Nigerian maritime journalists are set to honour the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his outstanding performance at an award dinner scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2025.

The event, which is the first of its kind in the Nigerian maritime industry, will take place at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, by 6 p.m. The recognition comes as a unanimous decision by all maritime journalists covering the industry, spanning print, electronic, and online media.

Adeniyi was named the “Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024” by the collective associations of maritime journalists. The award ceremony, initially slated for January 16, was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

The organisers, including the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), League of Maritime Editors (LOME), Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON), Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP), Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), and the Online Maritime Media Association of Nigeria (OMMAN), cited Adeniyi’s exceptional contributions to revenue collection, anti-smuggling operations, trade facilitation, national security, staff welfare, inter-agency collaboration, infrastructural development, and corporate social responsibility.

Beyond these achievements, the maritime media community also acknowledges Adeniyi’s support for press freedom and engagement with journalists. They view the award as a message to other government agencies, emphasizing that the maritime press remains vigilant in monitoring the sector’s leadership and reforms.

The event is expected to attract dignitaries from government agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other key stakeholders in the maritime industry.