.Stakeholders Extol Adeniyi for Facilitating FOB Levy Suspension
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has called for unity and improved welfare among maritime journalists.
CGC Adeniyi made the call at the “Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024” award night organized by Nigerian Maritime Journalists at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Thursday.
The award given to him is in recognition of his exemplary leadership and contributions to the development of the maritime industry.
In a response, the Comptroller General of Customs expressed his optimism in maintaining the positive trajectory of 2024, despite the challenges that lie ahead.
He said, “Gradually, we are beginning to restore some sanity in the environment of policy formation and in the area of implemention where we play a significant role. In 2025, we will continue in the same trajectory of ensuring that duty collection is done in an environment where there is ease in trade facilitation”.
On his award, the CGC was full of appreciation to maritime journalists for considering him for the honour. “The symbolism of this award is that we have something that serve as a rallying point for all associations in the maritime journalism industry.”
He emphasised the need for maritime journalists to unite and speak with one voice, in order to achieve common goals.
The Customs Boss also urged all customs agents in the industry to embrace unity, citing the story of customs agents is similar to that of maritime journalists in terms of proliferation of associations.
“The policymakers want to respect them by consulting them on matters of policies about their profession, but the discordant tunes coming from them make it difficult for such consultations,” he said.
He therefore pleaded with the confraternity of the freight forwarders to come together under one umbrella to present a unified position to the government on matters affecting their industry.
He also tasked both Prince Olayiwola Shittu, the former National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), and Alhaji Akeem Olanrewaju, the Chairman of the Customs Consultative Council (CCC), to spearhead the unification drive of the freight forwarding associations, given their vantage positions.
Adeniyi further advocated for improved welfare for maritime journalists, stressing that their well-being should be a priority for all agencies they report on.
“If all the operators in the industry are prospering in their business, journalists that are reporting them, their welfare should be a concern of all the agencies”.
He charged the maritime journalists to come up with initiatives that will drive their welfare programmes, adding “I can as well speak to all the agencies on this issue provided you come together as a united front.”
In another development, some stakeholders at the event specifically praised the CGC for convincing the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the controversial 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) duty on imports.
The Chairman of the occasion, a former National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, commended Adeniyi on his performance so far as the Controller General of Customs, noting that the CG deserved the award bestowed on him by maritime journalists.
He also commended him for successfully persuading the Federal Government to remove the 4 per cent levy on imports.
Contributing, the Chairman, Customs Consultative Council, Alhaji Hakeem Olanrewaju, also commended Adeniyi for his performance since he assumed the helm of the Service, noting that he deserved the Iconic Maritime Personality Award bestowed on him by all maritime journalists in Nigeria.
Old friends and schoolmates of the CG, who attended the event, also lauded his achievements, adding that he has never disappointed Nigerians.
They affirmed that the CGC has continued to uphold the spirit of friendship despite his new status as Customs Chief.
Also speaking on behalf of the maritime journalists, Mr Okey Ibeke, extolled Adeniyi for his leadership and efforts in transforming the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Your leadership has brought significant transformations to the Nigeria Customs Service. You have exceeded expectations and have brought relief to importers and agents.”
He also urged the government to give more power to the Service, saying such support will enable the service to perform better in boosting and enhancing the economic development of the country.
Similarly, Chairman of the Award Planning Committee, Mr. Dele Aderibigbe, described the event as a unanimous decision by all maritime journalists. “This is the first time in the sub-sector everyone will come together to honour a deserving performer per excellence who has made the NCS and Nigeria proud by his purposeful, professional, and patriotic leadership.”
Other notable stakeholders who graced the event include Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, National President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), the Chairman of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, Officers and Men of Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), friends, and well-wishers of the CGC.
The award ceremony was a testament to Adeniyi’s excellent performance as the Customs CG, which has been recognised by various stakeholders in the maritime industry. His call for unity and improved welfare amongst maritime stakeholders is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that his efforts will yield positive results for the industry.
