DEFENCE
Piracy: Okowa Tasks Navy on Operational Efficiency
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has urged the Nigerian Navy to strengthen its operational efficiency to check piracy and criminal activities in the maritime sector.
The governor made the call on Wednesday when the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral, Awwal Gambo, and his delegation visited in Asaba.
Okowa, however, lauded the operational performance index of Naval personnel in the state.
He noted that with sustained surveillance and peace, Delta as a coastal state, would increase its contribution in crude oil production to the national treasury.
“I welcome you to Delta State. I want to thank you also for this visit.
“There is no doubt that Delta is a very important coastal state, particularly because, it is a major producer of crude oil in our nation.
“I want to thank the Navy for the efforts they have put in consistently in helping to secure our state and even working with other sister security agencies in securing even our lands.
“So, we want to appreciate you for the good work you are doing in the state.
“We are aware that you work with a lot of our people who assist in area of intelligence in being able to carry out your various surveillance activities.
“We are also grateful to the officers you have sent to us. They have been quite helpful and committed to their works both on land and in waters,” he said.
Okowa assured the Chief of Naval Staff that his administration would continue to assist in making the job of Naval personnel both on the land and in water easier through the provision of logistics.
Okowa said that the synergy among various security agencies has yielded positive results.
On the Admiralty University, Ibusa, the governor thanked the Navy for bringing the institution to the state.
He said that his administration would contribute toward the growth of the university.
“As for the barracks, we have spoken about it through your officer at the state security council.
“It is a contract awarded before we came in. I think we are sorting out the issue of re-costing after six years, so that the contractor can commence work very soon.
“The internal roads in Logistics Command would be done because there is a provision for it in the budget,” he said.
Earlier, Gambo said he was in Delta to familiarise with the state and to also, build on the existing cordial relationship between the Delta State Government and the Navy.
He said the Nigeria Navy was committed to the safety of the maritime space especially in ensuring that piracy and crude oil theft were stamped out from the maritime sector.
Gambo disclosed that legitimate socio-economic activities would thrive as a result of the security that was being provided both on water and land in active collaboration with other sister security agencies.
He appealed to Gov. Okowa to do more in the provision of facilities in the various Naval formations in the state.
Gambo outlined measures in place to stem the tide of piracy to include surveillance, response and maritime law enforcement.
He stressed that the approach had reduced criminal activities in the maritime space.
“Delta, as a coastal state, has a very long cordial relationship with the Nigerian Navy and off course, with our shared value.
” It is only apt to use this opportunity to consolidate on the already existing relationship between the Nigerian Navy, the government and the good people of Delta State,” he said. (NAN).
The Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform.
This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.
Ajani said that the new digital platform was designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround time and improved user experience.
The platform is aimed at managing citizenship applications, processing business permits, and administering regulations related to businesses and foreign workers.
The permanent secretary explained further that the initiative was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency thereby significantly improving service delivery to the public.
“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are hereby expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior’s website: https://interior.gov.ng.
Direct portal access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng, candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries.
“The ministry remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation.(NAN)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the ongoing road reconstructions in Enugu State by the Gov Peter Mbah led administration, meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals on road safety.
The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, made the observation on Wednesday in Enugu during a press briefing for the commemoration of the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week in the state.
The theme for the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is: ‘Make Walking Safe, Make Cycling Safe’, and it runs from May 12 to May 18, 2025.
Agbakoba noted that with the spacious walkways and putting other necessary road furniture such as well-designed bus stops and lighting, the Gov.
Mbah led administration had achieved one of the major goals of the UN.According to him, with new road design with spacious walkways and other furniture made compulsory in all roads, Gov. Mbah has prioritised the safety and security of pedestrians walking in all major roads within the state.
Agbakoba noted that during the event, the FRSC stakeholders and the Command awareness would be focusing on education that dealt with safety of vulnerable road users, who were those walking and cycling within roads in cities and communities.
He explained that the event was meant to reinforce collective responsibilities in making road safer for everybody as
established in 2007 by the UN General Assembly as efforts would spotlight the need to prioritise non-motorised transportation safety.
“As a Corps, we have continued to generate strategies to meet these glaring challenges. We have intensified our public enlightenment campaigns both in the state and nationwide.
“The establishment and sustenance of road safety clubs in schools to catch-them-young and ensured walkways, Zebra Crossing and cycling lanes are incorporated into new and existing road projects.
“FRSC is also monitoring drivers’ behaviour in high-risk routes, enforce speed limits and also ensure well-structured safety education for children and youths to imbibe positive road culture and habits,” he said.
He urged road safety stakeholders in the state to sustain the call for action meant to build a road environment and culture where pedestrians and cyclists were protected and where no life was lost needlessly on the roads.
“As a lead agency in road safety administration and traffic management, FRSC will continue to drive interventions to save lives, but we cannot do this on our own; we needed everyone’s support and cooperation,” he added.
The week long event included: a press briefing, sensitisation rally and distribution of fliers, strategic visit to selected schools for safety education and Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) visit to fleet operators.
Others are: commemorative juma’at prayer on Friday, ROSOWA visitation to orphanage homes and commemorative church service on Sunday among others. (NAN)
At least four individuals lost their lives, and two others sustained life-threatening injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred along G.U Ake Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The spokesperson for the Police Command in Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko attributed the collision, which occurred at about 11:42 p.
m. on the day, to excessive speeding, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.“The driver of a Toyota Camry, with registration number ABJ 10 EM, lost control and struck six pedestrians.
“Tragically, four of the pedestrians died at the scene, while two others sustained injuries and were immediately taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) for medical attention,” she explained.
She further stated that the vehicle had another occupant, identified as Benson Michael, aged 36.
According to the police spokesperson, the driver was promptly arrested and is currently undergoing interrogation.
“The accidented vehicle has been recovered and taken to the police station.
“The case will be transferred to the State Traffic Department for further investigation,” she noted.
She added that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary.
Iringe-Koko extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that justice would be served. (NAN)
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