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My interest is to ensure whoever succeeds me would not destroy the legacy we have built over the years– Adewale Adeyanju.

In 2017, Prince Adewale Adeyanju Waheed  was first elected as the President – General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and was returned unopposed in March 2021, the first ever PG to enjoy such rare privilege.
By March 2025, he would have completed 8 momentous years of effective leadership as the number one maritime worker in the Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Those years the stakeholders unanimously agreed heralded peace and  industrial harmony in the maritime industry.
Those years which stakeholders, in the years to come, will look back at with nostalgia as years that were clear departure from the tenures of his predecessors which were characterised by thuggery, violence, industrial unrest and blood shed.
On Monday January 6th, 2025, Prince Adeyanju, the outgoing and indefatigable PG, MWUN ,spoke to FUNSO OLOJO in his office where he revealed his unique  style of leadership that has endeared him to the leaders and the led.
He disclosed what he has done differently that has enthroned discipline in the union, peace and industrial harmony in the port industry.
He also spoke about his legacy of negotiations rather than confrontation which he prayed his successor preserves.
He however concluded that he has a strong succession plan that will ensure the emergence of who will consolidate on his achievements as the next President -General of the union.
It is a must read

 By March, 2025, you would have spent years as the President- General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN). 

Those years are generally regarded as peaceful marked by industrial harmony in the maritime industry which was a clear departure from years of thuggery and industrial crises that was the hallmark of tenure of your predecessors.
What did you do differently?
 If you have a father who trained you, you will be a good child and perform excellently on behalf of the father.
You know this industry is sensitive and peculiar and global in nature .
Over the years, I have worked with trusted and tested union leaders in the industry under whom I cut my teeth as a unionist.
I have worked with Chief Ogunleye who was the first President of the Dockworkers branch of the union.
He trained us in so many ways.
Also,if you have an employer who believes in management and unionism, it is better for you.
I am going to leave a vibrant union, a union that believes in negotiations, a union that believes in working with the management, protecting the interests of workers and not selling the rights of workers before the management.
We believe in open dialogue where you put all the options on the table so that we will be able to convince our members on the true position of things without any compromise or deceit.
Unlike in those days whenever elections were coming, there would be tension, thuggery and violence.
But not now. As you can see, three months to the elections, every where is peaceful. No gunshot, no thuggery.
That is the legacy of peace and tranquility we are leaving behind.
I have learnt the rope from the successive leadership of the union.
I was a defence minister under Irabor and  Tony Nted both the former PG of the union and now as the PG, I rose through the ranks.
Tony was the PG while I was the President of the Dockworkers branch . I was the Treasurer when Irabor emerged as PG in 2001.
Even, when Ukammuna was the President of Dockworkers before he eventually became the PG, I was an Operation manager in the Port.
This has put me in good stead  and given me enough experience to study the dynamics of the politics of the MWUN.
I have understood the complexity of the union and its members to be able to forge a synergy between the union and the employers that has now resulted to the industrial harmony we have now.
I didn’t just become PG by default.I came prepared for it.
These experiences really helped me to manage the union and restore sanity and order at the Ports.
I don’t believe in shutting down the port which is an essential part of the Nigeria’s economy, second only to oil and gas in terms of revenue and disrupting the activities of such important sector will hurt the economy.
Yes, strike is the weapon of any union leader but it should be the last resort when all negotiations failed.
Even at that, it has to be applied with wisdom.
In our own case, in order to avoid shutting down the port, we issue ultimatum which is a warning, a kind of awareness  for the employers, government and employees.
If they cannot meet the first ultimatum, we issue another one while negotiations continue.
By this method, you avoid  disruption of operations at the ports which is not healthy to the economy.
That is just part of the wisdom we applied that enthroned peace and industrial harmony we enjoy at the ports today.
Also, I have a vibrant executives who are from all our four branches such as NPA, Dockworkers, seafarers and Shipping branches.
They believed in my leadership style and keyed into my vision of negotiations and reconciliation to enthrone industrial harmony.
And as a leader, you must be disciplined, transparent, humble, approachable, proactive and sensitive to the welfare of members.
You must also run an interactive and open administration devoid of deceit and the one that inspires confidence in those you are leading.
Don’t disconnect with your workers, tell them the truth, don’t lie to them.
Those are part of the qualities they see in us that make them believed in our leadership which makes it easy to pursue our vision of peace and industrial harmony.
This has helped the system and it has also helped me.
I give God the glory.
The major cause of friction between the workers and management is the issue of welfare.
More often than not, negotiations break down and some union leaders resort to strike, especially when dealing with recalcitrant employers.
Have you met with such difficult employers in the cause of your negotiations for better welfare of your members?
They are many.
Then how do you bend them to agree to your terms of negotiations without any crisis?
It’s God. When you know your job and what you are doing.
There is no way you will not face those challenges but at the end of the day, you will still prevail.
But you give time for me to win, time for me to lose.
It is win win situation.
If you won today, I prepare for you next time.
So it helps. You can’t be rigid all the time by saying you must get what you want by all means. It is not done like that if you want peace.
I also believe that it is the employer who do not value his employees that deny them what rightfully belongs to them.
If one terminal is shut down today, it will affect the economy of the country.
So it’s give and take. You win some, you lose some.
Some of them are funny, they will tell you they will give you this but not this.
Ok, give me what you have and when next we are coming, you know we are coming to collect the remaining ones you didn’t give us the other time.
That was how we do it that makes us to achieve peace and industrial harmony.
How do you often calm down your members whenever their demands are not met or fully met.
A. We tell them the true situation of this, what we met and we ask for their opinions.
The workers too have their opinions, let them be part of the negotiations, let them make inputs. Let them speak out their mind.
I connect with my members, I engage them in open discussions at meetings held regularly to feel their pulse.
I will ask them if I make mistakes,they should tell me.
A leader should not be too big or bossy to be corrected.
I run an all inclusive administration that involves the participation of every one, from the leaders to the led.
 By March, this year, you would have put in 8 years of hard work when you build a union that is disciplined, peaceful and devoid of violence.
Now that you are leaving, are you not scared that a person who does not share your vision of peace and industrial harmony may emerge as the next PG of the union 
The person who handed over to me was not scared, so am not scared about who is likely to succeed me.
However, I should know who will succeed me.
I should be interested in who succeeds me. A good leader must have a good succession plan.
I must ensure that whoever wants to succeeds me would not destroy the legacy we have built over the years.
A legacy of peace, industrial harmony and sanity.
He must be the one who will not drag the ports into violence, who will not introduce tribalism, who will not introduce thuggery and someone who will not sell the birth rights of workers on the negotiation table.
The person should not be arrogant, he should be humble to the employers and members. He should be the one that will respect the constituted authority.
I should know who is coming.
I pray the person who succeeds me will perform.
We would give the necessary guidance to ensure the suitable candidate emerges as the next PG of the union.
 What happens if the person who possesses all these leadership qualities you want to succeeds you is not popular
How can I bring a person who is not popular?
I am popular, so the person too will be popular.
I will not impose anyone who is not popular or doesn’t know the job.
It is one thing to become PG , it is another thing to have the capacity to manage the four branches of the union.
The person must be ready to work because he is taking over from a workaholic.
We have transformed the union into a global brand, as the Vice president, global, executive board member , worldwide, Chairman, Africa, ITF and the Vice President of NLC.
We can beat our chest and say we have done well.
So whoever wants to succeeds me should possess the requisite capacity and competence to lead a global brand as Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria.
I won’t support any candidate again the others, we are all family members but we must ensure that the right person who will preserve the legacies we have built over the years emerges as the next PG.
Also, I shall be available to offer guidance and advice when necessary.
Am aware that some of them have indicated interest to become the next PG, they are all presentable but we know who is qualified to become the next PG, according to our constitution.
We learnt that eight people have come out to contest for the headship of the Union.
Who do you think is most suitable among them.
 It is only one of them who can become the next PG, the rest can go for Deputy PG, Treasurer and the like.
We have 12 elective offices in the union.
However, we are organized body.
We have our tradition of negotiations and compromise to ensure suitable candidates emerge from the for unions for all the 12 elective positions, including the PG.
But if anyone doesn’t want the special arrangement through which we negotiate the positions and decides to go to the poll, so be it.
We leave the person to go and test his popularity at the poll.
So there wouldn’t be imposition but the founding fathers of the union will speak.
 Do you have anointed candidate among those jostling to succeed you?
 We are unionists. We have our tradition as I have told you.
I can’t say whether I have anointed candidate or not but I must have a successor.
About the anointed, let God speak to me concerning that.
I am neutral as a father to study the situation.
But when it is time for us to sit down as a family, them we can speak.
As it is now, let them be playing their game.
But what is sacrosanct, what is my major concern is that whoever emerges as my successor should preserve my legacy which is the prayer of any leader.
I pray that whoever emerges will do better than me.
 What is your most challenging period during your tenure as the PG?
The most challenging time for me is when we had crisis with our former PG, Chief Ukammuna.
Several years when his tenure was cut short by government and Irabor took over, he still held that grudge against all his successors, including me to the extent that when I was to take over as the the PG in 2017, hell was let loose.
I believe it was his lieutenants who were manipulating himself to forment trouble.
For 23 years after he left unceremoniously, he was still bitter.
However, my happiest day was when he came to the Secretariat and we struck a truce. We were able to resolve the age- long rift and there was a reconciliation.
We have forgiven ourselves and become one large family.
 After the PG of MWUN, what next 
God takes care of that. He will direct me. He has always been my mentor.
Are you planning to become the President of the NLC now that you are the Vice President.
Let’s wait for His time
However, after my tenure as the PG, am still in the Port industry. I am a stakeholder and am still the VP of NLC, VP of ITF.
I only step down as PG of MWUN because my tenure expires in March.
I have an international office as the ITF VP, African Chairman, Executive member, ITF.
So am still around and busy.
Last Word
I want to thank the maritime press who have contributed to the success of my administration as the PG of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria.
I thank all other stakeholders for their support.
I want to say that our election doesn’t require external forces unlike the way it was before.
We have our mechanism we apply for the conference.
It is going to be a peaceful quadrennial Delegate conference devoid of crisis.
But we shall notify the government.
 Whoever wants to bring out what we have buried would be handed over to the authority to face the full wrath of the law.
Let me assure all the industry stakeholders that the elections will not bring crisis.
Whoever wants to bring trouble, we shall trouble them.
It is going to be a family election that will usher in the next executives that will build on our legacy of peace and industrial harmony.
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Headlines

Blue Lagos, New Generation Directorate bring 250 riverine youths together for development dialogue

Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter 

The Blue Lagos Sustainability Initiative, in partnership with the New Generation Directorate, has brought together 250 young people representing 125 riverine and coastal communities across Lagos State to discuss grassroots development,youth empowerment, and inclusive governance.

The Lagos Riverine Community Youth Leaders Dialogue, held at the Badore Ferry Terminal, Ajah, provided a platform for youth representatives to present community challenges, identify development priorities, and propose practical solutions to issues affecting underserved riverine and coastal settlements.

The initiative aimed to strengthen engagement between government institutions and grassroots communities while ensuring that young people in hard-to-reach areas have a voice in decisions concerning their welfare, opportunities, and future.

Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Blue Economy, stressed the importance of involving young people in governance and development planning, particularly in communities facing geographical and socioeconomic challenges.

Emmanuel emphasised that sustainable development requires effective communication between government and the people, noting that understanding local needs and incorporating community perspectives into policy formulation and implementation are essential to achieving meaningful progress.

During the interactive session, youth leaders outlined pressing challenges confronting their communities, drawing attention to gaps in essential services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.

The issues raised included inadequate access to education and healthcare, unemployment, environmental sustainability, transportation, poor infrastructure, youth empowerment, and limited access to essential social services.

Participants also called for improved access to government programmes and the implementation of targeted interventions that reflect the unique circumstances of riverine and coastal communities.

Emmanuel acknowledged the concerns presented by the youth representatives and assured them that their requests and recommendations would be communicated to the appropriate government authorities for consideration and necessary action.

He reiterated the importance of maintaining constructive engagement with grassroots communities to identify development priorities and explore practical approaches to addressing their needs.

In her goodwill message, Princess Damilola Sonayon James, APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in Lagos State and Director of the New Generation Directorate, urged young people across the state’s riverine and coastal communities to take an active role in governance and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.

She encouraged the youth leaders to move beyond expressing concerns about government policies by actively contributing ideas, engaging constructively with public officials, and participating in decision-making processes at both grassroots and state levels.

According to her, young people possess the energy, creativity, innovation, and community level understanding needed to promote responsive leadership and sustainable development.

James also urged the participants to remain united, organised, and committed to the progress of their respective communities, stressing the need for continuous engagement with government institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

She further called on young people to see themselves not merely as beneficiaries of government programmes but as active partners in governance, community development, and the future of Lagos State.

The dialogue also featured engagement with Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, alongside other stakeholders from the New Generation Directorate.

The engagement provided an opportunity to discuss issues affecting young people in riverine and coastal settlements, particularly youth development, employment and livelihood opportunities, education, healthcare, infrastructure, environmental protection, and community welfare.

Participants emphasised the need to strengthen communication between grassroots communities and public institutions, improve awareness of available government initiatives, and ensure that the needs of underserved settlements are adequately reflected in development plans.

With 250 young people representing 125 riverine and coastal communities in attendance, the dialogue underscored the importance of grassroots participation in shaping policies and programmes that respond to the realities of local communities.

The partnership between Blue Lagos and the New Generation Directorate also highlighted the role of collaboration in promoting youth inclusion, strengthening community engagement, and expanding development opportunities across Lagos State.

The initiative further reinforced the need for a coordinated approach involving government agencies, traditional and community leaders, youth organisations, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to address the challenges confronting riverine and coastal settlements.

For the Blue Lagos Sustainability Initiative, the dialogue represents a step towards strengthening grassroots participation, promoting inclusive governance, and ensuring that the concerns of underserved communities receive attention in development planning.

Through the engagement, Blue Lagos and the New Generation Directorate reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue with young people as partners in building stronger communities, improving access to opportunities, and advancing sustainable development across Lagos State’s riverine and coastal areas.

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Headlines

Germany-Nigeria film week ends on high note, honours Schlöndorff, Musawa, Gani Adams, others

Funso OLOJO, Editor 

The inaugural Germany-Nigeria Film Week has concluded successfully after ten days of film screenings, industry engagements, cultural exchanges and award presentations across four German cities, marking a significant step towards strengthening cinematic collaboration between Nigeria and Germany.

Held from October 1 to 10, 2026, the festival brought together filmmakers, government representatives, cultural institutions and creative industry stakeholders from both countries to promote cross-cultural engagement, explore co-production opportunities and expand the international reach of Nigerian cinema.

The festival opened on October 1 at the Arsenal Film Institut in Berlin with the screening of The Chronicles of Afrobeats, directed by Nigerian filmmaker and music executive Oluseun John Abisagboola, popularly known as Bankuli.

The opening ceremony featured a fireside chat between the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Ali Nuhu, and the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Shaibu Husseini.

Their discussion examined the growth of Nigeria’s film industry, international partnerships and opportunities for deeper collaboration between Nigerian and German filmmakers.

Among the dignitaries at the event were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Senator Ita Enang, and the Director of Arsenal Film Institut, Stefanie Schulte Strathaus, alongside filmmakers, producers and other creative industry stakeholders.

A major highlight of the Berlin programme was the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff in recognition of his contributions to international cinema. His distinguished career spans several decades and includes documentary filmmaking in Africa, including Nigeria.

The Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, also received a Special Recognition Award for her contributions to the development and promotion of Nigeria’s creative industry. The award was received on her behalf by Dr. Husseini.

From Berlin, the festival moved to Hannover, where SONNENKINDFILM e.V., led by Michael Davies, co-founder of the Germany-Nigeria Film Week, hosted a press conference attended by festival delegates, filmmakers and industry representatives.

During the Hannover programme, a Special Recognition Award was presented to Chief Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, in recognition of his contributions to promoting and preserving African culture and heritage.

The city also hosted screenings of Nigerian productions, including Amanyanabo: The Eagle King, produced by veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ibinabo Fiberesima and directed by Fred Amata and Ibinabo Fiberesima.

Another featured production was Evi, directed by Uyoyou Adia. Adia received an award in recognition of her creativity and artistic achievement in directing the film, while Fiberesima was also honoured for her contributions to the Nigerian film industry.

The festival subsequently extended to Bremen and Hamburg, further showcasing Nigerian filmmaking to German audiences.

Love and New Notes, directed by Kayode Kasum, was screened in both cities, while On Different Grounds, directed by Mildred Okwo, was screened in Bremen.

The Germany-Nigeria Film Week was founded by Mykel Parish Ajaere of Nigeria’s Pan-African Film Development & Advancement Foundation (PAFDAF) and Michael Davies of Germany’s SONNENKINDFILM e.V.

The initiative was established to create a sustainable platform for filmmakers from both countries to exchange ideas, build professional relationships, develop co-production partnerships and explore international distribution and other commercial opportunities.

Beyond showcasing films, the festival seeks to strengthen cultural relations between Nigeria and Germany while providing Nigerian filmmakers with greater access to European audiences and international industry networks.

The organisers said the inaugural edition received institutional and logistical support from the Office of the Mayor of Hannover, Arsenal Film Institut Berlin, KoKi Cinema Hannover, City 46 Cinema Bremen and Metropolis Kino Hamburg.

The Nigerian Film Corporation and the National Film and Video Censors Board also supported the initiative, reinforcing its objective of building sustainable partnerships between the two countries’ film industries.

With its inaugural edition completed, the organisers have scheduled the second Germany-Nigeria Film Week for October 4–9, 2027. The next edition is expected to feature expanded programming, broader industry participation and stronger international partnerships.

The successful conclusion of the maiden festival underscores the potential of cinema as a vehicle for cultural diplomacy, creative-sector development and stronger economic ties between Nigeria and Germany.

 

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Customs

Export activities surge at Lilypond Export Command, records export value of US$752.9m in Q3 of 2026

DC Salako, Ag.Controller Lilypond Export Command

— as Agricultural, Solid minerals exports plunge

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ijora, Lagos, recorded export transactions valued at $752.9 million in the third quarter of 2026, representing a 22.14 per cent increase over the $586.152 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

The growth was driven largely by a sharp increase in manufactured goods exports, which more than doubled during the period, offsetting declines in agricultural produce and solid minerals exports.

The Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Olusola Oluyemi Salako, attributed the overall improvement to favourable government export policies, the Customs Service’s commitment to trade facilitation and the support of the NCS management under the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

Salako disclosed the figures while briefing the media on the Command’s third-quarter performance on October 28, 2026.

A breakdown of the monthly figures showed that export value rose from $202.604 million in July 2025 to $217.526 million in July 2026, representing a 6.86 per cent increase.

In August, exports increased from $176.628 million to $297.919 million, reflecting a reported growth of 40.71 per cent, while September exports rose from $206.919 million to $237.406 million, representing a 12.84 per cent increase.

Manufactured goods drive export growth

An analysis of the sectoral performance showed that manufactured goods emerged as the leading driver of export growth, with export value increasing from $169.902 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $402.520 million in the corresponding period of 2026.

The performance underscores the growing contribution of manufactured and value-added products to Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings.

Salako said the trend reflected the Federal Government’s drive to encourage domestic processing and value addition rather than continued dependence on the export of raw commodities.

“This performance underscores the growing contribution of manufactured and value-added products to Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings,” he said.

According to the Acting Controller, the Customs Command has continued to sensitise exporters on the need to move beyond the export of raw agricultural produce and embrace processing and value-added production.

He explained that more agricultural commodities were being processed into manufactured and value-added products for export, a development that he said was contributing to the growth in manufactured goods exports and supporting greater foreign exchange repatriation into the Nigerian economy.

Agricultural exports suffer decline

Despite the overall growth in export value, agricultural exports recorded a decline, falling from $346.107 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $310.981 million in the corresponding period of 2026.

Salako, however, maintained that agriculture remained a significant component of the Command’s export portfolio.

He attributed the decline partly to the Federal Government’s increasing emphasis on processing agricultural commodities and improving their value before export.

The policy direction, he said, was intended to encourage domestic value addition, expand manufacturing activities and improve the returns Nigeria earns from its exports.

The Command, he added, would continue to engage exporters and provide guidance on compliance with government policies aimed at strengthening the country’s non-oil export base.

Solid minerals exports plunge

Solid minerals exports recorded the steepest decline among the major export categories, falling from $62.271 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $6.487 million in the same period of 2026.

Salako attributed the sharp drop to government policies discouraging the export of unprocessed solid minerals and requiring greater processing and conversion into derivatives before export.

He also cited efforts to curb illegal mining activities, particularly those involving foreign operators, as another factor contributing to the decline.

The Acting Controller said the Command would continue engaging stakeholders in the solid minerals sector to better understand operational challenges and support legitimate export activities within the framework of existing government policies.

In contrast, exports classified under the other-products category increased from $7.870 million to $32.863 million during the period under review, reflecting improved performance.

Export container throughput rises

Beyond the increase in export value, the Command recorded significant growth in export container throughput.

The number of export containers processed rose from 10,987 in the third quarter of 2025 to 16,345 in the corresponding period of 2026, an increase of 5,358 containers.

The growth points to increased cargo movement through the facility and an expansion in the volume of export transactions handled during the quarter.

The Command also reported increases in export-related collections.

According to Salako, the 2.5 per cent re-export surcharge increased by ₦90.019 million, while the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) charges rose by ₦517.923 million during the period.

He said the increase in collections highlighted the importance of efficient cargo processing, accurate documentation and compliance with established Customs procedures in supporting legitimate trade.

Customs pledges faster processing, stronger compliance

Salako commended compliant exporters, licensed Customs agents, export processing terminals, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders for their cooperation and commitment to the export process.

He said the Command would sustain its support for legitimate trade through improved trade facilitation, timely dissemination of relevant information and consistent enforcement of applicable Customs regulations.

“The Command will continue to support legitimate trade through effective trade facilitation, timely dissemination of relevant information and consistent application of extant rules and regulations. At the same time, we will sustain our commitment to enforcing compliance with all applicable Customs laws and government policies,” he said.

Looking ahead, the Acting Controller said the Command would intensify efforts to sustain export growth through faster and more efficient cargo processing, stakeholder engagement, advocacy and the effective deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu.

He said the system continued to support Customs operations and trade facilitation by improving the management of export transactions.

The Command would also leverage World Customs Organization (WCO) trade facilitation instruments, including the Time Release Study (TRS), where applicable, to identify operational bottlenecks and improve efficiency.

Salako said the third-quarter performance demonstrated the potential of manufactured and value-added products to strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export base, even as the declines in agricultural and solid minerals exports highlighted the need to address sector-specific challenges.

“Our commitment remains to facilitate legitimate trade, strengthen compliance, enhance revenue collection and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria’s non-oil economy,” he said.

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