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FG, Parties Tinker On Credible Polls

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15 years ago

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The Federal Government says it plans to collaborate with all the political parties to achieve credible elections in the country come 2011.

Acting President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, disclosed this during a Stakeholders’ Conference organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at Abuja on Tuesday, March 16.Represented by the immediate past Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Adetokunbo Kayode SAN, at the conference, attended by the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Dr. Jonathan reiterated the need to avoid ethnic and religious sentiments in determining the nation’s political leadership during elections.

Regretting that elections in the country have become breeding grounds for godfatherism and other vices, the Acting President urged Nigerians to have a change of attitude and support the electoral reforms agenda, stressing that the present government believes on electoral justice.

Speaking, INEC Chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, said Nigeria’s democracy would become stable over time, insisting that the nation’s electoral progress was on course, advising politicians to imbibe the correct political orientation for democratic elections.

Professor Iwu charged Nigerians to develop the necessary political will to fully integrate themselves in the electoral processes, disclosing that the voters’ register would be displayed twice for voters to cross-check their names before the elections, adding that the use of customised ballot boxes and voting materials as was the case in the recent governorship elections in Anambra State would be sustained.

Also speaking, Senate President, David Mark, represented by the Senate Committee Chairman on INEC, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, called on all stakeholders to review the problems associated with the electoral process and proffer solutions to them and advised INEC to embark on electoral education while dealing with all parties transparently.

In his speech, the Chief Electoral Commissioner of India and UNDP representative, Mr. Navin Chawla, charged Nigerians to maintain electoral integrity and ensure they are properly registered, urging INEC to embark on capacity building, assuring of UNDP support in ensuring credible elections in the country.

Governors Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State in their separate speeches said electoral reforms should rather start with reforming the mindset of Nigerians and warned “political proprietors” to give way for credible elections, noting that the appointment of the INEC Chairman need not be by the President but by Judicial Service Commission.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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1 week ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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1 week ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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1 week ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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