Category: News

The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral KC Ezete, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Bassey Edet Otu, at the Governor’s Office on Tuesday 26 August 2025.

The FOC was accompanied by a delegation of officers including the Chief Staff Officer Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral DM Ndanusa; the Command Operations Officer, Commodore CE Oji; the Commander Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, Commodore A. Oride; and other principal staff officers of the Command.

During the visit, the Flag Officer Eastern Naval Command, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Navy. He particularly appreciated the Governor for granting the Navy the opportunity to conduct a survey of the Bakassi Deep Sea Port and for supporting the deployment of a security houseboat in the Bakassi area. He also conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of the Naval Staff for the State Government’s continued collaboration with the Navy.

In his response, Governor Otu warmly welcomed the FOC and his team, commending the Nigerian Navy for its significant role in maintaining maritime security in the state. He acknowledged the Navy’s strong surveillance presence and its contribution to tackling insecurity challenges in the region.

The Governor further praised the Chief of the Naval staff for his good works , the professionalism of naval personnel and assured the Navy of the State Government’s continuous support and cooperation.

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission (EAtHC) delegation, in company of the Director Hydrography, Rear Admiral GE Kwetishe, was warmly received by the Director General of International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION), Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (Rtd).

The IHO delegation comprised Capt Henri Dolou (Rtd) and Lt Cdr Gabin Sogorb, who also serves as the Capacity Building Coordinator of the EAtHC.

In his remarks, the Director Hydrography provided an overview of the objectives of the IHO delegation’s visit to Nigeria, underscoring the overarching goal of establishing a Regional Hydrographic Center of Excellence in the country. He emphasized that such a visit would be incomplete without the team engaging with IMION, given its central role in maritime knowledge and strategy development as a Think Tank chamber for the Maritime Stakeholders local and international.

The visiting IHO Team explained that the exercise forms part of a suitability assessment for establishing a Hydrographic Centre of Excellence for the English-speaking part of the West Africa, which is positively postponed for the slot.

Lt Cdr Gabin noted the need to train hydrographers, Oceanographers and Cartographers in the region. He also said that outside the West African region only Egypt has such an institute to train individuals in that field of study.

On his part, the Director General of IMION expressed delight at receiving the IHO team.

He highlighted IMION’s mandate as a strategic think-tank and research institute aimed at allied stakeholders among the Blue Economy Sector of Nigeria, the Gulf of Guinea nations and the world. He mentioned that IMION is saddled with the responsibility to conduct research in support of Nigeria’s Blue Economy and sustainable ocean governance in which hydrographic factors are key.

He further commended the efforts of the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Department (NNHD) in advancing hydrographic development in the country. Additionally, he noted IMION’s readiness to establish strategic collaborations with French maritime institutes, as well as with other international institutions of excellence.

The visit of the IHO Team further reinforces Nigeria’s position as a key player in regional hydrography and represents another milestone in the country’s quest for greater involvement in global hydrographic initiatives. The visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs and facility tour of the Institute.

Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu has given reassurances that the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu will pick up and surpass user expectations soon and announced a collection of ₦161,258,483,474.63 within three weeks

According to a statement signed by SC JT AYAGBALO, Public Relations Officer Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Olomu who following series of intense stakeholders engagement championed by the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, said there are prospects of improvement in the B’Odogwu system

While commending stakeholders for their patience and understanding with the NCS particular those in Apapa Command, the Area Controller disclosed that between August 1 and 22, 2025 the command collected ₦161, 258,483,474.63( one hundred and sixty one billion, four hundred and eighty three thousand, seven hundred and seventy four naira, sixty three kobo) using the B’Odogwu system

He expressed optimism in the capability of the B’Odogwu platform facilitating more trade than previous ICT systems hitherto deployed by the NCS and that the stakeholders’ patience will not be in vain. He stated further that the dedicated ICT department of the service has been working round the clock to achieve a permanent solution to the impasse.

Describing Apapa Command as a critical and strategic area for the realisation of the NCS goals, Comptroller Olomu said the CGC has initiated and sustained dialogue with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council with a view to ameliorate the effects of recent downtime experienced in the course of their transactions.

The stakeholders’ engagements have also cascaded to the command level with the Zonal Coordinator, Charles Orbih physically present at Apapa Command to address the concerns of importers, licensed customs agents and freight forwarding companies.

“I am pleased with the maturity, patience, understanding and support we have received from our stakeholders in the past and most recent times. Their confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service ability to overcome and resolve all network glitches is not misplaced. It further underscores our shared values as patriotic Nigerians who want to see our homegrown ICT initiative thrive”.

“Let me restate that the CGC is deeply concerned and persistently overseeing the solution process while interfacing with sister government agencies like the Nigerian Shippers Council to mediate the process of demurrage waivers with terminal operators and shipping companies”.

“Beyond the usual Monday to Friday work, I have directed our officers to work extra hours and weekends to fasten the process of clearing the backlog of undone jobs and reduce delays associated with conventional closing periods” Comptroller Olomu said.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has urged young officers of the Service to embrace innovation, discipline, and resilience as they advance in their careers, stressing that the Service’s future depends on their commitment to excellence.

Represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, DCG Greg Itotoh, the Customs boss gave the charge on Friday, 22 August 2025, at the graduation ceremony of 50 students of Junior Course 22 at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.

The event, held at the Ahmad Makarfi Hall, marked another milestone in the College’s mission to groom officers for higher responsibilities.

DCG Itotoh congratulated the graduates and said their success resulted from hard work, resilience, and zeal to maintain the high level of discipline demanded by the institution.

He urged the officers not to rest on their laurels but to apply the lessons learnt to practical outcomes in their daily assignments.

“We can forget the harsh corrections, the restrictions, and the pain of training, but let us never forget the lessons learnt. As you return to your units, face the unknown with courage and determination, because as Customs officers, our duties are laced with challenges,” he said.

He further reminded the officers that under CGC Adeniyi’s leadership, the Service prioritises innovation, and he encouraged them to take on tasks that improve efficiency and strengthen the Service’s global standing.

The Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebakin, described the occasion as “a unique day” for the institution, noting that the graduating officers had endured rigorous training focused on leadership, discipline, and professional development.

The Junior Course was designed to prepare young officers for the growing service demands in a complex and evolving operational environment. This cohort has invested significant mental, emotional, and physical effort, and their dedication has paid off,” ACG Adebakin said.

She added that, beyond academics, the course incorporated health checks, physical exercises, and activities that tested punctuality, teamwork, and conduct, all of which aimed to produce well-rounded officers.

Outstanding participants were awarded in leadership, discipline, marksmanship, and academic excellence categories, underscoring the training’s overall impact.

All 50 graduating students were also presented with certificates, signifying their successful course completion. The commandant urged them to serve as “good ambassadors” of the College as they returned to their Commands.