Headlines

Endsar arson on NPA was targeted at me– Hadiza

The Eyewitness reporter

The former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman, has claimed that the October 2020 Endsar attack on the corporate headquarters of the agency was targeted at her person in as much as it was targeted at the government.

Fielding questions from the Punch Newspaper on her book, “Stepping on Toes”, which has continued to generate mixed reactions since its public presentation, Hadiza said the attack, in which the Endsar protesters burnt a wing of the Marina headquarters of the agency, was triggered by the animosity created because of some of her policies which certain interests were not comfortable with.

She specifically said there were concerns over the constitution of the NPA Board of Directors which did not include representatives from the South-East and South-West, which she believed triggered animosity.

“I said it was targeted at the regime (Endsar attack), and possibly me to a certain extent.

“But specifically, as I mentioned in the book, my official picture and that of the President were destroyed.

” I felt there were concerns about the constitution of the board where there was nobody from the South-East and South-West (both executive and non-executive) and all of that triggered a certain extent of animosity” she declared.

It could be recalled that a murderous mob attacked the headquarters of the NPA on October 21st, 2020 during an Endsar protest, burning a section of the six-storey edifice while about 27 cars were also gutted by fire.

“It was discovered that many offices were vandalised during the arsonist attack while computers, printers, water dispensers and other electronic devices were looted.

“A total of 27 vehicles, including cars, utility vehicles, pick-up vans and staff buses were set on fire; while 33 other vehicles, 22 of which belong to members of staff were vandalised.

” Toyota Prado SUV, a Bajaj motorcycle and one Hilux patrol van were also stolen from the premises,” the NPA had then said in a statement.

Hadiza, in the interview, however, said that she was not scared of such attacks and various attacks hauled at her while she was still in the NPA.

“I am not prone to being scared as a person. I have narrated my story and encouraged everyone to also do the same because it gives room for accountability and transparency.

“It also reduces impunity by public officers. I have no regrets. Anybody that disagrees is free to write their book. My story of what actually transpired would have been lost if I had not written the memoir” the woman activist- turned politician, declared in reaction to her controversial book.

She also said she was not bothered that one of her Directors, Mohammed Bello-Koko, who was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration under Hadiza, was used to replace her after her unceremonious exit from the NPA.

“I wasn’t bothered at all. Moreso, he was a Director I had worked with for five years. If anybody will be able to continue with the reforms, he will” Hadiza declared.

Hadiza, in her book, has narrated how certain powerful forces she has stepped on their toes, have engineered her exit from the NPA.

He specifically fingered the then Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, for the active role he played in her removal due to some irreconcilable differences.

Related Topics:Endsar arson on NPA featured

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Customs

Group confers “continental” award on Adeniyi over customs’ phenomenal revenue record

Adeniyi, CGC

Funso OLOJO

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, C.G.C Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, has been nominated and approved to be honoured with “The Continent Man of The Year 2024” Award by Board of Editors and Publishers of Continent magazine.

This resolution was announced by the spokesman of the group, Mr David Oladimeji, at the end of group’s meeting held on Friday, September 13th, 2024 in Abuja.

The meeting was organized by” The Continent “Magazine to deliberate on a personality and organisation deserving of the Award.

The Board’s attention was drawn to the statement made recently by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (C.B.N) and sitting Governor of Anambra state, Prof Chukwuma Soludo,who told his constituents in Awka that the Customs and F.I.R.S have sustained the nation’s economy from collapse since February this year, when the NNPCL stopped remittance of statutory revenue to the Federation Account for onward disbursements to the three tiers of governments.

Oladimeji said “the Board noted that this is not an easy task to be achieved under the astute and dedicated leadership of C.G.C Adeniyi, considering the fact that the Customs and it’s officers have been perceived by the public as corrupt and fraudulent”

” In a bid to commend and encourage leaders of the customs and F.I.R.S as well as their lieutenants not to rest on their oars, the Board resolved to honour the C.G.C, his Command Controllers and Revenue Collectors who had made significant sacrifices and excelled in their national anti-smuggling, revenue collection assignments with “The Continent Man of The Year” and “Pillars of Nigerian Economy 2024″ Awards”

As plans are geared towards the celebration of the international and national icons at a date to be announced soon, “The Continent” special edition will publish the profile and achievements of the deserving recipients that earned them recognition and honour.

Headlines

NIMASA secures support of Bank of Industry for enhanced capacity building in maritime industry

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has broker a partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to enhance its capacity building effort in the maritime industry.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jibril Abba, made this disclosure during a visit by the Management of the Bank of Industry, led by Executive Director of Large Enterprises, Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’Okpala.

He stated, “In addition to safety, security, and maritime labor, the Agency’s mandate encompasses capacity development aimed at growing the sector.”

He also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaboration as a vital tool for achieving its mandate.

“The aim is to actualize the vision of the Federal Government to reposition the maritime sector, especially with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”, he said.

On her part, the Executive Director of Large Enterprises at BOI, Mrs. Uz’Okpala, affirmed the Bank’s readiness to support NIMASA.

She also emphasized the importance of collaboration in implementing a robust capacity-building initiative that will contribute to economic growth in Nigeria.

Bank of Industry Limited is Nigeria’s oldest and largest Development Finance Institution (DFI) currently in operation.

It is owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Nigeria (94.80%), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (5.19%) and private shareholders (0.01%)

Headlines

NIMASA secures support of Bank of Industry for enhanced capacity building in maritime industry

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has broker a partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to enhance its capacity building effort in the maritime industry.

He stated, “In addition to safety, security, and maritime labor, the Agency’s mandate encompasses capacity development aimed at growing the sector.”

He also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaboration as a vital tool for achieving its mandate.

“The aim is to actualize the vision of the Federal Government to reposition the maritime sector, especially with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”, he said.

On her part, the Executive Director of Large Enterprises at BOI, Mrs. Uz’Okpala, affirmed the Bank’s readiness to support NIMASA.

She also emphasized the importance of collaboration in implementing a robust capacity-building initiative that will contribute to economic growth in Nigeria.

Bank of Industry Limited is Nigeria’s oldest and largest Development Finance Institution (DFI) currently in operation.

It is owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Nigeria (94.80%), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (5.19%) and private shareholders (0.01%).