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Bello-Koko kicks off 2022 Maritime Cup tourney as ENL wins opening match 

The Eyewitness reporter
The 2022 Ships & Ports Maritime Cup Competition kicked off in grand style in Lagos on Tuesday with eight teams vying for the coveted trophy.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, represented by the General Manager,  Human Resources, Mr. Ahmad M. Umar, formally kicked off the competition.
The NPA Managing Director was supported in kicking off the tournament by the Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup; Chairman, Shipowners Forum, Barrister (Mrs.) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi and representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Navy Capt. Christian Akokota.
In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Bello-Koko assured the maritime community of his support for sporting activities, even as he commended Ships & Ports Communication Company, the organisers of the annual tournament, for creating the platform for competitive sporting activities in the industry.
“It gladdens my heart to see young men file out today. We appreciate the organisers of this event for doing it every single year.
“I wish everyone good luck, but there is no work without hard work, as you must have prepared yourselves very well for this competition,” he said.
The NPA boss encouraged employees in the maritime industry to engage in sporting activities to improve their health and well-being.
STOAN Chairman, Princess Vicky Haastrup, noted that the competition was good for industry operators’ mental health.
Haastrup commended Ships & Ports for keeping the competition alive, despite the challenging times, particularly regarding the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is really important for our mental health, it instills unity within the sector.
“We are a family – everyone in the shipping sector, so it is really so great for all of us to participate.
“Like the previous competition, this is going to be a huge success. The winner will carry the cup and it is ENL that will carry the cup because I know my boys are up to the task.
“This is good for the industry and this championship has come to stay. I say a big thank you to the organisers and I wish everyone the best of luck,” Princess Haastrup, who is also, the CEO of ENL Consortium, said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Shipowners Forum, Mrs. Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, said she was impressed by the large turnout at the opening ceremony.
“This is a competition, so there will be losers and winners.
 However, you are all winners because you will make new friends, which is what the Maritime Cup is doing in the industry.
Good luck and may the best team win,” she said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ships & Ports, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, said that the Maritime Cup competition was set up to foster healthy living and promote recreation in the maritime industry.
Akinola said the competition is in its 12th edition.
“This competition is about bringing together everybody in the maritime industry in a convivial atmosphere, away from the serious discussions that we are all used to in seminars and conferences.
“Apart from bringing the industry together, it encourages recreation and of course, we know the importance of sports and exercise in healthy living.
“This is what the tournament is all about,” he said.
He noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual competition did not hold in 2020 and 2021.
In the opening match of the tournament, defending champions ENL Consortium defeated Higher Pacific International 4-1.
HPI opened the scoring through Gozie Ebule in the 38th minute of the first half, but ENL equalized two minutes later through its top striker Paul Uchechi.
Joseph John scored for ENL in the 42nd and 85th minutes while Uche Nkwoji sealed ENL’s victory with a fourth goal in the 87th minute.
The Maritime Cup Football Competition was created by Ships & Ports in 2009 to encourage recreation and camaraderie among employees of government agencies, private sector operators, and regulators in the maritime industry.
Eight teams namely Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), ENL Consortium, Josepdam Port Services (JPS), Nigerian Navy, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Higher Pacific International (HPI) and Dynesty Ocean Shipping are competing in the tournament this year.
NPA, Josepdam, NAGAFF and Dynasty are playing in Group A while defending champions ENL Consortium, Customs, Navy and HPI will compete in Group B.
Winners of the Maritime Cup since its inception are the Nigerian Navy (2009), Micura Stevedoring Services (2010), Nigeria Customs Service (2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (2014), Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (2015), Nigerian Ports Authority (2018) and ENL Consortium Nigeria Limited (2019).
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Sallah celebration: Osun govt offers free train ride to indigenes as NRC increases Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips for Sallah

Gloria Odion, maritime reporter 
The Osun State government has made full payment to the Nigerian Railway Corporation( NRC) for the use of its narrow gauge rail services to transport the indigenes of the state free of charge for the Sallah celebration.
The annual gesture was confirmed by the management of the Corporation while announcing a temporary increase  in train services on the Lagos–Ibadan Train Service (LITS) corridor for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, ahead of the Sallah celebration.
The NRC revealed that the Osun government free train ride will be on its narrow gauge corridor.
The special train will depart from Iddo Station, Lagos, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, while the return trip from Osogbo to Lagos will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
The service, which is usually operated during festive periods, is being sponsored by the Osun State Government through a paid arrangement with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to convey Osun indigenes free of charge for the Sallah celebration.
Meanwhile, the Corporation has announced an adjustment to its schedule on its Lagos–Ibadan Train Service (LITS) corridor for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, ahead of the Sallah
The temporary adjustment is aimed at accommodating the expected increase in passenger movement as many Nigerians travel to celebrate the festive season with their families and loved ones.
Under the special arrangement, the Corporation will operate six train trips on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, instead of the usual four trips currently operated on the corridor.
For the day, train departures from the Lagos end will be at 7:45am, 1:40pm and 4:00pm, while departures from the Ibadan end will be at 8:00am, 10:50am and 4:30pm.
The Management clarified that this arrangement is strictly temporary and applies only to the Sallah travel period.
 Immediately after the celebration, the normal Tuesday timetable of four trips will resume.
Similarly, the recently introduced Thursday six-trip operations will be temporarily adjusted next week, as only four trips will operate on Thursday May,  28th during the period under review.
The regular six-trip Thursday schedule will however resume the following week.
The NRC reassured passengers of its commitment to providing safe, efficient and reliable rail transportation services across the country and wishes all Nigerians a peaceful and memorable Sallah celebration.
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NRC expresses fresh concerns over consistent railway vandalism in the North 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised serious concern over renewed and coordinated attacks on railway infrastructure in parts of the country.
This followed fresh incidents of vandalism recorded in Plateau and Bauchi States.
The Corporation described the disturbing development as a direct attack on critical national infrastructure and an affront on public safety, economic growth and national security.
In one of the latest incidents recorded on May 21, 2026, a truck reportedly loaded with vandalized railway materials became stuck between Kuru and Science School, Kuru in Plateau State, exposing the dangerous activities of criminal elements involved in the destruction and illegal movement of railway materials.
Similarly, along Zango, in Bauchi State, between Kilometer 878 and 889, railway slippers were completely removed on both sides of a level crossing, leaving behind few disjointed rail pieces.
The Corporation warned that such acts could result in catastrophic train accidents, disruption of rail services, loss of lives and destruction of government investments worth billions of naira.
The NRC emphasized that railway tracks, slippers, clips, fastenings and signaling materials are critical national assets built with taxpayers’ money to facilitate transportation, trade, economic activities and national development, and should never be treated as scraps for illegal business.
The Managing Director/CEO of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, strongly condemned the persistent attacks on railway facilities, describing the trend as sabotage against national progress and a serious threat to the safety of passengers and railway personnel.
According to him, the increasing incidents of vandalism in the North Central and North East corridors indicate a dangerous pattern that requires urgent collective action from security agencies, state governments, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents living along railway lines.
Dr. Opeifa appealed to Nigerians to see railway infrastructure as a national symbol and strategic economic asset that must be protected at all times.
He warned vandals, scrap dealers and individuals involved in the illegal purchase, movement or destruction of railway materials to desist immediately, stressing that anyone caught would face the full weight of the law.
The Corporation also called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations around railway corridors nationwide, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around railway facilities.
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NIMASA opens investigation into vessels collision accident at Bonny anchorage as five crew members sustain injuries 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Administration(NIMASA) has opened a full scale investigation into the accident which occurred as a result of a collision between a container vessel, MV MAERSK VALPARAISO, and an oil tanker, MT LADY MARTINA, at the Bonny Inner Anchorage.

The accident which occurred on May 20th, 2026, has triggered a flurry of activities,  has resulted in an oil spill in the affected area.

The Deep Blue Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny received a distress call at approximately 1130 hours regarding the collision involving MV Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container vessel with IMO No. 9433054, and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker with IMO No. 5104033.
In response, the Base immediately deployed 10 armed personnel onboard DB 214, one of the interceptor boats under the Deep Blue Project, to the scene of the incident.
Five crew members onboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to the FOB Bonny sickbay for medical attention.

Following the collision, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground along the Bonny Channel, while MV Valparaiso remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage pending damage assessment and further investigation.

The management of MAERSK has officially reported the incident to the Agency.

Consequently, the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, has ordered a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collision.

In addition, NIMASA has established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and monitor developments arising from the incident.

Dr. Mobereola, who was personally on ground in Rivers State to inaugurate the situation room,  also directed the Agency’s Marine Environment Management Department to immediately commence an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the affected area, while taking necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the Tier 1 oil sheen and protect the marine environment.

NIMASA promised to  update the public with the outcome of the investigation into the incident.

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