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 Minister praises Buhari on interventions in transport industry

The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari over his developmental programme in the transport sector.
The minister gave this commendation on Monday while reading the scorecard of the President on what he described as “Strategic interventions” designed in the transportation sector.
The Minister presented 2015 till date scorecard at the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja
Sambo said President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration recognised the role of Transportation in socio-economic development and identified it as the fourth of the nine priority areas of his administration.
He said the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the transportation sector has undoubtedly contributed to the growth of the economy as transportation plays a critical role in the growth and sustainability of other areas of the economy.
These areas according to him are;  wealth creation, improving access to agricultural production centres and markets, movement of raw materials and distribution of finished products.
“Other areas are; facilitating tourism as well as domestic and international trade, sustainability of mining and the extractive industry as well as being a major support base in contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Nation.
“To underpin the critical role of transportation, the administration has made transportation infrastructure a priority both in its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP 2017-2020) and the National Development Plan (NDP 2021-2025),” he said.
The Honourable Minister said President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has provided a safe and secure maritime border to prevent illegal activities on Nigeria’s waterways.
“The ministry in its versatile and intermodal mandate has taken charge of the safety and security of the nation’s international waters, inland waterways and railway corridors in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.
“Some of the implemented interventions include the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure which is the Deep Blue Project.
“The Deep Blue Project prevents illegal activities in Nigeria’s Maritime waters, thereby aiding regional security in the Gulf of Guinea and MOWCA jurisdictions,” he said.
The Minister added that one of the interventions also includes the passage Of The Suppression Of Piracy And Other Maritime Offenses (SPOMO) Act, 2019 Into Law.
He said the support of President Buhari helped the Transportation Sector achieve the Development of Inland Waterways Transportation as a viable alternative mode:
Sambo added that the Transportation Sector has also done well on railways Infrastructure and railway safety and security.
“Within the period under review, the moribund commercial railway services in Nigeria were resuscitated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as locomotives and coaches were procured and others refurbished.
“Safety and security are further enhanced through the provision of the latest Signal Communication Equipment and Solutions.
“This includes strengthening of the Nigerian Railway Police Command through an increase in numbers and specialized training and the provision of adequate logistics assets for high mobility and technology-based security architecture,” he said.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration didn’t leave out the development of ports infrastructure which includes The Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Badagry Deep Sea Port
“The existing Seaports are being maintained in conformity with IMO standards and conventions,” he added.
Sambo also commended the President Buhari-led administration for signing treaties and agreements that facilitate the smooth movement of goods and persons as well as promoting trade and transport through the removal of physical and non-physical barriers among member states.
On “Development of Local Capacity”, Sambo said the PMB-led administration has continued to ensure the sustained development of requisite manpower for the sector through the Institute of Transport Technology and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.
On Job Creation, he said “the Programmes, Projects, Initiatives and Interventions carried out within the period in focus created massive direct skilled and unskilled jobs and millions of indirect jobs in the various subsectors supervised by the Ministry.”
He added that a sustainability plan is also in the pipeline with best practices in the sector for massive infrastructure development going on in the sector.
“The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration has made giant strides in bridging the infrastructural deficit in the transportation sector.
“This includes the railway modernization programme, the deep sea ports development programme, the inland dry port initiative, job creation, and introduction of favourable policies to mention but a few.
“The sector is far from perfect, but the interventions on the ground will serve as a veritable template for the incoming administration to build upon,” he added.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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