By Modupe Gbadeyanka

In recognition of their outstanding performance and in commitment to its merit-based career progression, a total of 3,530 personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have been promoted.

A statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the agency, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, disclosed that the promotion benefited 3,312 senior officers, 202 junior officers, and others.

In the disclosed released on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi, it was said the Nigeria Customs Service Board, chaired by the Finance Minister, Mr Wale Edun, approved the appointment of four Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs) and 12 Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs) to fill vacancies created by the recent retirement of some management members.

The officers elevated to the rant of DCGs at the 63rd regular meeting of the board on Tuesday were AB Mohammed (North-West), GO Omale (North-Central), OC Orbih (South-South), D Nnadi (South-East).

The new ACGs include MP Binga (North-East), CA Awo (South-East), AB Shuaibu (North-Central), AT Abe (North-West), K Mohammed (North-West), B Mohammed (North-West), TM Daniyan (North-Central), B Oramalugo (South-East), OP Olaniyan (South-West), B Olomu (South-West), IK Oladeji (South-West), and CC Dim (South-East).

A total of 3,312 senior officers were promoted across various ranks from Comptroller of Customs (CC) to Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC 11), while 202 junior officers were elevated from Assistant Inspector (AIC) to Customs Assistant I (CA1).

The customs chief, in the statement, congratulated all the newly appointed and promoted officers, charging them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

He also reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, transparency, and excellence in service delivery.

At the same board meeting, the demotion of two officers to the next lower rank for various levels of misconduct was approved, while two officers were reinstated after reviewing their cases, reflecting the board’s commitment to upholding accountability and fairness, in line with the service’s core values.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has a new spokesperson and he is Mr Andy Odeh, replacing Mr Femi Soneye, who resigned from the position in June 2025.

In a statement on Tuesday, the energy firm said Mr Odeh will now operate as its Chief Corporate Communications Officer.

It was disclosed that Mr Odeh brings over three decades of extensive experience in communications and business administration across the oil and gas, advertising, and broadcasting sectors.

Prior to joining NNPC, he had a distinguished 26-year career at Nigeria LNG (NLNG). There, he held various leadership roles in Community Relations and Development; Business Logistics and Services; Information Management and Technology; Corporate Communications and Public Affairs; Government Relations and Regulatory Compliance, and most recently, General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development.

He is recognised for his work on major public relations and advertising campaigns for top brands.

At NLNG, he successfully managed the company’s rebranding and implemented one of Nigeria’s best-run micro-credit schemes for host communities.

Mr Odeh was also instrumental in instituting the NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting. He is an alumnus of the University of Jos, the University of Lagos, INSEAD Business School, and the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), among others.

Also, the NNPC announced the appointment of Mrs Morenike Adewunmi as its Chief Relations Officer.

The appointee is a legal professional with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Her expertise is in stakeholder management and advocacy, particularly from her extensive tenure at the Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCIN). She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex external landscapes, ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting the company’s License to operate.

At Shell, she held key roles, including Regulatory Affairs Manager, where she managed all mandatory regulatory engagements and permits. As the Government Relations Manager, she built and maintained constructive relationships with the Presidency, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

Mrs Adewunmi is known for her strong leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to build robust stakeholder networks. She is a subject matter expert on non-technical risks and has a background in law from the Nigerian Law School and the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian veteran filmmaker, Mr Tade Ogidan, has been appointed to the board of a top Nigerian food company, Tantalizers Plc, in a bid to deepen its strategic plan to evolve into a foodtainment conglomerate—a blend of food service and entertainment.

According to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited from the company’s secretary, Ms Olamide Babawale-Mo, the television veteran’s appointment became effective July 29, 2025.

Mr Ogidan, an award-winning director and creative entrepreneur, is renowned for his work on iconic Nigerian movies and television productions such as Gold Statue, Madam Dearest, Family On Fire, Diamond Ring, Dangerous Twins, Hostages, Owo-Blow, and Out of Bounds, among others.

His portfolio also includes popular TV series like The Teju Babyface Show and Village Headmaster, as well as reality shows like The Next Titan and The Intern Entrepreneurial TV Reality Show. Many of his works feature on major streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.

According to the company, Mr Ogidan’s expertise in storytelling, content creation, and audience engagement will play a pivotal role in scaling Tantalizers’ entertainment subsidiary, Grand Media Projects Limited.

This aligns with the firm’s goal of integrating immersive entertainment experiences with its culinary offerings.

Nigeria’s entertainment industry remains one of its shining lights and most lucrative exports, while food serves as a core part of daily lives with Nigerians spending as much as 60 per cent of their income on feeding.

Speaking on the appointment, Tantalizers Plc Chairman, Mr Adam Nuhu, said, “Mr Ogidan’s appointment underscores our commitment to redefining how food and entertainment converge in Africa. His creative genius will help us scale our experiential and digital entertainment platforms while reinforcing our customer-centric and culturally-resonant brand.”

Tantalizers is currently expanding its entertainment-driven initiatives, including original TV content, live experiences, and digital assets, to deliver a unique blend of dining and cultural entertainment.

The board and management expressed confidence that Mr Ogidan’s appointment will unlock new opportunities and strengthen Tantalizers’ position as a pioneer in the foodtainment space in Africa.