Business
Presidential Port Standing Task Team Has Restored Orderliness, Seamless Cargo Handling Operations In Nigerian Seaports – National Coordinator, Fadipe | By Olabode Adeyeri
Presidential Port Standing Task Team Has Restored Orderliness, Seamless Cargo Handling Operations In Nigerian Seaports – National Coordinator, Fadipe | By Olabode Adeyeri
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) and Director, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Fadipe Moses Olayemi says the Team has resolved bottlenecks in the Nigerian Seaports and its Corridors for efficient operations and enhanced service delivery within the port ecosystem.
Fadipe who oversees all the costal ports of the federation (Apapa, Tin can, Onne, Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt), spoke with Citizen NewsNG Correspondent in an exclusive interview in Lagos.
According to him, the Presidential Port Standing Task Team was set up to implement and ensure compliance with the Nigerian Ports Process Manual (NPPM).
The Nigeria Port Process Manual is a document that spelt out the trajectory of the activities by various port agencies in the maritime industry as captured in their Standard Operation procedures (SOP’s).
The PSTT comprises Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NPA) as lead agency, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence (ICPC), Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
With his dedicated Team of Professionals, Fadipe has continually demonstrated resilience and hard work in the discharge of his duty.
He has restored orderliness and Seamless Operations in the Nigerian Seaports amidst numerous challenges.
On each day at his duty Post, He sets target for himself and his Team Members. A practice commended by stakeholders in the Maritime industry.
Fadipe’s office is a hive of activity. In his timeline, there is no official closing time during field operations.
Known for his unrelenting spirit, Fadipe does not sit back in his office to give instructions or directives; but he goes round the Ports across the country for On-the-Spot assessment.
“Sometimes, My Team and I spend a larger part of the day on the field to ensure an effective and hitch-free Port Operations”, He said.
Continuing, he said: “We are very civil in our operations. You will never see us use total force except if we had explored all avenues”.
“Our Outfit can arrest anybody that breaks the law; even security agents. We are always at the Ports to ensure that things are done right”, He stated.
According to Fadipe, efficient Port Operation is vital to the economic development of Nigeria.
The National Coordinator stated that the PSTT has records (Pre-arrival notification) of all the vessels coming into the Nigerian waterways in its Realtime and Automated Tracking Computer systems.
“The Technology adopted is really helpful and it curbs sabotage. In the past, it takes an average time of about 5 hours for Vessels to move from anchorage to the berth as against a maximum of 90 minutes presently”, He said.
“It will interest you to know that we started this activity in March 2021. In 2020, we had about 121 Infractions and in 2019 we had 266 cases and before 2019 there were interventions, so we decided to put the outfit as a permanent one”
“When PSTT began operation, we had 40 infractions throughout 2021 and keeps reducing every year and As at today, we had near zero because every stakeholder pays for their misdemeanor”.
“The Vessel captains who are afraid before to come to the Nigerian Ports are now bold enough to come to Nigerian Seaports. when they arrive they know the Government Agency to contact in real time”.
Fadipe stated further that there had been improved Turn-around-time of vessel cargo evacuation has improved significantly.
According to him, in the past, the average number of containers examined per day was 125 but today, they handle 230 per day.
“PSTT collaborates with the various stakeholders both government and private organisations to achieve more because we really need to bring sanity back into the industry with our collective efforts”, Fadipe said.
“Apart from Lagos Ports, we (PSTT) are in Rivers State with a State coordinator of covering Portharcourt and Onne and we are gradually moving to Calabar and Warri Ports. We are definitely spreading out and also, we keep engaging with stakeholders because we cannot do it alone. We have been collaborating with the Media too”, He emphasized.
Fadipe hinted that he lectures his Members of Staff and Security Agencies attached to the PSTT every day before they embark on field operations.
“Today, other countries of the world are willing to understudy how we were able to get to this stage of efficient Ports Operations on vessel boarding and rummaging in Nigeria”, He said.
“Recently, at a conference in Denmark, Nigeria was adjudged the best country with Ports Operations system”, Fadipe recalled.
Citing the Challenges on the Job, Fadipe said the PSTT has been ambushed at different times and held hostage for several hours by heavily armed state actors during field operations but they triumped.
“The risks of the job are too high but in our little way, we will continue to do our best”, He vowed.
In his parting words, Fadipe said: “In life, what do you want to live for, what do you Stand for? what do you want to be remembered for? Nothing comes easy in life but if you are passionate, you persevere and believe that what you are doing will benefit many people, God in His infinite mercy will make you overcome. I want to be remembered for Positive change”.
He however charged the Stakeholders to support the Federal Government in its efforts to ensure an efficient and transparent Maritime Industry. He also enjoined them to operate within the stipulated Operational procedures and Standards.
With decades of experience in the Maritime Industry, Mr. Fadipe Moses Olayemi has distinguished himself among his Contemporaries.
Citizen NewsNG research reveals that since Fadipe assumed as the National Coordinator of Presidential Port Standing Task Team, the PSTT has delivered on its mandate with its meagre resources.
Precision and Heritage: How Fifi Stitches Is Rewriting African Fashion Narratives
A Nigerian-born designer is gradually carving out a cross-continental footprint in contemporary fashion, blending African textile heritage with British technical discipline.
Esther Fiyinfoluwa Adeosun, Founder and Creative Director of Fifi Stitches, is gaining recognition for structured womenswear and bridal couture that reinterprets traditional fabrics through architectural tailoring and precision construction.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adeosun’s fashion journey began at home, seated beside her mother’s sewing machine. What started as childhood curiosity, sometimes jamming the machine just to understand its mechanics—evolved into a disciplined design practice now operating between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
During an interview with journalists the fifi Stitches once mentioned “I was fascinated by how flat fabric could transform into something structured and meaningful”.
In her Story , early designs made for her family, though imperfectly finished, were worn with pride—an encouragement that laid the foundation for her professional confidence.
Today, Fifi Stitches is recognised for sculpted bodices, controlled tailoring, corsetry construction, and the contemporary reinterpretation of Ankara, Aso Oke, and Adire textiles.
The brand challenges the long-held perception that African fabrics belong solely in ceremonial contexts, instead positioning them within global luxury and modern design spaces.
Adeosun’s training reflects this dual perspective. She studied Fashion Design and Entrepreneurship at the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, and earned a Diploma in Fashion Design through Alison Online.
In the UK, she undertook industry-focused technical training with Fashion-Enter Ltd and gained fashion business exposure through Fashion Capital UK.
Her technical expertise spans pattern drafting, draping, garment technology, structured tailoring, corsetry, and bespoke fittings—skills she describes as central to credibility in fashion. “Precision builds trust,” she says. “A designer must understand construction as deeply as creativity.”
Fifi Stitches has showcased collections at the Suffolk Fashion Show, Liverpool Fashion Show – FB Fashion Ball, Red Carpet Fashion Event in London, and through editorial features in London Runway Magazine.
The brand has also received coverage in The Guardian Nigeria and Vanguard Allure, expanding its visibility across markets.
Beyond couture, Adeosun integrates community impact into her practice.
She has facilitated garment construction workshops, draping sessions, and introductory training programmes for women and emerging creatives, promoting fashion as both artistic expression and vocational empowerment.
Fifi Stcithes Boss operates between Nigeria and the UK, in order to continue to shape her brand identity.
According to her “Nigeria provides cultural richness and expressive textile traditions, while the UK offers structured production systems, sustainability conversations, and institutional frameworks”.
Looking ahead, Adeosun said she plan to establish a fully structured fashion house spanning Africa and the UK, develop scalable production partnerships, launch capsule collections, and expand independent editorial visibility.
Her broader ambition is clear: to position African textile craftsmanship within global contemporary design conversations—through structure, discipline, and technical excellence.
GTCO Launches “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, Opens Call for Applications
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”) has announced the launch of “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, reaffirming its commitment to fostering innovation, empowering talent, and supporting the development of technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges across Africa.
Now in its third edition, the Hackathon brings together developers, designers and entrepreneurs across Nigeria in a collaborative environment to build practical solutions across key sectors including financial services, healthcare, commerce and digital inclusion. Under the theme “Smart Systems: The Intelligent Economy,” participants are challenged to design and build intelligent, data-driven solutions that transform how communities engage with money.
Applications are now open, and interested teams can find full guidelines and registration details on the official portal at https://squadco.com/hackathon.
Speaking on the initiative, Eduophon Japhet, Managing Director of HabariPay, stated: “Today’s dynamic, digitally driven world demands continuous innovation, which is shaping how economies grow, how businesses scale, and how societies evolve. Through “Take on Squad” Hackathon, we are deliberately investing in the ideas and talent that will define the future. Our objective is not simply to encourage innovation, but to enable its translation into scalable solutions that deliver real and measurable impact. This reflects GTCO’s role as a financial services platform that connects capital, capability, and creativity to drive sustainable progress.”
The social coding event remains a cornerstone of HabariPay’s mission to foster creativity and problem-solving among emerging tech talents. Competing teams will leverage Squad’s advanced APIs to create scalable digital tools that address everyday challenges faced by businesses and individuals.
Through initiatives such as this, GTCO continues to position itself at the intersection of finance, technology and enterprise, actively shaping the future of digital transformation in Africa.
About HabariPay
HabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.
Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.
HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.
About Squad
Squad is a complete digital payments solution that is reliable, secure, and affordable, making receiving in-person and online payments simpler and convenient.
Thousands of merchants currently leverage Squad’s payment solutions for their daily business operations. Squad’s current products and service offerings include SquadPOS, Squad Payment Links, Squad Virtual Accounts, USSD, and E-Commerce Storefront.
Find out more at www.squadco.com.
Electric 8-Seater Tula Moto Keke Enters Nigerian Market, Targets Higher Operator Earnings
LAGOS — A new electric-powered tricycle with an expanded passenger capacity has been introduced into Nigeria’s urban transport sector, offering operators a potentially more profitable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional petrol-driven “keke.”
The newly launched 8-seater electric tricycle, now available in Lagos with plans for nationwide distribution, features a dual-row seating arrangement capable of accommodating up to eight passengers per trip—significantly higher than the standard three-passenger configuration common across the country.
Promoters of the innovation say the increased capacity is designed to boost daily earnings for operators, particularly amid persistent fluctuations in fuel prices. By running entirely on electric power, the vehicle eliminates dependence on petrol, reducing operating costs and shielding drivers from fuel price volatility.
According to the distributors, the tricycle is equipped with a durable battery system capable of covering extended distances on a single charge, making it suitable for commercial operations across high-traffic routes, residential estates, campuses, and marketplaces.
“The concept is straightforward—enable drivers to earn more while spending less,” a company representative stated. “With higher passenger capacity and zero fuel requirements, operators can maximise each trip without the burden of daily fuel expenses.”
Beyond its cost-saving potential, the electric keke is also said to require less maintenance than traditional models, offering additional long-term savings. Its quieter and smoother operation is expected to enhance passenger comfort and overall commuting experience.
Industry analysts note that the introduction of electric mobility solutions reflects a growing shift toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation alternatives in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban centres such as Lagos.
The distributors added that the product is currently available under a limited promotional offer, with delivery options across the country.
For inquiries and purchase: 📞 08153432071
📞 08035889103
Office Address:
📍 Plot 9, Block 113, Beulah Plaza,
Lekki–Epe Expressway,
Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
As transportation costs continue to rise and environmental concerns gain prominence, innovations like the electric 8-seater keke may signal an emerging transition toward more efficient and sustainable mobility solutions nationwide.
-
society7 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth
-
news4 months agoWHO REALLY OWNS MONIEPOINT? The $290 Million Deal That Sold Nigeria’s Top Fintech to Foreign Interests
-
society6 months ago“You Are Never Without Help” – Pastor Gebhardt Berndt Inspires Hope Through Empower Church (Video)
-
celebrity radar - gossips2 months agoDr. Chris Okafor Returns with Power and Fire of the Spirit -Mounts Grace Nation Altar with Fresh Anointing and Restoration Grace on February 1, 2026