Headlines

US frets as China pushes to head IMO

, Zhang Xiaojie, China's candidate for IMO Sec.Gen

The eyewitness reporter with agency report

The United States of America (USA) is getting uneasy over the latest move by China to head the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as its Secretary General.

China has thrown its hat into the ring in the race for the exalted position as its candidate, Zhang Xiaojie, is set to take over from Kitack Lim of South Korea, who will relinquish the position in December 2023.

The anxiety of the USA over the ambition of China to lead the IMO is hinged on the possibility of China using the position to hurt the shipping interests of the USA in the global market, especially in the area of exports, fishing, and navies.

It could be recalled that there is no love lost between the two countries in terms of trade as the USA is weary of the dominance of China in the world economy.

This rivalry came to the fore during the administration of Donald Trump when his government tried to cut down the influence of China on the American domestic market.

Maritime experts and commentators have warned the USA of the economic consequences of China’s emergence as the IMO scribe.

Both countries are category A members of the IMO which have the largest interests in providing international shipping services.

However, Brett Schaefer, a Jay Kingham Senior Research Fellow at Margaret Thatcher Center and his counterpart, Steven Groves, a Margaret Thatcher Fellow, both asked the US president, Joe Biden, to stop the ambition of China to head the IMO.

In their report, the two scholars claimed China will use the position to protect and further consolidate its interests in the global shipping trade to the detriment of the USA.

According to them, China is seeking greater influence inside U.N. agencies as it entered the race to head one with authority over global shipping rules.They said though the IMO operates in relative obscurity, its actions have a substantial if indirect, impact on standards of living worldwide.

“There is no question where Zhang Xiaojie the Chinese Candidate for the IMO secretary General position, will fall on any issue of import to Beijing.

“This should be highly troubling to the U.S. and like-minded governments.

“We have seen what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is capable of when awarded such a leadership position.

“One need only look at how it handled the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which adopts codes, conventions, and guidelines governing procedures and practices for air traffic.

“As ICAO Secretary-General from 2015 to 2021, Chinese national Fang Liu undermined the mission and integrity of the organization.

“Specifically, she used her influence to block Taiwanese participation, undermine accountability, and conceal a Chinese cyber-attack on the ICAO that spread malware to member governments and private industry.

“This is only one example. Whenever Chinese nationals have led U.N. specialized agencies—whether at the International Telecommunication Union, the U.N. Industrial Development Organization, or the Food and Agriculture Organization—they have used their influence to benefit China in defiance of their responsibility to be neutral international civil servants.

“Now the CCP wants to do the same at the IMO, which sets standards for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping.

“The agency also has a role in maritime-related legal matters such as compensation, liability, and facilitation of sea traffic.

“As was made clear at ICAO, China seeks leadership positions in U.N. organizations not from altruistic fidelity to their missions or to bolster their effectiveness, but to advance CCP policies and priorities. Over and over, when a Chinese national assumes a position of authority in the United Nations system, Beijing demands that they support and advance Chinese interests.

“So now that China has put forth a candidate to lead the IMO, we must ask why China wants this position and how it serves Beijing’s interests.

“Though the IMO operates in relative obscurity, its actions have a substantial, if indirect, impact on standards of living worldwide. More than 80 percent of global trade in goods is delivered by sea, meaning that every person benefits from safe, secure, and timely shipping.

“Beyond the consumer, the IMO also impacts national interests.

“The IMO has focused increasingly on combating air pollution and decarbonization related to shipping, including a “rapid shift from today’s predominant use of fossil fuels to zero-carbon alternatives,” and combatting illegal and unregulated fishing.

“The IMO also sets rules and standards that affect military maritime movement through key international waterways such as the Straits of Malacca and through strategic archipelagic sea lanes in Indonesia and the Philippines.

“China has a strong interest in these issues. When combined, China and Hong Kong rank first among the world’s nations in terms of ownership by commercial value and third in terms of shipping registries, so rules and regulations that require refitting or updates to vessels disproportionately impact China.

“Illegal and exploitative legal fishing by Chinese vessels, often held by state-owned enterprises, is extensive and conducted at an unprecedented scale. Historically, China has strongly objected when U.S. warships sail through the Taiwan Strait to enforce freedom of navigation principles.

“Beijing has an interest in shaping how the IMO will address these matters.

“China also has significant commercial and military interests in the South China Sea, over which it has claimed “indisputable sovereignty.”

“The Chinese navy regularly harasses foreign military ships in the South China Sea and has systematically built military bases through an unprecedented program of dredging and artificial island-building.

“The IMO plays a critical role in setting the rules of the road through the South China Sea” the two scholars submitted.

However, in July, the 40 member states of the IMO Council will meet to elect the next Secretary-General.

The selection is then submitted for approval to all 175 member states later in 2023 and the new Secretary-General assumes office in 2024.

However, the maritime commentators believed that Zhang Xiaojie, tge Chinese Candidate, should be the greatest concern and worry for the US.

Zhang Xiaojie had served as head of China’s delegation to the IMO Council since 2015 and also served as Chair of the Council for 2018-2019.

This put him in a vantage position and made him well-known to the people that would elect the next Secretary-General.

Notably, he has served in numerous posts in the Chinese government, including Director of International Organizations and Multilateral Affairs in the Ministry of Transport.

“In short, he has worked in the Chinese government in various posts for over 30 years.

“Having been charged with advancing China’s interests in the IMO, he knows China’s agenda in the organization intimately.

The Margaret Thatcher Center scholars both claimed that Zhang Xiaojie will not have a free hand if elected as Secretary-General as he will be teleguided by his home government to advance Chinese interests through hiring and managerial decisions, just as Fang Liu did at the ICAO.

“Considering that the CCP expects Chinese nationals to advance its agenda even when serving as senior international civil servants—under threat of arrest and punishment—there is no question where Zhang Xiaojie will fall on any issue of import to Beijing.”This should be highly troubling to the U.S. and like-minded governments.

“China is already pressing countries to support Zhang Xiaojie diplomatically and, if past practice is any indication, offering economic incentives for support. Countering this push and ensuring that an alternative candidate becomes Secretary-General of the IMO will require the U.S. to apply its own pressure and work closely with allies” the maritime experts noted

The IMO Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.

Between sessions of the Assembly, the Council performs all the functions of the Assembly, except that of making recommendations to Governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention.

The Assembly, which normally meets once every two years in regular session, is responsible, among other things, for electing the Organization’s 40-Member Council.The following countries were elected by the Assembly, at its thirty-second session, to be Members of the IMO Council for the 2022-2023 biennium:

Category (a) 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services:

China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America.

Category (b) 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade:

Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.

Category (c) 20 States not elected under (a) or (b) above, which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world:

The Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Türkiye and Vanuatu.

Headlines

NIMASA deepens maritime security as 492 Deep Blue personnel graduate in tactical training.

Funso OLOJO, Port Harcourt.

The Nigeria’s maritime security received a massive boost as 492 personnel of the iconic Deep Blue project have graduated from tactical trainings received across some of the best security institutions in the world.

Unveiling the graduants in their tactical attires at the Elele military barrack, Port Harcourt, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Administration( NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the occasion gave the agency a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment on its task to ensure Nigeria’s maritime domain is secured.

According to him, the 492 graduating Deep Blue personnel undergone specialized trainings conducted across several strategic training locations across the world, including Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Syria and

Nigeria.

He disclosed that the training has therefore exposed the personnel, taken from across different units of the Deep Blue project, to global best practices and international operational standards in maritime security operations.

“Today’s event is a demonstration of

operational readiness, institutional resilience and Nigeria’s determination to maintain a safe, secure and economically viable maritime environment.

“With many people are not fully aware of the level of operations and integration and technological capacity that supports these achievements.

“The Deep Blue architecture integrates two special mission aircraft equipped with advanced maritime surveillance sensors, three special mission helicopters for over-the-sea operations and surveillance, two special mission vessels for deep sea operations, eight unmanned aerial vehicles for real-time intelligence gathering, 16 fast interception boats for rapid tactical response and 15 armed coastal patrol vessels.

” The Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence Center, the C4I, serves as

the central coordination hub for military domain awareness and operational response.

“As many of you may recall, the Gulf of Guinea was once regarded as one of the most challenging military

maritime regions in the world due to incidents of piracy and robbery.

“Today, through the Deep Blue project and the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we are proud to say that Nigeria has

transformed the narrative which has resulted in zero piracy incidents since 2022.

“This has restored trust among global shipping operators, investors, and maritime stakeholders.

Mobereola expressed appreciation the Minister of Marine and Blue

Economy, Adeboyega Oyetola, for what he described as his exemplary leadership, strategic guidance, and steadfast commitment to promoting maritime security initiatives in Nigeria.

He also acknowledged the role the Minister of Defense, General

Christopher Musa and the Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Belo

Matawale for their continued support and commitment towards strengthening national security and enhancing interagency cooperation in the maritime domain.

Mobereola commended the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, Army, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, (DSS) and all security and intelligence agencies whose professionalism and

cooperation continue to strengthen the operational success of the Deep Blue project.

Hee made special mention of Deep Blue project technical partner HLSI, Security Systems Technologies Limited, for their invaluable support, technical expertise, commitment to capacity development, and strategic partnership in the implementation and sustainability of the Deep Blue project.

NIMASA DG also congratulated the graduating personnel for successfully completing the important steps of their professional journey.

“This strength you have received comes with enormous responsibility as you are expected to uphold high standards of professionalism, discipline, integrity, and the discharge of your duties.

Tge event was by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Defense, General

Christopher Musa and the Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Belo

Matawale, high military personnel from Navy, Army and Sir force.

Headlines

WHO honors NFVCB over tobacco control in entertainment industry

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has been honoured with the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General’s Special Award, African Region, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for its outstanding contributions to tobacco control advocacy and the promotion of responsible media content in Nigeria.

The NFVCB is the only institution among the five-person African Region winners unveiled as part of the activities commemorating World No Tobacco Day.

This recognition by the DG of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, acknowledges the Board’s leadership in regulating the depiction and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products in Nigerian films, music videos, skits, and other audiovisual content, particularly those accessible to young audiences.

The WHO Director-General’s Awards are presented annually ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 to honour individuals and organizations across WHO’s six regions for exceptional work in advancing the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

NFVCB was recognized for its landmark 2024 regulations prohibiting the promotion, and glamourization of tobacco and nicotine products in entertainment content.

The regulations require that any necessary depiction of tobacco use in films and videos must carry health warnings, receive the highest classification rating, and be restricted to audiences aged 18 years and above.

The regulations also mandate producers to place a disclaimer and disclose any relationship with the tobacco and nicotine industry while prohibiting tobacco brand display and product placement in entertainment content.

The policy aligns with the implementation guidelines of Article 13 of the WHO FCTC on tobacco depiction in entertainment media.

With the introduction of the regulations, Nigeria became the first country in Africa and only the second globally to establish such comprehensive safeguards against the glamorization of tobacco use on screen.

Research and WHO guidance have consistently shown that the portrayal of tobacco use in entertainment media normalizes smoking behaviour and increases the likelihood of tobacco uptake among young people.

Through clear regulatory standards, the Board is helping to reduce exposure to pro-tobacco imagery while promoting socially responsible storytelling within Nigeria’s creative industry.

The recognition also aligns with the 8-Point Agenda of the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, aimed at strengthening policy frameworks, promoting responsible creative content, preserving cultural values, and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s creative capital by 2030.

Speaking on the recognition, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFVCB, Dr.Shaibu Husseini, described the award as a validation of the Board’s efforts toward promoting responsible storytelling and safeguarding public interest through effective content regulation.

“This award is a validation of the work we have done with the Nigerian creative industry to promote responsible storytelling.

“The goal has never been to censor art, but to ensure that our films do not inadvertently market products that are harmful to public health,” he stated.

Dr. Husseini reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote healthy societal values, protect children and vulnerable audiences, and strengthen the positive influence of Nigeria’s entertainment industry globally.

The ED also expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, filmmakers, producers, and advocacy partners, especially Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), National Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), for their collaboration in advancing the policy.

The Board stated that it would continue to strengthen enforcement of the regulations, expand public education and stakeholder engagement, and deepen collaboration with WHO, the WHO FCTC Secretariat, and relevant stakeholders in promoting responsible entertainment content and public health protection.

Business

Taiwo Afolabi calls on African businesses to scale up their operations for global relevance

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group, has called on African entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders to prioritise the growth of large, sustainable corporations capable of competing globally, rather than operating fragmented and small-scale enterprises that limit the continent’s economic potential.

Speaking at the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda, Afolabi said Africa’s economic transformation would depend significantly on the emergence of strong indigenous corporations with the scale, structure, and capacity to drive industrialisation, create jobs, attract investment, and compete internationally.

According to him, discussions at this year’s forum reinforced the urgent need for African businesses to embrace collaboration, long-term thinking, regional integration, and strategic expansion.

He said: “Africa cannot achieve its full economic potential with thousands of weak and fragmented businesses operating in silos.

“What the continent needs are strong institutions and large corporations that can survive beyond their founders, scale across borders, attract global capital, and compete with the best companies around the world.”

Afolabi noted that while entrepreneurship remains critical to Africa’s growth story, the continent must deliberately move beyond subsistence and lifestyle businesses towards building enduring enterprises with robust governance systems, innovation capacity, and continental reach.

He stressed that African governments, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders must create enabling environments that support business scalability through improved infrastructure, access to finance, favourable regulations, and intra-African trade.

“The conversations at the Africa CEO Forum clearly showed that Africa’s future lies in integration and scale.

“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a historic opportunity for businesses to expand beyond national borders and build truly pan-African enterprises,” he added.

Afolabi noted that SIFAX Group’s long-term vision is anchored on strengthening intra-African trade and supporting the successful implementation of AfCFTA through investments in logistics, ports, transportation, and digital finance solutions across Africa.