Headlines

Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju, bows out of Shippers’ Council as head of PR

Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju Zubairu

The Eyewitness Reporter

Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju, nee Zubairu, has resigned her appointment as the Head of the Public Relations Unit, Nigerian Shippers’Council after four years in the saddle.

Mrs Dhikru- Yagboyaju, joined the council in 2019 as a contract staff from the Bank of Industry.

She was head-hunted and brought to the Council by the erstwhile Executive Secretary of the agency, Barrister Hassan Bello.

For four years, from 2019 to 2023, she superintended over the public relations department of the council.

Rebecca Adams, who has been the pillar of the Public Relations Unit of the agency, steps in as the acting Head of the Unit.

“I am done with the Shippers’ Council” Rakiya told our reporter on the phone.

Rakiya was at the Bank Of Industry (BOI) for 12 years, serving in various positions from 2007 to 2019.

She started as Head of Corporate Communications, before taking a two-year leave of absence to serve as Special Assistant on Communications in 2010 to the then Minister Of Health, Professor Chukwu, where she highlighted the plight of children working in the gold mines in Zamfara State as well as publicity on polio, which helped Nigeria reach within an inch of totally eliminating polio in the country; a campaign that was highlighted by the Minister at WHO in Geneva and the UN General Assembly in New York.

During this period, she also served on President Goodluck Jonathan’s inauguration committee.

In 2012, Rakiya returned to BOI to work in operations in the Large Enterprises Division’s Agro-processing and Solid Minerals sectors, managing portfolios of N500m and above, where her achievements led to her elevation to Group Head (Gender Business), creating the N1b Fashion Fund, the first of its kind in the banking sector which surpassed its one-year target within nine months of operation.

Rakiya worked at the Network News department of the Nigerian Television Authority(NTA) for 20 years from January 1987 to December 2007, during which time, she was a reporter on the Political and Business Desks, presenting the business segment of the Network News for many years.

She was also briefly attached to the late First Lady Maryam Babangida covering her activities during that period.

Rakiya is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and was the NTA Victoria Island Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and is actively involved in the ‘PROJECT NO EXCUSES’ Oversight Committee of the Ovie Brume Foundation.

She is also very active in the Old Students Association of her secondary school, Federal Government College, Sokoto and primary school Kaduna Capital School.

She is also a member of the Ikoyi Club, serving on several committees.

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Government and politics from the University of Maryland in the USA and a Master of Science Degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos. Rakiya is married to Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju, a professor of Political Science at the University of Ibadan and they have four adult children.

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.

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.

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.