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NSC joins forces with MARAN over advocacy against War Risk Insurance premium on Nigerian Shippers

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) has thrown its weight behind the advocacy efforts of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN) to protest the continued collection of War Risk Insurance premium by the imperialistic foreign shipping companies from Nigerian Shippers.

Dr Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary of the Council, made the declaration on Thursday, August 7th,2025 while receiving in his office the MARAN team led by its President, Godfrey Bivere.

Akutah queried if it was logical to still classify Nigeria as being in a War Risk Zone despite the zero piracy attacks on its waters and the Gulf of Guinea in the last there years.

“Does Nigeria have any business being in the war risk zone?” he asked rhetorically.

He however thanked the journalists group for its consistent commitment to reforms and cost-reduction efforts in the nation’s maritime sector.

Speaking on the upcoming MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) 2025, Akutah described the event’s theme: “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade” as timely and critical.

Acknowledging the vital roles played by the media in shaping conversations around the nation’s maritime development, he remarked that the Council recognizes and deeply values the contributions of MARAN as one of its partners.

“We are partners and I can tell the contribution your association is bringing to the table. We are very proud of what you are doing,” the NSC boss said.

He lauded the organizers for championing advocacy around the removal of war risk insurance on Nigerian-bound cargo, insisting that the current classification of Nigeria as a war risk zone is unjustified and economically damaging.

Akutah, however, stressed that such misclassification imposes additional, avoidable costs on the Nigerian economy and undermines the competitiveness of the nation’s ports.

According to him, port cost inefficiencies have long been a major source of concern and excessive charges are among the key contributors to Nigeria’s uncompetitive port environment.

He noted that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is already leading efforts to get Nigeria off the war risk list, but emphasized that advocacy must go beyond government action and involve all categories of industry stakeholders.

“This is how we will develop our sector by being proactive and not only criticising but also bringing solutions to the table,” he stated.

Dr. Akutah pledged that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council will fully participate in the conference, just as it had in previous years even as he expressed personal interest in attending the event due to its relevance to the Council’s core mandate — reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.

Earlier, Bivbere, appreciated the efforts of the regulatory agency in tackling the myriad of challenges at the nation’s ports.

He observed that the Council could also initiate a more holistic approach to eliminating the burden of WRI by engaging the United African Shippers’ Council (UASC) and Global Shippers Forum (GSF) to end the menace.

Headlines

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.

Headlines

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.