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Bawa, EFCC boss, enlists support of NYSC members to fight corruption

Owolola Adebola

Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  (EFCC),  Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa,  has called on corps members across the country to embrace whistle-blowing as a potent means of enlisting in the fight against economic and financial crimes, including corruption.

He made the call in an orientation lecture delivered on his behalf by Zonal Public Affairs Officers, to the Batch A,  Stream 11 set of corps members at the various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camps across the federation.

At Nonwa Orientation Camp in Rivers State, the EFCC Chair observed that, with whistle-blowing, corps members would serve more useful purposes to the nation by exposing conducts that cast shadow on integrity, in their places of primary assignments.

” The message of the EFCC to you all this morning is that you should become whistleblowers in any place where you find yourself by reporting acts that fail the simple test of integrity”,  he said.
Continuing,  he stressed:  ” We urge you,  when you see something,  to say something;  and don’t stop there,  please do something”.

As a practical way of performing the whistleblowing role, Bawa,  represented by the Head,  Public Affairs, Port Harcourt Zonal Office,  Mr. Dele Oyewale,  tasked corps members to join the EFCC/  NYSC Community Development Group and use the platform to expose any corrupt acts noticed in their environment.

The platform would also offer corps members “the opportunity for an enduring relationship with the Commission and other stakeholders.  It will also avail you the opportunity to work with the advocacy arm of the Commission and be in a position to serve as change agents…”

In the specific task of fighting cybercrimes, the EFCC’s boss admonished corps members to serve as role models by shunning all forms of cybercrimes.

 “There is no shortcut to wealth and fame. The fact that the rate of unemployment is high should not be an excuse to resort to crime”,  he said.

Also speaking to the corps member at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, Benue State, Bawa, represented by Adeniran Adebayo Samuel, Head of Public Affairs, Makurdi Zonal Office, charged them to join hands with the Commission in its efforts to rid the society of economic and financial crimes.

“The Commission realizes that enduring success in the fight against economic crime, including corruption can only be achieved when all stakeholders embrace this important fight. One critical group of stakeholders are the youths,” he said.

In Kaduna, the EFCC boss who spoke through the Kaduna Zonal Head, Mr. Harry Erin, reiterated the importance of a collaborative approach to the fight against corruption, noting that “the success in the fight against economic and financial crimes, including corruption can only be achieved when all critical stakeholders, especially the youths, embrace the fight”.

The EFCC helmsman thanked the NYSC for giving the Commission the opportunity to impact the corps members while tasking the youths to stay away from acts of criminality.

At the Kwara NYSC Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of the State, Bawa, represented by Ayodele Babatunde Joseph, Head of Public Affairs, Ilorin Zonal Office, urged the youths not to be mere spectators in the anti-graft campaign, but foot soldiers of the fight by becoming change agents and help mould the minds of the younger ones in schools so that the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes can be far-reaching.

“Apart from the fact that they (youths) are considered as the leaders of tomorrow, most economic crimes, especially cybercrimes are committed by young people. It, therefore, follows that young people must not be mere spectators in the anti-graft campaign.

“Rather, they should actually be the foot soldiers leading the mass rout of corruption and economic crimes out of our land.”

Also, at the Orientation Camp, Okada, Edo State, Bawa, speaking through Williams Oseghale, Head, Public Affairs, Benin Zonal Office, admonished the youths to embrace hard work and shun crime as the consequences are grave.

 “Yahoo yahoo is not a sustainable way of life. It is painful when our operatives arrest as many as 50 yahoo boys in a single raid. Add your voice to mine, because the fight against economic and financial crimes involves you and I; while I play my part, you will play yours.” Bawa said.

Similar messages were sent to corps members at the Kubwa Orientation Camp, Abuja and the NYSC Orientation Camp, Awgu, Enugu state where the EFCC boss was represented respectively, by Aisha Gambari and Ude Bethel of the Public Affairs Department.

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Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations  

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.
Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.
The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support  Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.
He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.
Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.
“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.
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Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime Reporter 

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence,  brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

 As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.
It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.
 He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.
He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

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Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.
According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.
This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.
The Programme, according to the NCS,  also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per  through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.
However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.
The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.
The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.
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