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SIFAX foundation trains 90 Lagos Students on AI, technology skills

Gloria Odion Maritime Reporter 
The Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation, the CSR arm of the SIFAX Group, in partnership with the World Bank, has trained over 90 students of the State Senior Secondary School, Oyewole, Agege in Orile Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State, as part of its series of ongoing Community Connections Campaign Projects in Nigeria.
The training, aimed at empowering students with practical technology skills to help them improve their education, secure jobs, and become self-employed in the long term, covered various areas, including computer literacy, machine learning, and the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Representatives were selected from different classes across the school, with the hope that they would be able to transfer the skills acquired to their colleagues.
According to Mrs. Foluke Ademokun, the Executive Coordinator of the foundation, “this initiative is part of a series of efforts to address the issue of youth unemployment and skills gap in the country and it’s expected to benefit not only the students but also the community at large, as the students would be able to apply the skills acquired to improve their lives and contribute to the economic development of their communities”
Responding on behalf of the school management, the Vice Principal of the school, Mrs Sherifat Ajala, appreciated and commended AAAF for excellent facilitation and the opportunity given to the students to interact with the best minds who facilitated at the training.
“On behalf of the school management and all these students, I want to say a big thank you to Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation and their sponsor, the SIFAX Group for the good works that they have done in the lives of our students and for the wonderful gift.
“May the Lord Almighty continue to bless you”, she said.
Goodluck Innocent and Moses Faith, two of the students who participated in the training, were rewarded for good class participation and thereafter expressed gratitude on behalf of their colleagues to AAAF and SIFAX Group for providing them with the opportunity to acquire skills that would enhance their future employability.
At the end of the training session, the school was presented with the gift of a projector, laptop and projector screen as it is always done in the previous schools where similar programmes have been organised.
Other schools who have benefited from previous empowerments include; Community Grammar School, Zion Pepe, Ondo state; Osolu Senior Secondary School, Badagry; Pobuna Senior Grammar School, Epe and Baptist Model College, Ile-Epo.
Others are Ijaiye-Ojokoro Senior High School, Ifako ijaiye and Unity senior college, Alimosho all in Lagos state, which brings the total number of empowered students to nearly 600.
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Headlines

Oyetola pledges support to City Boy Movement initiative for enhanced youth participation in governance

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola on Monday, February 23rd, 2026 received State Directors of the City Boy Movement (CBM) from the Southwest region in his office in Abuja, in a meeting that underscored the growing importance of youth engagement and grassroots mobilisation in national development and governance awareness.
The delegation was led by the Oyo State Director of the City Boy Movement, Lamiju Alao-Akala, who presented the objectives, activities, and expanding reach of the movement across the region and beyond.
The City Boy Movement is a youth-driven sociopolitical mobilisation platform established to promote civic participation, policy awareness, and support for progressive governance initiatives, particularly those associated with the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Since its emergence, the CBM has grown into a structured network of young professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and community organisers committed to engaging Nigerian youths at the grassroots level through advocacy, public enlightenment campaigns, community outreach, and digital engagement.
Its activities include town-hall interactions, policy sensitisation programmes, volunteerism, and youth empowerment initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic participation and national cohesion.
Speaking during the visit, Lamiju Alao-Akala emphasised that the movement was founded on the conviction that Nigeria’s youthful population must be actively informed, inspired, and involved in governance processes.
He noted that the CBM has been working across Southwest states to bridge the information gap between government policies and young citizens by translating national programmes into relatable, accessible messages.
According to him, the movement focuses on communicating key reforms and achievements of the current administration in areas such as economic restructuring, infrastructure development, youth opportunities, and social investment initiatives, thereby fostering informed civic consciousness among young Nigerians.
The CBM Director explained that the visit to the Minister formed part of CBM’s strategic engagement with senior government officials whose portfolios have direct impact on economic growth and employment generation.
He highlighted the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry’s central role in unlocking maritime opportunities for youth employment, entrepreneurship, and skills development, particularly in coastal trade, logistics, fisheries, marine services, and port-related industries.
 Alao-Akala therefore sought the support and partnership of Dr. Oyetola in strengthening CBM’s outreach efforts, especially in communicating maritime and blue economy opportunities to young Nigerians in the Southwest and across the country.
Responding, Adegboyega Oyetola commended the City Boy Movement for its proactive youth mobilisation and civic engagement efforts, describing the initiative as timely and aligned with national priorities.
He observed that Nigerian youths constitute the largest demographic segment of the population and must therefore be effectively reached with accurate information about government policies, programmes, and achievements.
The Minister stressed that youth inclusion in national discourse is essential for sustaining democratic stability, economic progress, and social cohesion.
 Oyetola stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recorded significant achievements across multiple sectors, including economic reforms, infrastructure expansion, social programmes, and institutional strengthening.
He emphasised that these milestones must be communicated clearly and consistently to Nigerians, particularly young people who are both primary beneficiaries and critical stakeholders in the country’s future.
According to him, platforms such as the City Boy Movement play an important role in disseminating factual information, countering misinformation, and fostering constructive engagement between government and citizens.
The Minister further noted that the Marine and Blue Economy sector holds vast untapped potential for youth employment and enterprise development, and that the Ministry is implementing policies and initiatives designed to expand indigenous participation in maritime activities.
He assured the delegation of his readiness to support credible initiatives that promote youth empowerment, economic inclusion, and national development awareness.
The CBM Director in the delegation included  Lamiju Alao-Akala (Oyo), Moyo Ogunlewe (Lagos), Kasali Oluwafemi (Ekiti) and Kayode Sowande (Osun).
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Nigeria rallies stakeholders to develop decarbonisation National Action Plan for maritime industry.

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
Nigeria has kicked- started preparations to key into the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agenda aimed at reducing Green House Gas(GHG) emission from vessels by the year 2050 in a bid to achieve cleaner, greener and safer environment.
It would be recalled that the IMO, through its revised 2023 GHG Strategy, has set ambitious targets, aiming for net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.
It has encouraged developing member- nations to key into the programme.
Towards this end, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency( NIMASA) organized a workshop to develop a National Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan at Eko Hotels and Suite where maritime experts, shipping operators, technocrats, academia and other government agencies in the industry gathered to brainstorm on the action plan.
Addressing the workshop, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by a Director in the ministry, Dr John Obiche,
reminded the participants that their  presence signifies more than just a commitment to environmental stewardship, but represents a strategic alignment with the global imperative to decarbonize the maritime industry.
He said the development of a National Action Plan is the cornerstone of Nigeria’s strategy on decarbonisation programme.
“We are embarking on a journey to define our National Action Plan (NAP)— a roadmap that will ensure our maritime sector remains resilient, competitive, and sustainable in the decades to come.
“Thus, our objective for this workshop is to identify areas of priority that will form the bedrock of our plan.
“Decarbonization cannot be achieved by the government in isolation. It requires the active participation of every stakeholder in this room.
“From Shipowners, Oil and Gas industry, Port authorities, technical experts, MDA’s, Academia, each of you holds a piece of the puzzle.
“Hence, our collaboration with the IMO will provide us with the technical expertise and global network necessary to navigate this complex landscape.
“Distinguished guests, the decisions we make during this workshop will echo for generations.
“We have the opportunity to position our nation as a leader in the maritime energy transition”
The Minister therefore urged the stakeholders at the workshop to be decisive and intentional in their approach to the issue at hand in order to come up with the National Action Plan that will lead to a cleaner, greener and more prosperous maritime future.
Echoing the Minister’s sentiments, the Director – General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, who was represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Adeyemi, said Nigeria’s participation in the IMO Decarbonization programme is not just about compliance but it is about safeguarding the country’s environment, protecting public health, and fostering sustainable economic growth.
 “It is about ensuring that Nigeria remains a competitive and responsible player on the global maritime stage.
“This brings us to Nigeria’s pivotal partnership with the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project.
 “It is a technical cooperation initiative specifically designed by the IMO to empower developing countries in their transition towards a low-carbon maritime future.
“Through this collaboration, Nigeria is actively engaged in developing a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) for maritime decarbonization.
“The NAP is not going to be a generic blueprint, it is a plan that must be firmly rooted in our unique national context, leveraging our strengths, addressing our challenges, and aligning with our broader national development goals”
Dr Mobereola told the participants that  the success of the National Action Plan hinges on the diverse expertise, practical insights, and collaborative spirit that each of them brings to the discussion.
“We need your perspectives on technological advancements, policy frameworks, economic implications, capacity building needs, and innovative solutions that are viable and effective for Nigeria.
“Your presence here today underscores your commitment to this vital cause. I encourage active participation, insightful discussions, and the sharing of diverse perspectives” the NIMASA DG pleaded.
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Customs

Customs automates acquisition, renewal of licenses, permits to enhance efficiency, revenue boost.

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
In order to consolidate the automation of its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service, has concluded preparations to automate the process of Licenses, Permits acquisition and renewal.
To achieve this landmark initiative, the Service has trained  its bond officers of various area commands who will drive the process.
While unveiling the automation process to stakeholders in Lagos on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, the Comptroller – General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi said the initiative was driven by the desire of the Customs management to make licenses and permits acquisition and renewal less cumbersome, promote ease of doing business and boost revenue generation.
CGC Adeniyi, who was represented by Comptroller NJ Anozie, further expanded the benefits of the automation process.
“Automation will save importers, clearing and forwarding agents the stress of acquiring or renewing their Licenses and Permits as they would be sitting in the comfort of their offices/homes to initiate and complete the process.
“Officers and  men of License and Permit Unit, the bond seat unit of various Commands will also be saved some stress, as all their responsibilities would just be ‘clicks’ on the systems in front of their desks, as opposed to carrying loads of files from one table to another and from one office to the other.
“Automation will cut the cost of doing business and minimize movement risks for our stakeholders.
“They would no longer be jumping on buses or flights to and fro Customs Headquarters-Abuja, paying hotel bills plus feeding for days, to obtain or renew their licenses and permits.
“Automation will minimize, if not eradicate fraudulent practices in the system, as every single document that is uploaded in the course of this process will be automatically rejected by default, if it is fake and accepted if it is genuine.
 “L&P can now view assessments through the B’Odogwu to be sure that any company applying for fresh or renewal of licences or permits is not having unpaid assessments hanging on it”
The Customs boss said he was poised to sanitize the system and urged the Licences and Permits unit of the Service to be passionate in driving this initiative.
He further disclosed that the automation process will save the importers and their agents time and money which they normally expended in manual process.
Adeniyi urged the stakeholders to take advantage of this new initiative, assuring them that they would adequately be guided on how to key into the system by the bond officers who have already been trained.
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