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Gambia stands still for NANTA on training visit

Funso OLOJO

The President and members of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies ( NANTA) received resounding plaudits from The Gambia Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Honourable Abdoulie Jobe, who likened the presence of members of NANTA as a deserving home coming .

“We are delighted to host this eminent gathering of notable travel agents, and we bestow high regards to your presence in the smiling coast of Africa. “

The highly elated Minister ,who spoke at the official flag off the training and tourism market exposure for the cream of Nigeria’ s travel trade professionals, disclosed that destination management ecosystem must consistently respond to fast changing dynamics geared towards addressing the needs of various stakeholders ,the industry and host communities, noting that travel agents must continue to play pivotal roles in finding solutions to those changes in the tourism ecosystem.

” It’s imperative for tourism stakeholders at various levels to take stock and strategize on the next steps to make tourism responsive to these trends and challenges to reposition our coveted industry on a competitive trajectory ” the minister admonished.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Amie Njie, the Minister, further explained that the presence of Nigeria Travel trade professionals in The Gambia was an intentional high-level engagement by the Ministry to market Gambia to Nigeria, and urged the Nigerian influential trade group to have a taste of The Gambia jollof rich known locally as Benechin.

In a brief welcome remarks, Nigeria High Commissioner to The Gambia, Mallam Mohammad Mainasara, commended members of NANTA for visiting a sister African country for their training programme, urging them to take full advantage of their presence to generate viable mutual trade opportunities between Nigeria and Gambia.

Abubakar Camara and Sheriff conteh, Director General and Deputy Director General of The Gambia Tourism Board, respectively, shared binding cultural tourism relationships with Nigeria, while the Managing Director of Djeliba leisure group, a frontline partner of NANTA on the training and trade exposure expedition, revealed that Nigerians are close relations to the people of The Gambia, steering off emotional chords amongst the visiting Nigerians.

NANTA president, Yinka Folami, touched by the kind words from the Gambia nation, promised that NANTA members would certainly change the trade narratives between both countries.

” We believe in inter- African trade and tourism exchange, and we as an association, started the campaign over five years ago .

” We love The Gambia, and that’s why we chose to be here for our training instead of going elsewhere.

“We brought our best to Gambia, and soon, the tourism trade traffic narratives would change, and we have the capacity to do so.” Nanta president assured.

Presenting a NANTA plaque to The Gambia First Lady and also to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folami disclosed that NANTA would also expect The Gambia people and their trade community to reciprocate the Nigerian love to them by visiting and trading more with Nigeria, since Nigeria foremost carrier, Air peace has established a route to and from both countries.

NANTA president singled out the training faculty of NANTA led by NANTA first Deputy President, Mrs Chinyere Umeasiegbu, immediate past President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye and Mrs Ibiwari Uloma Kemabonta for always pushing NANTA to zenith of success and global presence, adding it is a blessing to be supported and assisted by selfless women.

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Tompolo pays glowing tribute to Wike on his 58th birthday.

Funso OLOJO

High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has eulogised the uncommon courage, resilience and unwavering sense of duty of Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory(FCT), describing these attributes as those that align with the Tantita’s objectives and work ethic.

Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, make this observation in his message to Wike on his 58th birthday, where he paid a glowing tribute to the FCT Minister.

According to him, Wike’s public life is a reflection of courage, conviction and an unwavering sense of duty.

Tompolo said Wike’s journey through public service—marked by legal brilliance, political audacity and firm decision-making—has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is defined by impact, not rhetoric.

He noted that from Wike’s formative years in public administration through his tenure as Governor of Rivers State and now as FCT Minister, his performance has remained anchored on results, resilience and a relentless commitment to public good.

“In the Federal Capital Territory, your presence is already being massively felt.

” The renewed focus on infrastructure, order, and accountability speaks to a hands-on leadership style that understands Abuja’s symbolic and practical importance to Nigeria’s unity and governance,” Tompolo said.

The TSSNL founder commended Wike for recognising the intrinsic connection between security, development and national stability, stressing that the minister’s insistence on law, order and institutional discipline aligns strongly with Tantita’s mission of protecting critical assets and fostering a safe environment for sustainable growth.

He added that Wike’s reputation as “Mr. Project” was well-earned, given his consistent record of performance and the courage to take difficult decisions when duty demanded it.

“In moments that demand firmness, you have chosen responsibility over convenience, standing by your convictions even when the path was difficult,” he said.

Tompolo prayed for renewed strength, sharper vision and continued success for the minister as he marks another year, expressing confidence that Wike’s service would continue to leave a lasting imprint on national development.

“Please accept my sincere best wishes for good health, wisdom, and continued success. May the years ahead bring fulfilment and further contributions to the progress and unity of Nigeria,” he added.

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Nigeria denies ownership of detained vessel

VLCC SKIPPER

Funso OLOJO

The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has clarified the status of a tanker vessel, MT SKIPPER, currently intercepted and detained by the United States Coast Guard(USCG) over alleged oil theft and other transnational crimes.

According to the statement from the Nigeria’s maritime industry apex regulatory agency, the vessel , Very Large Crude Carrier,is not a Nigerian – flagged vessel while its purported owners, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, are not registered with NIMASA as a shipping company.

“An analysis of the vessel’s movement, monitored through the Agency’s Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) Centre, shows that the vessel was last sighted in Nigerian waters on 1st July 2024.

“After departing Nigerian waters, the vessel continued on its international voyage pattern and was tracked operating in the Arabian Sea (Asia) and later in the Caribbean region, where the U.S. interdiction eventually took place.

“Records indicate that SKIPPER which was formerly owned by Triton Navigation Corp, has undergone multiple name changes over time.

“The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including U.S. authorities, in the ongoing investigations. He emphasized that criminality will not be tolerated in Nigerian waters” NIMASA stated in a public statement.

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Adeniyi, Akutah, Fakolade, Warredi, Maiwada headline 10th anniversary of seminar for maritime journalists in Lagos

Funso OLOJO

First Mediacon media group, the convener of the annual seminar for maritime journalists, has lined up an array of industry’s stakeholders to sharpen the intellectual capacity of maritime journalists at this year’s workshop.

The annual event, which is the 10th edition this year, holds December 17th, 2025 in Lagos.

According to the organisers of the programme, the cream of the maritime industry have been lined up to engage the industry’s media in intellectual discussions that will deepen the knowledge of its practitioners in digital trade facilitation, regulatory efficiency and the economic reforms.

Key speakers at the event include the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Akutah Ukeyima who is expected to deliver the keynote address, Mr Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window, Mr Warredi Eniosuoh, who is expected to chair the event and Deputy Comptroller of Customs and the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada.

Maiwada is expected to deliver a practical training on “Data Analysis for Effective Maritime Reporting”

According to Mr. Sesan Onileimo, CEO of First Mediacon Network Limited and convener of the seminar, “the past decade has proven that accurate, data-driven journalism is vital to the growth of the maritime economy.

“This platform empowers journalists with the tools to properly analyse reforms, interrogate investments and provide the business community with credible information.”

Now in its tenth year, the seminar has become a major business intelligence platform, equipping maritime journalists with the technical insight required to analyse policy decisions, market trends and operational performance within the nation’s blue economy.

Over the years, it has helped strengthen the information value chain that supports investment decisions across ports, logistics, shipping, and inland trade corridors.

This year’s edition comes at a time when Nigeria’s maritime economy is undergoing significant transformation, driven by digitalisation, regulatory restructuring and demand for greater operational transparency.

Marking a decade of consistent impact, the organisers reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the professional capacity of the maritime media, while promoting a more transparent, efficient and investment-friendly maritime environment.