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FG Moves To Check Maritime Crime
The Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Mrs Ify Anazonwu-Akerele says the Federal Government is taking adequate steps to address the menace of armed robbery on Nigerian waters.
Anazonwu-Akerele gave this assurance recently in Abuja
She commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on its efforts so far to check robbery on Nigerian waters, and said that reports from trade associations across West Africa showed that stakeholders were happy at the steps Nigeria had taken so far.
“I must commend NIMASA right now because its quietened down and reports from other trade associations across West Africa like Cotounou, they are actually very happy with the steps Nigeria has taken in addressing this armed robbery situation.
“The issue isbeing addressed and I am so happy that less publicity is being given, because in security matters, you do not go around saying what you are going to do.
“We didn’t know that they were planning to hit Osama Bin Laden till it happened. That is pure security, so the approach has become much more professional, a lot is going on, it is still there, but they think twice before they come near along the Nigerian waters.’’
Anazonwu-Akerele said that the NCS usually assisted NIMASA with necessary information to assist it in the fight against the miscreants as its own contribution to keep Nigerian waters safe.
Speaking on the credibility and integrity of members of the NCS, the director-general stated that the body was a highly controlled one.
According to her, the chamber has criteria which an intending member must meet before joining the body and even if they don’t meet up with those criteria, they have to persuade the body.
She stated that the aim was to ensure that its members could face their international counterparts anywhere in the world.
“So most members in the chamber of shipping are quite a good crop; we are not that many, we don’t have up to 150 members and it’s deliberate and every year the membership fees go higher and higher because we want to maintain a group that can meet with anybody on the international platform.
“But that notwithstanding, before you become a chamber member, I told you we have criteria and you have to show the kind of business you are doing.
“A lot of people go about saying they are in oil and gas and quite frankly they just have a briefcase and they collect PFI’s from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and sell their PFIs.
“They sell those PFIs to our members who are in the downstream sector, they bring it, they buy it and use it to bring in the products.’’
She also spoke about other professionals that formed members of the chamber.
“If you are a maritime lawyer, you had to have shown your background in law, and your affiliation; your clientele; if you aspire to be a maritime lawyer, we have to be convinced as well.
“If you are in clearing and forwarding, we have to see that you have a registered company, recognised by Customs; all the needed credentials.
“If you are a vessel operator, that is the downstream, upstream, we have to see that you own vessels or you have payable chatters; you have chatter party agreements, we have to see your past contracts, those are things we look at before…. and if you do own vessels, what is your turnover.
“There are some, we even actually visit their offices because some of them come with very big papers and this one, we say somebody should go quietly and visit and that is how we maintain a very controlled body.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.