Author: Saint Augustine

In a landmark move to enhance safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday 29th April 2025, officially flagged off the distribution of 42,000 life jackets to waterway users across 12 selected riverine states. The initiative, flagged off at a ceremony in Minna, Niger State, is aimed at curbing the alarming rate of boat mishaps and fatalities in the country’s riverine areas. Each of the beneficiary states will receive 3,500 life jackets in the first phase of this strategic safety intervention by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue…

…Destroys substandard products worth billions of naira The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON has affirmed its unwavering commitment to public safety, consumer protection and the promotion of fair-trade practices in Nigeria. The Director General and Chief Executive, SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke made the commitment yesterday, during the destruction exercise of substandard products at the organisation’s warehouse in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos. The DG who was represented by his Special Assistant, Strategic Support, Manji Pius Lawan, noted that the products destroyed included stuffed tyres, steel doors and spark plugs found to be substandard and posed serious risks to the health and safety…

…As Apapa Command makes 11 seizures valued at N921bn in Q1 The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Services, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, said that importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios combining pharmaceuticals, food items and control technology in systematic shipments. Meanwhile, Apapa Command of the NCS made a total of 11 seizures comprising five units of 40-foot containers, two units of 20-foot containers and four additional seizures of loosely concealed contraband items, with a Duty Paid Value, DPV of N921 billion between January and April 2025. Speaking at a media briefing held at Apapa Command, Adeniyi said all these items fall…

In furtherance to its mandate to promote safety and ensure a secured water transport environment, the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA has advised all boat/ferry operators both private and commercial, boat associations/unions, boat clubs, tourists and passengers to take extra precautions during the rainy season. LASWA management in a notice issued in Lagos on Tuesday with the caption, “Need To Be More Safety Conscious During The Rainy Season “, warned that the comes with increased water volume, unstable currents, and foggy weather conditions that significantly reduce visibility and complicate navigation adding that those factors heighten the risk of accidents on…

Determined to relieve external funding pressures and ensure trade facilitation between Nigeria and China, both countries engaged in a series of negotiations for a bilateral currency swap framework. Chairman Customs Consultative Council, Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju who is the Chairman of a Breakfast meeting held by Maritime reporters association of Nigeria, MARAN, expressed optimism that the currency swap agreement between Nigeria and China will, no doubt, address the challenges of inflation and other issues affecting Trade facilitation in the country. “A research of over ten years conducted shows that prices of goods go up in Nigeria compared to other countries of…

… As Mobereola prioritizes Seafarers’ welfare Nigeria has endorsed the amendments to eight (8) Codes of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. The amendments include the codes related to the protection of seafarers against discrimination, identification of seafarers as key workers, enhanced access to shore based welfare for seafarers, and the code on shipboard violence, harassment and bullying, accommodation and recreational facilities onboard. The Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the 5th ILO special Tripartite Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to the welfare, rights, and protection of seafarers. The…

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS has directed banks to immediately identify and close any FIRS tax and levy collection accounts not authorised under the TaxPro Max system. The TaxPro Max is a homegrown tax administration platform that facilitates tax-related activities, including registration, filing, payment, issuance of tax clearance certificates, among others. A public notice signed by the FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji and made available to newsmen by his Special Adviser on Media, Dare Adekanmbi, said the decision was part of the ongoing efforts to boost efficiency and transparency in tax collection as well as ensure uniformity and seamless reconciliation…

… Five phenomenal women make list of Amazons Eminent Nigerian personalities including the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Barr. Akutah Pius; Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, among others, is set to lead maritime stakeholders to the 2025 MMS Hall of Famers’ Day. The Founder of MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame, WoFHoF Initiative, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke, disclosed this in a press statement disseminated recently, According to Anaroke, the 2025 MMS Hall of Famers’ Day and recognition of the MMS Accelerated Amazons is…

The foremost security provider in Nigeria, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL has been confirmed as the official sponsor of the 2025 Offshore Technology conference scheduled to hold in Houston Texas, United States on 5-8 May, 2025 . Executive Director, Technical and Operations, Tantita Security Services Limited, Captain Wareddi Enisuoh, in an interview with journalists on Friday said the company attracted the OTC conference lucrative sponsorship deal in recognition of its capacity to deliver on the conference. Founded in 1969, Offshore Technology conference is a series of conferences and exhibitions, focused on exchanging technical knowledge relevant to the development of…

Scores of maritime students staged a peaceful protest recently at the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA in Victoria Island, Lagos, calling on the agency to address the growing unemployment crisis among maritime graduates. Chanting solidarity songs and brandishing placards with inscriptions such as “#Train Cadet Locally and Improve the Maritime University”, “#We Lack Sea Time Experience” “#Enough is Enough, We need Jobs for Maritime Graduates” and others,  the protesting students decried the lack of sea time training and job placements, which they described as a major hindrance to pursuing careers in seafaring. The visibly aggrieved…