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NANTA rounds off Istanbul tour, enters into strategic partnership with Turkish airlines for mutual marketing opportunities 

Gloria Odion 
The nine-man  delegation of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) to Istanbul, Türkiye on travel trade business collaboration expedition, tabled before the management of Turkish Airlines baskets full of trade opportunities and strategies that will create a win-win relationship between the two  Organisations.
The strategies covered areas on ease of visa regimes to Türkiye, Hajj and Umrah services, additional frequencies particularly targeting the South-East and South-South region of Nigeria through Port Harcourt International Airport  and more incentives for Nigerian passengers travelling through Türkiye.
NANTA’s leadership, which met the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies  Association (TURSAB) on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, as part of its agenda to expand its reach  and collaborate with key global industry influencers, commended the Turkish Airlines’ management, particularly the country’s management in Nigeria for its intentional support and encouragement towards Nigerian travel trade professionals.
Yinka Folami, President, NANTA, who led members of his cabinet to the meeting  held on Thursday,May 15th, 2025,at the headquarters of the 5-Star Airline located at the heart of Istanbul, disclosed that NANTA is determined to reciprocate the gesture of support by the Airline to registered Nigerian Travel Agents, requesting that the influential global carrier should add its voice to the call for ease of obtaining Turkish Visas by Nigerian passengers as it would help galvanise sales yield for the Airline.
The Association also tabled a request for Turkish Airlines to process charter flights for Hajj and Umrah flights into, and out of Nigeria as the country has a huge Muslim population visiting Saudi Arabia annually.
Yinka Folami explained that Nigeria is ranked fourth (4th) on the table of countries with huge pilgrimage traffic to the Holy Land, and since Turkish Airlines also have capacity to process these traffic globally and efficiently, NANTA will be pleased to see the Turkish Airlines take advantage of this opportunity.
 “A Turkish Airlines flight from Port Harcourt International Airport in the Eastern part of Nigeria, would be welcomed and celebrated too” he said
On the NANTA 50th Anniversary celebration next year, 2026, Mr. Folami disclosed that Turkish Airlines is the official partner Airline for the event,  which would provide critical and crucial marketing promotion opportunities for the Airline to penetrate deeper into the vibrant Nigerian Travel Market.
“We are eternally grateful to Turkish Airlines for this transformative visit to Istanbul and for the exposure to tourism and hospitality offerings available to passengers visiting or transiting through Istanbul.
Your “Touristanbul Package”  is top-notch, and we commend your professionalism and your efforts to treat your passengers better.
“We have seen the various layers of opportunities, and it will help us market Turkish Airlines  to our customers.
Earlier, Turkish Airlines Manager, Tour Marketing,   Abdullah Yormaz flanked by the Charter Manager, Mustafa Pehlivan, who received the NANTA delegation, expressed the Turkish Airlines Management appreciation to NANTA for the visit and collaboration to deepen relationship with the Airline, assuring that all the suggestions and expectations by the visitors would be tabled before the Turkish Airlines’ Vice President in charge of Africa.
He explained that “Touristanbul,” the tourism arm of Turkish Airlines, provides specially tailored tour packages, including eat-out experiences for its passengers on long layouts, and generally ensure that they are taken care of.
The meeting which lasted for over two hours, with about twenty minutes set aside for  a documentary highlighting services and places of cultural tourism sites on offer by “Touristanbul”,was attended by Nwza Hanim, Tugba Hanim, a young Nigerian Boozar Zakariyyah, and Hakim Cakar, all for the Turkish Airlines’ team.
NANTA’ s delegation consist of the 1st Deputy President – Mrs. Chinyere Umeasiegbu; 2nd Deputy President – Dr. Olatokunbo Dagunduro; Vice President, Abuja, and Kano, respectively,  Mrs. Kemabonta Uloma Ibiwari and Mr. Mohammed Nasir Chamo.
Also, in attendance were Vice President, Western Zone – Mr. Babatunde Adesokan; Vice President, Lagos Zone – Mr. Yinka Olapade; Financial Secretary – Mr. Yinka Ladipo; Publicity Secretary – Mrs. Adelola Adewole; National Internal Auditor – Mr. Johnson Ugochukwu; and Chief Administrative Officer – Mr. Stanley Diagi.
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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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