By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), last Friday, hosted a training lecture on Transparency and Accountability in Public Service.

The session which had in attendance officers from various units, as well as representatives from the ICPC and the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) offered an opportunity for the Customs Area Controller,

Comptroller Frank Onyeka, to acknowledge and appreciate the vital role of ICPC and ACTU in promoting transparency.

According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service has in place robust mechanisms to detect and discipline corrupt officers. “Discipline, transparency, and accountability are non-negotiable values in our operations,” he remarked.

The session was introduced by Assistant Comptroller Owoniyi, Coordinator of ACTU in Customs Zone A, who gave a brief preamble and reaffirmed the unit’s dedication to building an ethical culture within the Service.

Mrs. Mary Omonoyan, Guest Speaker from ICPC’s Department of Public Enlightenment and Education, delivered a compelling lecture on the necessity of transparency and accountability in public offices. She emphasised that public trust is built on openness, and that ethical behaviour is key to efficient governance.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Director in charge of operations in the Lagos office of ICPC, Dr. Florence Bari addressed the far-reaching effects of corruption in the public sector, with particular focus on lateness to duty and unethical practices in public procurement. She urged officers to serve with integrity, stressing that corruption undermines public service delivery and weakens institutional credibility.

The lecture concluded with an interactive session, encouraging officers to share ideas and strategies for strengthening transparency within their departments.

This initiative reflects the shared commitment of Tin Can Island Port Command and ICPC to entrench accountability and ethical standards in public service.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The much-publicized Nigeria- China Currency Swap Deal Breakfast Meeting on the theme “Navigating the Nigeria-Peoples Republic Of China Currency Swap: Opportunities and Challenges for Import, Export and Maritime Business” takes place

on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 by 10 at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

In a reminder by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), the host, its

President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, said the event will attract participants from the government and private sector as well as the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria.

Also, the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, importers, exporters, maritime operators and trade organizations have signified readiness to attend.

Mr Bivbere said that MARAN is hosting the Breakfast Meeting in fulfillment of her role as a watch- dog in the maritime sector and to ensure that Nigerian businessmen take full advantage of the matter to be discussed.

The Nigeria-China currency swap aims to facilitate bilateral trade by providing Naira liquidity to Chinese businesses and Yuan liquidity to Nigerian businesses, thereby reducing reliance on foreign currencies for transactions.

The meeting, Mr Bivbere said, would provide a platform for critical stakeholders in the import and export sectors, policymakers, and government to examine the implications of the currency swap deal, especially in the face of the fluctuating value of the US dollar and its impact on imports.

It will foster better understanding of the currency swap deal and its impact on stakeholders involved in import, export and maritime businesses.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Chinese Embassy have confirmed they will attend.

Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju, event Chairman and Chairman of the Customs Consultative Council, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), and other major stakeholders have also confirmed they are set to attend.

The breakfast meeting promises to provide the necessary insights for stakeholders to navigate the opportunities and perceived challenges in the currency swap deal.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

Maritime journalist and communications professional, Joshua Yousouph, Thursday, added a feather to his distinguished academic cap when he earned a Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Communication Studies from the Lagos State University (LASU).

Yousouph, a member of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) who currently serves as a News Reporter with Shipping Position Daily, balanced his rigorous full-time reporting job with the demands of a full-time postgraduate programme. He also doubles as an On-Air Personality on Shipping Position Live, a leading maritime radio programme aired thrice weekly on Star FM 101.5FM, Lagos.

In 2019, Yousouph earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. Driven by a passion for professionalism and excellence, he enrolled for an academic Masters Degree in Communication Studies at the Lagos State University.

Part of the requirement for his postgraduate journey was an MSc dissertation entitled “Maritime Reportage in Some Selected Newspapers in Nigeria”. Yousouph conducted a research on the content analysis of three major national dailies, critically examining the volume, depth, and consistency of their maritime coverage. The study explored how these newspapers portray maritime issues and the implications for public awareness, sector development, and policy engagement and economic development. His research is considered a valuable contribution to the ongoing efforts on strengthening maritime communication and visibility in mainstream Nigerian media.

Yousouph, a young and dynamic journalist, is a member of the Editorial Board of MARAN News, a bi-monthly tabloid dedicated to critical maritime sector issues. Over the years, he has served on various editorial boards, building a reputation for excellence in content development, news reporting and public interest journalism.

He is also an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), further cementing his professional standing in the communications field.

Yousouph dedicates this achievement to his family, mentors, colleagues, and every aspiring journalist who continues to chase ennobling dreams in the face of challenges.

“This degree is not just a personal achievement”, he notes, “but a symbol of what is possible when passion, perseverance and purpose align.”