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NAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Invasion Of Premises

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The National Association of Government Approved Freight
Forwarders {NAGAFF}has offer all to God in a thanks giving service to celebrate
God’s mercies upon them particular   in
the recent invasion of its complex by armed military men.

The Association ‘s members who gathered at its National
headquarters in Apapa Lagos for the service offered prayers to God to continue
to guide the Association, the maritime industry and Nigeria.

Commenting on the recent invasion by the armed military men
led by one Deputy Comptroller of Customs {Mrs.} Jayne Shoboiki who is said to
be the wife of a Major-General and a brigade commander in the Nigerian army,
the founder of the Association, Chief {Dr} Boniface Aniebonam said the
thanksgiving service has become necessary as God did not allow anything to
happen to him or any of NAGAFF members during the unfortunate incident.

According to him on that fateful day, he was following the
Convoy of soldiers until they stopped at NAGAFF village and invaded the place,
then he drove past them.

Aniebonam said, he is grateful to God that he was not in the
office when the invasion took place as he might have been a dead man.

He condemned the act, but said he still respects the
Nigerian armed forces.

He called on all NAGAFF members and well wishers to be calm
as investigations is on going and that justice will be done.

He absolved the military and the customs from any blame,
saying that privileged persons like the Deputy Comptroller and her Major
General husband want to show power.

It would be recalled that NAGAFF wrote a petition through
its solicitor Larry Okonkwo and Co dated August 1st, 2012 to the Inspector
General of Police, the Executive Secretary National Human Right commission and the
Comptroller General of Customs Service, captioned “complaint about the invasion
of the headquarter of NAGAFF”, a copy of which was made available to The
Tide  in Lagos. The petition read in
part, “however, our experience  on the
afternoon of Wednesday August  1st , 2012
is nothing to write home about and makes
nonsense of your efforts at upholding the fundamental human rights of
Nigerians and especially the rule of law policy of President  Goodluck
Jonathan’s administration” .

“On the said day 13 stern-looking heavily-armed soldiers,
stormed the headquarters of NAGAFF in two vehicles, white-coloured hilux
peugeot with Registration number EM165GGE and a black Lexus SUV with
Registration. number BU300RBC led by a serving customs officer, Deputy Comptroller
Jayne Shoboiki”.

Mrs. Shoboiki is married to a serving military officer Major
General J. O. Shoboiki who is said to be a brigade commander according to the
statement.

The invasion of the NAGAFF headquarters on the afternoon of
Wednesday 1st of August 2012 at about 2:15pm by the 13 uniformed soldiers whose
names could not be ascertained immediately and under the prompting of Mrs.
Jayne Shoboiki could only happen in a state of war, where a country is
attacking another with weapon and psychological warfare to intimidate the
opponent and not just a peace loving law, abiding, hapless association like
ours.

The petition further reads that, Mrs. Shoboiki who stood at
the entrance gate raving in anger, while the army of invasion kept ransacking
the village, kept shouting at the top of her voice that she would deal
mercilessly with Dr. Aniebonam and the top management of NAGAFF, claiming that
they had consistently accused her of corrupt
practices and self enrichment to the detriment of the government.

It could also be recalled that after the red eyed soldiers,
in combat mood, led by Mrs. Jayne Shoboiki who is in  charge
of the Customs  Intelligence Unit
{CIU} of the Nigeria  Custom Service,
Tincan Island Port Lagos invaded the NAGAFF village, the Inspector-General of
Police has in a letter dated 7th August, 2012, Ref
No:CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.98/830 directed the Lagos state police commissioner
CP Umar Manko to ensure that is no breach of the peace in Lagos State.

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Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs

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The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has unveiled the plans to host a major economic and investment summit aimed at attracting five billion dollars, ( N7 trillion) investments in addition to creating about 500,000 jobs over the next five years.
The Chairman of NDCCITMA Board, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently.
Ogan stated  that the initiative is designed to reposition the Niger Delta as a viable destination for sustainable economic growth and development.
He explained the summit would bring together investors, policymakers, manufacturers and business leaders from within and outside Nigeria to explore opportunities across key sectors of the regional economy.
According to him, the event is expected to attract high-profile participation, with President Bola Tinubu billed as Special Guest of Honour, while the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, is expected to deliver the keynote address.
Ogan said the summit would focus on critical sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and the blue economy, which he described as areas with significant untapped potential.
He called on state governments, development partners and private sector stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that collective efforts are required to unlock the region’s economic prospects.
 NDCCITMA chairman further stated that improving security conditions and increasing economic confidence in the Niger Delta have made the region more attractive to both local and foreign investors.
He emphasised that ongoing economic reforms at the national level have also contributed to creating a more favourable investment climate.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said the event would prioritise the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the region.
He noted the summit would provide a strategic platform for networking, business partnership and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening the private sector.
Edebiri disclosed that findings from a recent business roundtable revealed significant untapped investment opportunities, which the summit seeks to harness through targeted collaborations.
He revealed that the event would feature exhibitions of viable projects, facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government engagements, and also promote innovations across multiple sectors.
According to him, the expected outcomes of the summit include job creation, increased industrial activity and improved livelihoods for people in the Niger Delta.
To build momentum ahead of the event, NDCCITMA said the body would embark on awareness roadshows across states in the Niger Delta, as well as in Lagos and Abuja, to attract broad participation.
King Onunwor
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NPA Targets N1.489tn Revenue In 2026

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The Management  of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set N1.489 trillion as its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for the 2026 fiscal year.
NPA says the figure represents an increase of N21 billion over the N1.468 trillion target for 2025, which the agency exceeded with an actual revenue of N1.97 trillion.
 The Managing Director NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, stated this  during the agency’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.
Dantsoho said  the authority was set to begin groundbreaking projects for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to enhance global competitiveness.
According to him, of the projected revenue: N945 billion is allocated for capital projects, N447.5 billion for operating expenses, and
N90.6 billion for remittance into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
The MD explained that the budget was anchored on the mantra, “Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.”
Dantsoho said that the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports were flagship projects aimed at boosting revenue.
“Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are old and no longer adequate for modern global port operations.
“Apapa Port is about 100 years old, while Tin Can Island Port is over 50 years old, with limited capacity for handling modern vessels and cargo volumes.
“Groundbreaking for their modernisation will commence within the next two to three weeks,” he added.
On the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Dantsoho said all revenues generated by the NPA are paid directly into the account managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“We do not retain any funds. The Central Bank is the signatory and we must apply for funds whenever needed,” he explained.
Earlier in his remarks,Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ports, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun (Lagos Central), said the committee’s oversight function was collaborative rather than adversarial.
“Our goal is to work with you to strengthen institutional capacity, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that every naira appropriated serves the public interest,” he said.
Chinedu Wosu
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NPF Disburses ?21.68m  To Fallen Heros’ Families …Reinforce Welfare Commitment 

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Nigeria Police Force has disbursed a total of ?21,678,120 to the deceased police officers families in Rivers State as part of ongoing welfare interventions by the force.
The gesture formed a major highlight of the activities marking  the 2026 National Police Day celebration in the state, underscoring renewed institutional focus on personnel welfare and post-service support systems.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who presided over the cheque presentation ceremony, said the initiative reflects the Force’s commitment to honouring officers who paid the ultimate price in their line of duty.
He explained that the financial support is designed to cushion the economic burden faced by bereaved families, while also reinforcing confidence among serving personnel about the Force’s long-term welfare structure.
Adepoju conveyed the sympathy of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to the beneficiaries, noting that the sacrifices of fallen officers remain invaluable to national security and public safety.
The police boss further stressed that sustained welfare interventions are critical to boosting morale, enhancing productivity, and strengthening institutional loyalty within the Force.
He reiterated that the welfare scheme aligns with broader reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force as a responsive and people-oriented institution.
Beneficiaries of the cheques commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for prioritising the welfare of officers and their families through consistent and impactful interventions.
They described the initiative as timely and compassionate, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating financial pressures arising from the loss of their loved ones.
The families also acknowledged ongoing reforms under the current police leadership, which they said have strengthened trust, improved service delivery, and enhanced the overall image of the Force.
The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining similar initiatives as part of efforts to uphold the dignity, sacrifice, and legacy of officers who served the nation with distinction.
King Onunwor
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