Headlines

NIMASA sends 200 cadets for oversea training under NSDP-3

—as Amaechi advises NIMASA to look inwards in future training

Eyewitness reporter

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) has sent 200 cadets to various maritime institutions and Nautical colleges overseas under the third phase of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, flagged off the third phase of the programme in Lagos last week Friday.

During the flag-off ceremony NIMASA in Lagos, Amaechi urged the 200 NSDP-3 cadets to be of good behaviour and represent Nigeria well while commending the resilience of NIMASA in ensuring the success and expansion of the programme since its commencement in 2009.

”The doggedness of NIMASA in ensuring the success of this programme is commendable, but I would like the Agency to include more local training institutions that meet the standard required for the training,” Amaechi said.

To the cadets, the Minister stated, “For those who are leaving, please, do not embarrass the country. You are not just ambassadors of NIMASA, you are ambassadors of Nigeria. You have to be of utmost good behaviour.

“You have to study and pass your exams. There are so many youths who want this opportunity that you have. It means that you must show NIMASA that they did not make any mistake in choosing you.”

He advised those who might not get the opportunity to be hired overseas at the end of their sea time training to return home and contribute to national development, saying opportunities are gradually opening up for them in Nigeria.

“After training, some of you will be hired overseas. The ones that are not hired overseas, please, come back to the country. This country is changing in time. You will see the changes as you come. It won’t be easy, it’s difficult, but the changes are coming gradually,” he said.

In his welcome address, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the third phase of NSDP, called NSDP Tera, had addressed many of the challenges encountered in the previous stages of the programme. Jamoh said with this latest phase, the country was set for a better, more innovative maritime manpower development experience.

He said, “NSDP-3 brings our maritime manpower development strategy to the next level. It is a complete package, which offers the cadets everything they need to qualify as seafarers, from shore-based training to sea time training, and attainment of Certificate of Competency (CoC).”

Dr.Jamoh stated that the Agency was working on signing bilateral agreements with some countries to facilitate greater recognition and acceptance of the country’s seafarers as well as optimisation of the benefits of the programme.

The Director-General said, “To prepare ourselves for the coming opportunities, the Agency will make concerted efforts to sign bi-lateral agreements of mutual recognition of Certificate of Competency to open opportunities for Nigerian seafarers to work abroad.

“We are working with industry experts to ensure that our Maritime Education and Training (MET) meets international standards.”

Chairman, Board of NIMASA, Asita Honourable Asita, extolled the impact of the NSDP in the country’s maritime sector. Asita encouraged the cadets to be a good example and encouragement to other youths in the country.

Former Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, in his goodwill message, expressed delight in the pace of implementation of NSDP by the Dr. Jamoh- led management. Dosunmu emphasised the huge economic benefits of the programme, in terms of foreign currency repatriation and employment creation, among others, and called for its sustenance and continued expansion.

Dosunmu commended Amaechi “for providing purposeful leadership in the maritime sector. The sector has witnessed unprecedented growth since you became Minister. The removal of wrecks in our waters has commenced, piracy has reduced drastically; I commend this administration.”

Delivering a goodwill message also, Managing Director of Charkin Maritime Academy, Sir Charles Wami, called for more partnership among indigenous maritime institutions on sea time training.

Wami advised the cadets to be disciplined and assured them of success, stating, “Onboard a ship, cadets are not supposed to be heard but seen. As long as the sea never dries, there will be jobs for you as mariners. This profession is one that you can be proud of.”

There were goodwill messages from other industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, one of the highest employers of seafarers in Nigeria, and retired Merchant Navy Captain and former Minister of Interior, Emmanuel Iheanacho.

NSDP is an interventionist programme initiated to address the dearth of trained and certified seafarers in the Nigerian maritime industry. More than 2, 000 Nigerians have been trained under the NSDP since its commencement in 2009.

Headlines

Tompolo pays glowing tribute to Wike on his 58th birthday.

Funso OLOJO

High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has eulogised the uncommon courage, resilience and unwavering sense of duty of Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory(FCT), describing these attributes as those that align with the Tantita’s objectives and work ethic.

Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, make this observation in his message to Wike on his 58th birthday, where he paid a glowing tribute to the FCT Minister.

According to him, Wike’s public life is a reflection of courage, conviction and an unwavering sense of duty.

Tompolo said Wike’s journey through public service—marked by legal brilliance, political audacity and firm decision-making—has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is defined by impact, not rhetoric.

He noted that from Wike’s formative years in public administration through his tenure as Governor of Rivers State and now as FCT Minister, his performance has remained anchored on results, resilience and a relentless commitment to public good.

“In the Federal Capital Territory, your presence is already being massively felt.

” The renewed focus on infrastructure, order, and accountability speaks to a hands-on leadership style that understands Abuja’s symbolic and practical importance to Nigeria’s unity and governance,” Tompolo said.

The TSSNL founder commended Wike for recognising the intrinsic connection between security, development and national stability, stressing that the minister’s insistence on law, order and institutional discipline aligns strongly with Tantita’s mission of protecting critical assets and fostering a safe environment for sustainable growth.

He added that Wike’s reputation as “Mr. Project” was well-earned, given his consistent record of performance and the courage to take difficult decisions when duty demanded it.

“In moments that demand firmness, you have chosen responsibility over convenience, standing by your convictions even when the path was difficult,” he said.

Tompolo prayed for renewed strength, sharper vision and continued success for the minister as he marks another year, expressing confidence that Wike’s service would continue to leave a lasting imprint on national development.

“Please accept my sincere best wishes for good health, wisdom, and continued success. May the years ahead bring fulfilment and further contributions to the progress and unity of Nigeria,” he added.

Headlines

Nigeria denies ownership of detained vessel

VLCC SKIPPER

Funso OLOJO

The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has clarified the status of a tanker vessel, MT SKIPPER, currently intercepted and detained by the United States Coast Guard(USCG) over alleged oil theft and other transnational crimes.

According to the statement from the Nigeria’s maritime industry apex regulatory agency, the vessel , Very Large Crude Carrier,is not a Nigerian – flagged vessel while its purported owners, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, are not registered with NIMASA as a shipping company.

“An analysis of the vessel’s movement, monitored through the Agency’s Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) Centre, shows that the vessel was last sighted in Nigerian waters on 1st July 2024.

“After departing Nigerian waters, the vessel continued on its international voyage pattern and was tracked operating in the Arabian Sea (Asia) and later in the Caribbean region, where the U.S. interdiction eventually took place.

“Records indicate that SKIPPER which was formerly owned by Triton Navigation Corp, has undergone multiple name changes over time.

“The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including U.S. authorities, in the ongoing investigations. He emphasized that criminality will not be tolerated in Nigerian waters” NIMASA stated in a public statement.

Headlines

Adeniyi, Akutah, Fakolade, Warredi, Maiwada headline 10th anniversary of seminar for maritime journalists in Lagos

Funso OLOJO

First Mediacon media group, the convener of the annual seminar for maritime journalists, has lined up an array of industry’s stakeholders to sharpen the intellectual capacity of maritime journalists at this year’s workshop.

The annual event, which is the 10th edition this year, holds December 17th, 2025 in Lagos.

According to the organisers of the programme, the cream of the maritime industry have been lined up to engage the industry’s media in intellectual discussions that will deepen the knowledge of its practitioners in digital trade facilitation, regulatory efficiency and the economic reforms.

Key speakers at the event include the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Akutah Ukeyima who is expected to deliver the keynote address, Mr Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window, Mr Warredi Eniosuoh, who is expected to chair the event and Deputy Comptroller of Customs and the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada.

Maiwada is expected to deliver a practical training on “Data Analysis for Effective Maritime Reporting”

According to Mr. Sesan Onileimo, CEO of First Mediacon Network Limited and convener of the seminar, “the past decade has proven that accurate, data-driven journalism is vital to the growth of the maritime economy.

“This platform empowers journalists with the tools to properly analyse reforms, interrogate investments and provide the business community with credible information.”

Now in its tenth year, the seminar has become a major business intelligence platform, equipping maritime journalists with the technical insight required to analyse policy decisions, market trends and operational performance within the nation’s blue economy.

Over the years, it has helped strengthen the information value chain that supports investment decisions across ports, logistics, shipping, and inland trade corridors.

This year’s edition comes at a time when Nigeria’s maritime economy is undergoing significant transformation, driven by digitalisation, regulatory restructuring and demand for greater operational transparency.

Marking a decade of consistent impact, the organisers reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the professional capacity of the maritime media, while promoting a more transparent, efficient and investment-friendly maritime environment.