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Retired Customs Chief pushes for actualisation of Badagry Deep Seaport project in 2025.

Funso OLOJO 
A retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mr Yahaya  Oladiran Idris, has called on the Federal Government, Lagos state government and promoters of the Badagry deep seaport to resolve all the grey areas hindering the timely actualisation of the project to allow it come on stream in 2025.
The former customs officer, who is the incumbent President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture, make the case for the Port project during his interaction with the executive members of the Maritime Reporters Association of
Nigeria(MARAN) during their two- day retreat programme at the ancient city.
Mr Oladiran maintained his conviction that the port has all the fundamentals to thrive due to the huge economic potentials of Badagry town that will support the project.
He also noted that with the huge investment opportunities and vibrant infrastructure in Lagos State, Badagry is fully ready for the proposed deep seaport because it is the superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe.
He further explained that Badagry is home of the most significant border post in Nigeria, Seme Border that aslo enjoys good intermodal transportation systems including good waterways and Lagos-Sokoto Expressway that can serve as a transshipment route to landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
He pointed out that both Niger Republic and Chad prefer Nigerian ports for their cargoes.
“We are fully aware of the economic viabilities of Badagry. It is a superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe and the home of the most significant border post in Nigeria.
“Majority of Nigerian cargo stemmed down at ports in Benin Republic and Togo Republic will be dropped at Badagry Deep Seaport.
“The port will serve as a transshipment hub for landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
“Badagry has a good waterway. It makes it easier to come to Badagry and down to Benin Republic through the lagoon.
“As a matter of fact, the port will lead to a considerable reduction in smuggling, if not by zero percent but at least by 20%, when completed,” the former customs chief declared.
The President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce further noted that the construction of the port would attract more investors to Badagry and provide job opportunities for artisans and vendors.
“As a chamber, we are expecting the construction of the port to start in 2025.
” We are enjoining the government, the promoters and landowners to talk and settle the grey areas in the port agreement. The port will add to the growth of Badagry,” he said.
On whether there is a need for another deep seaport at Badagry since there is one in Lekki, Yahaya averred that Badagry deep seaport is desirable considering the massive market of Lagos and that the promoters must have done their visibility study before proposing the establishment of the port in Badagry.
On the land border closure to vehicles, Deputy Comptroller Yahaya said Nigeria’s border is too porous and too laborious to manage considering its vastness and the country is losing a lot of revenue to vehicle smugglers who are taking advantage of this closure.
According to him, the major casualties are the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service who have lost their lives while chasing smugglers in the forest.
He advised the federal government to open up the borders and allow vehicles to come in to avoid revenue loss and unwarranted death of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.
On trade facilitation, Yahaya posited that trade facilitation is a collective responsibility among importers, customs agents, the Customs and other agencies involved in free-flow of cargo in and out of the port.
According to him, “Trade can be facilitated when importers are honest with their consignments.
” Lack of transparency brings about multiple debit notes everywhere. Trade facilitation starts from importers, agents and me.
“Also, NAFDAC and SON treating the same products delays trade facilitation. Government has to intervene and delineate functions of these agencies properly. Above all, some goods need reclassification.”
The Badagry Chamber of Commerce President commended the present management of the Nigeria Customs Service led by Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi for making the welfare of officers and men a priority.
 “Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi has done well in terms of promotion of staff. Officers and men will be happy when they get their promotions regularly, and CGC Adeniyi has not failed in this area.” he noted.
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IWD: SIFAX distributes 500 food packs to Ijora community, empowers staff 

Geraldine Samuel, Senior Correspondent 
In a series of impactful activities spanning a school outreach, an employee empowerment webinar and a community food donation drive, SIFAX Group has marked the 2026 International Women’s Day with a multi-pronged initiative that touched the lives of hundreds of girls, women employees and vulnerable residents in Lagos.
One of the highlights of the celebration was an outreach programme to United Christian Secondary School, Apapa, Lagos, where over 500 girls received mentorship from senior female employees of the company.
 The session covered topics such as leadership, education, personal development and menstrual health awareness.
There was also a donation of textbooks to the school, menstrual pads, as well as perfumes to the students.
The speakers drew from personal career experiences to motivate the students, urging them to remain focused on their education and resist distractions.
 They emphasised that determination and discipline could open doors across any field — from business and law to medicine, technology and the creative industries.
Jesuyemisi Odeyemi, Company Secretary and Legal Head of SIFAX Group, charged the students to strive for excellence without reservation.
 “You are strong. You can do it, and you will. You will not only do it, but you will also do it well, you will do it better,” she told the girls.
Vanessa Uansohia, Head of Corporate Communications at Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), SIFAX Group’s aviation arm, also challenged the students to confront self-limiting beliefs.
 “The only person that is stopping you is yourself,” she said, encouraging the girls to pursue their ambitions with bold confidence.
As part of internal activities to mark the day, the company also organised an interactive webinar for female employees focused on strengthening communication and leadership capacity in the workplace.
Speaking on the topic, “Speaking: A Tool for Growth, Multiplication, and Career Progression,” Public Speaking Strategist, Joyce Daniels, urged participants to embrace public speaking as a catalyst for professional advancement, noting that confidence and conviction are the cornerstones of effective communication.
“If you will grow, multiply and have progression in your career, you will speak from a place of conviction,” she said, adding that impactful leaders distinguish themselves by their willingness to boldly articulate their ideas.
Wunmi Eniola-Jegede, Group Coordinating Director, SIFAX Group, described International Women’s Day as a moment to celebrate the social, economic and cultural achievements of women while renewing the call for gender equality.
“This year’s theme, Give to Gain, resonates deeply with our mission of inclusivity and empowerment.
” Every woman is a leader in her own right, and giving back creates growth opportunities for individuals, organisations and communities,” she said.
Extending its impact beyond the workplace, SIFAX Group also carried out a community outreach to Ijora where 500 bags of assorted food items were distributed to vulnerable households.
Each pack was assembled with essential household staples — rice, beans, vegetable oil, garri and salt, carefully curated to provide tangible relief to families within the community.
The distribution was conducted in collaboration with community leaders to ensure a transparent and orderly process.
Eniola-Jegede, who coordinated the outreach, noted that the initiative reflects the organisation’s culture of compassion and its determination to give back to the communities in which it operates.
She added that the exercise was also designed to amplify the message of International Women’s Day by encouraging women within the organisation to lead community interventions that uplift vulnerable groups.
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IWD: Mobereola, NIMASA DG, celebrates women for their contributions to maritime industry 

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) , Dr Dayo Mobereola, has applauded the contributions of women to the development of the Nigerian Maritime industry.

In a goodwill message to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day with the theme “Give to Gain”, Dr Mobereola celebrated the strength, expertise and invaluable contributions of women to the sector, emphasising that the industry has gained progress, innovation and sustainable growth through their efforts.

According to him “I celebrate your strength, expertise, and invaluable contributions to our maritime industry.

“The theme #GiveToGain reflects your daily impact. Through your professionalism, leadership, and resilience across sea-going, regulatory, technical, and administrative roles, you give excellence and our sector gains progress, innovation, and sustainable growth.”

Mobereola further commended the dedication of women in the industry and reaffirmed his commitment to “a maritime industry where every woman is empowered to lead and thrive”.

International Women’s Day is a global observance that seeks to draw attention to challenges faced by women and the need to ensure gender equity.

This year’s theme “Give to Gain”, focuses on investing in women through resources, education, and mentorship to create a stronger, more equitable society, highlighting the fact that empowering women brings collective benefits; economies, communities, and workplaces all grow when women thrive.

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IWD: 60 percent of my aides, technical assistants are women – Danthoso, NPA MD, declares as he celebrates women.

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Danthoso, has said that he was intentional in his prioritizing  gender equality in key appointments at the NPA.

While eulogizing the role of women in the maritime industry as part of his message to women during the International Women’s Day celebration, Dr Danthoso, declared that 60 percent of his aides and technical assistants are women.

“Women hold 60 percent of these roles(personal aides and technical assistants) with men making up the remaining 40 percent.

“This intentional step underscores NPA’s commitment to advancing women’s participation and success across the maritime industry.” he stated.

Danthoso said he recognizes the remarkable contributions of to the progress and success of NPA “who continue to drive progress, break barriers, and shape a more equitable future for the sector.”

” The Nigerian Ports Authority proudly celebrates the resilience, dedication, and invaluable contributions of women in the maritime sector—including firefighting, security, piloting, engineering, hydrography, administrative and vessel-support services such as aids to navigation.

” These remarkable women are excelling even in roles that traditionally demand male-kind of strength”

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