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Five passengers of crashed off- shore helicopter still missing as search and rescue operators pull out wreckage from Atlantic Ocean

—- NIMASA pledges to update IMO on recovery efforts 
Funso OLOJO 
Over two weeks after the ill- fated helicopter on off- shore contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited(NNPCL) crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, the bodies of three out of the eight passengers on board have so far been recovered.
On 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, the  Helicopter with registration number 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN.
But it lost contact with the base and later found to have crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.
The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.

According to the NNPCL,there were eight persons on board (six passengers and two crew members).

However, recovery efforts coordinated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) has produced the wreckage of the ill- fated Chopper.
According to the agency,  the Flight Data Recorder (FDR)and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)otherwise called the black box, was recovered at  weekend through an inter-Agency collaboration involving NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB, the NNPC, HydroDive and other local and international search and rescue partners.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola has however pledge that the agency will update the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) on the recovery efforts on the crashed helicopter.
Mobereola, while commenting on the incident, commended all organs of government for the swift, and well-coordinated inter Agency partnership for the search and recovery operations.

 He noted that NIMASA will share information on the incident with the International Maritime Organization.

“In line with international maritime safety standards, NIMASA will report the findings about the helicopter crash into the Atlantic Ocean to the International Maritime Organization( IMO) via the Global Integrated Shipping Information System( GISIS).

” By sharing the findings of the offshore Port Harcourt helicopter crash with the IMO, we at NIMASA demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and cooperation within the global maritime community”.

The Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) is an online platform developed by the IMO to support the timely and accurate reporting of incidents, accidents, and other essential maritime data.

This platform enables member states to share information crucial to improving safety protocols, updating best practices, and fostering international cooperation.

According to Mobereola, “NIMASA is committed to working closely with all relevant Agencies to determine the cause of the incident and to take all necessary steps to prevent future occurrences.

“As we mourn those lost, NIMASA reaffirms its dedication to the safety of Nigeria’s maritime domain and the continued strengthening of inter-agency collaboration.
On October 24th 2024, the Agency had received distress signals at the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, (MRCC) and the C4i center of the Deep Blue project and shared same with the Nigerian Navy who immediately deployed NIMASA’s specialized Search and rescue assets to the crash site to locate the downed aircraft and conduct recovery efforts under challenging conditions.

The helicopter crashed in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, at a distance of 1.4km from the starboard side of the Floating Producing Storage Offloading FPSO, NUIM ANTAN Producing Ltd owned by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Limited.

NIMASA working closely with the Nigerian Navy, The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the NNPC, HydroDive and other local and international search and rescue partners, recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter.

With the recovery of the black box, over 80% of the helicopter wreck had been recovered.

Other items recovered include rotor,3 blades, engine, gearbox, windows, cockpit overhead panels, the Electronic Locator, Transmitter (ELT) and the tail.
All the recovered wreck is on a dump barge.

Meanwhile, the DG NIMASA has extended the Agency’s heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, the families of the victims, and all those affected by the tragic helicopter crash.

 The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, stated, “Our deepest sympathies are with the NNPC, the families, and loved ones of those affected by this unfortunate incident.

” Safety is a paramount commitment for us at NIMASA, and we remain resolute in our partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders to ensure effective, rapid response in emergencies.”

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Headlines

Dangote refinery explains hike in ex- factory price of PMS amidst global market volatility 

– laments Nigeria’s crude expensive than brent benchmark price

Funso OLOJO, Editor 

The on-going crisis in the Middle East occasioned by the United States of America (USA) and Israel attacks on Iran, has disrupted crude oil supply chain in the international market, thereby pushing up  the price of the product.

In a statement by Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, the conflict in the Middle East has led to the shutdown of some refineries and cut in refinery production across the world.

This, according to the company, is leading to a global scarcity of petroleum products.

China has banned export of gasoline and diesel but  Dangote Refinery pledged that it will ensure that Nigeria is insulated from these supply shocks by prioritising supply to the domestic market.

“This is one of the many benefits of domestic refining” the company asserted.

The conflict has driven global crude and freight prices sharply higher, with benchmark Brent prices rising by about 26% within a short period to above $84.0 per barrel.

The petrochemical company explained that this reality makes it to readjust its ex- factory price of PMS by implementing  “a measured adjustment of N100 per litre in its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, representing an increase of about 12 percent.”

Accordingly, the refinery claimed it has absorbed 20 per cent of the cost escalation, for now, to cushion the domestic market.

 This is despite continuing to source crude at prevailing international market prices, whether purchased locally or from foreign suppliers.

The company lamented that Nigerian crude oil is more expensive than the Brent benchmark price by $3 to $6 per barrel.

“After adding freight of $3.50 per barrel, crude oil will be landing in our tanks between $88 and $91 per barrel.

” For context, crude oil was landing our tanks at about $68 per barrel when our ex-depot price was N774/litre.

“Furthermore, while we receive about five cargoes a month from NNPC which we pay for in Naira, these cargoes are priced at international market prices + Premium and fall short of the 13 cargoes which we require to support sales into Nigeria.

” We therefore, end up procuring foreign exchange at open market rates to pay for crude cargoes purchased from local and international traders.

” The high crude cost is compounded by the fact that Nigeria upstream producers have failed to supply crude oil to the refinery as required under the PIA, forcing us to source a substantial portion through international traders who charge an additional premium.

“As a private enterprise operating in a deregulated environment, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has remained responsive and has made significant sacrifices by aligning pricing with market realities to ensure sustainability, particularly as it sources all its crude at prevailing international market prices, whether locally or from foreign suppliers.

” Selling below cost would undermine its ability to procure crude, sustain production and guarantee uninterrupted supply to Nigerians.

“Despite these pressures, local refining at this scale continues to reduce exposure to international supply disruptions, moderate foreign exchange demand and protect the country from severe shortages during periods of global instability.

“The refinery is also accelerating deployment of Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks to cushion the impact of global shocks, enhance nationwide distribution efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve delivery timelines across the downstream sector.

” The rollout is scheduled to commence this month.

“We remain committed to transparency, operational excellence and the long-term objective of securing sustainable energy security and stability for Nigeria at an affordable cost” the refinery assured.

reassures Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to serving as a stabilising force amid recent shocks in the international oil market.

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Lagos retirees kick over delay in pension increase, mull protest action

Gloria Odion, Reporter 
The chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, contributory Pension scheme, (NUPCPS) Lagos State Council, Comrade Michael Omisande has appealed to the Director General, Lagos State Pension Commission, (LASPEC), Babalola Obilana, to be proactive on the issue of Pension increases for CPS Pensioners in Lagos State.
He said it is over two months the template for pension increases had been submitted and hinted of a looming protest by Retirees in Lagos State, If LASPEC keeps foot dragging on the pension increases.
He made this submission on Friday, February 27th, 2026 while addressing the Pensioners at the Open Congress day celebration in Oshodi, Lagos.
Comrade Omisande said Governor Sanwoolu and DG LASPEC had promised at different fora to adopt the Federal Governments template to pay pension increases for Lagos State Retirees, adding that Federal Retirees had been enjoying the pension increases since November, 2025.
Meanwhile, the chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Lagos State, Comrade Agnes Sessie, has vowed to take up the battle for the implementation of Pension increases for Retirees under the contributory Pension scheme (CPS) in the State.
While speaking at Oshodi Open Congress Day, Comrade Sessi said the CPS Pensioners deserve to get the pension increases like their federal counterparts, adding that a political solution would also be adopted.
She said the Labour Movement would use the election year to renegotiate for another minimum wage for Lagos State Workers and also canvass for pension increase implementation for CPS Pensioners.
Comrade Sessie commended the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu in the running of affairs of the State.
The open congress day is in commemoration of the birth of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, contributory Pension scheme, NUPCPS, in Nigeria on 27 February, 2017.
The theme of this year’s celebration is Freedom of Association, a fundamental human right in Nigeria.
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Headlines

FIFA sends Nigeria’s Super Eagles to 2026 World Cup, awards boardroom scoreline of 3 goals to nil against DR Congo 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The world Cup ticket which Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to secure on the field of play have been delivered in FIFA’s boardroom in Zurich, Switzerland.
This followed a decisive verdict in the eligibility dispute between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the World football governing body overturned the playoff result and awarded qualification to the Super Eagles for the 2026 World Cup.

The ruling was handed down by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee following a formal protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA).At the heart of the matter was the Best Losers Playoff match in the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

 DR Congo had originally secured a 2–1 victory over Nigeria, seemingly clinching the final qualification slot.

However, Nigeria challenged the outcome, alleging that a DR Congo player — identified in proceedings as Player X — was ineligible to feature in the decisive encounter due to an incomplete nationality switch process.

After reviewing official match documentation, player registration records, and correspondence between FECOFA and FIFA’s Players’ Status Department, the Disciplinary Committee established that the player had previously represented another national association at youth level.

Under FIFA regulations governing player eligibility, any footballer seeking to change national association must formally apply for the switch, receive written approval from FIFA, and obtain official confirmation before participating in any senior “A” international match.

The Committee found that although Player X had initiated the process, formal approval had not been granted before the playoff fixture.

 Crucially, no provisional clearance had been issued to permit temporary participation.

Citing Article 9 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes and Article 21 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the Committee ruled that DR Congo fielded an ineligible player in an official competitive match.

In line with the regulations, the match has been declared forfeited.

The result has been officially recorded as DR Congo 0–3 Nigeria.

Consequently, Nigeria has been proclaimed winner of the Best Losers Playoff Round and awarded qualification to represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The decision marks a major boost for Nigerian football and underscores FIFA’s strict stance on eligibility compliance, particularly in high-stakes fixtures that determine World Cup participation.

While DR Congo has been disqualified from the playoff pathway, the federation retains the right to appeal the ruling before the FIFA Appeals Committee.

In its closing observations, the Committee stressed that strict adherence to nationality switch procedures is vital to maintaining fairness and integrity in international football, warning that administrative processes still in progress do not justify participation without formal approval.

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