The Nigerian maritime sector is gearing up for a landmark celebration as Face of Maritime International (FOMI) marks its 10th anniversary with the 2025 Grand Finale scheduled for Friday, 3 October, at Villa Angelia Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

This year’s event will honour Chief Mrs. Jean Chiazor-Anishere SAN, a renowned maritime lawyer, gender advocate, and legal luminary, who has been named the 2025 Role Model Ambassador of FOMI.

The ceremony, which blends pageantry with industry recognition, will also feature the Maritime Doyens (MD) and Amazons (MA) Awards, spotlighting outstanding contributions from men and women who have excelled in maritime leadership, operations, and advocacy.

Jean Chiazor-Anishere Honoured

Announcing the award, FOMI Director, Mr. Sylva Obasi, said Jean’s recognition is deeply symbolic for the platform.

“FOMI has come a long way with Mrs. Jean. I remember in 2016 at the maiden audition of Face of Maritime International held at the Auditorium of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, she delivered an Introduction to Maritime lecture to the contestants. Since then, she has been an ardent supporter of the FOMI brand and has also expressed willingness for WIMA to collaborate with FOMI on its pet project, the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign,” he explained.

Speaking further, Obasi added:

“Her nomination as FOMI Role Model Ambassador for 2025 is unique, coming at our 10th Anniversary when we can look back and tell her that the seed you joined hand to plant in 2016 has truly blossomed as a platform that inspires and encourages young women to take maritime career paths.”

Recognising Maritime Excellence

The 2025 Maritime Doyens Award nominees include High Chief Azubuike Ekweozor, Founder of Ide Global Movement; Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, National President, Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Operators; Mr. Daniel Odibe, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Deep Seaport; Mr. Taiwo Mustapha, CEO, Pyramid Associates; Alhaji Saka Afolabi, CEO, Sea Cargo Ltd; Mr. Femi Olawore, CEO, Mariplus Limited; and Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe of MMA Customs Command, Ikeja.

High Chief Emmanuel Ekweozor, Nominee – Maritime Doyen Award.

Other nominees include Comptroller Joe Anani (PTML Customs Command), Chief Amb. Afam Chukwuma (International Logistics Supply Chain Ltd), Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu (FOU Zone A), Prince Olawale Matthew Cole (ANLCA Tincan Chapter), Comptroller Olugbenga Otunla (Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko), and Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie (MMIA Customs Command).

Mr Bolaji Sunmola, nominee- Maritime Doyens Award

The Maritime Amazons Award nominees feature: Barr. Mrs. Rita Uruakpa (former Director, NIMASA), Princess Chi Ezeh (CEO, Muna-Sylver Nigeria Ltd), Mrs. Koni Duniya (Founder, Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria), Mrs. Nana Yakubu (MD, Tenzik Terminal), Hon. Mrs. Williams Olaitan (President, Ocean Ambassadors Foundation), Mrs. Vivian Chimezie Azubuike (DG, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping), Capt. Edidiong Akpanebe Sola Abalo (VP, WISTA Nigeria), and Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi (CEO, Women Alliance for Growth).

Obasi explained that the awards aim to celebrate resilience and breakthroughs in the sector.

“The aim of this award is to tell the stories of these uncommon men and women in order to encourage the younger generation of men and women in maritime career paths,” he said.

Princess Chi Ezeh, nominee- Maritime Amazons Award

Organisers Promise Memorable Celebration

The Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee and CEO of Bomarah Group, Hajia Bola Muse, assured that the anniversary will be a memorable celebration.

“The event, starting with a red carpet at 3pm, will feature keynote lectures, pageantry displays, comedy and dance shows, as well as the unveiling of the Girls Go-To-Sea Trust Fund,” she said.

Muse added that the theme of the celebration, “FOMI – A Decade of Vision, Creativity, Resilience, and Impacts,” underscores the significance of the milestone.

“It promises to be an exciting celebration of FOMI’s decade-long journey, highlighting its impacts on the maritime industry,” she affirmed.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tin-Can Island Port Command has achieved a historic feat, collecting ₦159 billion in August 2025—the highest monthly revenue in the command’s history.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, during a colourful ceremony held at the command headquarters in Lagos to decorate officers who were recently promoted.

Speaking at the event, Comptroller Onyeka linked the record-breaking performance to innovation and digital efficiency, particularly the deployment of the indigenous B’Odogwu trade platform.

“Everybody here is part of this achievement, but to whom much is given, much is expected. I sincerely appreciate the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for recognising the contributions of officers,” Onyeka said.

Promotions and Recognition

The event also celebrated the success of officers in the recent promotion exercise. According to Onyeka, 87 percent of personnel from the Tin-Can Island Command who sat for the examinations passed, a result he described as a testament to discipline and commitment.

Among those promoted was the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oscar Ivara, who rose from Superintendent to Chief Superintendent of Customs.

Encouraging officers who did not make the list this time, Onyeka added: “Their turn will come.”

Stakeholder Engagement and Future Commitment

The Area Controller reaffirmed the command’s dedication to trade facilitation, revenue protection, and effective stakeholder engagement at Nigeria’s busiest maritime hub.

The ceremony drew attendance from senior officers, family members, and port stakeholders, who joined in applauding both the landmark revenue achievement and the decorated officers.

Analysts say the ₦159bn milestone reflects growing efficiency at the Tin-Can Island Port, which has been central to Nigeria’s non-oil revenue drive.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to inter-agency collaboration following the visit of the newly appointed Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Benjamin Hundeyin, to the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, focused on improving joint communication strategies, strengthening public engagement, and deepening institutional trust between the two key security agencies.

Customs PR boss commends Hundeyin

Welcoming the Force PRO, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, praised CSP Hundeyin for his humility and professionalism.

Maiwada drew from his own experience to offer advice on navigating the challenges of security communications.

“Public relations is a learning curve. You will face stakeholders with different expectations, but teamwork remains the driving force for success. Build a committed team, harness the energy of young officers, and learn from your predecessors. These are the keys to leaving a lasting legacy as a spokesperson,” AC Maiwada said.

He further described the role as demanding, particularly during crises, stressing that resilience and professionalism are vital to protecting the reputation of institutions.

“Ours is a transient responsibility, but what truly matters is the legacy we leave behind,” he added.

Hundeyin pledges partnership

In his remarks, CSP Hundeyin expressed appreciation for the warm reception, describing his visit as a symbolic gesture of solidarity.

“Security communication cannot succeed in isolation. Collaboration with institutions such as the Nigeria Customs Service is essential in advancing our collective national goals,” he said.

He assured the Customs Service of his readiness to foster stronger collaboration that would enhance trust and improve public perception of security agencies.

Tour of Customs media infrastructure

The visit ended with a guided tour of the Customs Public Relations Sub-unit and the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN), where Hundeyin was introduced to the Service’s growing communication infrastructure.

Both agencies highlighted the need for synergy in information management as a tool for effective service delivery and public trust.