By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is linking value creators in the remotest part of the hinterland with the farthest clusters of demand anywhere on the globe even as it strengthens the domestic economy by promoting balance of trade and establishment of the Export Process Terminals

(EPTs) to simplify the burdensome processes of exporting Nigerian goods.

Therefore, the NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, implores the trading and investing public to explore the tailor-made simplified export processes and other vistas of opportunity available at the agency.

Dr Dantsoho made this call during the ‘NPA Special Day’ session at the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair, with the theme “Developing Nigeria’s Industrial Sector / SMEs for Economic Advancement and Global Recognition”.

He stated that as Nigeria’s foremost trade facilitation platform, the NPA is always proud to be associated with the noble cause that the Trade Fair represents, especially seeing that trade remains the most veritable tool for actualising most of Nigeria’s economic aspirations.

The doors of NPA, he assured stakeholders, are always open for partnerships even beyond the trade fair.

“I therefore want to warmly invite you to interact with our business development team at the NPA pavilion and to also visit our fully interactive online real time website www.nigerianports.gov.ng to access our growth offerings,” he announced.

Dr Dantsoho explained that the EPTs were conceptualized to serve as a one-stop-shop for cargo consolidation, stuffing, documentation, packaging, certification and onward shipment through electronic call-up to the Ports in quick turnaround time, thus eliminating the duplications and bureaucratic overlaps that previously rendered Nigerian exports uncompetitive in the international marketplace.

“To facilitate Port-Hinterland connectivity and create pathways for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to play in the export value chain, the EPTs are to be linked with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs) in synergy with the NEPC and relevant partners.

“To align with the ease of doing business orientation of the Federal Government and the theme of the year’s fair “Developing Nigeria’s Industrial Sector / SMEs for Economic Advancement and Global Recognition”, we are aggressively simplifying our export processes to enable made-in-Nigeria goods transit through our Ports as seamlessly as possible.”

The NPA MD further disclosed that to achieve the goal, the agency is eliminating human interface which encourages underhand dealings by pursuing the full automation of NPA processes and procedures through the Ports Community System (PCS) which lays the groundwork for the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW).

“For clarity, the NSW is the global best practice for delivering the greatest value with the greatest ease by connecting all stakeholders in the trade value chain for seamless interaction at the push of a button,” Dr Dantsoho said.

Dr Dantsoho commended the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (ECCIMA) for the resilience to sustain the culture of hospitality and business friendliness that has continued to attract people from all over the globe to be a part of the Trade Fair which is deepening economic prosperity.

He stated that the strategic position of Enugu as the gateway to the South-Eastern hinterland presents huge opportunities for the expansion of export opportunities which is the focal point of the NPA.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service posted over N347 billion as revenue collection between January and March, 2025, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Frank Onyeka has said.

Comptroller Onyeka who disclosed this to journalists in his office stated that the breakthrough is in furtherance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi’s directive on consolidating his policy on collaboration and innovation in discharging the core mandate and functions of the Service.

The January, 2025 revenue generation record, the CAC explained, shows a total of ₦116, 412,735,766.23 which represents 24.06% over and above the figure of ₦88, 430,126,122.76 recorded within the corresponding period of 2024.

The disposition for February 2025 also shows that the sum of ₦103,254,292,839.23k was generated, indicating 2.90 % over and above the sum of ₦100,253,187,074.72k realized during the corresponding month of February 2024.

The Command generated the sum of ₦128,268,749,635.00k for March 2025 and this is 10.3% higher than the ₦115,100,000,000.00k generated over the corresponding period of 2024.

The total amount generated for the first quarter of 2025 is thus ₦347,935,672,476.00k which is 12.6% higher than the ₦304,000,000,000.00k generated in the corresponding period of 2024. The CAC of the Comand announced this figure while speaking with a group of journalists at the conference room of the Command.

Comptroller Onyeka also used the occasion to harp on the need for stakeholders to do more honest declarations so that seamless operational environment may exist and all sides may benefit from a much better conducive ecosystem. He was particularly appreciative of the support of the CG of Customs and the positive reviews that the media has so far accorded the Command.

Comptroller Onyeka promised to continue to engage stakholders in every way possible so that there can be more all round improvement in all aspects of their operations.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

If there is any iota of dispute regarding the authentic leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), this was permanently laid to rest, Thursday, as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja High Court, in a landmark ruling, reaffirmed Dr Boniface Aniebonam as the apex leader.

The High Court dismissed the suit filed by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji and 20 others contending the position of Aniebonam and Dr Agbo Major as Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman and National Chairman respectively.

It is recalled that in the aftermath of the 2023 elections, the NNPP has been plagued by internal wrangling and factionalization
to a point the plaintiffs in this matter claim that Aniebonam and other party leaders had been expelled and could no longer exercise leadership rights within the Party.

Segun Fiki, Esq., C.F. Odiniru, E.C. Nwanya, and Arnold Ubua, counsel for Aniebonam and co, the defendants, described the prayers of the plaintiffs as an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the NNPP, an area which is beyond the courts’ jurisdiction.

They referred to the judgment of the Abia State High Court (Suit No.: HUZ/11/2024) delivered on November 1, 2024, which had already reaffirmed the legitimacy ofenda the Board of Trustees led by Aniebonam as the ultimate governing authority of the NNPP.

Delivering the judgment, Justice M.A. Hassan concurred with the argument of the defendants’ counsels that the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter, as it stood within the jurisdiction of the internal affairs of the NNPP.

The judicial system, the Judge stated, can only rule on issues concerning the nomination of candidates for elections, not on party leadership disputes or internal governance matters.

“The courts have consistently maintained that internal party leadership issues are non-justiciable, as reaffirmed by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

“Consequently, I have no option but to dismiss this suit for lack of jurisdiction,” Justice Hassan declared.

This emphatic ruling puts to rest the protracted leadership tussle spearheaded by the Kwankwaso-led faction, as it affirms that the NNPP under the stewardship of Dr Aniebonam remains the original and lawful reference point on matters pertaining to the Party.

The judgment also validates the recent ward, local government, zonal, and state congresses, as well as the National Convention, all conducted under the legally recognized leadership of Dr. Agbo Major.

With the legal obstacles now removed, the path is clear for the duly elected national officers to administer the NNPP without further distractions.

The ruling also places the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a defendant in the case, in a position where it must now recognize and engage with the authentic leadership of the NNPP in line with the judicial pronouncements from both the Abia State High Court and the High Court of the FCT.

This decision, observers say, is a monumental victory for democracy, party unity, and the rule of law, reaffirming that the NNPP’s true leadership, led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and Dr. Agbo Major, remains the only legitimate authority within the party.

With what has often been described as distraction now resolved, the NNPP can now focus on its primary mission: providing a credible and formidable alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The party leadership calls on all well-meaning members to align with the legally recognized leadership and work towards the advancement of the party’s vision and mission.