shipping sector. Prince Shittu, particularly charged the League, to consider building its own Secretariat being senior practitioners, and appealed to industry stakeholders to support the initiative whenever it comes on stream. “I am very delighted to be part of this epoch-making event, some of you l have known over the years, two, three decades. “I foresee a future where we will be moving out of this apartment and going to our own property. Despite their moderate critical reporting as senior practitioners, l think that it is good for the industry. “But generally, people should also be able to criticize certain reports, especially misleading reports. One of the mistakes we make is that we read stories and forget to read the commentaries or push out reactions. Earlier, in his speech, the President of the League, Chief Timothy Okorocha had told the guests that the Monthly Roundtable Parley of the Association, which was on hold is now back, assuring that the League would again be providing the missing nexus in the industry, with regards to developmental journalism, and the essential advocacy that nations depend upon to nurture their peculiar circumstances and to build their capacities. He expressed the League’s appreciation to all the stakeholders that have assisted the Association in one form or the other, noting that, since, the Secretariat that is being inaugurated, is the beginning of a new long journey, LOME will still need their support to make the Secretariat, a Center of Media Advocacy, as conceived by the body’s immediate past Executive.

ANLCA: PEACE RETURNS AT LAST

It is no more news that Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji from Amokwe Amiyi Uhu in Isiukwuato of Abia state won the 7th September 2023 organized election of the Association of Nigeria Lessened Customs Agents (ANLCA) as the National President. He is expected to be on board the leadership of this premier association of Customs Brokers for the next four years.

Nwokeoji defeated his strong contender, Dr Kayode Farinto by 10 votes merging, after scoring 33 votes to Farinto’s 23 votes. Other winners that emerged in the keenly contested election are: Prince Segun Oduntan as Vice President, Olumide Fakanlu as National Secretary, Hajia Bola Muse as National Treasurer, Emmanuel Onyeme emerged as National Publicity Secretary. Western Zone Coordinator is Femi Anifowoshe while the Zonal Secretary is Alhaji Idowu Owoade.

On his victory speech, Emenike had said the election is no victor, no vanquish as the victory is for all ANLCA members considering what they all went through. He therefore passionately said that “It is with a heart full of gratitude to God that I thank you all for finding me and other members of NECOM worthy to pilot the affairs of our great Association in the new dispensation.

“What happened on Thursday was a manifestation that God has finally smiled on ANLCA that our years of woes are over. Before us lies an opportunity to rebuild/restore our association and regain our voice in the freight forwarding sub-sector as well as the maritime industry in general.

“These five years of ANLCA wilderness ought to have taught us a very crucial lesson being that strife and divisiveness cannot move us an inch forward as a formidable association.

“We cannot afford this type of distraction and destruction again because even as it lasted, it impacted adversely on all of us hence we must close ranks.

“We must now be focused on how to take our association and profession to the next positive level through effective advocacy, human capacity building and professionalization.

“In a bid to realize the above and other derivable, I wish to declare that the result of Thursday’s election is a victory for ANLCA, hence all sentiments about groups, camps and divides should now be a thing of the past. ANLCA is one big family. No victor, no vanquished!

“Most sincere, I use this opportunity to appreciate Dr. Kayode Farinto and his team for their high-level show of sportsmanship. We shall run an open and all-inclusive administration. Any member with useful ideas is hereby assured that our doors and ears are open and receptive. May the Almighty God continue His divine work in ANLCA,” he concludes.

ANLCA went through a protracted crisis for a very long time which definitely affected the freight forwarding industry. His victory therefore would open a new chapter to Freight Forwarding Community and could be an opportunity to reposition ANLCA to champion the welfare of practitioners making professionalism the way to go.

This was the reaction of Dr. Chudi Basil Nwolisa the President of ANCB who could not hide his joy as he went further to say “this is the happiest day of my very eventful and lively life. Congratulations to Chief Nwokeoji and his team.”

Dr. Nwaolisa is not just the only person felicitating as Comptroller Olu Ogunojemite rtd. and CEO of JEH-ADONAI VENTURES LIMITED in his labelled message felt that the “TRUTH SHALL ALWAYS SUFFICE.” In it he said “may I join with all other well-meaning practitioners to congratulate ANLCA for overcoming successfully all obstacles to conduct elections into the National Executive Council.

“Indeed, only the truth can triumph in any contention. Kudos to everyone that painfully brought about the new dawn.

“I want to call on the elected Executives to be magnanimous in victory and ensure that all old wounds are healed during their tenure,” he concludes.

The Chairman of Board of Trustees (BOT) of ANLCA, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha in what could be a surprise to him on the peace associated with the day’s election has appreciated all ANLCA members for the cooperation and support they accorded him in this period to restoring peace into the association which definitely led to the success of the election after a period of five years of crisis.

In his lengthy press statement issued after the election, the BoT Chairman, said “For me l have a sense of gratitude having come this far with all the turbulence in recent past and knowing that God has made it possible for us to land safely as conclude the change of leadership and look forward to a new vista of cooperation and progress.

“We have not been alone, concerned stakeholders have seen reasons to stand by us at every critical stage, l want to say that we appreciate them all. I however want to say a big thank you to the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC) ably chaired by Aare Hakeem Olarewaju, l want to thank the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) especially the Council Governing Chairman, Alhaji Tsanni Abubakar, and to thank all members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) for their individual roles in birthing a new administration in ANLCA.

“I want to also put on record the role Prince Taye Oyeniyi has played in the course of this journey and of course, the statesmanship role of Chief Ernest Elochukwu, l thank the two of them specially; while not also forgetting our past leaders for their behind the curtain mediatory roles and counseling.

“I want to also appreciate Prince Olayiwola Shittu the former President of ANLCA, Dr Eugene Nweke and Rtd DCG Austin Warikoru for their roles in getting us out of the woods.

“In view of the above, especially in view of the safe conduct of the election earlier today, l want every member to know that yes, a winner has emerged finally, but want all to be assured that it is a win-win contest for both camps.

“At this juncture, l want to especially call and thank Dr. Kayode Farinto and Alhaji Mukaila Abdulazeez for holding out the best way they could during the period of the crisis in addition to Mukaila Abdulazeez’s brief sole administrator-ship stint; during period which we drew from his wealth of knowledge and experiences about the knitty-gritty of the Association that has contributed to birthing our safe landing.

“I want to also commend and thank the newly elected National Executive Committee (NECOM), especially the National President, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji and his Vice, Prince Segun Oduntan and to urge them not to see today’s victory as a winner-take-it-all affair, they must be magnanimous in victory and to reach out to their opponents and to regard the whole exercise as a brotherly contest.

“Having thanked the past acting and newly elected national past presidents for allowing peace to reign at the election to urged them and all members to understand that election is about partisanship and that after it has been won and lost, it is time for partnership and thus they must rally around the new NECOM and National President to make it possible for them to succeed in taking ANLCA to a greater height.

“I believe that for as long as God in His infinite mercies continue to keep us alive, those who lost today may win tomorrow, and therefore l urge everyone to keep the peace and continue to offer service through selfless and vigorous support for the good of ANLCA and all its members.”