Headlines

Maritime stakeholders in shock over death of Ferdinand Agu

—-as Mobereola, Dosunmu, Ramalan eulogise former NIMASA DG in death.

Funso Olojo

The maritime stakeholders have expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Ferdinand Agu, the former Director General of the defunct National Maritime Authority(NMA) which later metamorphosized into the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Agu, who was at the helm of affairs of the agency between 2000 and 2005 before his second term in office was suddenly terminated, reportedly died last Friday, June 7th, 2024 as a result of cardiac arrest.

Reacting to the death of the former special Aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, industry stakeholders, especially the NIMASA DG, Dr Dayo Mobereola, former NIMASA DG, Dr Ade Dosunmu and pioneer Chairman of NIMASA board, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, all grieved the death of the late technocrat.

Dr.Mobereola described the death of Agu as a rude shock.

He regarded the death of the former NIMASA DG as a significant loss to Nigeria, the maritime community, and NIMASA in particular.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Arc. Ferdinand Agu, a former Director General of NMA.

” He left an indelible impression on me within the short time we shared during my first stakeholder engagement just last month.

” I had hoped to engage him more often, to tap into his wealth of experience for the collective interest of every Nigerian.

” Alas, death has denied us this privilege.

“Agu’s legacy of dedication and excellence will continue to inspire us all.

“We will miss his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering dedication to improving our maritime industry.

” My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

” May his soul rest in peace,” Mobereola stated.

Dr Dosunmu was no less sorrowful at the demise of his colleague as he expressed his condolences.

“I don’t even know what to say and how to react to the painful and untimely passing of a friend, a brother, a Technocrat, a leader and a pan Nigerian in the person of Arc Ferdinand Agu , former DG NMA.

” It was too shocking for me given the fact that he was full of life just a month ago when we met at the NIMASA programme to usher in Dr. Dayo Mobereola in Eko Hotel.

” We sat together exchanging views about our country and the state of the maritime industry .

” After the programme, he invited Omatseye and myself to his room at the Signatures to discuss issues of concern to former DGs .

“We had extensive discussions on how we can always avail NIMASA mgt with the benefit of our experience whenever called upon.

“We also discussed about the welfare of former DGs vis -a-vis what obtains in other grade ‘A’ MDAs.

” He provided leadership and further earned my admiration for the way he conducted the meeting.

“I was assigned to follow up our resolutions with the current management and he said if I needed his support, I should not hesitate to let him know.

“We left and he saw us to the ground floor.

” An amazing personality, down to earth and always ready to proffer solutions to problems.

” I did not know that would be the last time I will be seeing Ferdinand.

“We built a very friendly relationship He always calls me Ade and I call him DG Emeritus.

“Such was our relationship.

” May God in His infinite mercy accept his gentle soul and grant his family and all of us the fortitude to bear this huge loss” Adieu, Ferdinand Agu?” Dosunmu said.

In a melancholic voice, Alhaji Ramalan poured encomium on the deceased as he expressed his deepest pains at the loss.

He said he received with a rude shock the sad news of the sudden tragic passing of Arch Ferdinand Agu.

In a statement he issued and personally signed, Ramalan said Ferdy, as he was fondly called by his friends and Colleagues, lamented that the Nigerian Maritime Administration under a New Leadership could not tap or harness the enormous resource reservoir in Ferdinand Agu before he passed on.

“Ferdinand Agu was a patriot, a Pan-Nigeria and a leading light in the affairs of men and women in the Nigerian Maritime World.

“The late Ferdinand Agu, former DG of NMA, passed almost 30 Days after the NIMASA Sponsored Stakeholders Engagement to usher in the New NIMASA Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola and his Executive Directors.

“I sat next to Ferdi during the event for several hours brainstorming how to support the new Executive Management of NIMASA in all areas of their Regulatory Mandates

“In his lifetime, this iconic and legendary Nigerian Maritime Czar had and still has friends spread across all the geo-political zones and divides of Nigeria.

“He was a Nationalist and father, friend, brother and benefactor to many Nigerians too numerous to count in this Great Sector

“While we pray that the Almighty God will grant the soul of Architect Ferdinand Agu an eternal rest in his bosom, we urge the bereaved to accept with serenity the things we cannot change.” Alhaji Ramalan said.

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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.