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International encomiums pour in on Dakuku as two global literary icons endorse his book

Funso OLOJO 
Commendations  have continued to trail the release of ” Leading in a Storm”,  the latest book on Leadership by Dr Dakuku Peterside, the former Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The latest endorsement came in from two international iconic figures,
Philipp Humm, the author of  bestseller books and Professor Andrew Sykes, a professor at the Kellogg School of Management and CEO, founder of Habitats at Work.
The duo commended Dr Dakuku’s book which they described as a masterpiece on Leadership.
Their endorsements underscore the book as an essential guide for leaders navigating real turbulence—appropriate for boardrooms, cabinet meetings, and high-pressure operational environments that require quick decisions based on incomplete information.
According to Philip Humm “Navigate chaos with confidence. This leadership guide provides powerful insights, stories, and tools for leaders to adapt, think creatively, and lead effectively during unpredictable times.”
Prof. Andrew Sykes supports this assertion, adding, “Leading is challenging even in the best circumstances.
“Leading during chaos demands a completely different skill set: a clear mind and a process for steering your team and your organisation toward calmer waters.
“This book offers perfect guidance, complete with anecdotes and stories illustrating its points. Given that we frequently transition from one crisis to another, this book is essential reading for the modern leader.”
“Leading in a Storm” serves as a practical roadmap through chaos, teaching leaders how to quickly interpret context, manage complexity, and communicate calmly and credibly when the stakes are high.
“The book does not idealise crises but equips leaders to balance speed with sound judgment, principles with pragmatism, and urgency with disciplined learning.
 Sykes and Humm highlight its unique blend of clarity and practical frameworks that can be implemented immediately, a language that resonates across sectors, and a leadership rhythm that maintains team alignment and confidence under pressure.
Building on the success of Dr Peterside’s earlier bestseller, “Strategic Turnaround: Story of a Government Agency,” this new book distils years of experience in public administration and transformation into key competencies for times of crisis.
It provides a playbook for leaders to convert confusion into priorities, turn meetings into actionable outcomes, and transform uncertainty into forward momentum—granting a sense of control and direction amid turbulent times.
Dr Peterside said if his book
“I wrote this as a practical companion for leaders who must perform even when the path isn’t clear.
“The goal is straightforward: to help people act with clarity, mobilise teams with purpose, and deliver results amid the storm.”
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Customs

Customs exempts raw materials, machineries, parts,  project cargo, humanitarian aids,aircraft parts from 4 percent FOB charge 

Funso OLOJO
In a rare gesture of magnanimity and desire to stimulate the economy, the Nigeria Customs Service has granted concessions to manufacturers who engage in importation of raw materials, machineries and their parts, government projects and humanitarian aids.
This category of manufacturers will be exempted from paying the controversial 4 percent Free-on- Board (FOB)charge.
Included in the concession are commercial aircraft parts, beneficiaries of the presidential initiative for unlocking healthcare value chain.
These measures were the fall- out of a long- drawn consultation and engagement between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria( MAN) held in Lagos on Friday, September 26th, 2025.
The  Comptroller- General of Customs,  Adewale Adeniyi, led a team of high- powered Customs High command to the National Secretariat of MAN whose team was led by the President of the association, Otunba Francis Meshioye.
Reading the agreement signed by Adeniyi on behalf of the NCS and Otunba Francis Meshioye of MAN, the CGC disclosed that the special concession on the select manufacturers was made by the Customs in consultation with the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun.
Giving the details of the exemptions, Adeniyi clarified that the concession was meant for the category of manufacturers who engage in the importation of the exempted cargoes.
“Nigeria Customs Service announced that following consultation with the Honourable Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, approval has been granted for strategic exemptions from the 4% FOB charges on the following, among others:
“Importation of raw materials, spares, and machines by the manufacturers who are beneficiaries of concessions contained in Chapters 98 and 99 of the Customs Tariff,
“Manufacturers who are currently on chapters 98 and 99 are advised to apply for pre-release of the consignment to avoid payment of demurrage.
“In addition, members of MAN who import raw materials, machines, and spares that are not currently on chapters 98 and 99 to be onboarded in order to enjoy the exemptions provided in 5(i) above.
“MAN, NCS, and the Federal Ministry of Finance will work together for the inclusion of manufacturers that are currently not on chapters 98 end 99.
“An immediate tripartite consultation of the Federal Ministry of Finance, NCS, and MAN would be held immediately to work out the modalities for expedited onboarding of manufacturers on chapters 98 and 99” Adeniyi explained.
He further disclosed that the 4% FOB payments already made by manufacturers who are yet to be onboarded to chapters 98 and 99 will be held as credit and be utilized for future customs-related transactions after their onboarding.
The CGC further listed the category of the beneficiaries of the special exemption to include government projects with Import Duty Exemptions Certificates, goods imports for Humanitarian, Life Saving and other related purposes and beneficiaries of the Presidential Initiative for unlocking Healthcare value chain as well as commercial airlines’ spare parts.
Adeniyi had disclosed that the recent suspension of the 4 percent FOB by the Ministry of Finance has opened a new vista of opportunity to make wider consultations and engagements with relevant stakeholders such as MAN, the outcome of which he said were the special exemption granted some category of manufacturers.
The concession has addressed the concerns of the manufacturers in the areas of the increasing cost of production which the 4 percent FOB will engender.
MAN through its President, Otunba Francis Meshioye, has also raised concerns on multiple checkpoints as threat to trade facilitation, multiple alerts in the clearance system and the B’Odogwu platform glitches.
However, the Customs helmsman said the service has developed robust policies that would engender seamless clearance procedures at the port.
“The Nigeria Customs briefed MAN on the various trade facilitation initiatives undertaken by the Service.
 “This includes the Economic Operator Programme (AEO), Advance Ruling, and Time Release Study.
“NCS, during the dialogue, expressed strong commitment to balancing its revenue generation mandate with innovative trade facilitation measures” the CGC assured.
” Beyond existing exemptions, discussions focused on additional trade facilitation initiatives being implemented by the Nigeria Customs Service to support manufacturing operations.
“These include the development of one-stop shop frameworks designed to streamline regulatory processes and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, systematic reduction of unnecessary checkpoints that add costs without corresponding value, and integration of digital solutions to accelerate legitimate trade processing as well as maintain security standards.
 “The Service also outlined initiatives aimed at providing real-time clearance capabilities and automated risk assessment systems that reduce compliance costs for legitimate operators” Adeniyi concluded.
However, both parties agreed to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement and pledge to sustain the consultation for the mutual benefits of the two parties and the Nigeria’s economy in general.
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Customs

Customs, MAN meet to resolve bottlenecks in clearing procedures at ports.

Funso OLOJO 
The Nigeria Customs Service has met with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN) to deliberate on the areas of friction and bottlenecks in the clearing process at the port with the aim of resolving them.
The two parties met on Friday, September 26th, 2025 when the President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye played host to the Customs High command led by the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the association’ s office in Ikeja, Lagos.
Otunba Meshioye had complained of the soffocating atmosphere created for his members by the re- introduction of the 4 percent Free-on- Board (FOB) on imports as well as what he described as the teething problems thrown up by the newly introduced indigenous customs trade portal, B’Odogwu.
He said that the purpose of engaging with the customs is to ensure these problems are resolved amicably to enable the manufacturers have seamless customs procedures at the port.
In his response, the Customs CG said the service recognized the importance of  manufacturing sector as the backbone of Nigeria’s industrial development, adding that the success of that sector directly connects to  the nation’s nation’s prosperity.
Adeniyi said the recent developments, particularly that of the Ministry of Finance directive, regarding the suspension of the 4% FOB charge, have opened pathways for deeper dialogue between the two institutions.
” While this charge exists as a legal provision under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, effective implementation requires genuine consultations, like the ones we’re having today, with those that it impacts most directly.
” This process of consultation, therefore, balances fiscal responsibilities with industrial growth imperatives”
” Your voices matter, all our manufacturers, and your experience helps to shape our understanding of how customs procedures can either enable or constrain manufacturing excellence.
“The Nigeria Customs Service has consistently supported manufacturing through concrete initiatives that recognize the strategic importance of industrial competitiveness to our national economic objectives.
“Our support extends to structural trade facilitation improvements” he declared.
The CGC further disclosed that the service has concluded the process of developing a comprehensive framework for establishing one-stop shops that will revolutionize how manufacturers interact with customs and other regulatory agencies.
These initiatives, he noted, aim to eliminate bureaucratic processes that frustrate legitimate business operations as  customs continued to maintain robust security and compliance standards.
Adeniyi recalled some of the policies which the customs have implemented to further make clearing process seamless and less cumbersome
“We have also carried out systematic streamlining of checkpoints along our major highways, reducing unnecessary delays that hurt costs without adding value to revenue generation or our security outcomes” the CGC said.
” Digital transformations lies at the heart of our trade facilitation strategies.
“We have investments in systems like the B’ Odogwu platform that provide real-time clearance capabilities, automated risk assessments, and seamless integration with the supply chain system. Technology should eliminate friction in the supply chain.
“All of these technology initiatives complement our policy frameworks to create comprehensive support for manufacturing sector groups.
 “As we speak here, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we have commenced the integration of our B’ Odogwu system into the National Single Window Project, which is expected to come on stream in the first quarter of 2026.” the Customs helmsman declared.
Adeniyi outlined the role of customs which is to facilitate legitimate trade, as well as to continue to protect the nation’s borders and collect appropriate revenues.
He said the role of the manufacturer is to drive industrial production, create employment, and contribute to the  nation’s economic diversifications.
” These roles are complementary, and they require this kind of collaboration that we’re having to achieve optimal outcomes” the CGC concluded.
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Headlines

At World Maritime Day celebration, Oyetola expresses optimism about Nigeria’s re-election into IMO council

– calls for global collaboration to develop industry’s vast potential 
Funso OLOJO
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated Nigeria’s determination to clinch the elusive category C membership of the International Maritime Organization(IMO) council in December, 2025.
Oyetola expressed this optimism on Thursday, September, 25th, 2025 while declaring declaring open the one – day celebration of the 2025 World Maritime Day in Lagos.
 “With broad support already expressed by IMO member states, we are optimistic about our re-election,” Oyetola enthused.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s event “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity” the minister emphasized the critical importance of ocean stewardship and the vast potential of the blue economy.
“The ocean produces up to 80 per cent of the Earth’s oxygen, supports billions of livelihoods, and carries over 80 per cent of global trade,” Oyetola noted.
 “Yet it faces mounting threats – from pollution and overfishing to climate change. We must be stewards, not exploiters.”
He outlined Nigeria’s strategic efforts to modernize port infrastructure, enforce sustainable fishing practices, and strengthen maritime safety.
Oyetola praised the dedication of agencies under the Ministry and their alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Highlighting the blue economy as a frontier for innovation, the minister pointed to opportunities in renewable ocean energy, marine biotechnology, and aquaculture.
 He reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing dependence on oil and gas through bold reforms and international collaboration.
In a significant diplomatic appeal, the Minister invited global partners to deepen cooperation in maritime governance, stating, “Diplomacy is the strongest anchor of the maritime sector.
” We look forward to working with the international community to advance both Nigeria’s interests and the collective good.”
The celebration concluded with a renewed national pledge to safeguard the ocean and harness its promise for future generations.
“Our ocean is our shared legacy,” Oyetola declared. “Our obligation is to protect it. Our opportunity is to transform it.”
The 2025 World Maritime Day event underscored Nigeria’s readiness to lead in shaping the future of maritime governance-at home and on the world stage.
The theme of this year’s event echoed the global call by the International Maritime Organization(IMO) to protect marine ecosystems while unlocking sustainable economic growth.
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