Maritime

NIMASA Promises Seafarers Jobs

Published

12 years ago

October 10, 2014

L-R: General Manager, SDCR, Shell Pet. Dev. Company of Nig. Ltd., Mr. Nezo Osayande, Government and Communities Relations, MGR, Bayelsa and Delta, Mr. Evans Krukrubo, with chiarman, Agbidiama CTC, Hon. Emmanuel Fungewei, during the commissioning of Agbidiama landing craft at SPDC Marine Base, Kidney Island, Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson

The matter of youth
unemployment could be one great phobia of Nigeria’s apex maritime regulatory organ, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The agency is promising possible job placements for the first batch of graduating students from its Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme(NSDP).
NIMASA Director-General, Mr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, stated this in his address at the dinner reception held for the 22 NSDP graduates on Saturday at Sheraton Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Akpobolokemi said: “We promise to do everything possible to provide jobs for these graduates because when the youths are hungry, there will be trouble.
“But investing in the youths is the best assurance for a peaceful nation.”
The NSDP, according to him, was on course to achieving its plan to create a pool for maritime industry manpower, serving both local and international needs.
The NIMASA boss explained that the graduates had completed their four-year training, including the mandatory sea-time experience for international standards in seafaring.
“There were criticisms when we started and people talked about sea-time. This programme has the sea-time component because it was our resolve, and we have given them sea-time training,” Akpobolokemi said.
He revealed that NIMASA has had a quiet revolution on-going through its efforts to ensure that many Nigerians work in the cabotage trade, as a way of encouraging the local content in crewing.
Thanking the governments of Ebonyi, Ekiti, Ondo and Benue states for keying into the NSDP, the NIMASA Director-General urged other states to do same.
In his words: “We urge all other states to key into this programme. Although it is expensive, but we have resolved to invest in the youths to build Nigeria.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, National Seafarers Welfare Board (NSWB), Otunba Kunle Folarin, said that the NSDP was poised to make Nigeria’s maritime industry one of the best in the world.
“With what NIMASA has started, I believe our maritime industry will be one of the best. There will also be jobs for these youths because over 4,500 vessels call at our ports yearly,” he said.
Folarin, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (PCC), advised the graduating cadets to remain focused and dedicated, adding that their Certificate of Competency had international value.
He advised them to do great work for the nation, because their profession is key to the development of the economy, stressing that, “Your Certificate of Competence is equivalent to currency which is recognised internationally. “
Speaking on behalf of the graduating cadets, Mr Raphael Faboro, expressed gratitude to NIMASA for the training, and requested that they be assisted to get jobs.
In his words: “We thank NIMASA and we promise to be good ambassadors of the nation and we are prepared to serve diligently, appealing that more youths be trained on the programme.

Business

Navy Hands Over Five Suspected Stowaways to NIS

Published

1 week ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has handed over five suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)

The suspects were discovered aboard a merchant vessel, MT Chinafrie Happiness, in an attempted illegal voyage out of the country.

This was contained in a statement issued by Sub Lieutenant A.O. Ajayi, Naval Assistant to the Commander, NNS Beecroft.

The statement said the Handover is part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration aimed at strengthening maritime security, curbing illegal migration, and enhancing safety within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

According to the statement, the suspects were discovered on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, concealed inside the rudder compartment of the vessel while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

The five suspects were safely evacuated by Naval Personnel’s and taken to NNS Beecroft for preliminary investigation, profiling, and documentation before being transferred to immigration authorities for further action.

The statement gave their identity as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Judge (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).

Preliminary findings indicated that the individuals allegedly boarded the vessel while it was docked at Tin Can Island Port with the intention of stowing away to India without valid travel documentation or authorisation.

The statement also noted that stowaway attempts pose significant risks to human life and maritime safety, as individuals often hide in hazardous compartments of vessels under extreme conditions that could lead to injury or death.

The Naval statement warned that illegal boarding of ships remains a serious maritime security challenge and called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to discourage youths from engaging in such dangerous and unlawful acts.

The statement reaffirmed the commitment of NNS Beecroft to sustained maritime security operations in line with the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, aimed at maintaining a professional and effective naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint operations for national security.

Chinedu Wosu

Business

Navy Nabs 13 Black Sand Miners In Bayelsa –Impound Two Boats

Published

1 week ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has arrested Thirteen 13 Black Sand miners in Bayelsa state

The Service also impounded two Wooden Boats used for the illegal operations

Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said this in a statement issued to Newsmen in Abuja.

Folorunsho said with the operation, the Navy had recorded another operational success in its efforts to curb illegal exploitation of natural resources

According to Folorunsho the operation was conducted by Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, following credible intelligence on the movement of boats suspected to be involved in illegal mining activities.

He said the intelligence revealed the boats were operating within the coastal communities of Brass Local Government Area.

“Acting on the intelligence, Naval personnel intercepted the boats at Lekeson and Liama communities, where large quantities of suspected illegally mined black sand were discovered onboard.

“A total of 13 crew members were arrested in connection with the activity,” he said.

The Naval Director of information said that the successful operation underscored the Navy’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment and preventing the illegal exploitation of natural resources that undermine economic development and environmental sustainability.

“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining operations against illegal resource extraction and other maritime crimes, while maintaining security and stability within the nation’s waterways,” he said.

Folorunsho also said that the two wooden boats recovered, the black sand and the 13 suspects have subsequently been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Nembe Division, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He said this was done in line with the extant procedures and directives of the Bayelsa Government.

The Naval spokesperson reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime resources.

Folorunsho assured that it would also ensure that the nation’s waterways remain safe and secure for legitimate economic activities.

CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

NCS Holds Free Medical Outreach For 2,000 Daura Residents

Published

2 months ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has held its 7th Retreat Medical Outreach in Daura, Katsina State,

Customs said the Free medical outreach is aimed at providing free healthcare services to residents of the area.

Speaking during the event, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Ahmad Tijjani-Abe, said the programme would provide general medical consultations, dental care, eye and ear care, as well as minor surgical operations for beneficiaries.

Tijjani-Abe said medical teams deployed for the exercise would also provide free medications to patients attending the outreach.

He added that the service would visit schools within the area to deworm students and distribute health kits and mosquito nets to help prevent malaria among children.

Also Speaking, Dr Ethelbert Ikechukwu, Medical Team Leader of the outreach said the exercise was part of the initiative of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which had been carried out in different parts of the country over the years.

According to him, the programme is designed to support communities where customs personnel operate by offering free medical consultations and medications to residents.

Ikechukwu further explained that patients whose conditions could not be fully managed at the outreach centre would be referred to appropriate medical facilities for further treatment.

Ikechukwu urged members of the public to take advantage of the exercise, noting that the medical teams comprised highly qualified healthcare professionals.

The outreach targets about 2,000 patients across various areas of medical care.