Headlines

Arc Ferdinand Agu and his testimonials.

Dakuku Peterside

A tribute by Dakuku Peterside

When I arrived at NIMASA in March 2016 and started preaching the gospel of reforms and reputational restoration, the director-level cadre of the agency threw only one challenge at me: equal or surpass the record of a certain Arc. Ferdinand Agu, who had earlier served as DG/ CEO of the predecessor organisation to NIMASA, NMA.

That challenge set the stage for and the tone of my future engagements in the agency. First, who is this man who has become a source of leadership reference in NIMASA?

It was evident to all that we have only ever had very few of these agency leaders as role models and sources of inspiration for leadership.

Fewer have been superlative and exceptional . Therefore, it became imperative to extract the core elements of Arc Agu’s outstanding and qualitative performance prior to, during, and following his stay at NIMASA.

I reached out to him, and what I found challenged me even more. Here was a man of intellect, versatile, confidant yet humble,and desirous to assist.

I immediately bonded with him, and he became my unofficial adviser-in-chief. Like that proverbial eagle, Arc Ferdi Agu was exceptionally and irreversibly visionary, and quite aware of his capacity to contribute to the betterment of his society. He was equally skilled at translating his vision in any sector to reality.

I found him to be administratively savvy, an extremely well-organized professional who paid close attention to even the smallest details.

Despite his imposing height and stature, he exuded confidence and fearlessness while remaining incredibly humble.

In addition to having faith in himself, he frequently exhorts others to have faith in their own abilities and the beauty of their aspirations, and he is always ready to offer his intellect and experience to help you succeed.

Arc Agu loved the maritime industry as much as he loved Nigeria. His knowledge of the industry was nearly encyclopedic.

His passion for the country and its growth was second to none that I have seen around .

He was of Igbo parentage, but his network of friends came from every nook and cranny of Nigeria, and even he could not explain how he built that network.

I intentionally chose not to talk of my own personal encounters with him, as each occasion turned out to be a lesson on patriotism and leading when everything seemed to go south.

Arc Ferdi Agu was a rare human being, a gift to Nigeria that was highly underutilized, a patriot and most importantly, my elder brother and source of inspiration .

Arc Agu was the only Ferdi Agu that could be. Goodbye, our pathfinder and intellectual powerhouse.

Dakuku Peterside was a former DG NIMASA

Customs

Group confers “continental” award on Adeniyi over customs’ phenomenal revenue record

Adeniyi, CGC

Funso OLOJO

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, C.G.C Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, has been nominated and approved to be honoured with “The Continent Man of The Year 2024” Award by Board of Editors and Publishers of Continent magazine.

This resolution was announced by the spokesman of the group, Mr David Oladimeji, at the end of group’s meeting held on Friday, September 13th, 2024 in Abuja.

The meeting was organized by” The Continent “Magazine to deliberate on a personality and organisation deserving of the Award.

The Board’s attention was drawn to the statement made recently by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (C.B.N) and sitting Governor of Anambra state, Prof Chukwuma Soludo,who told his constituents in Awka that the Customs and F.I.R.S have sustained the nation’s economy from collapse since February this year, when the NNPCL stopped remittance of statutory revenue to the Federation Account for onward disbursements to the three tiers of governments.

Oladimeji said “the Board noted that this is not an easy task to be achieved under the astute and dedicated leadership of C.G.C Adeniyi, considering the fact that the Customs and it’s officers have been perceived by the public as corrupt and fraudulent”

” In a bid to commend and encourage leaders of the customs and F.I.R.S as well as their lieutenants not to rest on their oars, the Board resolved to honour the C.G.C, his Command Controllers and Revenue Collectors who had made significant sacrifices and excelled in their national anti-smuggling, revenue collection assignments with “The Continent Man of The Year” and “Pillars of Nigerian Economy 2024″ Awards”

As plans are geared towards the celebration of the international and national icons at a date to be announced soon, “The Continent” special edition will publish the profile and achievements of the deserving recipients that earned them recognition and honour.

Headlines

NIMASA secures support of Bank of Industry for enhanced capacity building in maritime industry

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has broker a partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to enhance its capacity building effort in the maritime industry.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jibril Abba, made this disclosure during a visit by the Management of the Bank of Industry, led by Executive Director of Large Enterprises, Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’Okpala.

He stated, “In addition to safety, security, and maritime labor, the Agency’s mandate encompasses capacity development aimed at growing the sector.”

He also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaboration as a vital tool for achieving its mandate.

“The aim is to actualize the vision of the Federal Government to reposition the maritime sector, especially with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”, he said.

On her part, the Executive Director of Large Enterprises at BOI, Mrs. Uz’Okpala, affirmed the Bank’s readiness to support NIMASA.

She also emphasized the importance of collaboration in implementing a robust capacity-building initiative that will contribute to economic growth in Nigeria.

Bank of Industry Limited is Nigeria’s oldest and largest Development Finance Institution (DFI) currently in operation.

It is owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Nigeria (94.80%), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (5.19%) and private shareholders (0.01%)

Headlines

NIMASA secures support of Bank of Industry for enhanced capacity building in maritime industry

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has broker a partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to enhance its capacity building effort in the maritime industry.

He stated, “In addition to safety, security, and maritime labor, the Agency’s mandate encompasses capacity development aimed at growing the sector.”

He also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaboration as a vital tool for achieving its mandate.

“The aim is to actualize the vision of the Federal Government to reposition the maritime sector, especially with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”, he said.

On her part, the Executive Director of Large Enterprises at BOI, Mrs. Uz’Okpala, affirmed the Bank’s readiness to support NIMASA.

She also emphasized the importance of collaboration in implementing a robust capacity-building initiative that will contribute to economic growth in Nigeria.

Bank of Industry Limited is Nigeria’s oldest and largest Development Finance Institution (DFI) currently in operation.

It is owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Nigeria (94.80%), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (5.19%) and private shareholders (0.01%).