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Royal father tasks new SWDC boss, Charles Akinola, on South West security, youth empowerment, agriculture

Funso OLOJO
The Olowo of Owo kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye 11, has urged Dr Charles Akinola, the new Managing Director of the South West Development Commission(SWDC), to focus more on the security of the South West region as well as  empowerment of the youths in the region as he awaits the confirmation of his appointment by the Senate.
It could be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the appointment of Dr Akinola to head the new commission in the South West.
Oba Gbadegesin however lauded President Tinubu for finding Dr Akinola worthy for the coveted position.
Dr Akinola, a seasoned public policy advisor and development strategist with over 30 years of experience in public service, international development, and strategic governance, specialising in agricultural development, sustainable economic growth, and policy implementation across Nigeria and West Africa, was appointed on May 8th, 2025 by President Tinubu as pioneer MD of the SWDC.
However, speaking to Journalists, Oba Ogunoye, described Dr Akinola’s appointment as putting a square peg in a square hole, saying he will facilitate social and economic development in the South West.
According to the foremost traditional ruler, the training, political experience and exposure of Dr Akinola would help him succeed on the job.
“The appointment of Dr Akinola, I believe, is in the right direction.
“Dr Akinola is a square peg in a square hole. He’s eminently qualified, and going by his experiences over the years, his training and his political experiences, I believe it is gratifying that such a wonderful personality has been found worthy by President Tinubu for appointment as the MD of SWDC.
“Dr Akinola is a man of good character, of good learning, and a man who is out to work for the interest of the Yoruba people.
“Being given this appointment, I believe that he will be all out to service the good people of Yoruba land.
” This is a call for service and I know that he will give service, selfless service, for the benefit of the people of Yoruba land.
” I know for sure that he will use his political connections for our benefit.
Oba Olowo, who chronicled Dr Akinola’s early days in the kingdom of Owo, said the principle of Omoluabi imbibed by him during his formative age would help put him on a trajectory of growth and development of the region.
“He’s a man that has a great connection with this great Kingdom of Owo.
“His early years in life were in Owo. So, I believe he had imbibed our character and must have had it going for him for the task ahead.
“The good people of Yoruba will expect much more deliverables from the SWDC as recently passed into law by Mr President.
“We appreciate Mr President for finding this wonderful personality to be charged with these moral roles and highly demanding office.”
The traditional ruler, however, charged Dr Akinola to ensure the security of lives, properties, Agriculture, employment and skill acquisition for youths should be his priority.
“Our people, the younger ones, educated and non-educated, who are not gainfully employed, should be provided with skills and training.
“There must be training of our youths in skilled labour such as carpentry, and revitalisation of technical colleges for the training of our youths rather than having University graduate without skills, thereby, increasing unemployment rate.”
“State Police is coming up now as the idea has been generally accepted throughout Nigeria.
“So, the commission should be at the forefront of the training of personnel and equipment for the policing system that will cover Yoruba land, either collectively as a civil unit of policing authority in the southwest or maybe on the individual basis of the states.
“The commission should network across the length and breadth of Yoruba land and ensure that our policing system will be top-notch and well-equipped with modern facilities, especially using Information Communication Technology (ICT), to secure the South West.
“On agriculture, value should be added to the agricultural produce. Value addition to agricultural produce, small-scale, large-scale, and medium-scale industries in all agricultural produce.
“The commission must think about the establishment of clusters of industries that will process our agricultural produce.
“We have to drive our agriculture through value addition and majorly towards exports to earn foreign exchange.
“I think this will go a long way in enabling the Yoruba nation to be much richer and foremost among other regions,” Oba Ogunoye stated.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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