News

World Customs Organisation Elects Adeniyi Chairperson

Published

3 months ago

June 28, 2025

Mr. Wale Adeniyi

The Comptroller-General (C-G) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Wale Adeniyi, has been elected as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.

The election was held during the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO Council Meetings, yesterday, at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels.

The WCO is the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.

CGC Adeniyi succeeds Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, and becomes the first Nigerian to hold the office since the WCO’s establishment in 1953.

Reacting to the appointment, Mr. Adeniyi expressed profound appreciation to the Council members for the confidence reposed in his leadership, describing the moment as both humbling and historic for Nigeria and the African Customs community at large.

“This honour is not mine alone, it reflects the collective progress of the Nigeria Customs Service and the transformative agenda we’ve pursued over the past two years.

“As Chairperson, I pledge to uphold the core values of the WCO, while promoting innovation, equity, and deeper collaboration among member states in response to the complex realities of global trade,” he said.

The CG also expressed gratitude to the Council for electing him the Chairperson.

He pledged unwavering support for the World Customs Organisation’s ongoing modernisation efforts and affirmed his commitment to implementing its 2025–2028 strategic plan.

He added, “We are entering a critical phase in the evolution of global trade, where customs must balance facilitation with enforcement, transparency with innovation, and sovereignty with cooperation.

“I intend to work closely with member administrations and stakeholders to position the WCO as a dynamic, forward-looking institution fit for today’s challenges.”

The customs boss acknowledged the commendable work of his predecessor, for the guidance and stability provided to the Council.

He noted that his leadership laid a solid foundation upon which current reforms can thrive.

The CGC further expressed optimism towards the coming sessions of the Council, affirming his readiness to facilitate meaningful dialogue and progress among the global customs community.

The WCO Council is the organisation’s supreme governing body, established by the Convention on the Establishment of a Customs Co-operation Council. Its core mandate promotes uniformity, modernisation, and global best practices among customs administrations. All WCO working bodies report to the Council, whose policy decisions guide the operations of customs administrations across its 185 member states.

As Chairperson, CGC Adeniyi is expected to provide strategic leadership to the WCO Policy Commission, steering the global customs agenda and facilitating high-level discussions on trade facilitation, revenue optimisation, security, cross-border cooperation, and digital transformation.

He will also work closely with the WCO Secretary-General, Mr. Ian Saunders, and the WCO Secretariat to ensure implementation of the organisation’s Strategic Plan, while championing greater inclusivity, capacity development, and sustainability in customs operations, particularly for developing countries.

The Chairperson also plays a key diplomatic role, representing the WCO at high-level global fora and strengthening relationships with external partners such as the Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), international donor bodies, and multilateral trade institutions.

Shortly after the Council Session, in a symbolic moment that captured the significance of Nigeria’s ascension, the South African flag was symbolic ally lowered, while the Nigerian flag was hoisted at the WCO headquarters, a powerful gesture signifying Nigeria’s leadership as Chair of the Council.

News

Boko Haram Once Nominated Muhammadu Buhari As Negotiator – Jonathan Revealed

Published

4 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday, disclosed that Boko Haram insurgents once nominated the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari as their negotiator.

Jonathan said Boko Haram chose Buhari to negotiate with the Nigerian government on their behalf.

He made the disclosure while speaking at the public presentation of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), in Abuja.

Jonathan said the insurgents named Buhari after his then-administration set up several committees to explore dialogue with the group.

Jonathan said: “One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government.

“So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and had a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them and they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today.”

Jonathan noted that the inability of Buhari to eradicate Boko Haram terrorists showed that the crisis was more complex than often portrayed.

News

Edo: Pandemonium As NDLEA Operatives Chase Escaping Driver With Shooting

Published

6 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

There was pandemonium at Oka Market, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City, Friday, as operatives of the State Command of Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) shot sporadically in chase of an escaping driver.

In the course of the commotion, traders and residents took to their heels, probably to avoid being hit by stray bullets, while others were confused, not sure of what caused the sporadic gunshots.

The sporadic gunshots which lasted more than five minutes at the gate of the NDLEA Head Office, by Oka Market, followed a hot chase of an articulated vehicle driver who was said to have brushed their (NDLEA) vehicle.

The driver, who reportedly brushed the NDLEA vehicle refused to stop for negation, which prompted officers at the scene to alert their colleagues who waited at the alert.

According to eyewitnesses, as the escaping articulated driver approached the NDLEA office, officers who were said to have been alerted by their colleagues pursuing the trailer began to shoot.

Seven of the tyres of the trailer were deflated by bullets of the NDLEA operatives yet the driver refused to stop.

The officers continued to shoot while pursuing him, until he was caught.

A source said that the driver brushed their vehicle on the way, and that every effort by the officers to stop him so they could settle the matter proved abortive; hence the gunshots and deflation of the tires.

“It was a simple thing; they jammed our men, but the officers tried to stop him so that they could settle, but the driver refused to stop. That is why the men have been shooting to stop him. Even after bursting about seven tires, he was still running, but we caught him and they are bringing him back to our office,” he concluded.

Calls and messages sent to the commander, Edo State NDLEA Command, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, were not responded to as at when filing this.

News

JUST IN: Court Bars Police From Enforcing Tinted Glass Regulation

Published

8 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court sitting in Warri has issued an order directing the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to maintain the status quo in the ongoing case concerning the controversial tinted glass permit.

The case, Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025: John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector-General of Police & Nigeria Police Force, came up for hearing today.

Delivering the interim order, the Court directed the police authorities to respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.

Confirming the development, Kunle Edun, SAN, who led the legal team, noted that the directive is a major step in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld while the substantive issues in the case are being determined.

Details of the ruling and the next adjourned date are expected shortly.

Further updates coming soon…