Onne Customs hits 15.4% revenue growth, tackles documentation gaps @stakeholder engagement - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Port Harcourt Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has moved to streamline operations at Onne Port following revelations from its recent Time Release Study (TRS), reports ITREALMS.

During a high-level stakeholder engagement held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, challenged port users on strict compliance with cargo documentation to eliminate avoidable delays in the supply chain.

Customs Area II Command Onne launches B'Odogwu, for trade efficiency, revenue collection - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Nigeria Customs Service Area 11 Command, Onne, Port Harcourt Rivers state says it has launched B'Odogwu, an indigenous technology called the Unified Customs Management System for modernization of Customs operations, enhance compliance and facilitate trade.

This was contained in a press release made available to our correspondent, Tuesday in Port Harcourt by the Command's Public Relations Officer, Theophilus P Duniya.

Eko Revenue Plus Summit 2024: Olatunji stresses role of data in unlocking IGR - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has stressed the role of data protection in unlocking Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for Lagos State, the commercial centre of the nation, reports ITREALMS.

Olatunji in his goodwill message to the Eko Revenue Plus Summit 2024 in Lagos with the theme “Unlocking New Revenue Streams for Lagos State,” emphasised that Lagos State’s role as a commercial hub of Nigeria and indeed Africa with accompanying large population, thriving housing market, and robust education and healthcare infrastructure, has the potential to unlock its IGR.

Dangote projects $30bn revenue to boost Naira - ITREALMS

Sponsored@ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Sunday stated that his company’s aim is to become the leading supplier of foreign exchange in the FX market soon, as it targets $30 billion in revenues by the year 2025.

During a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and Dangote Fertiliser Limited with media executives at the weekend, he said the plan is to attain independence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in forex sourcing, highlighting a strategic shift in revenue composition within the cement business from the current 75 percent to 15 percent in the future.

Customs Area 1 Ph hits N43bn revenue generation @Q1 2024 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Nigeria Customs Service Area 1 Command Port Harcourt, Rivers state says the Command has generated and collected the sum of ₦43,625,986,168.40 in the first quarter of 2024.

The figure represented a 23.68 per cent of the gross revenue target of the Command for the 2024 fiscal year which is ₦184,221,730,121.48.

CA1 Port Harcourt surpasses January target, rakes in N17bn revenue - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Nigeria Customs Service Area 1 Command Port Harcourt has generated a total sum of N17.065,088,480.16 Naira in the month of January 2024, reports ITREALMS.

This was contained in a press release made available to ITREALMS on Friday by the Command's Public relations officer Superintendent of Customs, Oscar Ivara in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Customs Area 11 Command Onne marks International Customs Day, hits 313bn revenue - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Nigeria Customs Service, Area II Command, Onne Port, Rivers State has joined Customs formations all over the World to mark the 2024, International Customs Day.

Speaking at the event, weekend in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Baba Imam stated that the theme for the year 2024, "Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose" was chosen to highlight the importance of collaboration and cooperation between customs administrations, International organizations, private sector entities and other stakeholders.

Anago appoints Nwankwo SA on IGR - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Transition Chairman for Awka-North Local Government Area, Mr. ThankGod Anago has appointed Hon. Chukwuma Nwankwo as the Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) reports ITREALMS.

Just as the LGA has inaugurated an IGR committee to also be chaired by Hon. Nwankwo.

MTN in half-year result: Records N1.16trn revenue - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has recorded a new milestone as the first listed company on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd to declare a record N1.16trn revenue in six months, reports ITREALMS.

The company’s 2023 half-year financial statement revealed on Friday that MTN also posted N421.57bn profit before tax, a rise from N352.3bn.

Makinde appoints SA, Internal Revenue Board chair, others - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Oyo State governor, 'Seyi Makinde, has approved the reappointments of retired Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni and former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo, as Special Advisers on Security and Labour Matters, respectively.

This is coming as the governor reappointed a retired Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Mr. Segun Adegoke, as the Special Adviser on Homeland Security.

ERAS: ALTON applauds NCC, EVC Danbatta for quality regulation - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, has applauded the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, for exceptional leadership, reports ITREALMS.

He also commended the NCC's commitment to quality regulation, attributing the success of the telecom industry in the country to the regulatory environment it enjoys.

Growth: Transcorp delivers strong performance, raises revenue by 21% - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

Transnational Corporation Plc has released its financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2022, demonstrating significant improvements in its major income lines to the tune of 21 per cent previous year, reports ITREALMS.

The conglomerate with investments in the hospitality, power, and oil & gas sectors, recorded growth in its profit before tax, which rose by 8 per cent to N30.3 billion compared to N27.9 billion in December 2021.

NCC, 3R sign pact on revenue assurance solutions - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has finally signed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with its consultant, 3R Company Nigeria Limited, for the execution of the Revenue Assurance Solutions (RAS) to strengthen and manage the integrity of revenue generation process in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

The agreement-signing ceremony, which took place at the Commission’s Head Office, Abuja on Friday, June 17, 2022, was witnessed by representatives of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC). 

CSOs demand account of huge NURTW revenue in Lagos - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

Foremost Anti-Corruption and accountability Civil Society Organizations, the Human & Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), Enough is Enough (EIE), PLAYYA, Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership (CACOL) and Campaign Coalition against Bad Governance (CACOBAG) have condemned the recent appointment of Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as M.C Oluomo, as the chairman of the newly constituted Parks and Garages Management Committee of Lagos State by the governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to manage and oversee the commercial Motor Parks and garages in the state.

The appointment of Oluomo was contained in a statement delivered by the State's Commissioner for information and strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.

The groups in a statement signed by their Directors said the appointment was illegal on the ground that there is currently no known law in Lagos State backing this appointment. Moreso, according to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) the management of all parks, garages and bus-stops within the State falls under the purview of the Local government Councils, and not the state government.

The groups referred to Section 1(e) of the fourth Schedule to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered) which provides thus: “The main functions of the local government council are as follows: (e)Establish maintenance and Regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, Markets, “Motor Parks” and Public conveniences (emphasizes ours).

Recall that Oluomo who was the Chairman of NURTW (Lagos Chapter) was sacked by the national body of NURTW, earlier in the week, for not showing remorse after his initial suspension for insubordination, abuse of office and incitement.

The appointment of MC Olomo as the Chairman; Alh. Sulyman Ojora, as Deputy Chairman; erstwhile AIG of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, as the government liaison officer in the committee; Taiwo Olufemi salaam, as secretary and 21 other members has takeneffect. They are to report to the State ministry of transportation.

Though the groups commended the motive behind the committee of the state government “To Ensure that activities and events of NURTW are not allowed to threaten the law and order in the state, however, the civil society organizations pointed that the Lagos State Parking Authority Law provides for a Chairman and a six (6) members only, of the Authority; therefore, constituting a 25 - member committee contradicts the State Parking Authority Law.

“The state Parking Authority Law is clear, Section 2 (a & b) has spelt out unambiguously the composition of the Authority. More so, the position of liaison officer is unknown to the law.

“However, section 12 (1&2) of the Parking Authority law provides for a general manager who shall be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and who shall be in charge of the general administration of the Authority and transaction of its day- to- day business.”

Recall that HEDA wrote to the Lagos State lawmakers through the Speaker, just recently asking them to repeal this same law on the ground that the role of managing parks, garages and bus-stops falls exclusively on the shoulders of local government councils as enshrined in Section 1 (e) of the Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered).

It's on these grounds that our groups calling on the Lagos State government to rethink its decision and follow the rule of law as it's appropriate in the interest of Peace and Order that the Governor has promised the people.

We also demand a probe into the collection of multiple taxes and levies imposed on buses, tricycles and motorcycles in Lagos State. It has been investigated and confirmed that N123 billion is being collected per annum. The amount is likely to have increased as the levies collected daily are as follows:


Big Bus - named "LT" b/w N14,000 & N15,000; Small Bus - named "Danfo" b/w N8,500 & N9,000; Tricycle named "Keke" b/w N1,400 & N1700; Motorcycle named "Okada" b/w N800 & N1,200.


We expect the State Governor to expedite actions in this matter, without any delay.

Border closure: FG lists gains, says import revenue rose by 15% - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Federal Government has listed gains of its current border closure to include higher import revenue, lower domestic fuel consumption and increased rice production by local farmers among the gains of the closure of the country's land borders in four geo-political zones of the country, reports ITREALMS.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed these gains when he visited the Seme Border on Monday, along with Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning Clement Agba, National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno and the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service Muhammed Babandede.

He said since the closure, the monthly import revenue has increased by 15 per cent, instead of dropping as expected in many quarters, while the local consumption of fuel has dropped by 30 per cent, apparently due to reduced smuggling of the products to neighbouring countries.

Alhaji Mohammed also said the closure has so far curbed the smuggling of foreign rice into the country, in addition to other prohibited items.

''There has been an enhanced production and milling of Nigerian rice. Patronage of Nigerian rice has also increased and farmers are expanding their farms as well as engaging more hands,'' he said.

The Minister put the value of items seized since the closure at over N3,500,000,000, listing such items as including 38,743 of 50kg bags of parboiled foreign rice, 514 vehicles, 1,012 drums filled with PMS, 5,400 Jerrycans of vegetable oil, 346 motorcycles, 10,553 Jerrycans of PMS and 136 bags of NPK fertilizer used for making explosives.

Nenye Dom/Editor

*JOIN our alert's group | Share stories with us | Advert placement: WhatsApp | SMS: +2348033592762 *Twitter: @ITREALMS *Email: itrealms.dsa@gmail.com*

Guinness Nigeria records 14% increase in revenue for FY2018 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Guinness Nigeria Plc has delivered a solid performance in the year ended 30 June 2018 as revenue increased by 14 per cent from N125.92 billion in June 2017 to N142.98 billion, reports ITREALMS.

The results, which were released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), also showed improved operating margin, as benefits from the company’s productivity program more than offset sustained cost pressures.

Commenting on the results, Baker Magunda, Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, said: “Over the year ending 30 June 2018, despite continued challenges in the operating environment, Guinness Nigeria delivered a strong performance. Revenue increased by 14% as both beer and mainstream spirits’ net sales grew double-digit. In beer, Guinness, our largest brand, saw strong growth as it benefitted from increased marketing activations around football. Mainstream spirits also delivered double-digit growth driven by innovation launches and new formats.”

“During the year, gross margin was down 4% to 34% largely driven by inflationary pressure on our raw material costs. However, this was more than offset by reduced distribution and administration costs and resulted in operating margin improving 130bps. Marketing spend increased 18%, ahead of revenue growth, as we continue to invest behind our brands.”

“Improved operating performance combined with lower finance charges have helped us deliver an overall PAT increase of 249% during year”.

“The execution of our strategy is working as we delivered both top line growth and margin expansion while also increasing investment behind our brands. Looking forward, we will continue to focus on the three strategic pillars of productivity, expansion of our portfolio, as well as the execution of the commercial footprint initiatives to drive the business forward. Whilst we remain optimistic about the execution of our strategy, we note that the operating and competitive environment is likely to continue to be challenging in the 2019 financial year.”

Mr. Babatunde Savage, Chairman of the Board of Guinness Nigeria Plc, said, “Guinness Nigeria has confidence in the Nigerian economy and will remain a major player in the country by continually investing, developing capacity and growing a portfolio that most suit the consumers’ needs for celebration and relaxation. Our aim is to continue to add value to Nigeria not only through continued investments in local manufacturing and backward integration, but also through various Sustainable Development projects, enabling job opportunities and economic inclusion.”

“As a Board, it is heartening to see the impact of the rights issue coming through in the profitability of the company. The Board is confident that we are making the right investments in the company to ensure our long term competitiveness, and continues to support the management in its efforts to build a business that aims to consistently deliver growth for all stakeholders.”

Ayo Midele/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Freshworks nets $100m in revenue - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

Acclaimed global leader in customer engagement software, Freshworks, has said it reached a revenue milestone by crossing $100 million in annual recurring revenue, reports ITRealms.

This development, ITRealms gathered, was led by its flagship support product for Customer Support Software, Freshdesk and continued rapid growth with its Freshservice (IT Service Management Software) and Freshsales (CRM Software) products over the last several quarters.

ITRealms also gathered that this achievement was fueled by Freshworks’ ever-expanding user-base of more than 150,000 businesses and organizations world-wide, including both larger enterprises such as Honda, Bridgestone, Hugo Boss, University of Pennsylvania, Toshiba, Cisco, Veeva, OfficeMax, M&C Saatchi and thousands of global SMB customers. 

In addition, the company reports that over the past year, it has expanded portfolio of products to include Freshchat, Freshcaller, Freshmarketer and Freshteam, a set of products designed to work together to help marketers, human resources and support professionals engage with customers and work together more effectively. 

On the heels of this milestone, Freshworks also announced the immediate availability of Freshworks 360, a fully integrated cloud bundle that brings together sales, marketing, and support applications to provide users with a full, easy-to-use customer engagement experience. 

Products contained within Freshworks 360 include Freshdesk, Freshsales, Freshmarketer, Freshcaller (call center software) and Freshchat (customer messaging software), providing an easy way for users to access the entire history of customer conversations, data and marketing touchpoints such as chats and social media mentions. Current users of any Freshworks application can now access free trials of all the platform’s offerings from their existing Freshworks login using the Freshworks Switcher.

Chuks Egbune/ED, Ops

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Gov. Ambode reiterates confidence in Interswitch ability to collect digital revenue

ITREALMS:

The Lagos State revenue collection will be fully digitized, according to the Executive Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi  Ambode, reiterating confidence in Interswitch ability to collect digital revenues for the state, reports ITRealms.

This was contained in a press statement by Interswitch, and made available to ITRealms, revealing that the government's vision is to actualize extensive adoption of electronic channels in the payment of taxes, levies and other government payments.

"To ensure that the government improves on the quality of service delivery to our people, effective 1st March 2018, no payment or taxes will be made by cash henceforth across the State. Tax payers should be able to pay all legitimate taxes and bills through all payment channels at their own time and convenience. The transaction process is now going to be everyday, anytime and on weekends," he said.

It was revealed that this full digitization will be made possible through a partnership with Interswitch.

Elucidating further on what informed the Lagos State Government's resolution to partner with Interswitch to digitize payments and collections in Lagos, Governor Ambode added that;

"Interswitch has been at the forefront of efficient and secure public sector payments and collections at National and State levels for quite a while now, and we are confident in their ability to provide strong support and the state-of-the-art payment infrastructure, comparable to such obtainable anywhere in the world as well as the capabilities required to facilitate seamless implementation of this policy in a state like Lagos."

Commenting on the announcement, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe expressed Interswitch's commitment to providing omni-channel payment infrastructure which will facilitate seamless transaction processes in revenue collection to make it easy and convenient for the good people of Lagos who can now pay every day, any time and online.

"Over the last few years, we have invested extensively in building and continuously developing a variety of payment channels which facilitate real-time transaction through any means desirable by all parties within the payment process. Our vision at Interswitch is an Africa where payment becomes a seamless part of our everyday lives, and we are resolutely committed to working with Lagos State to embrace a fully digital future, in line with our resolve to continue to create digital transaction solutions that enable individuals and communities prosper across Africa."

In view of this partnership with the LASG, government payments will now be possible through multiple channels including physical payments in any branch of any bank, and using Interswitch solutions such as Interswitch Paydirect, Interswitch Payment Gateway, Quickteller Paypoint, and Mobile Apps/USSD codes of LASG MDAs, thereby encouraging real-time cashless payments directly to the State Treasury.

Observers have lauded this development as a welcome breakthrough in public sector finance, accountability and service-delivery as it essentially underscores the unwavering and forward-thinking dynamism of the Lagos State Government, with effective public-private collaboration at its heart.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

NCC, FIRS joint revenue quality assurance committee for telecoms debuts

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) recently set up a joint Revenue Quality Assurance Committee for the telecommunications sector, just as plans have been advanced for the inaugural meeting this week, reports ITRealms.

This, ITRealms authoritatively gathered, formed the highpoint of the discussions between Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and FIRS Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Fowler after a recent courtesy visit of Fowler to the NCC Headquarters.

Confirming this to ITRealms, the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, noted that specifically, the joint committee with four members each from the two organisations is to examine and suggest ways through which the level of transparency can be attained via technology in tax management for FIRS and the returns from Annual Operating Levy (AOL) for the NCC.

He also said that the committee should see how staff matters including payments are addressed, just as to audit the states and proffer what benefits are accruable to them in terms of taxes collected.

“It is expected to work out a recommendation to facilitate the Type Approval of telecommunications equipment that can be used for a transparent assessment of the operators revenues,” he said.

ITRealms recalled that Prof. Danbatta had told his visitor during the visit that NCC has serious concerns over the shutting down of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in the States indiscriminately without recourse to the Commission.

“This is worrisome as it undermines the capacity to provide telecom services, thereby denying consumers quality of services” he said.

The EVC cited the Resolution of the National Economic Council on Multiple Taxation, Levies and Charges on ICT Infrastructure in Nigeria dated March 21, 2013 saying the document is very clear on the issues of multiple taxations, levies, Right of Ways (RoWs) among others.

Danbatta pleaded with the FIRS Chairman “to help us propagate the provisions of the policy to the Joint Tax Board (JTB)”.

The FIRS boss had earlier narrated his worries over the taxes being collected from MNOs in the States.

Mr. Fowler said his concerns stem from the fact that MNOs do not remit the Value Added Tax (VAT) already charged as at when due, “while some decide when they will remit it but the law stipulates that such taxes must be remitted to the FIRS between 20/21 of each month. Some too have not fulfilled the annual returns”, he added.

In an earlier working document sent to the Commission, the FIRS had requested the permission of NCC to connect its equipment to the MNOs networks for a direct interface to which Prof. Danbatta responded that such equipment must go through the Type Approval process.

Danbatta however said that the NCC sees collaboration with the FIRS as a decision in the right direction.

This underscores what Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari said recently about the collaboration of inter-governmental agencies which saw to the timely completion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja ahead of the time schedule.

Nonye Dom/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!