Author: Felix Ajide

The Mission to Seafarers (MTS) Lagos, hosted its celebratory service for seafarers at Church of the Resurrection, Victoria Island as part of its activities to mark the annual celebration of Sea Sunday service in Lagos.

Speaking at the programme themed: “Peace in the Storm,” the Chairman of MTS Lagos and former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi, stressed the immense value and sacrifices of seafarers across the globe.

“Over 90% of the world’s trade is being carried by ships. When you look around you, if you are not careful, probably the only thing made in Nigeria will be yourself and your family members. Virtually everything else comes from a foreign land, and who brings them to your shores? It is the seafarers.

“In times of war, these seafarers find themselves in the eye of the storm but they still go out to do their jobs. When the Houthis were sending missiles to ships crossing the Suez Canal, seafarers still went there, irrespective of the fact that their lives are in danger.

“We know about the Ukraine-Russia war as well as Gaza and Israeli war, seafarers remain committed to carrying materials needed to bring about peace to those stormy areas of the world.

” This is why we are celebrating them and praying for them. Participate by giving the little you can, particularly to the various missions,”Sarumi said.

He noted that there were over 200 Mission to Seafarers in 50 countries of the world, while describing the MTS centre as an oasis to provide succour for seamen traversing through international waters which likened to a desert.

“As my vicar has said, and it was reiterated by the assistant chaplain, the MTS is there to cater for seafarers when they get into trouble. If the need arises for us to take action, we try the best we can legally, psychologically, spiritual, and all forms. Sometimes we even give our homes,” Sarumi said

He commended the leadership of Church of The Resurrection, Victoria Island for hosting the Seafarers Sunday service even as he appreciated the congregation for coming out in a large number.

While giving the Vicar’s sermon, Venerable Tunde Oduwole, said that despite spending months at sea, long separations from their families, suffering from loneliness and harshness of weather, in danger, and sometimes still abuse or exploitation.

“Our church has voluntarily but passionately opted to stand as Christ’s ambassadors and representatives, and on the spiritual front as Christ’s extended hands, as a voice of comfort, a presence of hope, and an advocate for justice, so that all troubled souls at sea, made like the disciples of old, find soothing and comfort peace amidst whatever may be their storms.

“I decree into your lives that whatever may have been those things that have given you cause for exasperation and worry until now, today you will experience peace anew in the name of Jesus.

“Many, years back, the Diocese of Lagos African Communion found such needs and took bold steps to confront them headlong. That was what gave birth to what we now know as the Mission to Sea Fearers, MTS for short,” the Vicar said.

Also speaking, an Assistant Chaplain of MTS Lagos and former seafarer, Engr. Emmanuel Ilori, recalled a humbling experience as a seafarer when he returned after a 6-month voyage and his baby couldn’t recognise him anymore.

Ilori also recounted the traumatic experiences of sailing through stormy seas even as he commended the practicing seafarers for giving their all at sea and also appreciated the seafarers who attended the church service.

Sharing from the point of view of seafarers, Engr. Zainab Bello, remarked that although the hassles of the sea pose immense challenges, they take solace in the fact that although they were far from land but they were never far from God.

On her part, a management team member of MTS Lagos, Mrs Yetunde Akinluyi, noted that the 2025 Sea Sunday witnessed a better participation with seafarers joining in the service from a ship.

Akinluyi also appreciated the Nigeria Ports Authority for their support which led to the massive impact that the MTS Lagos Centre had been doing for seafarers.
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Caption:The Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMA), Comptroller Michael Awe, showcasing the intercepted smuggledof 75 bags of pangolins, 18 immitation authentic gun,and other items to stakeholders and media in Lagos on Wednesday

Lagos – The Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMA), Comptroller Michael Awe, has said that the command generated N97.1 billion in second quarter of the year.

Awe disclosed this during a news conference held in Lagos on Wednesday, where he highlighted the command’s improved revenue performance compared to second quarter of 2024.

He noted that the revenue in the period under review surpassed the N80.3 billion recorded in second quarter 2024, indicating an increase of N276.9 million.

This growth, he said, represented a 20.92 per cent rise, reflecting the command’s improved operational strategies and stakeholder compliance.

Awe extended the service appreciation to all compliant importers, exporters and clearing agents for their continuous support towards achieving revenue targets.

While explaining the smuggling activities of the command in the last six months said that
He explained that the intercepted goods in the last six months such as 18 pieces of Tippmann Semi-Automatic Calibre (Gun) Mag-Fed Paintball Markers and 32 pieces of empty Tippmann Tank Cylinders with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) N18.3 million.

“Other intercepted items in the period under review includes 20 pieces of Ballistic Helmets with the duty paid value of N2.6 million, 75 bags of pangolin scales weighing 3,765kg valued at N772.3 million.

“The total Duty Paid Value of these seizures stands at N792.7 million.

“These seizures were made as a result of robust intelligence gathering, heightened surveillance and the unwavering dedication of our officers.

“The command also intercepted two life pangolins about to be smuggled out of Nigeria in a cage and the command have sent it to Igbeti area in Oyo to secure good habitat to survive and have also send the Tippmann Semi-Automatic Calibre Mag-Fed to Police for further investigation.

“Let me use this opportunity to assure the public that the command remains firmly committed to curbing all forms of unlawful trade. We will continue to enforce all applicable laws and regulations with integrity, discipline, and zero tolerance for smuggling,” Awe said.

He emphasised the command efforts in enhancing relationship with all its stakeholders which had been a critical pillar of their successes.

The command boss noted that customs had nurtured the existing relationship with stakeholders through regular interactions, information sharing, and mutual cooperation, which had resulted in faster decision-making and better operational outcomes.

He added that the command initiated a sporting competition in the second quarter to foster inter agency collaboration between Customs and other partners.

“This event promoted physical fitness, mental alertness, and comradeship among personnel and other stakeholders operating in this area of jurisdiction.

“The competition featured games such as badminton, table tennis, volleyball, draft as well as football.

“The introduction of these sporting activities has proven effective in boosting physical fitness, reducing stress, fostering unity, and providing a relaxed platform for strategic engagement,” Awe said.

He retireated that Murtala Muhammed Area Command remains firmly committed in enhancing revenue collection, intensifying the fight against smuggling, and deepening collaboration with all stakeholders.

Awe assured the public that the command would continued delivering efficient and responsive service, safeguard national interests, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and transparency.

He commended the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and the entire management team for their unwavering support and visionary leadership, which continue to steer their operations in the right direction.

While receiving the intercepted 75 bags of pangolin, the Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, (NESREA) Liaison office Lagos, Dr Jonathan Dajal, commended the NCS for protecting the lives of Nigerians through their operations.

Dajal said that NESREA was a Nigerian government agency established in ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment as well as responsible for enforcing environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards, and regulations across Nigeria.

Dajal said that NESREA was mandated by law in ensuring such items were not escaped from the country adding that environmental crime offenders would be prosecuted accordingly.

He urged Nigerian to support in protecting the environment and also contribute by extending intelligence sharing to assist customs to achieve it mandate.

Also speaking the Chairman MMA command of the National Association of Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA), Mr Ashiru Balogun, commended customs for the grate achievement.

He said that the increase in the command revenue had demonstrated the level of stakeholders complaints while pleading customs to inform Government to give customs broker some percentage in the revenue to enable them improved in training of their members.
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