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Much Ado about Dayo Mobereola appointment as NIMASA DG

Dr Dayo Mobereola

The Eyewitness Reporter

Since the appointment of Dr Dayo Mobereola as the new Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the maritime industry has gone abuzz with divergent views, opinions and speculations.

Specifically, opinions have been divided among two opposing sides.

While one side, who was probably caught unaware of the sudden turn of events that has disrupted its calculations, projections and expectations, has started to attack the new appointee even before he resumed duties, the other side, who believes the new NIMASA DG should be given a chance like his predecessors, has stoutly stood and rationalised the appointment.

While one side was embittered that the appointment of Dr Mobereola has upturned their apple chart, the other side, believed NIMASA needs a fresh breath of air in the regulatory agency.

However, in order to rationalise their bias and beliefs which are deeply rooted in a preconceived notion of who is more qualified for the coveted office, the antagonists of the new NIMASA appointee have started to grow goose pimples over what they erroneously believed was his delayed resumption of duties as the new NIMASA DG.

In hush tones, they have given out an uninformed narrative that Dr Mobereola has failed to resume office as the NIMASA DG one week after his appointment.
The peddlers of this outlandish narrative have further justified their bias against the appointment of the former LAMATA boss.

However, such people have failed to take into cognisance the procedures of appointments and resumption of civil servants in public service.

They were oblivious of the extant rules that in the public service, appointments of public officers go through layers of confirmation and ratification before the appointees can resume office.

In the case of ministers, when the President makes his appointments, he sends the nominees to the Senate for approval.
During this period, Minister – Designates go through a senate screening exercise where their nominations are either confirmed or rejected.

This process takes a little while.As for the heads of agencies like NIMASA, the presidential appointment has to go through the office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation(SGF) where a letter will be issued to the office of the Head of Service where another letter of notification has to be issued to the relevant ministry where the final appointment letter will be issued to the appointed head of the agency.

“This is the procedure the new NIMASA DG is currently going through at the moment.

“His appointment has to go through the office of the SGF where a letter will be sent to the Head of Service who will notify the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy where the minister will issue a final letter of appointment to Dr Mobereola before he can officially resume office.

“At present, he is in Abuja where he was going through the last lap of the official procedure and he is looking likely to resume duties at NIMASA tomorrow( Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 or before the week runs out,” a knowledgeable source at NIMASA told our reporter.

“Dr Mobereola was in Lagos last weekend where he interacted with other members of the management staff.

“He is ready and eager to resume duties as soon as he completes the necessary procedural steps” the NIMASA source declared.

” Another highly placed source close to the minister of Marine and Blue economy, Gboyega Oyetola, also confirmed the procedure which the appointment of the new NIMASA DG would take before he officially resumes.

“I can tell you categorically that there is no cause for alarm. The new man is eminently qualified to assume that position given his professional qualifications and track record in public service.

“The stakeholders should give him a chance, allow him to settle down and concentrate on the task ahead” the ministerial source pleaded.

The sources reminded the skeptics that the new helmsmen at the National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA) and Nigerian Shippers’Council, all went through the same process before they resumed duties about two weeks after their appointments.

“These two didn’t resume immediately after their appointments.

“Their appointments went through the same procedure that Dr Mobereola is currently going through.

“Why the resumption of Dr. Bashir Jamoh and that of Mohammed Bello-Koko when both took over at NIMASA and NPA respectively was because both men were insiders as they were both, incidentally, Executive Directors, Finance and Administrations at their respective agencies when they took over,” another source said.

Dr Mobereola’s appointment as NIMASA DG was announced on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024.

He took over from Dr Bashir Jamoh whose tenure expired last week Sunday, March 10th, 2024 and handed over to Chudi Offordile, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the agency

Moberola obtained an MSc and a Ph.D. in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, both in England and Nigeria.
His studies exposed him to Social Development and Welfare, Maritime Safety and Security Management, and Maritime Piracy and Transnational Criminal Activities.
Stakeholders believed he is eminently qualified to head the maritime regulatory agency as a thoroughbred professional.
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Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.
In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
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Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country 

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.
Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.
Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.
Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.
According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.
During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.
 He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.
Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.
Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.
 He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.
The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.
The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.
The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.
Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”
He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.
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