Headlines

Four months to expiration of tenure: APFFLON asks CRFFN Registrar to proceed on terminal leave

National President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite.

–Alleges protection from prosecution by ministry of transportation

The Eyewitness reporter

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, (APFFLON) has called on the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Barrister Samuel Nwakohu to immediately proceed on a terminal leave preparatory to his disengagement from the council.

The four-year tenure of Barrister Nwakohu as the Registrar of the CRFFN ends in February 2023.

He was appointed in February 2019.

Making the call for his immediate disengagement was the National President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite.

Otunba Ogunojemite, who was a guest Thursday at the roundtable event organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, (MARAN) in Lagos, observed that the immediate disengagement of Samuel Nwakohu from the CRFFN was imperative due to the fact that the council has derailed from its core mandate under the leadership of the Registrar.

The APFFLON president said the Registrar has to give way for a thorough and comprehensive reformation of the council to take place.

While urging the council to focus more on reformation than its present preoccupation on accreditation, Ogunojemite lamented that this misplaced priority by the board has affected the image of the body which he said harbours redundant accredited associations.

The APFFLON president alleged unholy collaboration between the CRFFN Registrar and the supervising ministry of Transportation which he claimed was shielding the Registrar from prosecution despite the avalanche of allegations against him.

“There is an issue that needs to be addressed, for instance, the Registrar is supposed to be leaving the Council because this is his 4th year, he is supposed to have proceeded on terminal leave to hand over, while there is supposed to be vacancies for the next Registrar.

” But we do not know the collaboration between the Permanent Secretary and the Registrar that makes them to be keeping the Registrar.

“There are a lot of allegations against the Registrar, we did not see the outcome; we are just being kept incommunicado.

“So it is not accreditation that matters to APFFLON but reformation of the industry, we want to be proud of our industry.

“We had a meeting sometime ago and the purpose of the meeting was for the reformation in the industry.

“We had issues with the CRFFN in the court and we have started processing to come out of court based on the response that things we want should be done in the Council.

“APFFLON found that a lot of people have violated the Council’s Act, for instance, it is in section 19 of the CRFFN Act, that if you do not pay your subscription within six months, you should be deregistered, we found that so many associations did not pay for years, and they have not been deregistered.

“For God’s sake, we are not on an animal farm. It is people who claim to be accredited and you have an issue that is supposed to be addressed by the Council and you went to court, which automatically earns you expulsion, and it is not being done. Then you want the Council to be effective when people violate the Act.

“We can rate those that have been accredited, what are their achievements? What are they doing? Accreditation is little to APFFLON what is important is reformations.

“His (Registrar) tenure is ending, he should proceed on terminal leave, we need reformation, and we want the Council to work.

“We are ashamed to present our Council with others like the lawyers, engineers etc.

“Look at the issue of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association, FIATA, how can the Council represent us in FIATA?

” It is never done; it is supposed to be an umbrella for all the freight forwarders than to be representing us at FIATA.

“There is an extent to which professionals can make decisions in the Council because the government has half and we have half. So how do we agree to disagree? So the issue for APFFLON is the reformation of the industry.

“There is no accredited association in this country because all of them are not competent to be accredited. Some of them have not paid their subscriptions, and the Act says if you do not pay, you will be deregistered. They said the only disqualified association APFFLON.

“APFFLON is overqualified, we have over 1000 members we are up to date. Some of them are inactive except APFFLON.” Ogunojemite claimed.

Related Topics:APFFLON on CRFFN featured

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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.

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.

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.