Asu Beks – Shipping World News Magazine

Jan112026 by Asu BeksNo Comments

MIMA AWARDS,2026: Lokpobiri emerges as Niger Delta’s Most Influential Personality.

Maritime

Nigeria's Oil Minister, Sen Heineken Lokpobori, has won the coveted " Most Influential Niger Delta Personality" Award in the 2026 edition of the Maritime Industry Merit Awards, MIMA. A statement issued in Lagos over the weekend by Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, revealed that Lokpobiri polled 42.1 per cent votes cast to beat his closest rivals, Amb. Godknows Igali, Chairman of PANDEF (33.9) per cent, and Dr Dennis Otuaro, Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme(24) per cent. Sen Lokpobiri succeeds Chief Government Ekpomupolo aka Tompolo who was winner in the same category in the previous edition. The Maritime Industry Merit Award, which enters its 27th Edition this year is aimed at rewarding excellence in Nigeria's maritime sector. Born on March ...

Dec292025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

MR PRESIDENT, PLEASE SIGN THE NIGERIAN SHIPPING AND PORTS ECONOMIC REGULATORY AGENCY( NPERA) BILL NOW: AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR.

Maritime, News Feature

Mr President, on behalf of the Maritime Elders Forum and the entire maritime stakeholders, I respectfully send you season's greetings. There is no doubt, Mr President, that 2025 has been one of the most turbulent and challenging years in the history of our nation. From the wave of insecurity, which you have tackled squarely, to the far-reaching economic reforms that have translated to the tax reform bills, are all pointers to the fact that you are taking the challenges head-on. Mr President, your modest achievements in the Oil and Gas sector are also there for all to see. From the bold decision to abolish fuel subsidy to the increase in daily production levels to an average of 1.8m bpd, from about 1mbpd daily output as at May 2023, and the complete disappearance of fuel queues, it is certa...

Dec122025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

MY JEWEL HAS GONE TO BE WITH OUR CREATOR!

News Feature

Our meeting was divine. It was certainly not an accident. I could remember, vividly, your innocent smiles that beautiful sunday afternoon sometime in December , 1996. It was a classic case of love at first sight. Your humble disposition,love and affection swept me off my feet. You loved me unconditionally. You didnt see any flaws in me. You accepted me for who i was, and what i am. I recall on several occasions, when you confided in me about instances when family and friends attempted to paint me black. But you stood firm with your convictions. Rather than use such gossips against me, we made jokes out of them. Helen, you were a true family woman. In all you do, the family came first. Your love for my siblings and my extended family was unconditional, undiluted. You showered them with so ...

Dec102025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Again, is the Nigerian Shipping and Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill Dead on Arrival? By Asu Beks

Maritime, News Feature

Those who are conversant with developments in Nigeria' s unpredictable maritime domain would not be surprised that the much touted Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Bill is now gathering dust at Aso Villa ,and may never get the Presidential assent after all .History tells us this is a regular pattern and that it might be easier for a niddle to pass through the eye of a needle than for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign this game changing bill into law. The NPERA Bill is a crucial legislative push to transform the Nigerian Shippers Council into an independent, powerful economic regulator for ports,aiming to curb arbitrary charges ,ensure fair competetion,attract investment and boost the Blue Economy by giving legal backing to control tariffs and economic services in Nigerian Por...

Nov302025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

UNVEILED ! The Wisemen That Won IMO ” Trophy” For Nigeria….As Tinubu Congratulates Team Oyetola By ASU BEKS

Maritime, News Feature

Even though his pick by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria's pioneer Minister of Marine and Blue Economy was unpopular with majority of maritime stakeholders at the time,Mr Adegboyega Oyetola , didnt seem distracted by naysayers. His eyes were focused on the ball, the tangibles and deliverables, in line with the renewed hope agenda.As an acclaimed technocrat , with a background in Insurance and as former Governor of Osun State , Oyetola was quick in drafting his goals for a turn around for an industry that was badly in need of a quick fix.Realising that succesful men are those who set goals for direction,motivation that help them navigate life proactively, Oyetola began to shop for the best hands that would help him drive the vision of the new ministry. As a visionary leader ,his style...

Nov292025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Category ” C” Election Victory: Jamoh Congratulates Oyetola for bringing back the ” Trophy” By ASU BEKS.

Maritime, News Feature

Immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, has paid glowing tribute to Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola,for piloting Nigeria back to category " C" for 2026-27 biennium of the International Maritime Organisation, IMO. It would be recalled that Nigeria break a 14 year jinx on Friday when it got elected into the 20 member category "C" of the IMO. In a congratulatory message to Oyetola, Jamoh stated that " this hard-won victory which restores Nigeria to the IMO Council after a fourteen- year absence is a powerful testament to the dedication, competence, and focused leadership, you have demonstrated since assuming office. Your Excellency's strategic vision and relentless efforts in repositioning Nigeria's marit...

Nov252025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

EXCLUSIVE! Nigeria Set to Leapfrog into IMO Category “C” Friday. BY ASU BEKS.

Maritime, Misc, News Feature

All eyes will be on 4, Embankment Street, London on Friday, November 28 as Nigeria attempts to leapfrog into the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, category " C". This is a high stakes election at the IMO Secretariat in which Nigeria has committed millions of dollars towards an electioneering campaign and lobbying spanning over 20 months. And the message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola , is very clear, " failure wont be an option". And the reason behind Mr President's mandate is obvious. Since 2010, Nigeria has made no fewer than nine unsucssful attempts at this elite club but returned with failure. " Dont return home without the " trophy" , President Tinubu was said to have warned Oyetola . As the D day approaches,Niger...

Nov212025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

The Role of Media and Advocacy in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy : Being a Paper Delivered By ELDER ASU BEKS, at the Ist International Conference and Trade Exhibition on Marine and Blue and Economy in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Maritime, News Feature

Introduction Global realities and domestic economic conditions have combined to make investment in Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy not just desirable, but imperative. Factors such as climate change, the global shift away from fossil fuels, the increasing globalization of consumer products and services, and revolutions in digital technology and payment systems are redirecting attention toward marine and blue economic opportunities. Historical Context Long before oil and gas became the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, the maritime sector played a vital role in national development. It provided the essential logistics for the movement of heavy cargo and people, facilitated the export of locally produced goods, and served as the entry point for imported products. Today, with the ...

Oct262025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

PORTS INFRASTUCRURE: WHEN PETER OBI SCORED AN OWN GOAL: BY ASU BEKS.

News Feature, Port News

It is common knowledge that despite the proximity of the ports of Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar, to their markets in Aba, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Owerri,majority of businessmen from the East prefer to patronise Lagos ports for obvious reasons .And for those who are not familiar with port operations, it is pertinent to educate the general public that it is the responsibility of a consignee to decide the preferred destination of his or her consignment. This is against the backdrop of the widely held misconception that the Nigerian Ports Authority usurps the rights of the importers by insisting on the destination of such goods. To lure imports to Eastern Ports, the NPA has in the past announced several incentives for importers who who prefer to take delivery of their cargo at ports o...

Oct182025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Breaking: Mobereola Rejuvenates NSDP …appoints Capt Omotosho to head Scheme. By Asu Beks.

Maritime, News Feature

Determined to avoid previous flaws and misteps of the flagship Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Dayo Mobereola, has carried out a major overhaul of the Scheme in line with global best practices. In recent years, the Scheme has come under intense scrutiny by stakeholders who had called for its evaluation in line with current realities to reflect our demands and aspirations as one of the fastest-growing Maritime nations in Africa. While some have called for its scrapping, others have insisted that it didn't make economic sense or logic to send students abroad for diploma programmes when back at home, we even have better institutions to run such programs. Shipping World Magazine can confirm exclus...