Customs Organises Training for Maritime Journalists, Says Transparency, Technological Advancement Crucial in Int’l Trade

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Mr. Dele Aderibigbe receiving award on the occasion

*Workshop designed to help journalists understand key industry terminologies – Customs boss
*Why training for journalists is necessary – Chairman Planning Committee
By Francis Ugwoke
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said transparency and technological advancement were crucial in international trade.
Comptroller General of the Customs, Bashir Wale Adeniyi who spoke on the occasion of a training workshop for maritime journalists in Lagos, said it was in recognition of this that the Service has always stressed the need for critical stakeholders to embrace transparency while conducting their businesses at the ports.
Adeniyi who was represented on the occasion by the Tin Can Island Port Controller, Compt. Edera Nnadi, explained that transparency helps in checking corruption as well as improving on clearing processes at the ports.
He said that all these add in promoting trade facilitation.
Adeniyi described the maritime industry as being on the trend of transformation in view of evolving technology and new patterns in trade and international regulations.
He said that the training programme for journalists will assist them update their knowledge about the industry, adding that such was important to help them in conveying critical information to the public.
According to him, the workshop was designed to help journalists understand some industry terminologies.
He pointed out that the language of the industry must be in line with operations..
Noting that the language of the industry must evolve in line with customs operations , trade compliance and international logistics, he said , “by aligning our skills we strengthen both our efficiency and credibility, we ensure smoother trade facilitation that contributes to economic growth”.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Innocent Orok, in his welcome address said the training was very important for journalists covering the maritime industry.

Orok said: “On Sunday August 10, 2024, Comptroller Dera Nnadi posted a story link published in Saturday Vanguard by a Reporter from Awka, Anambra State with the headline “Challenges in Ports: Ezeibe points way out for Customs” in the Maritime Elders Whatsapp Platform
“The story carries the picture of the Comptroller General of Customs , Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. The summary of the story was that Customs causes delays in the clearance process to extort money and the delays leads to demurrage, which add to the cost of goods in the Nigerian markets
“Beneath the story link, Comptroller Dera Nnadi wrote ” See why we must leave maritime reporting for maritime media personnel”.
“Comptroller Nnadi’s position was that the issue the journalist was writing about has been addressed 20 years ago, with various Customs trade facilitation/ ICT tools like Pre- Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), Asycuda, NICIS and now B’ Odogwu which are all trade facilitation tools put in place by the Customs to fast tract clearance of goods from the ports.
“In a sharp response, I reacted by saying because journalists are not trained that is why they are reporting backward trends.

In his usual character, Comptroller Dera Nnadi responded ” Innocent man, I nominate you Chairman of capacity building for the media for a One day workshop on “Commercial Terms and Phrases in the Nigeria Maritime Industry.
We can get donors to sponsor it”
Ladies and gentlemen that is why we are gathered here and I, standing before you today.
“Though, it has not been easy to put this event together due to the hash economic realities of our polity. But is worth it, because truly speaking a lot have evolves in the Maritime sector , especially new technologies and ICT based services which the media must be abreast with to properly educate, inform and set agendas for a productive Maritime sector.
“Dear colleagues, it is pertinent to note that Maritime Journalists deserves training and Empowerment, not minding who initiate or champion it. After all, journalism practice is for the good of the society.
“This is just the first phase , as every practicing Journalist will benefit from the subsequent editions. Let me state here that the intension of the initiator of this noble idea is for us the Maritime Journalists to take it, own it and institutionalized it as a yearly , twice yearly or quarterly training workshop.
“Dear colleagues, a template has been set by a man who grew in ranks through the media , he loves the media and always working to see that Maritime Journalists whom he is part of moves to d next level.
“Our ACG, our dear host, Dear colleagues, please let’s appreciate Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni for this noble and professional idea to contribute his quota to develop the Nigerian Maritime media space and the sector at large.
“Gentlemen of the press, at the twilight of planning this event, Comptroller Dera Nnadi in exhibiting his genuine love for the Nigerian Maritime media suggested we honour some media veterans who have over the years transverse the industry shaping the direction of government policies and programs. Though, the list is very long, but we have to start from somewhere, as subsequently all who deserves honours will surely get it.
“I cannot end this address without thanking and appreciating the CGC of Customs for giving his approval for this training workshop. Our special thanks also goes to the ACG, Zone A, our host , Comptroller Olomu, the Public Relations Officers of Tin Can Island and Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller’s Nnadi’s Secretary , CSC Lara, CSC Ibrahim, my follow committee members, our sponsors and resource persons.
“Finally, to my dear colleagues, I challenge all of us to restrategise and work together to achieve together. Our welfare and professional survival is greater than any political or groupings that will tear us apart. In any case, let’s remember GOOD LIFE NA SENSE”. During training, the first paper was titled “Nigeria Customs Service – The Operating Environment: Commercial Terms and Phrases Used in the Twenty- Century Customs Operations”, while the second paper was on Shipping Company: MSC – The Operating Environment: Commercial Terms and Phrases Used by Shipping Companies/Lines in Nigerian Ports” Awards were given to some veteran journalists in recognition of their contributions to the maritime media industry.