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‘Nigeria, China Trade Stands At N13.3bn’

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14 years ago

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The Nigeria-China Business Council (NCBC) on Wednesday said the volume of trade between Nigeria and China as at February stood at $13.3 billion.

Chief Executive Officer of the council Chief Matthew Uwaekwe, who revealed this at a news conference with aviation correspondents in Lagos, said the amount was nine billion dollars in favour of  China.

“As at February, the volume of investment between Nigeria and China stood at 13.3 billion dollars, with nine billion dollars in favour of China,” he said.

Uwaeke, also President of African China Business Council, said the council had concluded plans to induct former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo as its first international patron.

He said the induction would hold on November. 19 in Lagos.

He said the council was honouring Obasanjo for his “immense contributions toward improving bilateral relations between Nigeria and China” while in office.

“The Nigeria-China bilateral relations in the economic sector have been in existence for about 40 years, but Obasanjo raised it to an unprecedented height in Nigeria and Africa.

“Before 1999, it was difficult to buy brand new television sets, household equipment and phone sets. Nigerians and some African countries used to buy fairly used goods from Belgium and Europe,” he said.

Uwaekwe, however, noted that things had changed as many of such goods are now imported to Nigeria from China at affordable prices, thus contributing to the country’s gross domestic product.

He said the council was collaborating with the Federal Government to ensure that Chinese businessmen invested in Nigeria rather than only sell their finished goods in the country.

“The Nigeria-China bilateral relations started with trade but the council is working on China to bring their investment to Nigeria.

“Through that, we will be able to monitor their products; ensure they conform to international standards set by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and enhance internally generated revenue for the country and employment ,’’ he said.

The NCBC president explained that the council’s major challenge was the importation of substandard products to Nigeria from China and their not abiding by the SON’s specifications.

He said NCBC was collaborating the Federal Government’s efforts in attracting foreign investors to Nigeria through the provision of conducive and enabling environment for the small- and medium- scale enterprises (SMEs) to thrive.

He described the SMEs as the engine room of the industrialised nations of the world, including China.

According to him, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between the Governments of Nigeria and China to curb importation of substandard products into Nigeria “especially from Guangzhou Province where many Nigerian importers stay. “

He said the MoU stipulated that substandard products imported from Chinese companies to Nigeria be confiscated, while such companies are reported to the Chinese government for sanction.

Uwaekwe urged Chinese companies wishing to invest in Nigeria to do so in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture and solid minerals and not necessary in crude oil exploration.

He said the council had entered into discussions with the Chinese Embassy on the maltreatment meted out to Nigerian workers in Chinese industries.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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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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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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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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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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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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