As part of its commitment to supporting public sector digital transformation, Galaxy Backbone Limited on Thursday, 2 May 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Headquarters in Abuja to explore a strategic collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN).

The delegation, led by Mr Ifeatu Anafulu, Head of Marketing and Business Intelligence, was received by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada.

Mr Anafulu expressed appreciation for the warm reception, explaining that Galaxy Backbone’s role as a government-owned technology provider aligns with the Service’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives.

“We understand that Customs is currently undergoing a major transformation under the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), and as an agency that provides backbone ICT infrastructure for the Federal Government, we are here to explore how we can add value to your operations,” Mr Anafulu said. “From secure cloud storage to robust data protection mechanisms, Galaxy Backbone has the capacity to support your evolving digital needs.”

He further stressed the importance of data security and digital tools in modern customs operations.

“Efficient data management and secure communication networks are crucial for modern Customs administrations, especially in a global trade environment increasingly driven by digital tools and cross-border integration,” he added.

In response, Assistant Comptroller Maiwada commended the Galaxy Backbone team for their proactive approach to inter-agency collaboration.

“The Nigeria Customs Service is undergoing a comprehensive technological revolution anchored on the Trade Modernisation Project,” Mr Maiwada said. “At the heart of this reform is the deployment of an indigenous platform, B’Odogwu, a Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), which we built from ground zero.”

He highlighted the significance of the new platform as part of the Service’s broader reform agenda.

“Our goal is not just automation but true modernisation, one that is built on indigenous expertise, tailored to our unique trade environment, and driven by a strong commitment to national development and solved our indigenous challenges,” he added.

AC Maiwada noted that partnerships with ICT providers like Galaxy Backbone are key to securing and scaling Customs’ digital architecture. He identified secure data storage, platform hosting, and high-speed connectivity for the Customs broadcasting network as potential areas for partnership.

The courtesy visit concluded with a tour of the NCBN facilities, led by its Chief Operating Officer, Mr Abubakar Ardo. The team explored the studio’s broadcast, editing, and production departments located within the Customs Headquarters.

Mr Ardo described NCBN as a vital public communication tool for the Service’s reform messaging.

“We are committed to projecting the Service’s reform agenda, enhancing public awareness, and fostering stakeholder engagement through high-quality multimedia content as well as creating a niche for ourselves within the business sector,” he said.

He expressed hope that future cooperation with Galaxy Backbone would further enhance NCBN’s technical capacity and audience reach.

The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) on Thursday, May 1, 2025, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, ushering in a new era with the inauguration of a fresh executive led by Comrade Udo Onyeka as President.

In his farewell remarks, outgoing President Alhaji Tunde Umar-Daniah reflected on his three-year stewardship.

“I am filled with pride and nostalgia because we have achieved a formidable organization under my watch,” he said, while highlighting the association’s progress and expansion during his leadership.

The AGM was not only a transition of leadership but also a platform for professional development. Dayo Bamgbala, member and Publisher of iReports Online, delivered a comprehensive paper titled Maximizing News Websites, which emphasized the growing role of technology in modern journalism.

The white paper, Maximizing Online Journalism Through ICT and Media Integration, outlined a strategic roadmap for journalists and media organisations to embrace digital tools to enhance storytelling, audience engagement, and monetization.

Key areas discussed included:

The use of Content Management Systems (CMS), analytics, and mobile journalism for real-time reporting

Enhancing user experience through responsive design and fast loading websites

Integration of multimedia content to boost engagement

Application of SEO and data analytics to improve content visibility

Mobile-first designs and monetization strategies such as subscriptions and crowdfunding

Upholding ethics to combat misinformation and protect user data

“Success in digital journalism lies in the fusion of innovation with integrity,” Bamgbala concluded.

Security expert and Editor-in-Chief of Elation Magazine, Chief Darlington Momoh Umoru, led a session on The Media and National Security, drawing attention to ethical challenges and legal vulnerabilities in Nigerian journalism.

He warned against the unchecked rise of untrained content creators, saying, “The rise of social media has blurred the lines of professionalism, with anyone possessing a smartphone claiming to be a journalist.”

He noted that ownership interference, lack of institutional protection, and state suppression of journalists threaten the profession. He recounted a personal experience where a story on a labour protest was killed to protect vested interests. “The media’s biggest challenge is internal, not external. Quack journalism and a lack of professionalism have eroded respect for the profession,” he said.

Chief Umoru called on the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to enforce stricter regulations. “Journalists must respect boundaries and understand that not everything should be reported, especially when national security is at stake.”

Alfred Omenihu, Editor-in-Chief of National Impact Magazine, also presented a session on Opportunities in Core Printing for Media Practitioners, providing insight into how traditional printing can still serve a strategic purpose in the evolving media landscape.

In his inaugural address, the newly elected President of CONMMEP, Comrade Udo Onyeka, pledged to elevate the association. “We aim to establish CONMMEP as the envy of other maritime associations within the next 12 months,” he declared, promising to pursue member-focused initiatives and strategic partnerships.

The newly inaugurated executive includes:

Newly Inaugurated Executive members of CONMMEP.

Femi Okonofua – Vice President

Bolaji Israel – General Secretary

LOD Onyeji – Assistant Secretary

Isaac Ajiboye – Financial Secretary

Adeola Oluwole – Treasurer

Mcanthony Onuoha – Public Relations Officer

Titilayo Olumide – Welfare Officer

Izuchukwu Ahuchaogu – Provost

The event closed with a celebratory luncheon, marking a new beginning for CONMMEP as it strives to strengthen the voice and impact of maritime media practitioners in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted falsified and expired pharmaceutical products, along with drones and restricted telecommunication devices, with a total estimated value of ₦921 million.

CGC Adeniyi inspecting the drones seized.

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made the announcement during a press briefing held at Apapa Port on Wednesday, 30 April 2025. He issued a stern warning to importers who continue to flout the country’s importation laws.

“Our seizures today reveal that importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios—combining pharmaceuticals, food items, and controlled technology in systematic shipments. Our collective vigilance remains the most effective deterrent against transnational criminal networks seeking to compromise our borders,” CGC Adeniyi said.

CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi speaking at Apapa during the inspection

According to him, the intercepted items were seized between January and April 2025 during enforcement operations. The consignment included five 40-foot containers, two 20-foot containers, and four separate shipments containing expired margarine, sexual enhancement drugs, 60 units of warrior drones, and 10 professional FM transceiver walkie-talkies—all imported without valid end-user certificates.

He emphasised that the unregistered medicines found pose serious health risks to the public.

“These products lack mandatory NAFDAC registration numbers and certification, making their importation a clear violation of Section 28 of the NAFDAC Act,” the CGC stated.

Adeniyi reaffirmed Customs’ dedication to protecting the nation’s borders against unlawful imports.

“We will deploy all available resources to ensure our borders remain secure against the importation of items that threaten national security, economic stability, and public health,” he said.

The CGC also commended the Apapa Area Command team for their vigilance and professionalism.

Apapa Comptroller, Babatunde Olomu addressing press

Speaking at the same event, Dr Olakunle Olaniran, Director of Ports Inspection at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), strongly condemned the importation of the counterfeit medicines.

“These are completely falsified medicines. Nigerians must be wary—do not self-medicate. Always obtain your medicines from registered pharmacies,” Dr Olaniran warned.

He applauded the Customs Service for its proactive efforts in protecting public health through effective border enforcement.

Earlier in the day, CGC Adeniyi visited the Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) and Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) Area Commands to inspect the ongoing implementation of B’Odogwu—a digital clearance and tracking platform launched by the Service.

During his tour, he met with stakeholders undergoing training on the platform’s usage at TCIP.

“This visit is aimed at gaining firsthand insight into the operational challenges of the new digital platform. The Service remains fully committed to resolving emerging issues and strengthening the system in the nation’s interest,” he said.

The NCS reiterated that it will continue to modernise its operations and collaborate with other agencies to safeguard the nation against harmful imports.