News Feature – Page 11 – Shipping World News Magazine

Mar222022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Hadiza Bala Usman: End of an Era of Impunity

When a leader encourages the culture of impunity, the society is lost and it makes the work harder for the rest of us – Wole Soyinka. Industry watchers were shocked when in July 2016, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman was named Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). She thus became the first woman in the history of the agency to be appointed into that exalted office. Her appointment was a replacement for Abdullahi Habib whose second coming was aborted following irreconcilable differences with his Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi. Habib, who was sacked at the twilight of the Jonathan administration, was recalled to his former job six months after Mallam Ado Bayero took over from him. Hadiza’s appointment was received with mixed feelings, especially by stakeholders w...

Mar212022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

NPA Top Job: How Amaechi Floored Kaduna Mafia

News Feature, Politics, Port News

The week and months leading to the dethronement of Hadiza Bala Usman at Marina House unravelled like the epic biblical battle between David and Goliath. While Hadiza Bala Usman drummed up the entire war chest of the famed Kaduna Mafia, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, had the backing of a little-known Kebbi Mafia, featuring Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami as its Consigliere. It was the classic setting for a battle of wits between the proud, powerful and established order confronted by an emerging force seeking to usurp the status quo. Kaduna Mafia, for the records, was founded in 1966 by a group of Nigeria’s northern intelligentsia made up of civil servants, businessmen and top military officers who resided or conducted activitie...

Mar212022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi: A Minister’s Last Laugh

News Feature, Port News

That only death can be worse than betrayal is an age-long aphorism; and for more than two and half years into the five-year tenure of Ms Hadiza Bala Usman as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), this was the burden Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi had to contend with. Rotimi Amaechi did not know jack about Hadiza until Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai introduced her to the Buhari Campaign Council in 2014. And true to the recommendations, Hadiza proved in the various tasks assigned to her that she could be relied upon. She came into the Buhari Campaign Council with very brilliant ideas which endeared her to Amaechi. “I found in Hadiza an unquestionable passion for excellence in Project Nigeria. Her contributions to discussions at various sessions were top-notch....

Mar162022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Why we are amending the NIMASA Act and the Cabotage Act…Gbajabiamala

Maritime, News Feature

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila Tuesday announced that the 9thAssembly embarked on the Amendment of the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Cabotage Act 2003 due to the need to improve the regulatory instruments in the Nigerian maritime sector to meet the need of current realities. Honorable Gbajabiamila stated this while declaring open the two day public hearing by the House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration on the Merchant Shipping Act, Repeal and Enactment Bill 2021, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act Repeal & Enactment Bill 2021, Coastal & Inland Cabotage Amendment Bill 2020. The Speaker noted the need for appropriate regulation of the Nigerian maritime industry in tune with realities of the times to ensure ...

Mar162022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

WHY WE MUST JOIN FORCES TO RESCUE NIMASA….League of Fmr NIMASA DGs

Maritime, News Feature

It what looked like a tale of woes, some past Directors General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, took a retrospective look at the history of the Agency and concluded that NIMASA has fallen far short of the expectations and needs of industry stakeholders , despite its modest achievements but require a rejig of it's laws to give it the power to bark and bite. This unanimous verdict was thrown up yesterday by the former helmsmen of Agency, as the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Administration commenced a public hearing on a bill to ammend both the NIMASA Act and the Cabotage Act. The three past Directors General who spoke at the public hearing included Arc Ferdinand Agu, Mfon Usoro and Prince Temi Omatseye. Mrs Mfon Usoro who was pioneer Director Ge...

Mar102022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Gov Diri Inaugurates Road, Secondary School Projects In Obogoro *Says Community’s Erosion Control Project On Course

Education, News Feature

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated a newly built internal road and a secondary school in Obogoro community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state. Speaking during the inauguration of the projects, Governor Diri recalled how pathetic the road and school were during his previous visit to the area, a condition he said necessitated the decision of the government to embark on the projects. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying his administration will continue to deliver on its promises to bring development to people of the state. He commended the paramount ruler and people of the community for their support to government and ensuring that the projects were hitch-free, saying such support will be rewar...

Mar92022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Nimasa, nimet partnership will improve maritime sector….Jamoh

Maritime, News Feature

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and SafetyAgency, NIMASA and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) setting out areas of collaboration in weather forecasting and climate research. Director General NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh and his counterpart from NiMet, Prof Mansur Bako Matazu signed on behalf of both Agencies of government. The MoU is designed as a framework for NiMet to provide meteorological services for NIMASA to improve the welfare of Seafarers and Safety of navigation of vessels in Nigerian territorial waters in line with recommendations of the International Maritime Organization. Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, NIMASA Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh expressed confidence that the forecast for maritime safety...

Mar72022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Bayelsa Special, Peaceful State, Says Obasanjo *Commends Gov. Diri

News Feature, Press Release

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described Bayelsa as a special state and pledged to continue to support its developmental efforts, which he said are on course. The two-time Nigerian Head of State spoke yesterday at his Abeokuta, Ogun State residence during the visit of Governor Douye Diri to felicitate with him on his 85th birthday. The foremost elder statesman thanked the Bayelsa governor for the visit and commended him for steering the ship of the state in the right direction. He said despite being a small state in terms of population, his desire is to see a Bayelsa that is beautiful, powerful and that cannot be ignored. His words: "Bayelsa State is a special state. What I have coveted and strived for Bayelsa is what we are getting today. "Small but beautiful, small...

Mar62022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

My Award, Encouragement To Perform Better, Says Gov Diri *Dedicates Honour To Bayelsans

News Feature

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his Independent Newspapers' Governor of the Year 2021 Award will spur him to better serve his state and the country. He equally dedicated the award to people of the state and his Prosperity Administration team. The governor, who was honoured as the best in the Good Governance and Responsive Leadership category, received the award at a well-attended event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on Saturday night. In statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, Senator Diri said the award was not for him alone but also for members of his Prosperity Administration and all Bayelsans. He appreciated the media organisation for the recognition, noting that he was delighted that his silent achievements wer...

Mar62022 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Wike Has Simplified Governance, Says Diri As Bayelsa Governor Inaugurates Road Project In Rivers

News Feature, Press Release

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has showered encomiums on his Rivers counterpart, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying he has simplified governance in a way that his administration has positively impacted the people. Governor Diri stated this on Wednesday when he inaugurated the 3.5km Mgbuoshimini-Nkpor road in Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The Bayelsa governor noted that the importance of roads cannot be over-emphasised as they impact on the socio-economic life of the people. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Governor Diri as saying that Wike simplified governance through his infrastructure revolution. The said the Rivers governor would leave big shoes for his successor to fill. Diri stated that having gro...