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Nigeria dazzles Dominguez, IMO scribe, with practical demonstration of deep blue assets capabilities.

— fancies its chances at IMO elections 
Funso OLOJO 
With lethal precision and technical accuracy, Nigeria put its multi- million dollars assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project, into a stimulated demonstration at the Under water jetty of the Nigerian Navy, Ojo, Lagos.
The demonstration, which took place on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 was  done in the full glare of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola , the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho and other security agents who were seated on board of DB Abuja, another special mission vessel of the deep blue project.
In a fast- paced operation, the full compliment of deep blue assets, comprising two special mission helicopters, four fast interceptor boats, and two special mission vessels,were deployed to foil a stimulated pirate attack on DB Lagos, one of the special mission vessels under the deep blue project.
In the stimulation exercise, one of the Deep Blue special mission vessels, DB Lagos, was under pirate attack.
But the fast and timely intervention of the security personnel of the Maritime Security Unit(MSU) of the deep blue project, manning two special mission helicopters and  four fast interceptor boats, neutralize the attack, arrested the pirates, rescued the crew of the attacked vessel and took the injured victims to the hospital, showcasing the aerial capacity of the deep blue assets.
An impressed IMO scribe, Arsenio Dominguez, was blown away by the clinical precision of the anti- piracy capabilities of the deep blue project security personnel.
“I want to start by thanking the government of Nigeria, the Ministry, NIMASA, and particularly the Deep Blue team.
“Because this is one of the most impressive displays that I have seen and experienced”
“And the reality is that we know how important maritime security is, particularly for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
“And I hope and I really encourage the government to sustain this project.
 “Because the results are there. The fact that for the last three years, there has been not a single piracy attack in the national waters of Nigeria just demonstrates the effectiveness.
“And of course this also demonstrates and replicates the fact that commerce will return and come back” the IMO chief declared.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola, was no less impressed by the demonstration.
He reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to reclaim the elusive seat in the category C of the IMO.
The Minister promised to go back to the Headquarters of the IMO in London to intensify the campaign and lobby to ensure that Nigeria is elected into the council.
“I want to say that the Deep Blue project is a multi- layered security architecture, that has earned Nigeria a zero piracy for the past three years.
“And it’s not enough for us to say so. It’s important for people, particularly the Secretary General, to witness the demonstration.  It’s not a fluke, it’s a reality.
“And I must commend the various agencies, the security agencies particularly, for the collaboration.
 “That means with teamwork, there’s nothing you cannot achieve. We will try to sustain it.
“It’s tough in terms of funding. But the federal government is determined to ensure that there’s no piracy in the waters.
“That’s part of what will allow us to harness the potential of the economy.
“I must commend all the people that are involved, the CEO of the management team, all the various agencies that have contributed in getting this thing to this stage.
 “I’m proud of the fact that the SG is able to look at this. I’ll come back to the UK to be able to convince them that Nigeria deserves to be a member of the Council of IMO.
“
We’re looking at being part of the Council from November this year. But the ultimate, like I mentioned to you yesterday,  is for us to get to the UK” Oyetola enthused.
However, Dominguez was non- committal to the title race of Nigeria at the IMO.
“The International Maritime Organisation works with 176 member states.
“And I encourage Nigeria to continue their campaign for the election into the IMO Council.
” They have been there before. They know that they are doing very good work.
“And I wish them a lot of success in the elections” he declared in a detached voice.
Late former President Muhammadu Buhari, performed the official launch of assets under the deep blue project on Thursday, June 10th,2021 in Lagos.
The  Deep Blue Project, which was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Federal Ministry of Defence, is being implemented by NIMASA.
The main objective of the Deep Blue Project is to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea.

The Project has three categories of platforms to tackle maritime security on land, sea, and air.

The land assets include the Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence Centre (C4i) for intelligence gathering and data collection; 16 armoured vehicles for coastal patrol; and 600 specially trained troops for interdiction, known as Maritime Security Unit.

The sea assets include two Special Mission Vessels and 17 Fast Interceptor Boats. The air assets comprise two Special Mission Aircraft for surveillance of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); three Special Mission Helicopters for search and rescue operations; and four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

The Deep Blue Project is the first integrated maritime security strategy in West and Central Africa with the aim of tackling the incidences of piracy, sea robbery, and other crimes at sea.

The Maritime Security Unit (MSU) of the Deep Blue Project, comprises personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police, and Department of State Services.
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NRC suspends Warri- Itakpe train service over operational concerns

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the temporary suspension of  Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) due to what the management described as operational exigency and  technical advice from  the Corporation’s Engineers.
The temporary suspension, according to a public statement by the NRC, has become necessary to enable the Corporation carry out critical operational assessments  aimed at ensuring continued safety, reliability, and improved service delivery on the corridor.
“The NRC regrets the inconvenience this development may cause passengers and other stakeholders, and assures the public that efforts are currently ongoing to resolve the issues within the shortest possible time.
“Passengers and intending travelers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations.
“The Corporation remains committed to safe, efficient, and customer-friendly rail services across the country and appreciates the understanding, patience, and continued support of the public during this period” the NRC declared.
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Sallah: FG slashes train fares by 50 percent on all routes 

Gloria Odion, reporter 
The Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation has announced a 50 percent fare reduction on all train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as part of measures to ease transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The discount takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and will run through Monday, June 1, 2026.
Accordingly, ticket fares on all NRC passenger train services across the country have been reduced by 50 percent of the existing approved rates within the stated period.
Passengers who had earlier purchased tickets at the full fare before the announcement will be entitled to a 50 percent rebate, reusable for train rides on or before Monday, June 1st, 2026.
Train schedules and timetables remain as previously advertised.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation said it appreciated the continued support of Nigerians and wishes all passengers and the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
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Salah: NIWA MD threatens to wield big stick on violators of safety guidelines on waterways 

— calls for calm over Supreme Court judgement 
Funso OLOJO,Editor 
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has issued a stern warning to boat operators across the country to strictly adhere to waterways safety regulations during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Girei gave the warning during an exclusive interview with journalists at the NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, noting that festive periods often witness increased movement on the inland waterways, particularly within riverine communities.
According to him, compliance with safety measures during the Sallah season remains non-negotiable.
He stressed that overloading of boats would not be tolerated, while the use of life jackets by all passengers and operators remains compulsory.
Girei also warned against night travel, alcohol consumption by operators, and disregard for weather advisories.
“No overload, wearing of life jackets is mandatory, no night travel, no alcohol, and operators must ensure proper weather checks before embarking on any journey,” he stated.
The NIWA Acting MD further disclosed that enforcement teams, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, would be deployed across jetties nationwide to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations.
He warned that violators risk arrest, seizure of vessels, and prosecution.
Girei also urged passengers to avoid boarding overloaded boats, vessels without adequate life jackets, or boats attempting to operate at night.
While extending Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithfuls, he appealed to community and religious leaders to help amplify waterways safety awareness during sermons and public gatherings.
Meanwhile, the NIWA boss advised stakeholders and clients of the Authority not to panic over the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning aspects of the NIWA Act.
He explained that the apex court upheld the Authority’s statutory responsibilities relating to inland waterways navigation, safety regulation, channel management, river infrastructure development, and the promotion of inland waterways transportation as contained in Sections 10 and 11 of the NIWA Act.
According to him, Sections 12 and 13 of the Act, which deal with land matters unrelated to maritime activities, were voided by the Supreme Court only to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.
Girei therefore urged all stakeholders to remain calm, law-abiding, and await an official statement from NIWA after the Authority obtains the Certified True Copy of the judgment from the Supreme Court.
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