In a strong acknowledgement of his dedication to the growth and unity of the maritime sector, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has been recognized as the “Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024” at an event organized by the Nigerian Maritime Journalists.
Chairman of the Award Planning Committee, Dele Aderibigbe, described the honour as a unanimous decision by all maritime journalists to recognize the numerous achievements of CGC Adewale Adeniyi in so short a time as Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs.
“This is the first time in the sub-sector everyone will come together to honour a deserving performer par excellence who has made the NCS and Nigeria proud by his purposeful, professional, and patriotic leadership,” Aderibigbe said.
In his acceptance speech, Adeniyi expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing its symbolic significance in fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders, and highlighted his past efforts in advocating for the unification of fragmented maritime associations, believing that a collective approach would strengthen the sector.
“This award serves as a symbol of unity—a growing point for all stakeholders to come together as one strong, impactful force. This is the very first time in the history of the maritime industry that this is happening even before I became CG. I had walked quietly behind the scenes with some of you to see what we can do to address the proliferation of the beat associations,” he said.
“We are gradually beginning to restore some sanity in the environment of policy formation and in the area of implemention where we play a significant role. In 2025, we will continue in the same trajectory of ensuring that duty collection is done in an environment where there is ease in trade facilitation”, he further stated.
The Comptroller General who urged maritime associations to prioritize unity, stressing that a strong, coordinated body would have greater influence in shaping the industry’s future, also called for initiatives to improve the welfare of maritime journalists, including training programs, insurance coverage, and housing schemes.
“If all the operators in the industry are thriving, we must also ensure that journalists covering the sector are empowered. Can we consider an insurance cover for journalists? A housing scheme? These are achievable if you come together as a united front,” Adeniyi said.
While encouraging industry players to support journalists in their professional development, Adeniyi who stated that a thriving press benefits the entire sector, reaffirmed his commitment to working with industry stakeholders to drive innovation, efficiency, and prosperity in the maritime sector.
He called for continued collaboration and proactive efforts to address challenges, ensuring that the industry remains a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth.