News Feature – Shipping World News Magazine

Jun22026 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Breaking : Five Years After, Dakuku Peterside Returns to the Nigerian Maritime Stage at WISTA Africa.

One of Africa’s most commanding voices in maritime policy and management reform is coming home and the industry is watching. Dr. Dakuku Peterside, management turnaround expert, public policy authority, and one of the continent’s foremost maritime thought leaders, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the 8th WISTA Africa Regional Conference, holding June 25 and 26, 2026, at the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The significance of this announcement cannot be overstated. For a man who, over the past year alone, has commanded rooms at high-level maritime conferences in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kenya, and China, this marks his first keynote appearance at a maritime event on Nigerian soil in five years. It is, by any measure, a homecoming — and a moment the indu...

May272026 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Kevin Okonna Grabs “Gold” at MAN, Oron…Gets IMS Certification from SON …Oyetola extols Okonna’s Leadership

News Feature

History was made in the ancient coastal port city of Oron, Akwa Ibom state, on Tuesday, when the Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, presented the Integrated Management System (IMS) Certificate to Nigeria's premier maritime institution, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria at a ceremony akin to the trappings of an Olympic gold medal presentation ceremony. It was pomp and pageantry as the Academy multi-purpose Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi Hall, venue of the epoch-making event, was filled as stakeholders and community leaders converged at the 49-year-old Academy for this landmark event. For the Academy's Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna, the event was a dream come true, and an affirmation and reward for several years of painsaking efforts aimed at building a...

May262026 by adminNo Comments

Pioneer Airlines commences maiden flight to Yenagoa….Douye Diri says its a dream come true

News Feature

On Monday, May 25, 2026, Pioneer Airlines commenced non-scheduled flight operations with one of the aircraft acquired by the Bayelsa State government, an ATR 72-600. The historic flight into the world of commercial aviation was flown by Captain M. Ibrahim and First Officer Joyce, a female co-pilot, in the cockpit. The aircraft taxied off the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 11:00hrs and, following clearance from the control tower, was airborne at 11:10hrs en route the Bayelsa International Airport. Interestingly, on board the air-bird was the Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, who was Passenger 1A. Seated with him in the cabin were a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gabriel Onyenwife, the Special Adviser to the Govern...

May262026 by adminNo Comments

INC Leadership Crises: Gov Diri Sets up peace and reconciliation committee

News Feature

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has set up a peace and reconciliation committee with an appeal to well-meaning stakeholders in the Ijaw ethnic nationality to collectively ensure that the Ijaw National Congress (INC) was not factionalised. He said history would not forgive them if they allowed personal interests to overshadow the cause of the Ijaw people. Governor Diri stated this on Tuesday in Government House, Yenagoa, while inaugurating an eight-member INC Reconciliation Committee to resolve the protracted discord within the body. A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, informed that the panel has two members from each of the zones of the INC while two others are to man the secretariat. The Bayelsa helmsman, who is commonly called the Gov...

May242026 by adminNo Comments

IJAW ARE NOT COWARDS: By Victor Burubo

News Feature

Because a decent, God-fearing Ijaw man in the person of Governor Siminialaiyi Fubara decided to leave the 2027 governorship race rather than shed blood in Rivers State, there has been a rash of Ijaw-baiting and shaming. I have read heaps of articles by people who are asking why Ijaw people are "keeping quiet" while former Governor Wike puts Rivers State in his pocket.They attribute sheer cowardice to Ijaw People in Rivers State in what they term "Ethnic" domination in the politics of Rivers State.Surprisingly some of those who bandy such theories are Ijaw people who don't seem to know any better.I think now is the time to set the record straight. Wike's current power is actually Federal Might left in his hands by President Tinubu who sees him as a weapon of mass destruction in the 2027 r...

May212026 by adminNo Comments

South-South Governors Forum endorse Fubara, others …sends message of Solidarity to First Term Governors

News Feature

Barely 24 hours after he pulled out of the race for the Brick House Port Harcourt, South-South Governors Forum have belatedly expressed solidarity Gov Sim Fubara of Rivers State and first term governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) participating in the scheduled governorship primaries of the party on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The SSGF in a statement by its chairman and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, said as first term governors, they have demonstrated visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the progress of their states. But political commentators argue that the endorsement has come rather too late as Governor Fubara who has fallen out of favour with the APC has already thrown in the towel. The Forum led by Governor Douye Diri said it is proud of the a...

May162026 by adminNo Comments

20 Trillion Naira Is Missing From Nigeria’s Federation Account – Olisa Agbakoba

Misc, News Feature

I want to ask Nigerians one simple question, and I want us to actually answer it together: WHERE DOES OUR MONEY GO? The money you collectively earn as a country, every kobo of oil revenue, every customs duty, every company tax, every regulatory fee, and every court fine. The money that supposedly funds our roads, schools, hospitals, and police. Most Nigerians do not know this, so let me start with something that may shock you: Nigeria has a special bank account. It is called the FEDERATION ACCOUNT. The 1999 Constitution created it in Section 162. Every kobo of revenue the federal government collects on behalf of Nigeria is supposed to flow into that one account. Then it is shared among the federal government, the 36 states, and the 774 local governments according to a sharing formula...

May152026 by adminNo Comments

Justice for BROTHER UDOKA UDEOGARANYANYA

News Feature

Dear Esteemed Brothers of the Great Umunna Lekki Worldwide, I bring you solemn yet hopeful tidings. It is my duty to update us on the ongoing investigation into the cruel and senseless murder of our beloved brother, Udoka Udeogaranya. From the very beginning, we made our collective resolve clear: we will stop at nothing until justice is delivered—firmly, coldly, and without compromise. I personally remain unwavering in that commitment. I am pleased to inform this noble house that two suspects have now been apprehended, and one of Udoka’s mobile phones has been recovered. While I can not disclose further details at this stage, rest assured that we are fully on top of the matter. My deepest commendation goes to the men and officers of the Nigerian Police Force. Their diligence has reki...

May132026 by adminNo Comments

REQUIEM FOR A CINEMATOGRAPHER! The Rise and Transition to Glory of NPA’s Paul (Texas) Erakhifu By Ikechukwu Onyemekara GM Corporate Affairs, NPA

News Feature

From humble beginnings at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) when he was employed on October 17th 1994 (Same month of his birth) as a junior staff on Grade Level 3, Paul Ikherovba Erakhifu popularly known as “Texas” by dint of diligence, determination, discipline and desire rose to the defining role of senior staff Grade Level 13 in a career marked by sterling contributions and indelible impact till his return to his maker on Friday 1st May, 2026. Although we cannot determine our appointed date of birth and death, we definitely can determine how we want to be remembered, Texas by his uncommon commitment to his craft (Photography) and his contagious sense of humor which he generously doled out to all who came in contact with him definitely and intentionally set out to be remembered for ...

May12026 by adminNo Comments

Gov. Diri Sacks Paramount Ruler over communal clash *Sets Up Interim Governing Committee

News Feature

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the immediate removal of the paramount ruler of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Chief Okosughe Benson Eseimokumo, following the intractable conflict in the community. Governor Diri, who wielded the axe on Thursday during the April 2026 Praise Night at the King of Glory Chapel in Government House, Yenagoa, also directed the immediate dissolution of the Ogboinbiri council of chiefs, community development committee and the youth body. The development followed Tuesday's violent dispute that led to the loss of life and arson attacks, prompting the state government to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the community. The Bayelsa governor equally directed his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Commissioner...