Headlines
Pius Akutah orders mass dismissal of contract staff, casual workers at Shippers’ Council
— continues to keep 45 sacked freshly recruited staff guessing.
The Eyewitness Reporter
Five months after he ordered the suspension of the last recruitment exercise done by his predecessor, Emmanuel Jime, in which he sent 45 newly employed staff packing, Pius Ukeyima Akutah, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’Council, has struck again.
He has asked for the massive removal of all the contract staff and casual workers in the agency.
Impeccable sources told our roving reporter that the council last week instructed all the workers in these categories to cease coming to work as they were allegedly making the corporate headquarters of the council unnecessarily congested, rowdy and noisy.
According to sources, the message was conveyed through the agency’s Human Resources Manager, Mrs Okam Adaku.
It was reliably gathered that some of these categories of staff have been providing cheap labour for the council for as back as five years ago .
It was also gathered that ex-corpers who carried out their primary assignments at the council at various times but stayed back on the instructions of their departmental heads for stipends were equally affected.
“They were all informed by the HR manager to stop coming to work as their presence was causing a nuisance to the management”
They were warned that if anything got missing after the instruction for them to stay away, they would be held responsible” the source claimed.
Some of these people are the ex-Corpers who served at the council at different times.
” While some just finished their service last year, others had finished as far back as five years ago”.
” They were there at the pleasure of their departmental heads who probably felt they were competent while on service but asked them to stay for monthly stipends until there could be openings in the council or anywhere else.
“It was a gesture done on humanitarian grounds at no cost to the council which incidentally gets cheap labour from them”
These are casual workers” the source bemoaned.
According to the source, there is another category which is contract staff whose status was a bit glorified than the casual ones.
However, Rebecca Adamu, the Acting Public Relations officer of the Council said there are no casual or contract staff at the Shippers Council.
She said the management only asked the Youth Corp members who had finished their service to leave.
”We have no contract staff or casual workers at the Council. The Council only asked those corp members who have finished their service to leave to give room for other intending Corp members” Mrs Adamu briskly informed our reporter.
Incidentally, some of these ex-Corpers were among the 45 staff employed in October 2023 by the immediate past Executive secretary of the council, Emmanuel Jime at the twilight of his administration but whose employment was cancelled by the incumbent ES.
It was exclusively reported by theeyewitnessnews that the first assignment carried out by Pius Akutah when he assumed duty in November was the sack of these staff, some of whom were ex-Corpers who had provided cheap labour for the council in the last five years.
However, Akutah had explained that the recruitment of the 45 staff did not follow due process and was against the civil service extant rules”
He had claimed that he acted based on the petition by the in-house workers’ union when he resumed duties in November.
“All this time, I was not here then, and the union kicked against the recruitment process and said it must be stopped.
” When I came into the office and saw the petition kicking against the recruitment on my table, I actually said we would go on and conclude the recruitment exercise.
“That we will do it in a manner that is in line with the Public Service Rules.
“So, we wrote the affected 45 workers and told them to hold on, that we are suspending the employment process and will review it to ensure it follows due process.”
Even though, he promised to recall the sacked staff, some of whom had resumed duties at the corporate headquarters of the council, to regularise their recruitment ” as soon as possible” about five months later, the sacked staff are still kept in limbo.
“The process to review the employment is on, that’s why I didn’t want to speak about this publicly.
” If you remember, I resumed here on the 1st of November 2023, and since I resumed here, there have been so many activities between Abuja and Lagos.
“We ought to have started the review of that employment in November 2023 when I resumed here, but because of my very busy schedule, we have not been able to begin the review.
“We are calling everybody back very soon to see how we can go on with the employment exercise.” the Shippers’Council boss had then promised when asked how soon the review exercise would start.
However, five months after he sent the beleaguered staff home with the promise to recall them, they were still waiting with no word from the council.
Adamu Rebecca, the spokesperson of the Council however said the process of revalidation of the recruitment exercise is ongoing.
”The process of regularisation of the exercise is ongoing’, she declared.
Our reporter nevertheless gathered that the Council’s helmsman may have sold a dummy to the affected staff as he had no plan to recall them.
“We haven’t heard anything from the council since November when we were sent home with the promise to recall us to regularise our recruitment exercise” one of the casualties of the recruitment exercise confided in our reporter.
“We heard that the Es had decided to cancel the recruitment exercise and conduct a fresh one” the disconsolate source whispered to our reporter.
With the latest mass chase away of the casual workers and contract staff, stakeholders were wondering if staff dismissal was part of the mandate of the Benue state-born technocrat.
“Since he came, he has not done anything to impact the industry” an angry freight forwarder based in Apapa declared.
“He hasn’t shown any capacity to carry out the mandate of the council of protecting the shippers and calling the shipping companies and terminal operators to order as a commercial regulator”
” If he is not travelling to Abuja or Benue, his home state, he would be ordering for the sack of some hapless staff,” another freight forwarder said derisively.
Headlines
Mobereola, NIMASA DG, reflects on year 2025 with satisfaction, says 2026 holds promising opportunities for maritime industry
Funso OLOJO
The Director -General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed his satisfaction over the achievements recorded in the maritime industry in the outgoing year of 2025, while looking forward to a promising 2026 with hope.
In his Christmas message to the stakeholders in the maritime industry, Dr Mobereola noted that the 2026 ended well with the election of Nigeria into the category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after 14 years of failed attempts as well as zero occurrence of piracy attacks on Nigeria’ waters.
“The year 2025 has been a good one for our industry as once again, we have not recorded a single piracy attack in our waters in a whole calendar year, Nigeria was also able to deposit three Instruments of Accession to IMO Conventions that were signed by President Bola Tinubu ,we have been able to maintain industrial harmony in the sector all of which culminated to Nigeria’s election into the category C Council of the International Maritime Organization.
“We couldn’t have done this without our stakeholders who have contributed in various ways in the course of their operations during the year. We see you, we thank you and we felicitate with your during this yuletide season”Mobereola observed.
He however assured that the Agency will re-double efforts in ensuring that 2026 is even better for every stakeholder.
While calling on industry operators to brace up for the new year with hope of better times, Dr. Mobereola noted that “at NIMASA, we appreciate the weight of our renewed responsibility by virtue of Nigeria’s membership of the IMO Council because to whom much is given, much is definitely expected.
” You can therefore be sure of an increased momentum in our resolve to sustain maritime safety, security, environmental protection and adherence to relevant conventions and protocols with renewed vigour.”
The DG concluded by acknowledging the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, industry stakeholders, management and staff of NIMASA as well as all Nigerians and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Headlines
FG trains 75 boat operators on safe inland waterway navigation
Funso OLOJO
The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has concluded a three-day Boat Navigation and Safety Training for 75 boat drivers and skippers, as part of efforts to improve safety and professionalism on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The training, which ran from Monday, 22, December, 2025 to Wednesday, 24 December, 2025 focused on equipping participants with the practical knowledge and operational competence required for the issuance of the Certificate in Safe Boating and Navigation.
Participants were drawn from major boating associations, including the Maritime Workers Union, the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATAN), and the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN).
Boat operators from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states took part in the programme.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Timothy Clement of the NIWA Lagos Area Office described the training as a significant intervention aimed at reducing accidents on inland waterways.
He noted that many previous boat mishaps were caused by limited technical knowledge and insufficient experience among operators, adding that sustained capacity-building would help address the challenge.
Clement also highlighted ongoing safety measures being implemented by NIWA, including the removal of wrecks to improve navigation and continuous sensitisation of boat operators along major routes such as CMS, Ikorodu, Badore, Badagry and Port Novo.
According to him, NIWA has intensified awareness campaigns, moving from jetty to jetty to educate operators on safe practices, while encouraging boat owners to release more skippers and captains for structured training programmes.
“So far, so good. We thank God for the success of this three-day training for boat skippers.
“Participants came from Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, and over the past three days, they have learned a great deal,” Clement said.
“This year alone, NIWA conducted sensitisation exercises two to three times across different jetties.
“We are encouraging operators to make more of their captains and skippers available for this kind of training.
” I believe that by this time next year, we will have even more reasons to celebrate improved safety on our waterways,” he added.
Also speaking, the Lead Trainer and Consultant, Dr. Sileola Akinbowale, described the programme as a life-saving initiative designed to strengthen manpower capacity and reduce waterway accidents.
She explained that the training was structured to ensure boat operators are properly equipped with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills required to operate safely and efficiently.
Akinbowale commended the Federal Government, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the former Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, for prioritising safety and capacity development in the sector.
Assessing the programme, she rated it about 90 per cent successful, noting that it combined classroom sessions with practical exercises on the water.
“We did not limit the training to classroom lectures. Participants were taken out for practical sessions at the jetty, which made the programme very effective. It was an all-inclusive training, not just theory,” she said.
She assured that the initiative would be sustained, stressing that continuous capacity enhancement remains critical to saving lives and improving professionalism on inland waterways.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the training, describing it as timely and impactful.
A Lagos-based boat operator, Wasiu Olalekan, said the programme had strengthened participants’ ability to respond to emergencies and distress situations.
“With this training, we now know how to handle distress situations on the waterways because of the knowledge given to us. On behalf of the Lagos State participants, we appreciate the Minister and NIWA management for this opportunity,” he said.
Another participant from Ondo State, Biobaku John, said the training exposed him to critical safety and emergency response skills that would enhance his professionalism.
“I gained important safety and firefighting skills during these three days. As a boat driver, I learned a lot and I am proud to have participated,” he said.
Similarly, the leader of the Ogun State delegation, Pami Ronald, said participants were trained in boat handling, safety procedures, first aid, emergency response, engine maintenance and effective waterway transport management.
“For the past three days, we learned extensively about safety, first aid, how to raise alarms, call for rescue teams and even engine maintenance. The training was very educative,” he said.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIWA, in line with recommendations from investigation reports under the tenure of former NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, to improve safety standards, professionalism and confidence among inland waterway operators nationwide.
Headlines
FG approves 50 percent price slash on Yuletide train services
— as passengers flood train terminal
Funso OLOJO
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has commenced 50 percent price discount on Yuletide train services across the country which was approved by the Federal Government to ease traveling during this festive session.
The 50 percent slash in the prices of train services runs between Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 to Sunday, January 4th, 2026.
According to the statement from the NRC, the commencement of the price reduction attracted huge turn out of passengers who thronged major railway corridors across the country to take advantage of the offer.
At major stations along the Lagos–Ibadan, and Abuja–Kaduna, as well as key narrow gauge routes, passengers turned out in large numbers, with several train departures operating at near full capacity as early bookings reflected strong public response to the 50% discount initiative.
The festive rail service, being implemented by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, runs from Tuesday, 23 December 2025 to Sunday, 4 January 2025, during which passengers enjoy a 50 percent discount on train fares nationwide to ease the cost of festive travel.
Many passengers who interacted with NRC officials expressed appreciation for the 50 percent discounted fares, describing the initiative as timely, thoughtful, and economically relieving, especially for families and group travellers journeying to reunite with loved ones during the Yuletide season.
According to the NRC , the 50 percent Yuletide Train Ride is a people-oriented intervention under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at reducing transportation costs, promoting inclusive mobility, and encouraging the use of rail transport as a safe and reliable alternative during peak travel periods.
Speaking on the commencement of the discounted festive operations, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, assured passengers of the Corporation’s preparedness to sustain safe, efficient, and customer-focused services throughout the Yuletide period.
The Corporation confirmed that both standard gauge and narrow gauge services are fully operational, with enhanced security, safety, and customer service arrangements in place across stations and onboard trains to manage increased passenger traffic resulting from the 50% discount offer.
Passengers travelling on standard gauge routes are advised to continue using NRC-approved online booking platforms, while passengers on narrow gauge services can purchase their tickets directly at designated railway stations.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation reiterates its commitment to seamless festive operations and urges passengers to cooperate with railway officials and comply with all travel guidelines to ensure smooth journeys throughout the 50% discount Yuletide Train Ride period.
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Junction
September 11, 2024 at 12:16 pm
How do I contact you guys as regards to Nigerian Shippers council recruitment which is not done based on merit and also the gross abuse of corp members human rights going on in NSC?