Business
Dakuku Denies Corruption Allegations Against Him …Holds Closed Door Meeting With Osibanjo
The former Director General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has denied reports that he was sacked from office on allegations of corrupt practices.
Dakuku who held a closed door meeting with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo in Abuja, last Friday, said the non- renewal of his tenure for another four years had nothing to do with corruption.
It would be recalled that the former NIMASA boss was removed from office on March 5, few days to the expiration of his first term in office.
Dakuku’s first tenure was supposed to expire on Tuesday, March 10, this year having been appointed the Director General of NIMASA on March 11, 2016.
But President Muhammadu Buhari, five days to the expiration of Dakuku’s first term, announced former Executive Director in the Finance and Administration Department of the agency, Bashir Jamoh, as Dakuku’s successor after the latter’s failed attempt for a tenure renewal.
The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was believed to have spearheaded Dakuku’s appointment in 2016 and under whose ministry is NIMASA, was equally caught unawares as he claimed not to be informed about Dakuku’s sack.
While details of the meeting between the Vice President and Dakuku were kept secret from the Presidential Villa correspondents, the ex NIMASA boss challenged whoever has any proof of corruption against him to make it public.
Dakuku has, however, expressed confidence in the ability of his successor to consolidate on the achievements recorded by NIMASA under his watch.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
