COMPTR. MOHAMMED RECEIVES AG.ACG OKUN, CALLS FOR SYNERGY
By Blaise Elumezie
Officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service, Area 1 Command, PortHarcourt, Rivers State, has been urged to continue to discharge their duties in good fate, and with the assurance that their welfare was already in the mind of NCS Board.
They were further enjoined to keep with the mandate of NCS in the areas of: revenue collection through adequate collaboration with the CAC and stakeholders, anti-smuggling, through boarder protection, security and sensitization of officers to be vigilant, as eleçtion period is fast approaching.
In terms of integrity and discipline: the officers were urged to ensure punctuality, deligence, transparency, as well as knowledge of the CEMA, Fiscal Policy and the Seven C’s of the Customs.
While the CAC, Comptroller IA Mohammed, was lauded for the good parade, which was as a result of good leadership structure and exemplary conduct; according to Ag. ACG FO Okun, who conveyed the aforementioned goodwill message of CGC Hameed Ali Ibrahim to the officers, at the beginning of his (ACG Okun) visit to Area 1 Port Command.
In his personal address as the Acting Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Service Zone ‘C’ Headquarters, PortHarcourt, Rivers State, ACG FO Okun, called for adequate support from Area 1 Command to the zone, while disclosing his areas of interest as he resumes office to include: security, revenue collection and accounting for same, relationship with stakeholders and to curb smuggling through examination.
Ag. ACG Okun in the meantime, spoke on the need for proper mentorship, training course , empowerment of officers and men, stakeholders management and the importance in enhancing on the Ease of Revenue Collection, among others.
Presenting his address, CAC of Area 1 Command, Comptr. IA Mohammed, informed Ag. ACG FO Okun of the command’s revenue increase from N7 billion to N9.6 billion every month and thanked management for the improved staff welfare, through the ongoing construction projects at verious NCS Barracks within the zone.
On the challenges of the command port, Comptr. Mohammed attributed the lack of imports at the port, on lack of adequate infrastructural development at the port mostly, delayed turnaround time on imports, delayed birthing time schedule and higher freight cost, when compared to Onne, as well as low cargo turnout at the airport.
Responding, the command’s OC Enforcement, DC AS Ibrahim, emphasised on the need for deployment of more junior officers to the zone, to assist in proper monitoring of private jetties within the zone, while KO Bello in the same vein, spoke on the need for adequate infrastructure at the command clinic, for staff wellbeing, and putting the zonal mobile clinic to use, for officers checkups, and for use in community relations with host communities, among others.
At Ibeto Group site, during the terminal tour of Ag. ACG Okun; Comptr. IA Mohammed, said that the essence of the visit was to seek for synergy with the management of Ibeto Group/Max Shipping Agency Limited, for an improved revenue generation of the command, while Chief Kingsley Kalio, the Personnel Manager of Ibeto Group, who took the officers round the site, alongside his Executive Director, appealed for the final approval of its jetty, for operations by NCS.
He noted that the Customs’ office at the jetty was ready for operations, while affirming that the internal and connecting roads at the jetty would be ready in a month’s time.
Highlights at the visit include: inspection of Quarter Guards, review of parade and address to officers, visit to terminals at the wharf and Inspection of construction projects at Dockyard, anong, others.
The DG/CEO of NIMC, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, was conferred with an honourary doctorate by the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Odusote
Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote received the honourary doctoral at the University’s 10th Convocation in Abuja on Tuesday, 14th January 2025.
The conferment of the honorary doctorate on Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote is in recognition of her immense contributions to nation-building, particularly her sterling performance in identity management.
She has transformed the identity management space of the country within a short time of her assumption as the DG/CEO of NIMC.
Engr Coker-Odusote thanked the Management of the African University of Science and Technology for the award and promised not to rest on her oars in making meaningful contributions to the development.
FG LAUNCHES DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS FOR FEDERAL CIVIL SERVANTS
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
In a bid to enhance the skills and competencies of government employees in navigating digital tools and technologies, the Federal Government has launched a digital literacy training programme for federal civil servants.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The programme aims to equip civil servants with the necessary skills to effectively utilise digital technologies, thereby improving their productivity and efficiency.
This is particularly important as digital transformation is fundamentally about people, and having a workforce that is proficient in digital tools is crucial for driving economic growth and development.
The Director General, of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE at the launch of a 3-day workshop on digital literacy training and certification for federal civil servants in Abuja, emphasised that digital transformation is a journey, not a destination, and it is fundamentally about people, not technology.
He stressed that without the active involvement and engagement of individuals, technology alone will not drive meaningful change. He said, “Technology makes our lives better, the government cannot accomplish that without you, as you are the one who creates the policies, designs the services, and delivers them to citizens”
The NITDA boss revealed that to reach the ambitious goal of 70% digital literacy by 2027, NITDA has launched an innovative initiative called Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) aims to empower Nigerians with essential digital skills, making them digitally literate and proficient in navigating the digital landscape.
He said, “The first initiative to work with the Ministry of Education to develop digital literacy skills curriculum has been approved and we started the implementation this month.
We are working now on training all teachers and collaborating with National University Commission, National Board for Technical Education, and National Commission for Colleges of Education, to infuse it in all tertiary institutions curriculum.
“The second one is working with NYSC to recruit 80 champions in each NYSC stream, every year we will train at least Ten million and three hundred thousand Nigerians on digital literacy. And the third one is the workforce readiness. According to world Bank, by 2030 between 35 to 45 percent of work in Nigeria will need digital competency,” he added.
The representative of Head of Service of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, emphasised the importance of transforming the civil service into a dynamic, technology-driven, and globally competitive workforce, adding that the vision is a cornerstone of the Federal Service Commission’s strategy and implementation plan, which prioritises the journey towards a digitally literate civil service.
She maintained that the workshop is not just a training exercise, but a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of Nigeria’s public service. “By acquiring cutting-edge tools and knowledge, participants will be empowered to deliver their mandate more effectively, driving meaningful change and progress in the country, she averred.
While acknowledging that the partnership between the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and NITDA, serves as a shining example of collaboration in achieving shared goals, she expressed her gratitude to NITDA and other participating organisations for their roles in bringing this vision to life.
“This collaboration underscores the importance of working together to harness the power of digital technology and drive meaningful change in Nigeria’s public service,” she added.
The newly sworn-in Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda on Tuesday, received the endorsement of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC August24news.com can authoritatively reveal.
Rt. Hon. Merenda
The leadership of GAC, gave the endorsement on Tuesday, at a closed door meeting with Meranda and some key principal officers, held at Lagos House, Marina.
Meranda, it was gathered sought the cooperation and understanding of the council members to in the discharge of her duty as speaker.
President Bola Tinubu, APC National leader then, created the GAC, which is the highest decision making body of the party in the state.
Fielding questions from the media after the meeting, the Speaker, said, “We briefed the GAC about what happened at the state House of Assembly and to seek their blessings which we have gotten.”
Meanwhile, the GAC, led by Tajudeen Olusi, declined to make any comment on the meeting.
It was however, gathered that the State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, left Nigeria on Monday night for an official event.
Recall that former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who is currently abroad, was impeached by members of the House of Assembly on Monday over various allegations of misconducts and financial misappropriations.
Meranda, was immediately elected and sworn-in, replacing Obasa.
Also, the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko was removed, while all standing committees of the House dissolved.