Headlines

Eloquence club kicks off 2025 with transformational learning event

The Eyewitness Reporter

The Eloquence Club, Nigeria’s premier public speaking community, launched its 2025 calendar with a powerful and inspiring learning event held at the School of Eloquence Headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The event, which attracted a well-attended audience of club members, School of Eloquence (SOE) alumni, and invited guests, reinforced the club’s foundational pillars of Communication, Continuity, and Community.

The forum provided a supportive platform for members to strengthen their public speaking skills, with a key highlight being the Impromptu Speaking Segment.

Participants confidently took the stage to deliver short, unprepared speeches, showcasing their speaking prowess while receiving constructive feedback and analysis.

The atmosphere was electric with camaraderie and encouragement as applause filled the room for excellent performances.

Areas for improvement were also identified by peers and the Dean, ensuring that every participant left the session with actionable steps for growth.

The Dean’s Insightful Discourse

The event also featured an impactful discourse session by Mr. Ubong Essien, CSP, the Dean of the School of Eloquence and the only Certified Speaking Professional in West Africa.

His keynote focused on the power of mentoring in public speaking, emphasizing its role in fostering growth and confidence.

Mr. Essien also outlined an ambitious roadmap for the Eloquence Club’s 2025 activities, igniting excitement among members as they set goals for their speaking improvement for the year.

A Testament to the Club’s Impact

Established in 2017 to provide sustained support for SOE alumni following their masterclass training, the Eloquence Club has grown into a vibrant community of learners and leaders.

The club offers a unique combination of social interaction and professional skill development, ensuring members continue to refine their public speaking abilities.

With monthly learning events at its Lagos headquarters and a centre in Abuja, the Eloquence Club has become a vital resource for public speaking enthusiasts and professionals.

During the event, several members and alumni shared testimonials of how the club’s monthly gatherings have significantly impacted their communication skills and personal growth.

The testimonies were a powerful reminder of the club’s enduring relevance and its ability to transform lives through the art of eloquence.

Looking Ahead

The Eloquence Club’s 2025 agenda promises an exciting lineup of activities, including monthly meetings, guest speaker sessions, and focused training events designed to elevate members’ communication capabilities.

As the year unfolds, the club continues to invite new members who are eager to master the art of public speaking and be part of a supportive community.

A STAGE FOR GROWTH, DEBATE, AND CONNECTION

The next Eloquence Club Learning Event is scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the School of Eloquence Headquarters, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Building on the tremendous success of January’s kickoff event, this session will continue to offer members and guests an engaging platform to refine their public speaking skills within a supportive and interactive environment.

As always, the event will be guided by the club’s three foundational pillars: Communication, Continuity, and Community.

This event promises a vibrant mix of learning, connection, and personal development, offering members and guests an opportunity to enhance their public speaking skills while building meaningful professional networks.

Event Highlights: “Get on Stage” Impromptu Speaking Exercises

Attendees will have the chance to step onto the stage and deliver spontaneous speeches, sharpening their ability to think on their feet and express themselves with confidence.

Constructive feedback from peers and the Dean will provide clear guidance for improvement.

Debate Faceoff

Experience the energy of dynamic team debates on carefully selected topics.

This interactive segment encourages participants to articulate their thoughts clearly, counter opposing views effectively, and build teamwork skills in a fun and engaging format.

Dean’s Discourse

Led by Mr. Ubong Essien, CSP, West Africa’s only Certified Speaking Professional and Dean of the School of Eloquence, this session will delve into debate techniques and their application in enhancing public speaking.

The Dean will also share insights on mastering communication challenges in personal and professional contexts.

Interactive Feedback and Goal Setting

Participants’ performances will be evaluated in real-time, with a focus on celebrating excellence and addressing areas for growth.

Attendees will set actionable goals for their speaking improvement in 2025.

Networking Opportunities

Beyond the stage, the Eloquence Club learning event provides a unique platform to build meaningful connections with like-minded individuals, including public speaking enthusiasts, professionals, and alumni of the School of Eloquence.

This social aspect fosters collaboration, mentorship, and lasting relationships within a supportive community.

Why Attend?

This event combines skill-building activities with valuable networking opportunities, ensuring that attendees not only improve their public speaking but also expand their personal and professional circles.

The Eloquence Club remains a space where Communication, Continuity, and Community thrive, offering members an environment to grow both as speakers and as leaders.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM

Venue: School of Eloquence Headquarters, Ikoyi, Lagos

About the Eloquence Club

Founded in 2017, the Eloquence Club has become Nigeria’s premier public speaking community, providing monthly learning events and sustained support for alumni of the School of Eloquence.

With centres in Lagos and Abuja, the club is dedicated to helping members achieve excellence in communication while fostering a sense of belonging and professional growth.

Join us for this transformative event and become part of a network that is redefining public speaking and leadership in Nigeria.

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.