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Tag: Comptroller General

  • World Customs Organisation Recognizes SIFAX Group

    World Customs Organisation Recognizes SIFAX Group

    The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has commended SIFAX Group for its strategic importance and the excellent service that has become the hallmark of the business conglomerate.

    This recognition was given during the presentation of a “Certificate of Merit” to the company by WCO during this year’s International Customs Day celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, with the theme “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.”

    The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. WCO works on customs-related matters including the development of international conventions, instruments, and tools on topics such as commodity classification, valuation, rules of origin, collection of customs revenue, supply chain, security, and international trade facilitation, among others.

    SIFAX Group is one of the few organisations recognized from Nigeria by WCO at the event.

    The award was presented by the Chief of Defence of Staff, General Christopher Musa.

    According to Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, the honour was bestowed on the company “for rendering exceptional service to the international Customs community.”

    While responding to this recognition, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group lauded both WCO and the Nigeria Customs Service for identifying and honouring the critical role the company has played in facilitating trade globally in its over three decades of operations.

    He said: “SIFAX Group has received different awards from stakeholders and governments all around the world, but this honour is special because of the critical role WCO plays in supporting customs administrations globally to facilitate trade and deliver efficient services.

    “SIFAX Group has over the years developed a culture of excellent service, stakeholder management, relationship building and community impact for the overall good of the business ecosystem. We are glad that our impact is felt and rewarded not only in Nigeria but globally. We want to thank WCO for this honour and promise this will spur us to up our game in meeting and exceeding expectations in quality service delivery and societal impact.”

    Afolabi also lauded the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Wale Adeniyi, for his exceptional leadership that has resulted in unprecedented achievements by the Service since he assumed office.

  • Nigeria re-elected to ICAO-PKD board for the 4th time

    Nigeria re-elected to ICAO-PKD board for the 4th time

    In recognition of the vital roles Nigeria has been playing on the global stage of electronic Travel Documents, the country has been re-elected as a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization Public Key Directory (ICAO-PKD) Board for the fourth time.

    The ICAO-PKD, is a central repository for exchanging the information required to authenticate electronic Machine Readable Travel Documents (eMRTDs) such as ePassports, electronic ID cards and Visible Digital Seals.

    In a statement esigned by the NIS’ spokesman, Tony Akuneme on behalf of the Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris, MFR  and made available to African Business Travel News (ABTN), the election of Nigeria and other countries to the Board, was the high point of the 29th ICAO-PKD Board meeting held in Speke Resort Munyoyo, Uganda, from  November 16 to 17, 2022.

    The ICAO-PKD Board is the standing body responsible for the global aviation body’s administration and operation procedures to ensure efficient operation of the PKD, including its financial and contractual management. It as well develops policies.
    ICAO-PKD is made up of 88 member countries, with 15 Board members who serve three-year term each. Board members are nominated and voted by PKD participants and are appointed by ICAO Council in accordance with the provision of the  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

    Nigeria has over the years been an active participant in the ICAO-PKD Board meetings and has contributed immensely, especially on the issue of electronic Passport control systems and border control solutions. The Nigerian delegation was led by the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service.