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Maritime Day : NASS Committed to Maritime Safety — Senator

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The Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Sen. Wasiu Sanni, has expressed the National Assembly’s commitment to policies that would drive safe operations in the maritime sector.

Sanni said this during the commemoration of the 2024 World Maritime Day with the theme: “Navigating the Future: Safety First”.

He said that maritime safety was a national imperative, adding that there is need to embrace new innovation as the country improved on safety.

“As we look into the future, let safety be the guide to enable Nigeria be the leading maritime nation in the West and Central Africa,” Sanni said.

He urged agencies in the maritime sector to ensure compliance to international safety conventions.

He advised operators to make safety their guiding principle to position the country as a leading player in the global maritime community.

Sanni asked the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to resubmit the petition concerning retired seafarers who had not been paid gratuity during the Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNLS) regime.

He assured the union that the senate would work with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure justice for the seafarers who had contributed to the growth of maritime industry.

The Director, Maritime Safety and Security, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Babatunde Bombata, said that maritime industry depended on the world’s ocean and waterways.

Bombata described the ocean and waterways as vital channels for international trade, innovation, and connectivity.

He said that safety was not merely an operational consideration, but the cornerstone upon which the future of the maritime industry must be built.

“The safe operation of vessels, the security and well-being of seafarers, the protection of the marine environment are also interconnected, with safety serving as a key factor in unifying trade.

“Without prioritising safety, we risk not only human lives but also the ecosystems and economies that rely on our oceans.

“In an era of rapid technology change, where innovations like autonomous vessels, renewable energy platforms, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the landscape, our commitment to safety must be unwavering,” he said.

According to him, these advancements present great opportunities, but they also introduce new risks.

“We must, therefore, ensure that these technologies enhance safety standards rather than compromise them, guiding us into a future where innovation and safety work hand-in-hand,” Bombata said.

He urged stakeholders to come together with the ministry in shared commitment to advance maritime operations, prioritising safety, innovation and sustainability.

Speaking earlier, the President of MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju, urged government to address the issue of the retired seafarers from NNLS who have not been paid their pensions after three decades.

He commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, for signing an MoU with the shipping companies and terminal operators to increase Seafarers’ minimum wage to N200,000

The Rector, Maritime Academy, Oron, Commodore Duja Effedua, said that the institution was navigating the future of the academy with quality training for cadets

He commended NIMASA for restructuring and adequately equipping the academy, and urged stakeholders to support the Federal Government to improve the standard of the school.

“For the first time in 42 years of the existence of the institution, we are now admitting foreign students based on the standard stimulators and other equipment put in place by NIMASA.

“I am also happy that the students of the academy who participated in the maritime essay competition organised by NIMASA, took the best runner with other nine shortlisted institutions.

“Our academy will also give you the student scholarship to complete his studies,”Effedua said.

In his good will message, Prof. Lawrence Awosika of Nigeria Institute of Maritime and Oceanography, commended Oyetola”s leadership of Marine and Blue Economy.

Report says that NIMASA appreciated 10 outstanding student from maritime universities and universities that offer maritime courses who participated in the NIMASA essay competition.

The students were rewarded with cash prizes on N500,000 each.

Yhe Nigerian Ports Authority also gave six students who participated in secondary school essay maritime competition laptops and cash prices up to N800,000.

The Inland Waterways Authority also gave a study trip to two runners up from the second school competition in Ghana and Porto- Novo (NAN).

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Police Officer Commits Suicide in Ogun

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The Police Command in Ogun State has confirmed a police officer, Insp Ajele Oloyede, allegedly shot himself in the Igbesa area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed this in a statement issued to journalists in Ota, Ogun state, on Sunday.

He said before who the tragic incident at about 1:20 p.

m.
on  Friday, the deceased officer was on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company,

“According to preliminary reports, Tolorunloju Stephen, an officer attached to the Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos,who was also on special duty at the company.

“He had just returned from Ikeja when he entered the security office.

“He found Oloyede resting his head on a table.

After exchanging pleasantries and briefly inquiring about his well-being, Oloyede responded positively.

“Shortly after, Stephen proceeded to the restroom but moments later heard a gunshot.

“Rushing back, he found Inspector Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.”

Odutola said that with the assistance of private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately rushed to Ota General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor.

She added that the firearm used in the incident had been recovered, and the officer’s body had been deposited at the hospital for an autopsy.

“The Ogun state police command has launched an investigation into the tragic death of Inspector Oloyede, who was reported to have shot himself while on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company, Igbesa,” Odutola said.

She noted that the Commissioner of Police had ordered a full-scale investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the possibility of foul play or mental health concerns.

Odutola assured that the police swiftly contacted the deceased officer’s family.

According to her,  the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for a thorough investigation.

She extended the Nigeria Police Force’s deepest condolences to the officer’s family, colleagues, and loved ones.

“The command remains committed to the well-being of its officers and will ensure all necessary support is provided during this difficult time,” she added.

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We Didn’t Borrow to Accomplish Achievements in 3 Years – Gov Soludo 

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Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has said that his administration achieved significant progress in infrastructure and human capital development in three years without borrowing money.

Soludo made the disclosure on Sunday during a thanksgiving Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Awka, ahead of the celebrations marking his third anniversary in office on March 17.

He said: “I express my gratitude to the Almighty God because it is a journey ordained by God.

Tomorrow, March 17, we will be three years in office.

“Three years ago, we applied for this job and you employed us based on trust. Looking back on the promises we made, it is fair to say so far, so good.

“We have commissioned over 750 kilometers of roads, with more than 400km already completed. Additionally, we have recruited over 8,000 teachers and rehabilitated public schools to enhance the education sector.

“We achieved remarkable progress in youth empowerment, agriculture, security, and the health sector. Today, Anambra is leading in health in Nigeria.

“We have done all these without borrowing one kobo in three years.

The governor said his goal was to transform the state into the Dubai, Taiwan, and Silicon Valley of Africa, leveraging its abundant resources and exceptional human capital.

“We still have one more year left in this tenure, and I want to assure you that we will continue working diligently every single day to fulfill the promises we made to you.

“So far, we are on track to laying the foundations for realising the Anambra of our dreams,” he said.

Soludo thanked residents for their support and prayers.

Earlier in his sermon, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, said that serving as a governor, senator, or bishop is a sacred contract with both God and the electorate.

According to him, it is a form of stewardship, where one is entrusted with duties that demand accountability to the people and adherence to personal principles.

Kukah praised Gov. Soludo for his accomplishments over the past three years and for his expression of gratitude to God.

“I’m from Kaduna State, but I must admit I’m jealous of the progress in Anambra. You have consistently had governors who leave their unique mark in terms of good governance.

“Anambra is a state with great men and women like Cardinal Francis Arinze, late Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie, late Dr Alex Ekwueme and many others. And I’m happy that Gov. Soludo is consolidating on the gains.

“I have seen some of the projects by Gov. Soludo and I commend him. These are projects that will improve the quality of life of the people.

“I pray that your agenda for securing the people, for education, health, women and youth empowerment will be achieved by God’s Grace for the betterment of the people,” Kukah said.(NAN)

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6 Die as Truck Rams Into Vehicles, Pedestrians in Onitsha

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Multiple Accidents Claim Two, Injured Nine on Lagos-Ibadan expressway
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The Police Command in Anambra has confirmed that six people died in a multiple-vehicle accident on Saturday at Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer(CPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Sunday that the police had taken over the accident scene to maintain order and facilitate investigations.

“According to eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred due to the loss of control of a truck, which rammed into pedestrians, two tricycles, and a commercial bus loaded with passengers,” he said

Ikenga noted that the crash claimed six lives, while several others sustained injuries and were currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

He added that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited in the morgue.

He added that some relatives of the victims had been contacted and informed about the incident.

Ikenga said that the command extended its condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wished the injured a swift recovery.

He urged drivers to conduct necessary safety checks before plying the roads to prevent such tragic incidents.

The CPRO assured the public that further updates would be provided as investigations progressed (NAN)

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