Connect with us

General

Customs Sensitises Stakeholders on Clearance Procedures in Rivers

Published

on

customs clearance processes

By Bon Peters

The Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has commenced a sensitisation programme for stakeholders to educate them on issues of non-conformities with statutory procedures and other vices in customs clearance processes.

The event, which began last week in Port Harcourt, comes in phases to avail the maritime operators, especially the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), NAGAFF, Bonded Terminals operations, shipping agents, among others, the opportunity to learn the customs procedure codes which would, in turn, ensure seamless clearance of containers at the ports.

In his opening remarks, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone C Customs, ACG Olugboyega Peters, expressed his happiness with the level of revenue profile of the Command, cooperation and synergy among the stakeholders and the agency.

He further said he was happy with the level of seamless operations the Command is enjoying with the stakeholders, insisting that the essence of the gathering was to learn because “there is no end to education.”

Speaking further, he said in customs operations, the most important thing is transparency; charging the operators to be transparent in their declaration as such would ensure they exit their containers within 48 hours.

“If you’re doing the right thing, your consignment can leave the terminal within 48 hours,” Mr Peters said.

Delivering the lecture, CSC Joseph Atile, said the objective of the interactive session was to enlighten, educate and create awareness and sensitise the service personnel and the trading community on the importance and use of correct customs procedure as it affects imports, exports and transit operations with respect to commonly abused factors on declarations and customs procedure code (CPC) leading to huge loss of revenue.

He insisted that to be a Licensed Customs Agent a basic sound knowledge of tools, processes and documentation is required, adding that agents should make training and retraining their watchword, even as he noted that they should embark on consultation and strict adherence to customs procedures, process and documentation.

In his contribution, the Customs Area 1, Controller, Comptroller CD Wada, admonished the stakeholders to build capacity and add value to themselves and their organizations, vowing to partner with the agents to train and retrain them.

While reminding them of the cure mandate of customs which he said included revenue generation, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling, he said every genuine and compliant trader would enjoy trade facilitation but recalcitrant ones, even their agencies would be blocked from doing business.

Responding to the impact of the training, Slot Bonded Terminal Manager, Mr Fabian Nwanyanwu, said the lecture was impactful as what customs were doing to the agents was very much expected.

“What customs is doing today is part of what they ought to do. The nation is moving forward, and customs should not be left behind; my prayer is that everybody should key in and learn since they have promised to be doing it regularly,” he stated.

Continuing, Mr Nwanyanwu said, “I have learnt today that most of the applications we use during capturing are in error, and as ACG Peters has said, you can’t apply anything you do not know.”

General

Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today

Published

on

Abuja Night of Glory

By Blaise Udunze

Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.

The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.

Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.

Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.

The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.

Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.

Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.

Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.

Continue Reading

General

Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC

Published

on

rivers speaker Martin Amaewhule defect

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.

This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.

The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.

This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.

Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.

It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.

Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Continue Reading

General

Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN

Published

on

energy sector

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.

The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.

Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.

According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.

“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.

He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.

Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.

He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.

“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.

On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.

“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.

Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.

He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.

“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.

Continue Reading

Trending