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NIWA has distributed close to 6000 life jackets to waterways passengers- Oyebamiji briefs board members at inaugural meeting 

Funso OLOJO 
The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, has disclosed that the Authority has so far distributed close to 6000 life jackets to riverine communities in an  effort to ensure safety of passengers on Nigeria’s waterways.
This was part of the briefing made by Oyebamiji to the newly inaugurated Board of Directors of the Authority at their inaugural meeting in Lokoja.
The NIWA boss further told the Board members led by  Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar,that the Authority has made a significant stride in its core mandate of maintaining safety on Nigeria’s waterways.
“As we begin this new chapter, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the Authority’s current state and our future prospects.
” We have made significant progress/achievements in recent times which includes; increasing the number of goods and passengers on the inland waterways, enhancing safety on the Inland waterways by ensuring that the Water Transportation Code was processed and gazetted, deployment of more Water Marshals to man loading and off-loading points across the country, sensitizing the general public on safety by conducting sensitisation programmes in more than twelve states, while close to six thousand units of standard lifejackets were distributed.
” This is in addition to our annual safety campaigns across jetties and watersides through our operational bases and by enhancing collaboration with the state governments such as Bayelsa, Niger, Kwara, Sokoto, and Lagos”, NIWA MD told board members.
However, the Chairman of the Board thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu  for appointing them as members of the newly constituted Board of Directors of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
In his inaugural speech, the Chairman said “today, marks the beginning of another phase in the history of this great Organization of repute.
“I therefore consider myself privileged alongside other members of this Board to have been appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who considered us worthy for these appointments.
“I would also like to specially appreciate the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola for recommending us accordingly”.
He commended the past visionary Board and Management Teams, who worked tirelessly with enthusiasm, inspiration and creativity, to achieve the noble objectives for which the Authority was set-up, particularly on infrastructural development of the Inland Waterways and the welfare of the Staff.
” Some of these great men and women, have passed on, leaving behind a lasting legacy that have withstood the test of time as shown in the Authority’s continued relevance in the Maritime Sector.
Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar stated “as the Chairman of the Board of this great Organization, I will do my best to discharge my duties, and undertake to respect the judgment and advice of my fellow members as well as the Management.
“I will join hands with well-meaning Stakeholders to create and bequeath an organization that is better than the one we have today”.
“I want to assure you that I will be fully committed and willing to deploy my time and resources towards the attainment of the Authority’s vision to establish and sustain a first-class Organization managed professionally and responsibly; one that is flexible and adaptable to the needs of Nigerians and recognized and respected locally and internationally”.
The members of the Board of Directors include Chairman: Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar , Managing Director: Bola Oyebamiji
Members:
Hussaini Shettima
Jeminiwa Adewale Charles
Dr. Ndidi Jenifer Ozegbe
Engr. Prof. Sadiq Z. Abubakar
Surv. Kunle Olugbemiro
Capt. Tajudeen Alao
Mr. Dele Kelvin Oye
Capt. Jerome Andwunwe
Hon. Hoplyn Euore
Barr. Naziru Biyankare – Secretary
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Customs

Customs shortlists 286,697 candidates from 573,523 applicants eyeing 3,927 vacancies.

– lists conditions for next stage of recruitment exercise
Funso OLOJO 
As the race for the 3,927 slots in the Nigeria customs service gets hotter, the Service has shortlisted 286,697 candidates from the total number of 573,523 candidates who applied for the plum job in December, 2024.
In a press statement by the management of the service on the recruitment exercise, 286,697 candidates have been invited to proceed to the next phase of the exercise after a rigorous documentary scrutiny.
According to the Service, the second stage of the exercise is scheduled to take place from September 14th to 21st, 2025 and will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test (CBT).
The method of examination is a reflection of the Service’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness in the selection process.
“Candidates shortlisted for the CBT are required to undertake the test at any location of their choice, provided there is reliable internet access.
“The exercise must, however, be conducted using a laptop or desktop computer equipped with a webcam and a full-screen display, as the application is not mobile phone-enabled.
“A facial verification process will be carried out during login; therefore, candidates are advised to maintain a neat appearance to avoid difficulties with recognition.
“The CBT application is sensitive to noise and body movement. Accordingly, candidates must remain fully focused throughout the test’s duration, as excessive movement, whispering, or background distractions may result in automatic logout by the system.
“In the same vein, candidates are advised to avoid switching between windows during the test, as such actions will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification.
“To further assist shortlisted applicants, the Service has made provisions for a mandatory pre-test exercise, which will be conducted two days before the actual CBT.
“This session will enable candidates to familiarise themselves with the application.
” In this regard, two separate links will be sent to all shortlisted applicants, one for the pre-test and another for the actual examination.
“Candidates who applied for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) should note that they will be invited for an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment exercise.
“This provision does not apply to the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.
“The Nigeria Customs Service assures all stakeholders that the ongoing recruitment process remains strictly merit-driven and transparent.
“Successful candidates will be duly informed of subsequent phases of the exercise through the Service’s official communication channels, the details of which will be conveyed in due course.
 “Applicants are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the issued guidelines and to rely solely on verified official platforms of the Service for authentic updates, as the NCS will neither request any form of payment nor conduct recruitment activities on social media platforms” the statement concluded.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pleased to inform the general public on the progress of its ongoing recruitment exercise, which commenced with an official advertisement published in national newspapers on Friday, 27th December 2024.
In line with its statutory mandate to strengthen manpower capacity and enhance service delivery, a total of 3,927 vacancies were declared across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.
The Service received a total of 573,523 applications during the first phase of the exercise.
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Customs

Comptroller Oshoba hits the ground running with record of N20 billion revenue collection in single day

Gloria Odion 
The new Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has served a strong message about his intention to beat the record of his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller- General of Customs, Babatunde Olomu as he has a collection of N20 billion in a single day.
The new Controller made this feat barely 24 hours after he assumed office on Monday, September 8th, 2025.
The latest record-breaking collection now stands as the highest daily revenue of any command in the Nigeria Customs Service, using the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu
This record has not only broken the existing ₦18b achieved by the command but has also confirmed the new CAC’s resolve to meet and surpass the revenue target set for the command as stated in his maiden address on Monday
Shortly after taking over, Comptroller Oshoba met with senior officers of the command where he commended them for the great feats achieved in the past with a directive urging them to increase their tempo of productivity.
He reminded them that outstanding results are the real proof of hard work, dedication and uncompromising disposition to duty and that he believes they could do better than they did before his arrival.
On the recent ₦20.1b collection in a day, Comptroller Oshoba said it’s only the beginning of greater exploits and it’s not time for celebration because he foresees greater achievements for the flagship command of NCS under his leadership
He described B’Odogwu as a necessity in the build-up to a more modern and efficient customs administration in Nigeria with potential to strengthen the country’s position as Africa’s largest economy noted for trade facilitation.
“I commend my team and stakeholders for this great milestone of ₦20.1b collection in one day just 24 hours after I resumed here.
” It’s not the time to clap yet because clapping means removing your two hands from work to celebrate.
“Let’s leave the celebration and applause for days ahead when we shall have future achievements of surpassing targets, curbing any attempted smuggling or concealment and treating trade with productive speed without compromising our integrity.
“I believe in action, which speaks louder than words
“We are all part of history as our collective efforts are resonating positively on the Nigerian economy.
” I urge my officers to keep the great work going and for the stakeholders, they should stay on the path of compliance ” Comptroller Oshoba said.
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Headlines

Resurgence of boat mishaps unsettles NIWA as Oyebamiji unfolds new measures to tackle waterways accidents 

Gloria Odion 
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has unfolded though measures aimed at curbing the resurgence of boat mishaps on the nation’s waterways.
The resurgence of waterways accidents, especially the fatality recently recorded in boat mishap in Niger State, has made NIWA to tighten safety measures on the waterways.
Addressing newsmen on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 in Abuja, the Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, announced immediate ban  on all loading activities from unauthorised points across the country, insisting that only recognised and registered jetties may be used.
He also mandated all commercial operators to provide lifejackets for passengers, while every boat must clearly display its name and load line.
 Oyebamiji gave a directive that all unlicensed boats and watercraft  be removed from the waterways, while unlicensed drivers and operators are prohibited from carrying out any operations.
The Authority also called on riverine states to partner with NIWA in safety campaigns, training of operators, procurement and distribution of lifejackets, provision of landing platforms and deployment of modern ferries.
Oyebamiji reiterated his call for the establishment of Coast guards for inland waterways, describing it as an essential enforcement tool that would significantly strengthen NIWA’s safety drive.
The NIWA boss thereafter launched into past measures taken by the Authority to reduce boat mishaps on the waterways.
He noted that since the appointment of the current management in October 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NIWA has implemented a number of far-reaching reforms and initiatives aimed at reducing accidents on the waterways.
He recalled that within the first six months of the administration, the long-awaited Water Transportation Code was gazetted and launched to regulate operators, passengers, and users of the waterways.
 Within the same period, Oyebamiji further disclosed,the Authority also inaugurated 15 new operational assets, including patrol boats, water ambulances, survey boats and passenger ferries, while also commissioning new facilities such as the NIWA Clinic and administrative building at its headquarters in Lokoja to improve efficiency.
To enforce compliance, he recalled that the Authority deployed Water Marshals, which have now increased from 80 personnel at inception to 350 across the country.
“Passenger safety has been enhanced through the introduction of a manifest system at recognised jetties to improve record-keeping, while Water Marshals also ensure that the “No Lifejacket, No Boarding” regulation is strictly enforced.
“In addition, the reactivation of Search and Rescue Stations has reduced NIWA’s emergency response time to less than 30 minutes.
“The Authority has also taken its safety awareness campaigns directly to loading points and jetties, reaching more than 300 communities in 2025 alone.
“These grassroots engagements are complemented by periodic campaigns in local languages on radio, television, newspapers and digital platforms.
On the technical side, Mr. Oyebamiji explained that NIWA has intensified channel maintenance for safer navigation.
Marine navigational buoys have been installed on the Lower and Upper Niger, while hydrographic surveys and profiling have been completed from Warri to Baro Port, covering 624 kilometres.
He said the Authority has continued to remove aquatic waste, logs and wrecks from waterways to further enhance navigability, while collaboration with sub national governments has also been strengthened.
He also recalled that in October 2024, NIWA convened a stakeholders’ meeting with state transportation commissioners and other maritime stakeholders in Abuja to deliberate on measures to eliminate boat accidents.
“That meeting produced a communique outlining responsibilities for both federal and state governments.
 According to the Managing Director, some states have already started acting on these commitments by providing ferries and lifejackets to their citizens, with Niger State standing out as a prime example.
Mr. Oyebamiji commended the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his unwavering support.
“In the last four months alone, the Ministry has helped NIWA distribute over 45,000 standard lifejackets across twelve states, while also leading state-level safety campaigns in Niger and Bayelsa.
Looking ahead, NIWA intends to deepen collaboration with the Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy, especially in enforcing the ban on overloading, night sailing between 6 pm and 6 am, and compulsory use of lifejackets.
Oyebamiji disclosed that NIWA’s initiatives have already reduced accidents and deaths on the waterways by more than 70 percent compared to previous years, but stressed that more can still be done.
He described the safety of Nigerians on the waterways as a national duty requiring the collective efforts of all stakeholders.
 “Based on the innovations and renewed commitment to our mandates, we have reduced waterway accidents and deaths by more than 70 percent.
“But we must do more. Establishing Coastal Guards and deepening collaboration with states and security agencies will help us achieve an accident-free waterway system,” he said.
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