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Royal father tasks new SWDC boss, Charles Akinola, on South West security, youth empowerment, agriculture

Funso OLOJO
The Olowo of Owo kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye 11, has urged Dr Charles Akinola, the new Managing Director of the South West Development Commission(SWDC), to focus more on the security of the South West region as well as  empowerment of the youths in the region as he awaits the confirmation of his appointment by the Senate.
It could be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the appointment of Dr Akinola to head the new commission in the South West.
Oba Gbadegesin however lauded President Tinubu for finding Dr Akinola worthy for the coveted position.
Dr Akinola, a seasoned public policy advisor and development strategist with over 30 years of experience in public service, international development, and strategic governance, specialising in agricultural development, sustainable economic growth, and policy implementation across Nigeria and West Africa, was appointed on May 8th, 2025 by President Tinubu as pioneer MD of the SWDC.
However, speaking to Journalists, Oba Ogunoye, described Dr Akinola’s appointment as putting a square peg in a square hole, saying he will facilitate social and economic development in the South West.
According to the foremost traditional ruler, the training, political experience and exposure of Dr Akinola would help him succeed on the job.
“The appointment of Dr Akinola, I believe, is in the right direction.
“Dr Akinola is a square peg in a square hole. He’s eminently qualified, and going by his experiences over the years, his training and his political experiences, I believe it is gratifying that such a wonderful personality has been found worthy by President Tinubu for appointment as the MD of SWDC.
“Dr Akinola is a man of good character, of good learning, and a man who is out to work for the interest of the Yoruba people.
“Being given this appointment, I believe that he will be all out to service the good people of Yoruba land.
” This is a call for service and I know that he will give service, selfless service, for the benefit of the people of Yoruba land.
” I know for sure that he will use his political connections for our benefit.
Oba Olowo, who chronicled Dr Akinola’s early days in the kingdom of Owo, said the principle of Omoluabi imbibed by him during his formative age would help put him on a trajectory of growth and development of the region.
“He’s a man that has a great connection with this great Kingdom of Owo.
“His early years in life were in Owo. So, I believe he had imbibed our character and must have had it going for him for the task ahead.
“The good people of Yoruba will expect much more deliverables from the SWDC as recently passed into law by Mr President.
“We appreciate Mr President for finding this wonderful personality to be charged with these moral roles and highly demanding office.”
The traditional ruler, however, charged Dr Akinola to ensure the security of lives, properties, Agriculture, employment and skill acquisition for youths should be his priority.
“Our people, the younger ones, educated and non-educated, who are not gainfully employed, should be provided with skills and training.
“There must be training of our youths in skilled labour such as carpentry, and revitalisation of technical colleges for the training of our youths rather than having University graduate without skills, thereby, increasing unemployment rate.”
“State Police is coming up now as the idea has been generally accepted throughout Nigeria.
“So, the commission should be at the forefront of the training of personnel and equipment for the policing system that will cover Yoruba land, either collectively as a civil unit of policing authority in the southwest or maybe on the individual basis of the states.
“The commission should network across the length and breadth of Yoruba land and ensure that our policing system will be top-notch and well-equipped with modern facilities, especially using Information Communication Technology (ICT), to secure the South West.
“On agriculture, value should be added to the agricultural produce. Value addition to agricultural produce, small-scale, large-scale, and medium-scale industries in all agricultural produce.
“The commission must think about the establishment of clusters of industries that will process our agricultural produce.
“We have to drive our agriculture through value addition and majorly towards exports to earn foreign exchange.
“I think this will go a long way in enabling the Yoruba nation to be much richer and foremost among other regions,” Oba Ogunoye stated.
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Tantita intercepts stolen crude on escort of  Delta Marine Police, arrests four suspects 

Funso OLOJO 
Tantita Security Services Limited, a pipeline surveillance operations company, has intercepted a tanker vessel, MT Thor, laden with suspected stolen crude oil.
The interception, which occurred on December 15th, 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, happened while the vessel was allegedly being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Four suspects have been apprehended in connection with the incident and are currently facing investigation for possible prosecution.
The arrest was announced during the handover of the suspects at Koko Port in Delta State by Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL), a firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations.
Speaking at the handover of the vessel and the suspects at Koko Port, Delta state, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Captain Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
According to a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft, Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, which was allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited.
Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko.
The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day.
 As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
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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.

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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.
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