The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has congratulated the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on his election as the Chairperson of World Customs Organization (WCO), an intergovernmental organisation which serves as highest decision-making body in global customs with its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

Adeniyi, the Immediate Past Vice President of NIPR was elected during the 145th/146th WCO Council Meeting held on Saturday, 28th June 2025 in Brussels.

He is the first Nigerian to hold the exalted position.

The President, Chairman of Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku in a congratulatory letter , lauded Adeniyi’s elevation to the top leadership of WCO, describing it as an evidence of visible value that public relations offers in advancing the frontiers of excellence in leadership and governance across sectors.

He expressed delight that members of NIPR at leadership positions are placing the country on the map of honour at the global stage through deployment of Public Relations strategies in solving organisational issues and challenges.

“As a professional body, the NIPR is deeply delighted with your election as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation, making history as the first Nigerian to occupy such influential position since its creation with 185 member states.

This highlights the role of strategic communication in raising the bar of excellence in leadership and a clear indication that Public Relations has become a leadership function”, he stated.

Dr. Neliaku expressed optimism that Adeniyi’s tenure will introduce innovations that will bring about transformative reforms in the global customs administration, especially in effectively communicating activities of WCO to the global community.

The Comptroller-General of Customs was recently appointed as Vice Chairman, Advisory Board of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), an initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his predecessor FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule again appeared in public together barely two days after a fresh round of peace talks at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The trio were seen together at a funeral service in Rumueprikom, Wike’s hometown in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

Recall that the three key political figures in Rivers State have been locked in a political wrangling for almost two years.

Their being together comes in the wake of Thursday’s peace meeting brokered by President Bola Tinubu, which demanded an end to the lingering crisis between the Governor and his former political allies.

At the funeral service were key political stakeholders, including Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, and Senator Olaka Nwogu.

Others include the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche; former House of Representatives Member, Hon. Ken Chikere; South-South Vice Chairman of the ACP, Victor Giadom; and former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Dr Sam Sam Jaja, among others.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara is expected to hold a closed-door meeting today with his supporters, according to sources.

The meeting is intended to brief them on the outcome of the recent discussions with President Tinubu and Wike in Abuja.

Aged 94, Aminu Dantata died in Abu Dhabi at 3.ooam today (Saturday, June 28).

Dantata was a Kano-based business mogul and philanthropist.

The Principal Private Secretary, PPS, to the deceased, Mustapha Junaid, confirmed the demise in a post on his Facebook handle.

Junaid wrote, “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.

It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved father Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata.

“May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and forgive his shortcomings.

“The Janazah (funeral) details will be shared later insha Allah.”