News
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.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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