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ITF UK grants N800 million grant request by Nigeria for seafarers recreation centre

The Eyewitness Reporter
After three years of application and rigorous screening, the International Transport Workers’ Federation UK has finally approved a grant to Nigeria through the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, (MWUN) to build a Seafarers Recreation Centre in partnership with the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA)
The Head ITF Seafarers Trust Fund, Katie Higginbottom, who announced this during a meeting with the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola in Lagos over the weekend, noted that the grant was approved after a thorough assessment of Nigeria’s suitability.

 In her brief to the Honourable Minister, she commended MWUN and NIMASA for their commitment to Seafarers wellbeing.

According to Higginbottom, “The center will serve not only Nigerian seafarers but also others in the West African region and beyond”.

” We have absolute faith and trust in the  Comrade Adeyanju -led MWUN and we are very pleased with Dr Jamoh and his team at NIMASA for their enthusiasm towards Seafarers welfare.
” MWUN has built up its credibility within the ITF family and we are pleased to partner with them and NIMASA on this project.
“The grant approval process endured three years of rigorous assessment and we are satisfied that it is safe to invest in the Nigerian maritime industry.
” Our visit to Nigeria is for site inspection so the project can commence”. Higginbottom said.
The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, appreciated the ITF for trusting Nigeria with Direct  Foreign Fund Investment in the country with an assurance that it will be judiciously utilized and the Ministry will ensure NIMASA fulfills her obligations to the project.

According to him “Seafarers are the real drivers of the maritime industry.

“They sacrifice a lot for human existence, spending most of their time away from family and onboard vessels.
“So creating this opportunity for social interaction is encouraging and commendable.  I commend your decision to personally come to Nigeria and see things for yourself.
” It shows that you are committed to the project. To ensure judicious use of your grant, I want to assure you that the Nigerian government will ensure the project is completed in record time.
”  The fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu established a stand-alone Ministry for the maritime industry shows Nigeria’s commitment to make the country a major maritime nation.
“I want to assure you that the grant will be put to use as expected. The Federal Government through our Ministry will closely monitor the project. I commend the DG NIMASA, Dr Jamoh and the MWUN President General Comrade Adeyanju for their vision and effort.”

On his part, the DG NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, restated the commitment of the Agency, under the supervision of the Ministry, to continuously invest in the well-being of Seafarers.

“We at NIMASA welcome this project wholeheartedly. We consider this project a major infrastructural capital development for seafarers’ welfare, hence we keyed into it.
” It will go a long way in improving the mental health of seafarers and assist their social integration having spent much of their time out there on the Seas.
“I am pleased that our challenge to MWUN some years ago is bearing positive fruits. This is a result of the constant engagement sessions we always have with Comrade Adeyanju, who believes in dialogue.”
“Since our Minister has sanctioned this project, “I can assure you that NIMASA will meet its obligations”. he said.

The President General of MWUN Comrade Adeyanju noted that the quest to better the lot of Seafarers informed their decision to seek funding from the United Kingdom-based ITF.

 “ The DG NIMASA approached me some time ago challenging us to do something for seafarers. We took up the challenge, but considering the current financial situation in the country, we sought a grant from ITF.
“We are very happy with NIMASA for all they have been doing,” he said.

The International Transport Workers Federation UK which has the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN as one of her affiliates, approved a grant to partly fund the building of a Seafarers Recreation Center in Nigeria.

When completed, the Seafarers Recreational Center will serve as a rallying point for in-country and Regional Seafarers and those onboard vessels during port calls, who desire to disembark and savor the warmth of Nigerians.

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NRC suspends Warri- Itakpe train service over operational concerns

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the temporary suspension of  Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) due to what the management described as operational exigency and  technical advice from  the Corporation’s Engineers.
The temporary suspension, according to a public statement by the NRC, has become necessary to enable the Corporation carry out critical operational assessments  aimed at ensuring continued safety, reliability, and improved service delivery on the corridor.
“The NRC regrets the inconvenience this development may cause passengers and other stakeholders, and assures the public that efforts are currently ongoing to resolve the issues within the shortest possible time.
“Passengers and intending travelers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations.
“The Corporation remains committed to safe, efficient, and customer-friendly rail services across the country and appreciates the understanding, patience, and continued support of the public during this period” the NRC declared.
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Sallah: FG slashes train fares by 50 percent on all routes 

Gloria Odion, reporter 
The Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation has announced a 50 percent fare reduction on all train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as part of measures to ease transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The discount takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and will run through Monday, June 1, 2026.
Accordingly, ticket fares on all NRC passenger train services across the country have been reduced by 50 percent of the existing approved rates within the stated period.
Passengers who had earlier purchased tickets at the full fare before the announcement will be entitled to a 50 percent rebate, reusable for train rides on or before Monday, June 1st, 2026.
Train schedules and timetables remain as previously advertised.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation said it appreciated the continued support of Nigerians and wishes all passengers and the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
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Salah: NIWA MD threatens to wield big stick on violators of safety guidelines on waterways 

— calls for calm over Supreme Court judgement 
Funso OLOJO,Editor 
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has issued a stern warning to boat operators across the country to strictly adhere to waterways safety regulations during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Girei gave the warning during an exclusive interview with journalists at the NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, noting that festive periods often witness increased movement on the inland waterways, particularly within riverine communities.
According to him, compliance with safety measures during the Sallah season remains non-negotiable.
He stressed that overloading of boats would not be tolerated, while the use of life jackets by all passengers and operators remains compulsory.
Girei also warned against night travel, alcohol consumption by operators, and disregard for weather advisories.
“No overload, wearing of life jackets is mandatory, no night travel, no alcohol, and operators must ensure proper weather checks before embarking on any journey,” he stated.
The NIWA Acting MD further disclosed that enforcement teams, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, would be deployed across jetties nationwide to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations.
He warned that violators risk arrest, seizure of vessels, and prosecution.
Girei also urged passengers to avoid boarding overloaded boats, vessels without adequate life jackets, or boats attempting to operate at night.
While extending Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithfuls, he appealed to community and religious leaders to help amplify waterways safety awareness during sermons and public gatherings.
Meanwhile, the NIWA boss advised stakeholders and clients of the Authority not to panic over the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning aspects of the NIWA Act.
He explained that the apex court upheld the Authority’s statutory responsibilities relating to inland waterways navigation, safety regulation, channel management, river infrastructure development, and the promotion of inland waterways transportation as contained in Sections 10 and 11 of the NIWA Act.
According to him, Sections 12 and 13 of the Act, which deal with land matters unrelated to maritime activities, were voided by the Supreme Court only to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.
Girei therefore urged all stakeholders to remain calm, law-abiding, and await an official statement from NIWA after the Authority obtains the Certified True Copy of the judgment from the Supreme Court.
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