From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Coastal states in Nigeria have called on relevant authorities to expedite the harmonization of all maritime laws, including the Suppression of Privacy and other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act to ensure better implementation.Coming under the aegis of the Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform, the states comprising Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos State also called for the establishment of a workable community surveillance and intelligence sharing framework in all coastal security operations.

Presenting a 10-point communique at the end of its inaugural summit in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Chairman of the Platform and Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stressed the need for awareness on maritime safety and security.According to the Platform, such awareness will not only foster a culture of compliance with national and international laws but also help the country to optimally harness its potential in the blue economy.A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Bayelsa Deputy Governor, at the weekend, Doubara Atasi, said the Platform also advocated dedication of a percentage of revenue from maritime taxes and crude oil exports to coastal security funding.The group also called for investments in maritime transport services to stimulate economic activities between coastal communities bordering the Atlantic Ocean and neighbouring countries.Declaring the summit opened, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, commended the deputy governors forming the Platform, noting that there are lots of challenges facing Nigeria’s coastal states, which must be addressed.On his part, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Monday Onyeme, expressed optimism that the activities of the Platform will not only foster border governance but also proffer solutions to disputes along coastal boundaries.Others who spoke at the summit, including the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Director-General of National Boundary Commission, Surv. Adamu Adaji, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogana, Prof. Enefiok Essien, SAN, among others, listed several benefits of effective management of the coastal border of the country.

From Francis Sadhere, Delta

Two suspected armed robbers have been arrested in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, after a swift police operation foiled their criminal activities and led to the recovery of firearms, stolen motorcycles, and other valuables.Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said in a statement that the arrest followed a distress call received by the Ogwashi-Ukwu Police Station in the early hours of August 4, 2025.

The report indicated that armed robbers were operating along Chelsea Street in the town. The Divisional Police Officer, Okoyomon Israel, immediately mobilised the Anti-Crime Squad in collaboration with local vigilante groups to the scene. On sighting the operatives, the robbers attempted to flee, but two suspects — 22-year-old Thywill Selvin of Poly Road, Ogwashi-Ukwu, and 32-year-old Guntim Bako of Kwale Junction — were arrested.Items recovered from the suspects included one pump action rifle with one live cartridge, one Beretta pistol with six live ammunition, three live assault rifle rounds, two stolen motorcycles (a Daylong motorcycle, REG NO: SAP 369 VK, and a Qlink motorcycle, REG NO: URM 750 QV), 25 mobile phones, four laptops, one tablet phone, one PS4 game console, a home theatre set, two Zealot music players, five bags of clothes, and other valuables.Police said several victims have positively identified their stolen property.Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, praised the quick and professional response of the officers, noting that the operation’s success was largely due to timely information from the public.He reiterated the command’s commitment to aggressive, intelligence-led policing aimed at ridding Delta State of criminals, and urged residents to report suspicious persons or activities promptly, stressing that early reporting is vital in preventing crime.

From Francis Sadhere, Delta

The Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Dr. Otive Igbuzor, has called for urgent value reorientation as a key step in addressing Nigeria’s leadership and moral crisis.

Speaking during the weekend at the graduation of Set 8 and matriculation of Set 9 of the Warri Leadership School, Dr. Igbuzor stressed that the country’s leadership deficit is most visible in politics, even though Nigerians excel in leadership roles globally. “We have Nigerians providing excellent leadership at the United Nations, World Trade Organisation, Africa Development Bank, and other global institutions. The problem is not capacity — it is the lack of values and strategic leadership in governance,” he said.The event, held at the Holy Catholic Family Hall, Edjeba, was themed “Leadership and Value Decadence in Nigeria: Finding Local Implementable Solutions.” Dr. Igbuzor identified integrity, justice, empathy, accountability, patriotism, and respect for human dignity as core values that must be revived.He said that Nigeria’s solutions must be locally driven and culturally relevant, warning against over-reliance on foreign prescriptions. “Leadership is both the cause and cure of Nigeria’s challenges,” he stated.Dr. Igbuzor commended the Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative (VREI), led by Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, for providing tuition-free, high-quality leadership training in the Niger Delta over the past eight years.To the graduates, he charged: “True leadership is not about positions, titles, or power. It is about influence, service, and impact. Lead with character, competence, courage, and compassion.” He also encouraged matriculating students to embrace the rigorous, practical training ahead of them.Since its inception, the Centre LSD Leadership School has trained over 2,700 leaders in multiple Nigerian cities, equipping them to serve as change agents in politics, civil society, and business.The event was attended by partners, faculty members, traditional rulers, and representatives from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), which has supported Centre LSD since 2010.