Headlines

Dosunmu lauds Jamoh for saving NSDP from derailment

Dosunmu(L) Jamoh, at a public function

—–appeals to government to appoint professionals to head maritime agencies

The Eyewitness reporter

The former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), Dr Ade Dosunmu, has attributed the sustainability and relevance of the National Seafarers Development Programme(NSDP) to the resilience and professional acumen of the incumbent Chief Executive of the agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh.

Dr Dosunmu, who was at the helms of affairs of the agency between 2007 to 2009, lauded Jamoh for bringing the seafarers’ empowerment programme back to track after many years of derailment from its core objective.

The erstwhile NIMASA boss, who was speaking recently during the send-forth of a new batch of 400 cadets to India and Greece for training, said the core objective of aligning the programme with sea time training has long been jettisoned before Dr Jamoh came on board to rescue the programme.

”I would want to specifically appreciate the commitment of the NIMASA team headed by Dr Bashir Jamoh. Your commitment has really brought the NSDP back on track. I remember when the programme started, you are the head of training at NIMASA.

”After the conception, some of us were not around, and the implementation was not in line with the programme’s objective. Sea time training was an integral part of the programme as it was conceived but the implementation did not follow this pattern and that is why we still have up today a backlog of cadets that went on training under the programme but do not have sea time experience.

”Some of them are not even ready to go back for sea training again because they are already doing something else, having stayed for a long time after the four years of training under the programme., some have even married.

”Whereas the original objective of the programme was to go hand in hand with sea-time training. I want to especially thank Dr Jamoh for bringing the programme back on track.

”Today, we don’t have the problem of sea-time training before the cadets set out for the programme, we know they are already prepared up to the point of certificate of competency and that was the original objective of the programme” Dr Dosunmu observed.

He also praised the Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Muazu Sambo for his zeal and commitment to key into the programme.

Dosunmu noted that, unlike other people who on coming to power, will create their own programmes and jettison the ones they met, he said the Minister not only keyed into the programmes he met on the ground but also pursued them with passion.

”I also want to thank the Minister of transportation for his zeal and commitment and for him to key into this programme and several other programmes in the ministry of transportation and NIMASA.

”It is not strange in this country when people come on board and they try to create their own programmes but in your own case, you have keyed into the programmes that you have seen are of significance to the national development.

”I want to thank you and your Permanent Secretary for supporting particularly NIMASA.”

Dr Dosunmu however appealed to the government to always appoint professionals who are within the system as the heads of the agencies in the maritime industry in order to bolster the development of the sector.

He observed that the success story of the NSDP today was a result of the fact that a man who rose through the ranks in NIMASA was appointed as its Chief Executive to drive the policies and programmes that are germane to the development of the industry.

”I want to appeal to the government and policymakers to always put round pegs in round holes. The significance of the resuscitation of the NSDP as we witnessed under the leadership of Dr Jaamo is that the people who are in charge are from within the system.

”I want to say without mincing words that if Dr Jamoh has not worked in NIMASA for close to 30 years, probably he would not be able to bring this programme back on track.

”Government should begin to allow professionals to head government agencies in the maritime industry as it is done in other critical sectors of the economy

”In health, aviation and other critical sectors of the economy where professionals are appointed to head their parastatals, so also should government begin to make professionals head the agencies in the industry because shipping is international and a specialised area that should be headed by core professionals if the government wants sound policies to drive the sector’ Dr Dosunmu concluded.

The NSDP is an interventionist capacity training programme to empower seafarers. It started in 2008 under the then leadership of Dr Ade Dosunmu as the Director General of NIMASA.

Since its inception, the programme has enrolled 2041 students on scholarships spread across the geo-political zones of the country. Out of these numbers, 892 have become licensed deck and engine officers including Naval architects while they are in their final stage of the programme.

Related Topics:Dosunmmu lauds Jamoh featured

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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.

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.