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Customs Comptrollers Jostle For Apapa Command CAC

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Comptroller Willy Egbudin

The race towards who takes over from the incumbent Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Willy Egbudin, seems to have intensified.

For those who may not know, Comptroller Egbudin retires from service next month.

Already, some ambitious Customs Comptrollers, mostly at the headquarters of the NCS, have reportedly intensified their lobby to be posted to the Apapa Area 1 Command, which is considered as the juiciest command in the land.

Findings by Tribune have further confirmed that already, the Customs management at the headquarters in Abuja is already profiling the list of possible Comptroller to replace the former Lilypond and Seme commands’ controller.

A source within the Service told the paper that, “Apart from their relationships with the DCGs and ACGs on how they can be posted to Apapa, some of the Comptrollers have already began efforts on some level of political undertones, aimed at influencing the posting.

“As it is, we don’t know who is coming to Apapa, but it is obvious that the officer that will succeed Egbudin must have headed a command before.”

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Two Wheels, One City: my Life as a Glovo Rider in Abuja

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Glovo

The sun has only just risen when my phone’s alarm pierces the silence of my room in Abuja. It’s 7:00 a.m., the first of six alarms I’ve set: 7:10, 7:30, 8:00, 8:10, 8:30, to ensure I don’t sleep through my morning. I’m the kind of person who could sleep for 24 hours straight, especially when nestling in the quiet of my own space. But the rhythm of my life as a Glovo delivery rider demands otherwise. Time is money in this job, and time waits for no one. So I roll out of bed, shake off the grogginess, and prepare to claim my slot for the day: a 13-hour stretch from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., during which I’ll drive through Abuja’s streets, delivering food and parcels to customers who place orders on the Glovo app.

My name is Christian Ogbu, and I’m a Lagosian by birth, though Abuja has been my home since late 2020. I spent my first two decades in Lagos. Like any man born to a low-income family, I had to quickly try my hand at informal trade. As an Igbo man, I took up an apprenticeship in a pharmacy. When that didn’t work out after four or five years, I returned to my father’s village in Nsukka, Enugu, where I hoped to recalibrate and find opportunities to settle. But that was short-lived. I’m not a village boy; I’m wired for movement, for the bustle of a city. So, towards the end of 2020, I left for Anambra State, where I chased work that never materialised. I didn’t want to return to Lagos, where I would have to rely on my mum. Instead, I left Anambra for Abuja, where an uncle offered me a place to stay. It was a chance to start over, to find my own “greener pasture”, as I told myself.

Abuja was unkind at first. I took a job as a security guard, arranged by my uncle, but the pay was meagre: hand-to-mouth, barely enough to keep me afloat. Frustration gnawed at me. I wasn’t raised to live in someone else’s shadow, least of all my mother’s, so I refused to return to Lagos. Instead, I struck out on my own, submitting CVs to companies, hoping for something better. My uncle’s refusal to support my job search, denying me his signature and his ID, left me feeling stranded. I was sleeping in someone’s house, but I had no one to lean on. I often took to the streets looking tattered and hungry in search of a job. That’s when I stumbled into dispatch work.

It was a chance encounter with a deliveryman that changed everything. I was hungry, looking rough, but too proud to beg for food. “I just want to work like you,” I told him. He took me to a restaurant called Ants in Mama, which, like many popular restaurants that were adjusting to pandemic restrictions, ran an in-house delivery fleet where they purchased motorcycles and placed drivers on salaries. This was where I got my first taste of food delivery.  I didn’t know Abuja then, so I relied on Google Maps to navigate, my phone guiding me through unfamiliar streets. That first job was a trial by fire. The roads were unforgiving, especially where untarred paths and potholes tested my resolve. One day, I spilled a drink in my delivery box, and while rushing to replace it, I crashed into a parked motorcycle. The accident cost me my pay; the company used it to repair the bike. I was sad, but I didn’t give up.

Another courier took pity on me, leading me to somewhere I was hired again. This time, I used the work to learn Abuja’s streets. I’m quick to pick up patterns, a skill honed in Lagos, where I mastered shortcuts that others overlooked. Within months, I knew Abuja like the back of my hand. I started applying to logistics companies and landed a job with a franchise under Speedaf. In my first month, I shattered their delivery record, completing 50 to 60 orders a day when the highest before me was 20. My hard work earned me respect, even if it came with loose ends. There were moments of temptation: demanding extra cash from customers, a practice I later learned was common among delivery riders. When a customer recorded me and reported it, I faced suspension, but my manager, recognising my potential, fought to keep me.

Then I heard about Glovo. It was 2022, and the platform was different: riders worked independently, not under franchises. This means that their earnings were not capped to a monthly salary; instead, one could earn as much as they worked. I scraped together my savings, bought my own motorcycle, and signed up. A mentor told me, “Focus on this work, and you’ll see your earnings.” So I did. I left the other side hustles behind. Glovo requires that drivers book slots to confirm they are available for delivery. If a driver booked a slot, he had to be committed to it. Punctuality became my creed. If I booked a slot, I was there, no excuses. Even when thieves broke into my house, stealing my phone, which was my most important work tool, and money, I didn’t quit. I worked my way back, bought new gear, and kept going.

From scraping by to earning almost a million monthly as a Glovo rider

Glovo’s structure suited me. Unlike franchises, where you’re bound by rigid protocols, Glovo gave me freedom. I could reject deliveries to unsafe areas, like parts of Jahi or Kuje, where rough roads or security risks made riding perilous. Franchises didn’t care about rider safety. If a customer ordered to a dangerous spot, you went or face penalties. I once narrowly escaped a pit while being chased by dogs at night. With Glovo, I could say no, cancel the order, and move on. This autonomy made all the difference. I knew Abuja’s boundaries: where Glovo operated, where it didn’t, and I thrived within them. The app’s clear addresses meant I rarely needed Google Maps; I’d glance at the location, pocket my phone, and ride.

My consistency paid off. Glovo set daily targets: 25 to 30 deliveries to earn a “quest” bonus, and I hit them religiously. Other platforms, like Chowdeck or Mano, cap their targets at 10 to 15 orders a day, I think, but Glovo pushed me. It wasn’t just about the money, though I earn between ₦800,000 and ₦900,000 a month, more than most salaried jobs. After expenses, ₦36,000 for fuel, ₦5,000 for oil changes every seven days, and about ₦7,000 daily for food, I earn enough to live well. But the real reward is the peace of mind, the sense of purpose. Glovo’s challenges became my own; if I fell short of 25 deliveries, it felt like failure. The next day, I’d push harder, determined to meet the mark.

The work is gruelling: 13 hours on the road, six days a week. I take Saturdays off now, a lesson learned after my eyes started twitching from stress and too much caffeine last year. I cut out energy drinks, relying on my own stamina and the occasional biscuit or mineral water to keep me going. Breakfast is a must, but lunch is a luxury; I might not eat until I’m home, late at night, with takeaway in hand. Abuja’s cold nights demand a jumper, something Glovo doesn’t provide, so I layer up to stay warm.

The job has its highs and lows. Customers shape the experience. Some are demanding, insisting I deliver to their doorstep in estates where bikes aren’t allowed, leaving my motorcycle vulnerable to theft or tampering. Others are a joy, especially when they are foreigners, as they are often more polite and appreciative than locals. For example, foreigners who live at high-end hotels, which do not allow couriers to drive in, are often ready to meet me at the gate. “White customers,” as I call them, often stand out for their courtesy, waiting at the gate, thanking me for my effort. Nigerian customers can be hit or miss: some warm, others dismissive, a few outright rude. I once climbed to the fifth floor to deliver to a customer in a wheelchair, moved by their courteous note on the app. The word ‘please’ seems so inconsequential, but it means a lot and can influence how we respond to additional requests of customers. Respect, I’ve learned, is reciprocal. When customers treat me with dignity, I go the extra mile.

Then there are the surveys Glovo sends out, asking about our satisfaction or experiences. They’re alien to many riders, unaccustomed to forms or feedback. But I use them to learn, sometimes Googling terms or asking AI for clarity. These small moments of education, interacting with customers, navigating the app, and engaging with the world, make the job more than just deliveries. It’s exposure, a window into lives I’d never otherwise encounter.

In June 2025, Glovo recognised my efforts. At their summit in Lagos, I was awarded for delivering over 14,000 orders since joining in 2022. They called me a “punctuality champion,” a nod to my unwavering commitment to my slots. It has been a great relationship so far. I do have some crucial improvements, particularly regarding deliveries to estates and hotels where motorcycles are restricted. It would be great if the company implements a clear policy or in-app note for customers in these areas, mandating a mutual understanding with riders for doorstep deliveries. This change would not only address rider safety concerns—reducing the risk of theft from parked bikes or food tampering—but also ensure riders aren’t unfairly blamed for issues outside their control, fostering a more respectful and efficient delivery experience for everyone.

This job has been transformative, but I do believe it is still a means to an end. In five years, I don’t see myself still working as an app-based courier. I want an adventure: maybe a business. I want to settle down, marry, and build something of my own. God has blessed me through this gig work, and I believe He’ll keep opening doors.

For now, though, I’m content. Abuja is in my hands, its streets etched into my memory. And as long as I’m on my bike using Glovo to connect to customers, I’m not just delivering food; I’m delivering myself to a future I’m still building.

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Three Easy Ways to Subscribe to GOtv

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gotv packages

In today’s fast-paced world, your entertainment should move with you,  not slow you down. Whether you’re a new customer or a returning one, GOtv has made it super simple for you to subscribe, renew, upgrade your package, and stay connected to quality entertainment without stress.

Here are three easy ways to subscribe to GOtv so you never miss a moment of the action.

  1. Dial 288# – Your GOtv Control Center Without Data

The fastest way to manage your GOtv subscription with no internet required is by dialling the magic code *288# on your mobile phone to access GOtv’s full USSD self-service menu available to all networks in Nigeria. With this simple code, you can:

  • Pay or renew your subscription

  •  Claim the WeGotYou upgrade offer

  •  Change your package

  •  Fix common decoder errors (like E16)

  •  Activate a new GOtv decoder

It’s perfect for quick fixes, fast payments, and account updates without an app or internet access.

  1. Use the MyGOtv App – Full Access on the Go

Want to manage your GOtv account on your smartphone? Download the MyGOtv App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and take full control of your viewing experience.

With the app, you can:

  • Subscribe, renew, or upgrade your package

  • View your balance and due dates

  • Resolve decoder issues instantly

  • Explore package options

  • Access customer support

This is perfect for users who want convenience and flexibility at their fingertips.

  1. Visit a GOtv Dealer or Payment Outlet

If you’d rather speak with someone, GOtv has a wide network of authorized dealers and payment centers near you. They’ll help you subscribe, upgrade, or troubleshoot your decoder with ease. This is also a great option if you’re new to GOtv and need help getting started.

Regardless of your preferred method, subscribing to GOtv is fast, secure, and hassle-free. So go ahead and pick what works best for you and dive back into the world of drama, sports, movies, and more on GOtv. When it comes to easy and affordable entertainment, GOtv has you covered.

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How to Keep Yourself Entertained Without Breaking the Bank

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Premium Shows On GOtv

In today’s economy, finding ways to stay entertained while sticking to a budget has become more important than ever. Contrary to most beliefs, you don’t need to spend a fortune to have fun and enjoy quality entertainment. With a little creativity and smart planning, you can keep yourself thoroughly entertained without straining your wallet.

Here are 4 Smart Entertainment Choices That Won’t Hurt Your Pocket;

  1. Maximise Your Home Entertainment Value

One of the most cost-effective ways to stay entertained is by making the most of your home entertainment setup. Instead of constantly spending money on movie tickets, dining out, or expensive activities, you can create a rich entertainment experience right in your living room.

GOtv’s “We Got You” offer is a simple but powerful hack for getting more entertainment for less. Right now, when you renew your current GOtv package, you automatically get upgraded to the next package at no extra cost. That’s access to more channels, a wider range of shows, and premium content for the same price.

  1. Get Creative with Indoor Activities

Staying indoors doesn’t have to be boring; it’s the perfect time to explore fun and productive ways to unwind. Pick up a new hobby like reading, journaling, or learning a skill online. Feeling adventurous? Try out new recipes using ingredients you already have or get inspired by your favourite food shows on the GOtv food channel, Real Time (Ch. 35)

You can also spice things up with game nights with friends or dive into indoor workouts like yoga and bodyweight exercises using free online tutorials. There’s always something fun to do; you just have to get a little creative.

  1. Look Out for Deals and Promotions

Great entertainment doesn’t always have to be expensive. Just like GOtv’s current We Got You offer, many platforms run exciting deals throughout the year. Stay alert and make the most of free trials, group discounts, special offers for students, family promotions, seasonal deals, and limited-time discounts.

A little deal-hunting can go a long way in keeping you entertained while saving money.

  1. Build a Sustainable Entertainment Routine

The key to budget-friendly entertainment is creating a sustainable routine that doesn’t require constant spending. This might include:

  • Regular TV viewing with your upgraded GOtv package

  • Weekly free activities like visiting parks, window shopping, etc.

  • Monthly budget allowances for special entertainment experiences

  • Seasonal activities that align with natural cycles and holidays

Sometimes, the best entertainment isn’t about getting something new; it’s about rediscovering what’s already available.

From catching up on shows you’ve missed to exploring new genres, there’s plenty of content waiting on your GOtv decoder. And with the free upgrade offer, there’s even more variety to explore, all without spending an extra kobo.

Staying entertained on a budget is not only doable; it’s smart. Remember, the most meaningful entertainment often comes from simple pleasures, good stories, and time well spent. So be intentional, be resourceful, and let your budget work for you, not against you.

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