Category: News

The Western Naval Command, under the leadership of Flag Officer Rear Admiral Mohammed Hassan, conducted its first Quarterly Road March on Saturday, marking a significant event aimed at underscoring the importance of physical fitness within the Navy and fostering community relations.

The event, which witnessed an impressive turnout, is part of a broader initiative by the Nigerian Navy to maintain high fitness standards among its personnel.

“We conduct sports activities daily, with special emphasis on Wednesdays, but this quarterly march brings everyone together to highlight the critical role of physical readiness,” said Rear Admiral Hassan.

According to Rear Admiral Hassan, the routine exercises are crucial not just for physical conditioning but also for operational effectiveness. “The importance of fitness cannot be over-emphasized, as it enables our men to perform optimally in their respective operational areas,” he noted.

In addition to enhancing military readiness, the march serves to strengthen the bonds between naval personnel and the civilian community.

Rear Admiral Hassan emphasized the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a harmonious relationship with civilians, reflecting on their primary role in ensuring the happiness and safety of the public.

The Quarterly Road March is set to be a regular feature in the Navy’s calendar, with hopes it will continue to promote health, teamwork, and mutual respect between the sailors and the communities they protect.

In a remarkable achievement, Rear Admiral CE Okafor (rtd) of the Nigerian Navy has been awarded the prestigious Alexander Dalrymple Award for 2023. This esteemed accolade, initiated by the UK Government in 2006, celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of hydrography, cartography, and navigational safety.

Rear Admiral CE Okafor (rtd) was selected by the UK Hydrographic Office’s Committee for his outstanding dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s national hydrographic capacity. His efforts led Nigeria to become the first country in West Africa to produce indigenous international navigational charts in both paper and electronic formats. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in establishing a national hydrographic survey fleet equipped with full charting capability.

The award ceremony took place on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in London, England, where Rear Admiral CE Okafor (rtd) was honored for his remarkable achievements. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, along with all the Officers and men of the Nigerian Navy, extend heartfelt congratulations to Rear Admiral CE Okafor (rtd). His exceptional contributions have not only elevated Nigeria’s hydrography capacity but have also left a lasting impact globally.

In a bid to bolster public awareness and enhance communication with citizens, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, embarked on a significant visit to the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Corporate Headquarters on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

The rendezvous saw a warm reception extended to the CGC by the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndache, who lauded Adeniyi’s notable achievements. Expressing gratitude for the CGC’s continuous and immense support, Ndache commended Adeniyi’s outreach to stakeholders and partnerships with various media organizations.

Acknowledging Adeniyi’s distinguished career, Ndache praised his integrity and leadership qualities, hailing him as an astute Public Relations expert with extensive experience.

In response, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of open governance and aligned his commitment with the administration’s goals under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focusing on economic recovery, political stability, and national security.

Recognizing VON’s pivotal role in disseminating government policies, Adeniyi pledged the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering support for VON in raising public awareness.

Furthermore, Adeniyi highlighted the recent inauguration of the National Single Window project steering committee and underscored the significance of collaboration and partnership among major agencies.

In closing, Adeniyi expressed his enthusiasm for collaboration with VON, particularly in utilizing its platforms to reach border communities and ensure they are well-informed about NCS policies and activities.

The visit signifies a promising partnership aimed at fostering transparency, enhancing public awareness, and promoting mutual cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Voice of Nigeria.

The Nigerian Navy has reported a significant increase in stowaway cases within Nigerian territorial waters, citing concerns over the growing trend. According to the Nigerian Navy, from August 2023 to April 2024, approximately 75 stowaways were apprehended in various operations aimed at curbing this perilous activity.

Under the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Navy has enhanced its Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities. This includes deploying advanced equipment that enables Quick Response Teams (QRT) to efficiently monitor and address security threats in Nigeria’s waters.

The details released by the Navy indicate a persistent problem, with incidents recorded across multiple vessels. For instance, the MSC Martha and the MT UOG Constantine encountered stowaways in August 2023 and December 2023, respectively, with the latter finding 14 individuals hidden within the vessel.

All individuals apprehended were found in critical hiding spots like rudder compartments, posing severe risks to their health due to harsh conditions, lack of sustenance, and potential injuries. Following their recovery, the stowaways were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further processing and legal action.

The Nigerian Navy has issued a stern warning against the dangers of stowaway attempts, which include not only legal repercussions but also significant health risks, and possibly death. The Navy’s ongoing efforts to tackle this issue reflect a broader commitment to maintaining security and safety in Nigeria’s maritime territories.

Commodore A Adams-Aliu, the Director of Information for the Navy, emphasized the need for public awareness and urged the media to help disseminate the risks associated with stowaway behaviors, especially to discourage the youth from such hazardous undertakings.

…Celebrating Remarkable Achievements

Comptroller AB Shuaibu bids farewell to his tenure as Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Command, passing the baton to the incoming Controller James Folorunsho Ojo, amidst celebrations of significant accomplishments achieved under his leadership.

The transition ceremony, marked by the recent redeployment of Area Controllers and Heads of Units/Formations by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr fniia psc(+), symbolized the seamless continuity of operations and the preservation of mission objectives within the Command.

Addressing a distinguished gathering including the newly appointed Area Controller, Comptroller James Folorunsho Ojo, heads of security agencies, management team members, and critical stakeholders, Comptroller Shuaibu expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to serve and to the Customs leadership for entrusting him with various responsibilities.

Reflecting on his tenure, Comptroller Shuaibu highlighted significant achievements, including a notable increase in revenue generation, enhanced anti-smuggling efforts, and substantial contributions to the overall development of the Command. Under his stewardship, the Command also engaged in impactful Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Since assuming leadership on September 18, 2023, Comptroller AB Shuaibu has initiated significant transformations within the Ogun 1 Command in Idiroko, evidenced by a range of operational and community-focused improvements.

Immediately upon taking office, the Command executed a major operation, seizing vehicles loaded with smuggled rice and substantial quantities of cannabis sativa. The success of this operation, based on credible intelligence, drew the praise of the Customs General Controller (CGC), who visited the state to highlight the achievement in a press conference.

In an effort to streamline operations and enhance trade facilitation, Comptroller Shuaibu dramatically reduced the number of checkpoints from 32 to just five along the critical Idiroko-Owode corridor. This move has been complemented by a vigorous campaign against illegal activities by “campboys” along the same route.

Infrastructure upgrades have also been a priority, with renovations to the administrative block and the replacement of furniture in the Comptroller’s office. Further, the command has seen the installation of a new power generator, benefiting both staff and stakeholders, and the restoration of power supply in both the senior and junior barracks.

The welfare of the command’s personnel has also received attention with provisions for daily meals for officers on guard duty and light breakfasts at the command’s headquarters. Subsidies have been applied to meals at the Officers’ Mess, enhancing affordability for personnel.

In line with corporate social responsibility, the Command has launched initiatives such as ‘Art for Economic Development’ and ‘Cloth a Child’, which distribute school uniforms and supplies to underprivileged children. Collaboration with local youth groups to combat smuggling and inter-border security meetings further highlight the Command’s proactive community engagement.

The outgoing Area Controller attributed these successes to the unwavering support of the NCS Headquarters, the dedication of officers and men, and collaborative efforts with critical stakeholders. He urged continued commitment from officers to sustain the Command’s performance tempo under the incoming administration.

Comptroller Shuaibu also appealed for steadfast support for his successor from critical stakeholders, acknowledging the impartiality of news coverage provided by the press throughout his tenure.

Welcoming Comptroller James Folorunsho Ojo to the Command, Comptroller Shuaibu expressed confidence in his capabilities to lead with integrity, vision, and excellence, assuring him of the unwavering support of officers and men.

In closing, Comptroller Shuaibu extended heartfelt appreciation to all officers and men of Ogun 1 Command, heads of security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, youths, and other stakeholders for their collaborative efforts and support during his tenure.

The ceremony concluded with a sense of gratitude and anticipation for the Command’s continued success under new leadership, as Comptroller AB Shuaibu hands over the reins to Comptroller James Folorunsho Ojo.