Author: Dodo Elias Denen

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo following a landmark international wildlife operation that spanned interception, rescue, rehabilitation and safe return.

The operation, conducted from September 22 to 28, 2026, was coordinated by the NCS Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), with Bili departing through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Service described the exercise as its first full cycle international wildlife operation, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s enforcement of international obligations against wildlife trafficking and the protection of endangered species.

Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during an enforcement operation targeting illegal wildlife trafficking. She was subsequently transferred to the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar, Cross River State, where she underwent rehabilitation.

Following a DNA test that established Bili’s origin as the Republic of Congo, arrangements were made for her return to the country. She was transported from Calabar to Lagos before being airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost to the operation.

Bili travelled with a caregiver and veterinary doctor to ensure her welfare throughout the journey. Her repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The gorilla is listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of international protection for species threatened with extinction. Nigeria’s participation in the convention places obligations on relevant authorities to combat illegal trade in protected wildlife.

The Customs Service said Bili’s return demonstrated the importance of cooperation among enforcement agencies, conservation organisations and international partners in tackling wildlife trafficking and ensuring rescued animals receive appropriate care.

The operation also comes against the backdrop of intensified wildlife enforcement by the Service. Between January and September 2026, the Special Wildlife Office and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects.

The seizures during the period included 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory. Enforcement operations were recorded in Ogun, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.

Other rescued or intercepted species included pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees. In September alone, Customs officers also intercepted 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks as part of ongoing efforts to curb the illegal wildlife trade.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team commended the Pandrillus Foundation, DHL, Focused Conservation, the Aspinall Wildlife Trust, the CITES Desk of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Government of the Republic of Congo for their support. The Service urged members of the public to report suspected cases of illegal wildlife trafficking to the nearest Customs formation, stressing that its mandate extends beyond revenue collection to include national security and environmental protection.

The second edition of the Pivot Nigeria Conference has called for collective action by citizens, government, businesses, institutions and the media to strengthen Nigeria’s reputation and promote a more balanced national narrative.

The conference, held on Tuesday at La Scala, MUSON Centre, Lagos, focused on the theme, “The Reputation Dividend: Who Pays for Nigeria’s Perception?”

The gathering brought together stakeholders from the creative industry, media, communications and corporate sectors to examine the relationship between Nigeria’s reputation, public trust, economic opportunities and national development.

Convener of Pivot Nigeria and Lead Consultant at HighStakes PR Professionals, Victoria Uwadoka, said reputation should not be viewed as a superficial concept, stressing that it was closely linked to trust, credibility and long-term sustainability.

Uwadoka said individuals, organisations and nations depend on reputation as a foundation for building relationships, attracting opportunities and sustaining confidence.

She said the conversation was particularly significant as Nigeria prepares to commemorate its 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, noting that the country gained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960.

According to her, responsibility for Nigeria’s reputation should not rest solely with government, as citizens, businesses, institutions and media organisations also influence how the country is perceived.

“There is a lot about us that is great. We have made progress in so many ways,” she said, urging Nigerians to recognise their collective responsibility in shaping the country they desire.

Uwadoka argued that Nigeria’s age should be considered alongside what the country had achieved, learnt and built over the years.

She noted that while Nigeria had developed policies and institutional frameworks across several sectors, sustained implementation remained necessary to translate those initiatives into tangible benefits for citizens.

The convener said efforts to improve Nigeria’s reputation must begin from within, with citizens developing greater confidence in their abilities while creating products, services and solutions capable of competing internationally.

She also urged government to create an enabling environment through sound policies, infrastructure and other conditions that would allow citizens and businesses to thrive.

“Trust is also an infrastructure. Perception is an infrastructure,” Uwadoka said, stressing the need to deliberately strengthen both as part of Nigeria’s development process.

She called on the media to tell more balanced Nigerian stories by reporting the country’s challenges alongside its achievements, rather than presenting a one-sided narrative.

Uwadoka said Pivot Nigeria was established to examine how Nigerians perceive themselves and how such perceptions influence the way the country is experienced by others.

“If you say you’re a lion, behave like a lion,” she said, urging Nigerians to demonstrate through their conduct the values associated with the country’s description as the “Giant of Africa.”

She challenged citizens to examine their individual conduct, including professionalism, punctuality, discipline, ethics and respect, noting that every Nigerian contributes to the country’s reputation through everyday interactions.

“When people meet me, I am the Nigeria that they meet,” she said, urging citizens to recognise the impact of their personal conduct on the country’s wider image.

Veteran actor and filmmaker, Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, said Nigerians should distinguish between honestly acknowledging the country’s challenges and condemning Nigeria without contributing to solutions.

Mofe-Damijo said efforts to reframe Nigeria’s image should not involve ignoring its problems, but should encourage citizens to confront challenges and pursue practical solutions.

He urged Nigerians to see themselves as ambassadors of the country, arguing that nation-building required citizens to take responsibility for the kind of society they wanted to create.

The actor cited the international growth of Afrobeats and the achievements of Nigerian entrepreneurs as examples of how local talent, enterprise and persistence could influence global perceptions of Nigeria.

He also called for greater accountability in public leadership, saying citizens have a responsibility to demand accountability from those entrusted with public office.

On Nigeria’s 66 years of independence, Mofe-Damijo described the country as a work in progress, stressing that its age should reinforce the need for patience, consistency and deliberate nation-building.

Also speaking, Head, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Rite Foods Limited, Ekuma Eze, said changing Nigeria’s narrative required a paradigm shift that should begin from the family and extend to institutions and wider society.

Eze urged Nigerian companies to build to international standards rather than being constrained by perceptions surrounding locally made products, saying globally competitive businesses could attract investment, create employment and contribute to economic growth.

He added that citizens must identify areas where they could make meaningful contributions to national development, stressing that sustainable progress could not depend solely on solutions coming from outside the country.

The Pivot Nigeria 2026 conference consequently placed Nigeria’s reputation within the wider context of citizenship, leadership, business, media, culture and national development, with participants emphasising the need to combine honest storytelling with measurable action.

The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) marked the 2026 World Tourism Day with activities which capture capacity building, technology, destination promotion and domestic tourism, and celebration.

In the South West Zone, close to 200 tour operators gathered at Ziba Beach Resort, Lagos, for a special training focused on Artificial Intelligence and its application in tourism, equipping operators with digital tools to improve their businesses and destination marketing.

In Abuja, the FCT and Northern Zone, in collaboration with Naija Adventurers, staged a colourful Tourism Awareness Walk and Hike to the Centre of Nigeria.

The celebration also spread to the South-South Zone, where members marked the day with a destination tour, alongside activities to commemorate with the world tourism day celebrations.

In line with the theme for this year’s WTD celebration: ‘Digital agenda and artificial intelligence to redesign tourism’ the NATOP training on AI and application in tour operation at Ziba Beach Resort Lagos saw a large turnout of the members of the association.
NATOP President addressing the members

The President of the association, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha explained that the idea for the location and training was to train members on how to do tour business, to know how to promote tourism digitally, using different AI tool and everything so that they will grow their businesses.

She said: “we follow the theme and, you know, blend with the old situation. Let’s do the training so that we attach it to the World Tourism Day with the theme that we have achieved something and also celebrate.”

She said the training will go a long way in helping the tour operators do greater content to digitally tell destination stories using AI, and also using the tool for expression.

Mustapha also explained why the association chose Ziba Beach Resort: “We always attach World Tourism Day to a tourism site. And definitely, if you look at this whole area and this community, that’s why we see that Ziba is a tourism site. We want to explore and of course. The resort newly launched its third phase. So, we will use this opportunity to look at their rooms, look at how we can sell this destination, to showcase it that the resort is actually in Nigeria, not Zanzibar. By using the place, we would kill two birds with one stones.

“As tour operators who are willing to tell the good story of our Nigeria, we need to bring ourselves up to the speed, align with the digital revolution. Let everybody go digital. Because we also see the content creators are taking our business, we want to align it with what they do. We are the ones that understand the business and we’ll be able to tell the story better, so that anybody coming to Nigeria will be able to discover Nigeria with the experts.”

Also commenting on the celebration, the NATOP Vice President South West and chairman of the WTD Organizing Committee for the zone, Mrs. Wonuola Olatunde-Lamidi explained why NATOP South West’s usage of the 2026 WTD for training. She said many of the members still have a lot to learn about the tour business, and that some do not understand the foundation of the business, including how to create packages hence the need for the training.

Mrs. Olatunde-Lamidi spoke further: “Many don’t understand the foundation of what it is to create a tour package. And when you have people that are not well-trained in an industry, the industry will not grow. The kind of people that you also have will not have enough earning power to do many things. And because this is an industry that I have been in for 16 years, I run Diamonds and Pearls Travels with my husband. And I’ve seen Diamonds and Pearls Travels metamorphose into a company where people don’t just look at us as travel agents. We have become a Destination Management Company (DMC). We have become a trusted brand. We have become a company that when we talk about a destination, people want to go to that destination because of how we have portrayed the destination. And you may not realize that, as tour operators, you can actually decide where people go. You can make people go to a particular destination by marketing it, by letting them know the benefits of that destination.”

The tour operators had opportunity to tour the resort and unwind during the programme.

Thirty three years after the original Agbara Nla became a memorable title among Nigerian audiences, the faith based classic is returning to the big screen with Agbara Nla: The Return, scheduled to open in cinemas nationwide on October 1, 2026.

The new production is co produced by Mount Zion Film Productions, Sozo Films and Circuits, popularly known as Circuits TV, an African virtual cinema platform, while Nile Entertainment is handling its theatrical distribution across Nigeria.

Originally released in 1993 during the VHS era, Agbara Nla became part of the growing culture of Nigerian faith based films, taking stories centred on family, faith, spiritual conflict and Christian values into homes across the country.

Written by Mike Bamiloye, the original film, also released in English as The Ultimate Power, established a strong connection with audiences and contributed to Mount Zion’s influence in Nigeria’s Christian film industry.

Agbara Nla: The Return now brings the story to a new generation through a contemporary cinema production directed by brothers Damilola and Joshua Bamiloye, sons of the original writer and founder of Mount Zion Film Productions.

Produced by Chris Odeh, the film features Mike Bamiloye reprising his role as Isawuru, alongside a new generation of actors including Damilola Bamiloye as Kola, Philip Olubakin as Olaboye and Aanu Kolade Abiodun as Bose.

Set against the growing influence of occult forces in the village of Muwonleru, the film explores themes of spiritual warfare, faith, prayer and the power of God while presenting the familiar story through a contemporary cinematic experience.

The transition from VHS to the cinema screen also represents a major change in how audiences will experience the story. While the original was watched through television broadcasts and shared VHS tapes, the new production is designed for audiences to experience collectively on the big screen.

Head of Theatrical Distribution at Nile Entertainment, Thelma Udeze, said the film offers an opportunity to connect audiences who remember the original with younger viewers discovering the story for the first time.

“Agbara Nla is one of those stories that already has a history with audiences,” Udeze said, noting that the journey from the VHS era to cinema creates an opportunity to connect two generations of viewers.

Following its Nigerian cinema release on October 1, 2026, Agbara Nla: The Return is also scheduled for international theatrical release in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, with further details expected to be announced.

Pivot Nigeria, a thought leadership platform focused on reframing how Nigeria is perceived, is set to hold the second edition of its annual gathering with leading voices from the creative, media and communications sectors.

The event, scheduled for September 29, 2026, at La Scala, MUSON Centre, Lagos, will focus on the theme, “The Reputation Dividend: Who Pays for Nigeria’s Perception?”

The platform seeks to deepen conversations around Nigeria’s image, national narratives and the factors shaping how the country is perceived locally and internationally.

According to the organisers, the conversation is designed to challenge established narratives about Nigeria while amplifying authentic stories capable of influencing perceptions and strengthening the country’s reputation.

Among the personalities featured at the event is veteran actor, media entrepreneur and former Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD.

With more than three decades of experience spanning film, television, journalism, media, public service and entrepreneurship, RMD has established a significant presence within Nigeria’s creative and cultural economy.

He began his professional career as a journalist, writing for leading Nigerian newspapers, before venturing into publishing and establishing MISTER, described by the organisers as Nigeria’s first all gloss men’s lifestyle magazine.

His career has also included public service, where he served as Special Adviser and later Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, bringing his experience in the creative sector into government and policy discussions.

RMD is also the founder of White Water Limited and RMD Productions, while his Richard Mofe-Damijo Foundation focuses on creating opportunities, building capacity and supporting emerging talents and communities through the creative and cultural industries.

Also billed to feature is Rosemary Afolahan-Egabor, a senior executive with nearly two decades of experience across media, communications and financial services.

A member of the founding team of News Central TV, Afolahan-Egabor has played a role in shaping the organisation’s vision, corporate strategy, market positioning, partnerships and revenue growth.

Her professional expertise covers strategy development, sales leadership, strategic partnerships and brand positioning, with experience in building media ventures and executing campaigns across Africa.

Strategic Communications Adviser and The Comms Avenue Co-Founder, Adedoyin Jaiyesimi, is another prominent voice expected at the gathering.

Jaiyesimi advises organisations, senior executives and boards on reputation leadership, strategic narrative development and communication effectiveness across Africa and emerging markets.

With more than 15 years of professional experience, she has worked with multinationals, multilaterals and African organisations, while also leading communications training and capacity development programmes.

The organisers said Pivot Nigeria is designed to provide a platform for conversations that connect reputation, leadership, culture, communications and economic value, with the 2026 edition expected to examine who bears the consequences and benefits of Nigeria’s global perception.

Elvis Eromosele is a seasoned Nigerian journalist, corporate communications strategist, and media entrepreneur with over two decades of expertise spanning media, public relations, and sustainability advocacy.

As Editor of TheNumbersNG and Thinker at 1234 Perceptions Limited, he specialises in data-driven business journalism, corporate reputation management, and public policy commentary.

Bridging analytical precision with compelling storytelling, Elvis explores the intersections of economics, technology, and society across major national platforms.

Elvis holds a degree in Industrial Mathematics from the University of Benin and an MBA in Marketing from Lagos State University.

Experts and stakeholders at the 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit have called for the establishment of a dedicated Coastal Resilience Fund to support coastal protection, infrastructure development and community empowerment across Nigeria.

The call was made during the 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, where stakeholders examined the legal, regulatory, security and investment frameworks required to unlock Nigeria’s blue economy potential and promote sustainable coastal development.

Delivering the keynote address, President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Chief Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, said a dedicated financing mechanism was necessary to address infrastructure deficits and improve the living conditions of people in coastal communities.

Anishere urged Nigeria to explore international financing opportunities through climate funds, development banks and multilateral organisations to scale up coastal resilience and community development.

She said sustained investment in coastal resilience would help strengthen infrastructure, protect livelihoods and create an enabling environment for coastal communities to participate meaningfully in the emerging blue economy.

The Learned Silk stressed that Nigeria’s blue economy must be underpinned by effective governance, noting that the country needed to establish the legal and institutional conditions required for innovation, investment and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

She called for a regulatory system that provides certainty and security for investors while remaining flexible enough to encourage innovation, environmentally responsible enough to protect marine resources and inclusive enough to benefit coastal populations.

Anishere identified **security, sustainability and governance** as critical pillars for the future of Nigeria’s blue economy.

She also advocated improved waste-management infrastructure, sustainable fishing practices, recycling education and environmental stewardship initiatives that directly benefit coastal communities.

The keynote speaker further called for increased private-sector participation in blue tourism, resilient infrastructure and marine-based enterprises through appropriate incentives, streamlined regulations and public-private partnerships.

Representing the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, **Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila**, said the state remained committed to an inclusive approach to blue economy development.

She noted that while Ehingbeti’s history was closely associated with Lagos Island, the state’s blue economy development agenda would encompass communities across Lagos.

According to her, Governor Sanwo-Olu encouraged participants to collaborate and develop a communiqué capable of advancing the blue economy agenda of Lagos State.

The Convener of the Ehingbeti Maritime Hub and Founder of the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation, **Hon. Olaitan Violet Williams**, said the Hub was established in 2023 to trace and reconnect with the historical roots of maritime activities in Lagos.

Williams said Ehingbeti represented an important chapter in Lagos’ evolution from its early trading history to modern-day Eko.

She identified inland waterways as one of the low-hanging fruits of Nigeria’s blue economy and called for greater investment and stronger legal protection for investors.

According to her, Nigeria’s estimated 10,000 kilometres of waterways could not deliver their full economic potential if they remained largely unnavigable.

The Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu Shagari**, represented by NIWA Board Member, Capt. Tajudeen Alao, commended the Convener for her commitment to the development of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

Shagari stressed that coastal communities must remain central to the implementation of blue economy policies, while advocating an appropriate legal framework for the development of Nigeria’s littoral states.

Representing the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, Rear Admiral N.C. Okon called for stronger maritime regulation and effective enforcement of existing laws.

Okon identified “sea blindness” as a factor limiting Nigeria’s ability to fully harness its maritime potential and stressed that collaboration among government agencies, coastal communities and development partners was essential.

He noted that a thriving blue economy could not be sustained amid insecurity, environmental degradation, illicit activities and regulatory uncertainty.

The Naval representative reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to providing the secure maritime environment required for commerce, investment and sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime resources.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), **Ekeoma Ezeibe**, identified insurance as a critical component of maritime and blue economy development.

She said adequate insurance protection was necessary to safeguard maritime assets, infrastructure and businesses against the multiple risks associated with the sector.

A major highlight of the summit was the official launch of the 28 Inland Waterways Investment Jigsaw, an initiative designed to highlight viable investment opportunities across Nigeria’s inland waterways and provide a structured pathway for private-sector participation.

The initiative is expected to support efforts to identify investment opportunities across the country’s inland waterways while encouraging greater private-sector involvement in water transportation and other marine-related businesses.

The 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit brought together government representatives, maritime professionals, security stakeholders, legal practitioners, insurers, traditional rulers, academics, private-sector operators and representatives of coastal communities.

The summit reaffirmed the need for stronger regulation, maritime security, sustainable financing, infrastructure development and community inclusion as Nigeria works to translate its blue economy potential into sustainable economic and social development.