The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged to strengthen the agency’s regulatory presence at the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ) by establishing a dedicated Customs Area Command.

Mr Adeniyi made the commitment during an official visit to the facility on Wednesday, 30 April 2025. He expressed satisfaction with the scale of investment and the infrastructure in place on Snake Island, operated by maritime and logistics firm Nigerdock.

While commending Nigerdock’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the CGC revealed that preparations were nearly complete for the official creation of the new Command.

“We are just at the stage where we are finalising all the documentation, and I am very sure that by the next time I visit this place, I’ll be received by a Customs Area Controller,” Mr Adeniyi said.

He added that deeper collaboration between Customs and private sector operators was vital to achieving Nigeria’s broader economic aspirations.

“We are looking forward to a symbiotic relationship, that which will benefit the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Nigerdock as a corporate entity.”

The Managing Director of SIIFZ, Semiu Akorede, welcomed the CGC’s visit, describing it as a milestone in the zone’s development. He praised the existing relationship between Nigerdock and Customs personnel.

“Your coming here today is going to add a lot of value. We have enjoyed the support of Customs officers that are working with us here, and those that come here to carry out some operations, and I can confirm to you that we have been working together without any rancour,” Mr Akorede stated.

“The consolidation of the activities we are asking for is going to assist in ensuring that we have a seamless operation moving forward,” he added.

The Snake Island Integrated Free Zone, strategically located in Lagos, plays a critical role in Nigeria’s maritime sector, offering industrial and logistics solutions for domestic and international trade.

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.