News Feature – Page 3 – Shipping World News Magazine

Nov252025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

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

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 ...

Nov142025 by adminNo Comments

24-Hour Power: Bayelsa Set To Become Industrial Hub, Says Gov Diri

News Feature

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the state is poised to become a hub for industrial growth once its independent power plant becomes functional. Installation of a 60-megawatt gas turbine procured by the state government is expected to be completed by December this year. Speaking during the 41st Annual General Meeting/Exhibition of the Bayelsa/Rivers branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Yenagoa on Thursday, Governor Diri said the state government would work with the association and other partners to unlock opportunities across the blue economy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. He described the state as a land of immense potential and promise, stressing that his administration was creating the enabling environment for manufacturing and...

Nov132025 by adminNo Comments

Gov Diri Presents N998bn 2026 Budget Proposal To State Assembly *Infrastructure Gets N298bn, Education N75bn, Pipe-borne Water N10bn

Misc, News Feature

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, presented the state’s 2026 appropriation bill of N998,371,313,943.04 to the House of Assembly. Governor Diri said the proposal tagged: “Budget of Assured Prosperity II” would be funded through various projected revenue sources, including statutory allocation N42.2bn, Value Added Tax N84bn, 13% derivation N212.6bn and other FAAC allocations N488bn. Other projected receipts are internally generated revenue of N85.9bn, internal and external grants amounting to N24.9bn while domestic loans would be N50bn. Capital expenditure is expected to gulp N645.2, which is 64.6% of the total budget while recurrent expenditure is projected at N353.1bn (35.4%) As in previous years, the Works and Infrastructure Ministry got the lion’s sh...

Nov122025 by adminNo Comments

I Won’t Insist My Deputy Moves With Me to APC…Gov Diri

News Feature, Politics

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join him in the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he formally joined on November 3. Governor Diri resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15 citing obvious reasons for his decision but his deputy did not join him in the new party. Speaking during the weekly state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, with Ewhrudjakpo also present, the Bayelsa governor said as a matter of principle, he believes in engagement rather than confrontation and that he will continue to discuss with his deputy. While admitting that it is difficult for both of them to be in different political parties, Diri expressed the optimism tha...

Nov92025 by adminNo Comments

Africa Needs Collective Action for Port Growth — Dantsoho

Misc, News Feature

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has emphasized that the interconnectedness and interdependence of African nations make cooperation an essential precondition for the collective advancement of seaports across the continent. Dantsoho made this known at the closing ceremony of the 45th Annual Council of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) held in Pointe-Noire, Congo. Speaking in his capacity as President of PMAWCA, Dantsoho said the level of enthusiasm, goodwill and altruism displayed throughout the technical sessions and deliberations convinces him that ports within the sub-region are well-positioned to confront future challenges with renewed confidence. Represented by the General Manager Corporate Aff...

Nov52025 by adminNo Comments

Oyetola, South South Commission Set to Reactivate “Abandoned” Deep Seaports Completion Projects in the Niger Delta .

News Feature

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday received in audience the Managing Director of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), Ms. Usoro Akpabio , in Abuja, where both parties reaffirmed commitment to strengthening collaboration towards sustainable maritime growth and regional development in the South-South. Ms. Akpabio commended the Minister for his visionary leadership and ongoing reforms in the maritime sector, noting that his initiatives were “repositioning the marine and blue economy as a new driver of national GDP growth.” “We see the reforms in port operations, logistics, and maritime governance that are enhancing trade facilitation, transparency, and investor confidence,” she said. “Our strategic role as a statutory regional...

Oct312025 by adminNo Comments

MIMA 2026 Nominations Unveiled: Celebrating Excellence in Nigeria’s Maritime Industry

Maritime, News Feature

Maritime Media Ltd, Publishers of Shipping World Magazine and Organizers of the Annual Maritime Industry Merit Awards, MIMA, are pleased to announce Nominations For the 2026 Edition. Below are the nominations: 1 .LIFETIME MARITIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ( i) Prince Olayiwola Shittu JP. ( Chairman Skelas Group) (ii) Dr Taiwo Afolabi ( Chairman Sifax Group) (iii) Adegboyega Oyetola ,CON ( Minister Marine and Blue Economy) 2. MARITIME MAN OF THE YEAR. (i)Dr Adewale Adeniyi MFR ( CGC, NCS) (ii)Dr Taiwo Afolabi ( Chairman Sifax Group). (iii) Dr Adewale Adeyanju ( BOT Chairman MWUN/ Vice President NLC). 3. MOST IMPACFUL MARITIME CEO. (i) Dr Dayo Mobereola ( DG, NIMASA). (ii) Dr Abubakar Dantsoho (MD, NPA) (iii) Dr Kelvin Okonna ( Acting Rector, MAN, Oron). 4. MASTER MARINER OF TH...

Oct302025 by adminNo Comments

Coup Rumour on Ogbuku: NDDC demands apology from Punch.

Misc, News Feature

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has demanded a retraction and apology from the Punch and Daily Times newspapers over an alleged coup rumour against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Commission’s Legal Counsel, ADEDIPE AND ADEDIPE Legal Practitioners, in a strongly worded letter signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, demanded that The Punch, the Daily Times and others retract the offensive and false publication and tender an unreserved public apology. Adedipe said the report, “falsely alleged that Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was arrested by military intelligence for allegedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Tinubu. “The publication further claimed, without any factual or evidential basi...

Oct292025 by adminNo Comments

Another Bayelsa PDP senator Sunday Agadaga defects to APC, says PDP in shreds

News Feature

Sunday Agadaga, a senator representing Bayelsa east, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Agadaga announced his defection in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during the plenary on Wednesday. The letter was titled “Notice of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and formal movement and defection to the All Progressives Congress”. “As the saying goes, change is the only permanent thing in life,” the senator wrote in his letter. “Indeed, as the Holy Scriptures remind us, to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens. I believe that the time for change in my political sojourn on earth has come.” He said the decision to leave the PDP was no...