Headlines

Captain Warredi Enisuoh buries mother in a blaze of glory

The Eyewitness Reporter

The sleepy town of Agbere in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa state was roused to a frenzy when Captain Warredi Enisuoh, the Executive Director, Operations and Technical Services, Tantita Security Services Company, bade final goodbye to his mother, Madam Theresa Virginia Enisuoh, in an epoch-making burial ceremony on Saturday, April 27th, 2024.

Madam Enisuoh, who died on March 21st, 2024, was laid to rest in a colourful ceremony that attracted the cream of society in and outside Nigeria.

The occasion was attended by Bayelsa state government officials, the top echelon of Tantita Security Services Company, representatives of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) where Captain Warredi Enisuoh was an Executive Director before his retirement, traditional rulers from Gbaramatu Kingdom, members of the maritime media, ably represented by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN) and the locals who thronged the venue of the ceremony in a rare show of love and solidarity with the bereaved family.

Reverend Father of St Peter’s Catholic Church Agbere, Bayelsa State, Rev Fr Cletus Okonkwo, who conducted the final burial rites, extolled the virtues of the deceased whom he described as a woman of peace.

At the well-attended reception, children and relatives of the deceased relived the fulfilled life of Madam Enisuoh which they chorused had a great and positive impact on their lives.

Captain Warredi Enisuoh, the eldest Son of the deceased, in an emotion-laden voice, recounted his close affinity with his deceased mother and how her influence and strict but godly upbringing had shaped his life.

“Mama was a woman of peace who loved her children.

“I was particularly closer to her because of her special fondness for me so much so that she regarded me as her husband.

“She lived most of her life in Canada with my younger sister and every year, during the Mother’s Day celebration, I usually went to Canada and took her out on a shopping spree” Captain Warredi Enisuoh recounted with misty eyes.

All other siblings of the Captain spoke in similar manner, eulogizing the motherly disposition of a woman popularly called” Nurse”.

It was a celebration of the life of a woman generally loved and revered by her children, family members and the people of Agbere in Sagbama Kingdom.

The burial ceremony would be an event to remember in Agbere for a long time as the occasion changed the face and fortunes of the sleepy town.

“We have had burial ceremonies in this place but this one(Madam Enisuoh burial) was different” Rev Fr Cletus Okonkwo declared.

” Before the burial ceremony of today( April 27th, 2924), the positive impact of the deceased family had already been felt through the amenities they provided for the community.

“A week before the burial ceremony, the people in the town had begun to eat and make merry.

“This makes people to eagerly wait with bated breath for today’s event,” the Reverend Father said, pouring blessings and gratitude on Captain Warredi Enisuoh and his siblings for their welfarism and generosity.

The impact the event had on Agbere town will continue to reverberate through the town and its environment for a very long time.

The deceased was survived by five children(four men and a woman), grandchildren, brothers, sisters and aunties.

Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.

In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has reached out to traditional rulers and sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.

To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.

According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.

Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.

“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.

“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.

“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said

The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.

” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.

Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border communities

“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.

” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned

While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.

“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.

“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said

In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.

The Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy Medugu,expressed the readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.

“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.

” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said

The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.

Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.

Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.

Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.

Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.

According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.

During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.

He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.

Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.

Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.

He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.

The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.

The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.

The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.

Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”

He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.