Tuesday, March 11Nigeria's Authoritative Maritime News Magazine
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Politics

2015 Election: Why I conceded defeat – Jonathan

2015 Election: Why I conceded defeat – Jonathan

Law, Politics
Nigeria has to grow the credibility of its democracy to a stage where it would no longer wait for court judgment to conclude elections, former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said. Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Jonathan, who made the observation at the 6th edition of African Ambassadors Interactive Forum, AAIF, and dinner, organised by African Third Sector Resource, ATSR, in Abuja, where he was presented with the “African Leadership & Achievement Award,” noted that by conceding defeat before the 2015 election result was declared, he wanted to set a new standard for the nation’s democracy and prove a point that election related litigation should no longer define Nigeria’s democracy. He said: “I always say that I reformed the democratic process as President in order to cons...
INTELS collected naira bills in dollars— Stakeholders

INTELS collected naira bills in dollars— Stakeholders

Business, Law, Politics, Port News
As Nigerians await patiently for the outcome of the lucrative boat pilotage contract which INTELS monopolized for almost two decades, more facts have emerged on how the Logistics giants fraudulently ripped off Nigerian importers. Chief Reginald Amadi ,the Spokesman for the Edo/ Delta chapter if the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents revealed that was wrong for INTELS to collect dollar payments for local transactions. He said , " I think INTELS got into trouble because they went beyond the brief of the agreement, they took things for granted. I think NPA just found out that INTELS was deviating from its obligations and decided to wield the big stick', he said. Chief Amadi said it was not true that 11,000 jobs would be lost if INTELS lost the contract insisting there were o...
Fed Civil Service Yet to Disengage Maina

Fed Civil Service Yet to Disengage Maina

Breaking News, Law, Politics
Despite an order last week by President Muhammadu Buhari that the embattled former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, be dismissed from service on account of his mysterious return and re-engagement by the Federal Civil Service Commission, indications are rife that he may not have been officially sacked by his employers. Usually dependable sources at the Civil Service Commission told our magazine that the process of his formal disengagement is yet to commence. "  We cannot sack him based on a mere verbal order by Mr President. The Civil Service is an institution guided by rules and regulations, and Maina's case cannot be an exception",  said our source. It was learnt that as at the close of business last Friday, the Commission was yet t...
Buhari’s government is 50 percent PDP controlled, says Hameed Ali Customs Boss

Buhari’s government is 50 percent PDP controlled, says Hameed Ali Customs Boss

Breaking News, Politics
Comptroller General of Nigeria Custom Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali has said that the Buhari government has not been able to move forward and fulfill its campaign promises because most of those calling the shots in the government are those who never believed in the President’s vision. Ali’s assertion was supported by Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong who said state governors are not happy that they are left out of appointments being made by the government. Speaking at the commissioning of the office complex of the Buhari Support Organisation in (BSO) in Abuja, Col Ali who is also the National Coordinator of the Organisation said that more than fifty percent of positions in the Buhari government were handled over to members of the PDP who fought against the actualisation of a B...
Military Operation in N’Delta: Seven Ships, 37 Gunboats to be Deployed

Military Operation in N’Delta: Seven Ships, 37 Gunboats to be Deployed

Breaking News, Law, Politics
The Nigerian Navy will deploy seven ships and 37 gunboats during a military exercise known as ‘Operation Octopus Grip’ in the Niger Delta creeks and waterways. This was disclosed by the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Bello Al-Hassan, who said this was a riverine and sea exercise in the Niger Delta. He told newsmen in Yenagoa, that the exercise will begin from October 30 to November 1. Following fears from residents, the Navy assured them not to worry as the command has a task of ensuring security throughout the exercise. AL-Hassan said “so far, the operation has recorded huge success in reducing crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes. “Between May and September this year, the command seized and destroyed about 870,000 MT of illegal...
Shippers’ Council Summon Shipping Companies Over New Charges

Shippers’ Council Summon Shipping Companies Over New Charges

Law, Politics
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Thursday held a meeting with the shipping companies over some shipping charges introduced on 20ft and 40ft containers at the ports. A source who was at the meeting said the Council expressed anger over the new charges and told the shipping companies to suspend the collection. The strong position of the ports economic regulator, it was gathered, was that the charges were introduced without notification to the Council as required by law. The source said the Council insisted that such increase has to be negotiated by all the parties involved and a decision reached before the charges can be effective. Under the new charges by the shipping companies, a 20ft container now attracts a new charge of N40,000 while 40ft container will have to pay N80,000. ...
PANDEF meeting in Port Harcourt aborted by Police

PANDEF meeting in Port Harcourt aborted by Police

Breaking News, Law, Politics
THE General Assembly of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, billed to hold at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, yesterday, was aborted by heavily armed security operatives. The meeting, among other things, was to review the constitution of the body and elect officers. As early as 9am, security men decked in black attire, apparently from the state Police Command and the Department of State Service, DSS, took over Birabi Street, the road leading to the main gate of Hotel Presidential, turning back vehicles on the street. Three patrol vehicles were used to block the road. When Vanguard correspondent approached some of the stern looking security operatives to be allowed into the hotel premises, they politely told him that they were there to ensure the meeting of PANDEF ...
I didn’t reinstate Maina – Head of Service

I didn’t reinstate Maina – Head of Service

Law, Politics
... Says Dambazau Lied The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, on Monday said there was no truth in the reports that she approved the reinstatement of a former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, and his subsequent posting to the Ministry of Interior. In a statement by her Assistant Director, Media Relations, Mohammed Manga, the HoS insisted that Maina’s reinstatement and posting did not emanate from her office. The three-paragraph statement read, “The attention of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has been drawn to several media reports that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has approved the reinstatement into the Federal Civil Service of Alhaji Abdulrasheed...
Breaking: Buhari orders immediate sack of Maina from service

Breaking: Buhari orders immediate sack of Maina from service

Law, Politics
A few hours after the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, confirmed the resumption of duty by former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, as an Acting Director in his ministry, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered for the immediate sack of Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina from service. A statement made available to newsmen by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s Special Adviser on media, said President Buhari also asked for a full report on the circumstances of Maina’s recall. It would be recalled that the minister of Interior had confirmed Maina’s resumption of duty in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, on Sunday. Osaigbovo, had in the confirmatory statement, however, debunked media reports that his ...
Our economy has gone so bad, we cannot continue to fool ourselves – Bola Tinubu

Our economy has gone so bad, we cannot continue to fool ourselves – Bola Tinubu

Law, Politics
National Leader of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tuesday called for true federalism in Nigeria. He also challenged the Federal Government to devolve power to the component units of the country to pave way for genuine development and growth. He made the call at the 91st Anniversary of Daily Times and Times heroes awards held at International Conference Centre, Abuja. Tinubu, who was represented by the Governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola, said Nigerians must begin to ask questions on why the country has remained underdeveloped despite passing through the oil boom and so many opportunities to become a great nation. The APC leader said Nigerians must break away from its negative past and focus on a brighter future if it hopes to achieve the nation...