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Jonathan Seeks Partnership With Churches

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15 years ago

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President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the Church to partner with Governments in Africa to build the political structures that would make for a better continent.

President Jonathan made the call yesterday in an address presented at the 6th Convocation of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (C1WA) in Port Harcourt.

The President, who was represented by the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, noted that the democratic structures in many African countries were still evolving as there was dilapidation of basic infrastructure compounded by a disenfranchised people owing to unfulfilled promises.

The President, who acknowledged the contributions of the Catholic Church to human growth, sustainable development and capacity building of African countries, said a significant number of statesmen, politicians, educationists, renowned scholars among others in Africa were products of Catholic Educational System.

He pointed out that it was a thing of joy and pride to Nigerians that Port Harcourt was chosen to host the Catholic Institute of West Africa, which he described as a highly distinguished Ecclesiastical Institute in English-speaking West Africa.

President Jonathan said the institute could intensify its efforts in forming and shaping the consciences of the people to embrace good and shun evil, and engineer the political education of the people as well as make its theology more problem-solving and life giving”.

The President congratulated the graduands for the successful completion of their academic career, and urged them to do all within their power to contribute meaningfully towards the building of a vibrant African nation where the Millennium Development Goals are realisable.

The Chancellor of the CIWA, Theodore Cardinal Sarr, described the convocation ceremony as heartwarming, adding that the institute was established 29 years ago to train ecclesiastical students to expand the scope of evangelism in West Africa.

On his part, the Pro-Chancellor of CIWA, Most Rev. Joseph Bagobiri said the vision of the Catholic Church was to develop the institute into a multi-faculty university that would be second to none in West Africa.

Also speaking, the Rector of CIWA, Very Rev. Monsignor Felix Adeigbo, said the 6th convocation of CIWA was a celebration of success, and thanked the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi for his support as well as those who have contributed to the growth of the institute.

Highlight of the occasion was the award of Doctorate, Licentiate, Masters, Bachelors Degrees, diplomas, certificates to the graduands as well as conferment of Pontifical Honours on some Eminent Nigerians, which include the National Chairman of the Ruling Peoples Democratic Part (PDP), Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo.

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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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