Herald News

Victoria Silvanus The President of the Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Dr. Odunayo Ani, has called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators and industry stakeholders to ensure that Africa’s maritime and Blue Economy policies deliver measurable outcomes that drive inclusive growth, trade expansion and sustainable development. Ani made the call at the 8th WISTA Africa Regional Conference, hosted by WISTA Nigeria in Lagos under the theme, “From Policy to Progress: Women Delivering Africa’s Shipping and Trade Energy Future.” She noted that Africa’s Blue Economy presents significant opportunities to strengthen trade corridors, improve maritime connectivity and unlock economic prosperity through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “Policy must translate into measurable impact, while collaboration must drive innovation. Together, we can build a more resilient, competitive and inclusive maritime i...

Victoria Silvanus The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched the Seafarer Discharge Book Management Portal, a digital platform designed to streamline the application, verification, processing and issuance of Seafarers’ Discharge Books. The portal was unveiled during the 2026 Day of the Seafarer celebration in Lagos, themed “Carrying the World Trade. Carrying the Risk.” The initiative reflects NIMASA’s commitment to improving service delivery, strengthening maritime safety standards and enhancing the global competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers through digital innovation. Speaking at the launch, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the platform as a major milestone in the Agency’s ongoing digital transformation agenda. “As we celebrate the men and women who keep global trade moving, it is imperative that we also provide them with efficient and secure systems that support their professional development. The Seafarer D...

Victoria Silvanus The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, has seized smuggled vegetable oil valued at over ₦403.5 million in a major anti-smuggling operation aimed at protecting local industries and strengthening the nation's economy. The seizure was announced by the Comptroller of Customs and Officer in Charge of FOU Zone C, Bishir Balogun, during a press briefing held on Monday in Owerri, Imo State. According to the Area Controller, the operation was driven by strategic intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, and sustained enforcement efforts by officers of the Unit. The seized products include 3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre "Super Delicious" vegetable oil, 10 jerrycans of 10-litre "Super Delicious" vegetable oil, 20 cartons of 5-litre sunflower vegetable oil, and 20 cartons of 3-litre sunflower vegetable oil. Balogun disclosed that one of the trucks conveying the contraband was intercepted at ab...

A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, for their involvement in the trafficking of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa Seaport. The conviction comes barely six months after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted the vessel and discovered the illicit drug concealed in Hatch 3 of the ship at the GDNL Terminal in Apapa, Lagos. According to the NDLEA, the vessel arrived from the Marshall Islands and was arrested on January 2, 2026, following the discovery of the cocaine consignment. The crew members arrested alongside the vessel included the ship's master, Sharma Shashi Bhushan, and ten other Indian nationals: Bharati Manoj Kumar, Nevage Sandesh Suresh, Pandey Prashant, Nuttu Anand, Akash Babu, Nilesh Mukuno Bhalerad, Melethil Insaf Rahman, Barla Chantanya Krishna, Prabhasukhan Singu, and Jai Parkash. The defendants were arraigned before Jus...

Victoria Silvanus The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to building stronger relationships with the media as part of efforts to improve stakeholder engagement, promote transparency, and support national development. This renewed commitment was highlighted during a media parley held on Monday, May 25, 2026, at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command Headquarters, Abdullahi Dikko Inde Conference Hall in Bompai, Kano. The event, organised by the National Public Relations Unit, carried the theme: “Building Synergy Between the Media and Customs for Enhanced Stakeholders’ Awareness and National Development.” The gathering brought together senior Customs officials, journalists, and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists from Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Katsina states to discuss ways of improving collaboration between the media and the Service. Speaking during the event, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, described the media as an essen...

Victoria Silvanus A new leadership era commenced at the Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday, May 22, 2026, as newly promoted Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Frank Okechukwu Onyeka officially handed over the mantle of leadership to Comptroller Joseph Anani. The handover ceremony, held at the command’s conference room, drew officers, stakeholders and well-wishers who showered encomiums on ACG Onyeka for what many described as his remarkable achievements and exemplary leadership style during his tenure as Customs Area Controller. Speaking during the ceremony, Onyeka urged officers and stakeholders to extend the same cooperation and support they gave him to his successor. According to him, the command achieved unprecedented milestones in revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations under his watch. “Through the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of officers and men of this command, we were able to generate a t...