Tuesday, November 18Nigeria's Authoritative Maritime News Magazine
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News Feature

Bayelsa is a Model for Full Local Govt Autonomy… Gov Diri

Bayelsa is a Model for Full Local Govt Autonomy… Gov Diri

Misc, News Feature
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has again said the state government does not tamper with funds accruing to local government councils in the state as they all enjoy full autonomy. Speaking at Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area during the inauguration of a 30-bed primary health centre built by the council, Governor Diri insisted that his administration only supervises the third tier of government. He stated that the autonomy has enabled council chairmen to execute projects like the Biseni health centre. Diri lauded the council chairman for the project, which he said was in line with his administration's policy of making healthcare available and affordable to the people. The Bayelsa helmsman approved an upgrade of the primary health centre to a cottage hospital...
IYC Power Tussle: Lokpobiri Floors Theophilus

IYC Power Tussle: Lokpobiri Floors Theophilus

News Feature
A Port Harcourt High court has struck out Suit No. PHC/2318/CS/2023 between Dr. Tari Alaye Theophilus & 10 Ors. vs. Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri & 10 Ors. Dr. Tari Alaye Theophilus amongst other reliefs sought the court to declare him and and 10 others as the legitimate Executive Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) whilst restraining the Jonathan Lokpobiri led Excos. Ebilade Obiri, Esq. who is Counsel for Jonathan Lokpobiri & 10 Ors., the Defendants in the said suit filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain same citing the fact that the cause of action arose from Bayelsa State, a place outside the territorial jurisdiction of the High Court of Rivers State. Ebilade Obiri further argued that the Claimants Statement of Claim did no...
NPA can rake in N1.28 trillion revenue in 2025…Dantsoho  …As Agency Pushes for deep reforms in port infrastructure, automation

NPA can rake in N1.28 trillion revenue in 2025…Dantsoho …As Agency Pushes for deep reforms in port infrastructure, automation

News Feature, Port News
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is projecting a massive revenue leap to over ₦1.27 trillion in 2025, representing a 40 percent increase from the ₦894.86 billion it realized in 2024. This ambitious target, the Authority says, is anchored on sweeping modernization efforts, the full activation of the Dangote Refinery’s marine operations, and the deployment of cutting-edge technology to enhance port efficiency. Managing Director of the NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this a presentation during a budget defence session wih the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours on Monday, where he defended the agency’s 2025 budget estimates and provided insights into its 2024 performance. “Our 2025 budget proposal is more than figures, it reflects our aspirations for a more e...
Ensure Release Of Abducted Judge, Bayelsa Gov Directs Security Commanders *’Why PDP, Diri Got ‘Kano’ Votes In Sagbama’

Ensure Release Of Abducted Judge, Bayelsa Gov Directs Security Commanders *’Why PDP, Diri Got ‘Kano’ Votes In Sagbama’

News Feature
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has directed security commanders in the state to ensure that a Judge of the state high court, Justice Ebieyerin Omukoro, that was abducted by armed men on Saturday in Yenagoa is released without harm. Governor Diri disclosed this on Monday in Sagbama town during his ongoing local government thank-you tour to Sagbama Local Government Area. He also warned criminal elements and their sponsors to retrace their steps as there was no hiding place for them following the state government’s investment in closed circuit television cameras and other security gadgets. He said kidnappers of the Judge were caught on CCTV cameras and that investigation would unravel their identity. "From the minute I was informed about the high profile kidnap of ...
FG unlocking inactive energy assets to boost production, Lokpobiri hints

FG unlocking inactive energy assets to boost production, Lokpobiri hints

News Feature
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reassured its commitment to unlocking inactive and untapped energy assets as a major strategy to boost energy production. Oil Minister, Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this during a visit to TotalEnergies’ Headquarters in Paris and their Research Institute in Pau, France. Lokpobiri's spokesperson, Nneamaka Okafor, quoted him to have said “Unlocking dormant fields is not optional - it is vital to our energy security and economic growth.” She said the minister’s visit which was conducted at the invitation of TotalEnergies formed part of a broader engagement with operators and policy makers. It comes as TotalEnergies prepares to unlock several assets, including blocks awarded in the most recent bid round as well as previously-held fields. ...
HRH KING BUBARAYE DAKOLO BATTLES SPDC IN $3b SUIT

HRH KING BUBARAYE DAKOLO BATTLES SPDC IN $3b SUIT

News Feature
A Federal High Court, sitting in Yenagoa Judicial Division, Yenagoa, yesterday, granted an application brought by HRH Bubaye Dakolo, Agada 1V, Ibenanowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Bayelsa in a three billion dollars suit against international oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), seeking leave to serve the defendants by substituted means. Justice Ayo Emmanuel adjourned the matter for hearing to 22nd July. Joined in the suit marked FHC/ YEN/ CS/81/2025 are seven defendants, including 1st defendant Shell Petroleum Development Company, 2nd Shell NV, 3rd Shell Plc, 4th Attorney General of the Federation,5th Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Agency, 6th Minister of Petroleum Resources and 7th Renaissance African Energy Ltd. Among the plaintiff’s claims in a writ of summons: a dec...
Inspirational Leadership and Port Reforms Under the Renewed Hope Agenda…By Asu Beks.

Inspirational Leadership and Port Reforms Under the Renewed Hope Agenda…By Asu Beks.

News Feature, Port News
Inspirational leadership is a dynamic and transformative approach to leading people that goes beyond simply managing tasks or issuing directives. It's about motivating, energizing, and empowering individuals and teams to achieve their full potential and work towards a shared, compelling vision. At its heart, inspirational leadership is the ability to influence and uplift others to perform beyond expectations and contribute their best. It's about creating an environment where people are not just compliant, but genuinely enthusiastic, committed, and driven by a sense of purpose. This is the guiding principle as the port reforms driven by Adegboyega Oyetola , Nigeria's Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, begin to take root. Oyetola was "written off"by stakeholders when he was picked by Pr...
Professor Tubolayefa Takes the baton as Vice Chancellor of Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

Professor Tubolayefa Takes the baton as Vice Chancellor of Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

Education, Maritime, News Feature
A new Vice-Chancellor has been appointment for the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State. She is Professor Oluwafemi Flora Tobolayefa. Professor Tobolayefa succeeds Professor Emmanuel Adigio whose tenure expired this month. Her appointment was announced by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Abdullahi Bardi, during a briefing on Wednesday, June 18.Professor Oluwafemi's appointment came after a thorough selection process that began in March 2025 with a nationwide call for applications. Out of 12 applications received, six candidates were shortlisted and interviewed on June 17, 2025. The rigorous screening, according to an official of the University. The interview process was conducted by a six-member selection committee formed during the Governing C...
Excitement As Gov Diri Undertakes thank you visit

Excitement As Gov Diri Undertakes thank you visit

News Feature
There was palpable joy on Monday in Nembe and Brass local government areas of Bayelsa State as Governor Douye Diri undertook a first boat ride from the Ikiberi Creek in Nembe to Twon, headquarters of the Brass council. The excitement was due to the reduction in travel time following ongoing construction of the 21km phase one of the Nembe-Brass road by the Senator Diri administration. The journey to Twon, which lasted about 30 minutes, previously took about one hour by boat from Nembe and two hours from Yenagoa, the state capital. The visibly excited Bayelsa governor said the commitment of his administration to link all local government headquarters in the state by road from the capital was on course. Diri, who undertook the journey as he commenced a Thank-You Tour of the eight ...
Oyetola Courts Island Nations for Nigeria’s IMO Council Election Bid

Oyetola Courts Island Nations for Nigeria’s IMO Council Election Bid

Maritime, News Feature
In a significant diplomatic drive on the sidelines of the recently concluded 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, engaged in high-level meetings with leaders from several island nations to solicit support for Nigeria’s bid for election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council later this year. The Honourable Minister met separately with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, The Honourable James Marape; the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Joyelle Clarke; and the Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment of Tuvalu, Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia. These ...