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China Moves Into Nigerian, ECOWAS Markets

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China appears to have latched on a subtle strategy of increasing her sphere of trade and investment influence in not only Nigeria but the entire region of the Economic Community of West African States of which Nigeria is a strategic member.
The country which already accounts for a sizeable proportion of formal and informal imports, into Nigeria recently entered a partnership agreement with ECOWAS, which implementation would touch on a number of countries within the region.
China has been pitching officially and unofficially in the sub region, for a variety of projects including railway rehabilitation works, industrial establishments and space technology amongst others and has paved the road for a region of private sector operators from that country to trade in the Ecowas sub region.
Recently, the Chinese authorities were in Nigeria to discuss with the members of the House of Representatives whom they assured of beneficial mutual relationship with Nigeria.
This followed the signing of agreements on technology development under which China would establish a Satellite Assistance Centre in Nigeria.
The Chinese delegation , led by He Xing, Vice President of the China Great Wall industries corporation told Honorable Dimeji Bankole, the speaker of the House of Representatives that both countries would be able to leverage from each other’s potential. He said the space technology project which would be developed under the supervision of Chinese Space Academy would make it possible for Satellite to be developed and launched into the nation’s air space within the next ten years.
He alluded to Nigeria and China sharing some common developmental experiences, inferring that if China was able to break through its challenges that Nigeria also stood the chance of doing same.
He said his country’s economic situation in the country some 30 years was worse than what is currently being experienced in Nigeria saying that the difference came about because China leaders decided to invest in science and technology which eventually transformed the economic landscape.
On. Tunde Akogun, the House of Representatives leader who represented the speaker said that the collaboration aimed at advancing Nigeria in space technology adding that the bilateral agreement would be treated with dispatch.
The Chinese are equally discussing with state government officials in Osun State for mutual areas of collaboration.
This they did under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, having picked Osun Sate for a pilot programme.
A delegation of the two parties was received by Erelu Olusola Obada, the deputy governor of Osun State, who eventually conducted the visiting delegates of areas of interest in the state.
In the informal sector, a lot of Nigerians are into business relationships with the Chinese which involves amongst others, acting as manufacturer’s representatives for Chinese companies.
This way, a variety of goods of China origin have consistently found their way into Nigeria.
Although, the trade relationships have had their advantages they have at the same time raised some issues.
One of such issues is the quality of certain Chinese products into Nigeria.
Thought comparatively cheaper, they do not deliver when it comes to quality, this has made some observers to suggest ways in which the Nigerian authorities would specify quality standards that must be met before such goods enter into the country.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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