Author: Saint Augustine

Contrary to the allegations in some quarters of a plan by the Federal Government to shut down the internet during the 2019 general election so as to facilitate rigging of the elections in its favour, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that there is no truth in such allegation. The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye who set the records straight during the one day sensitization forum for Journalists in Awka, Anambra State on Friday said the commission had no intention whatsoever of shutting the internet or collaborating with anybody to…

…Clarifies position on withdrawal of Oby Ezekwesili The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday re-echoed its call for the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission and the Electoral Offences Tribunal to be vested with the responsibility of arresting, investigating and prosecuting electoral offenders. The INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Anambra, Enugu and Benue States, Barr. Festus Okoye who repeated the call during a one day sensitization forum for the media practitioners in Awka, Anambra State stated that the call had become necessary as it was increasingly becoming obvious that INEC had a lot in its hands already that it…

As the 2019 general elections draw near, the Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) has called on politicians to make realistic and achievable campaign promises. Speaking to Newsmen in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, the Executive Director of CCIDESOR, Obidi Mgbemena harped on the need to document campaign promises as it is a barometer to hold elected officers accountable. He berated the docility of the electorate who go to bed after the elections without following up with what the politicians promised when they were seeking for votes. Mgbemena noted that campaign promises not consciously kept by elected…

…CVFF disbursement, better funding for indigenous operators …Hope for Anti-Piracy Bill to reduce incidents As part of efforts to guide investors and encourage more participation in the maritime industry, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has set the tone with the unveiling of the 2019-2020 maritime forecasts. The forecast is intended to give direction to operators and investors, both local and international, as to what should be expected within the period of the forecast. Speaking shortly after the unveiling of the document in Lagos recently, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside opined that the maritime sector…

Three persons were confirmed dead while seventeen others were rescued alive when a boat belonging to Edaolaropin/Bayeku Association conveying twenty passengers ran into a submerged object and capsized mid-sea within the Oke Ira Nla axis while heading to Bayeku area of Ikorodu Lagos at about 12:15pm on Saturday. General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Damilola Emmanuel who confirmed the incident said that an on the spot investigation carried out by LASWA revealed that the incident was caused by a submerged object beneath the waterways. He said that while all passengers were wearing their life jackets, causality…

…Cautions against reporting unauthorized election results Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organized a one day sensitization workshop for media practitioners in Awka, Anambra State to sharpen their skills in pre and post-elections reportage. The workshop which brought together Managers and Controllers of News and Programmes of Radio and Television Stations as well as online bloggers in the five South Eastern States of Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia as well as those of Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states held in Awka, anambra State. Speaking at the workshop, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman…

…Speaks on National Transport Commission Bill The Chairman, National Fleet Implementation Committee, Barr. Hassan Bello has said that the committee is working assiduously to give Nigeria and Nigerians a sustainable and enduring national fleet. Bello who disclosed this while delivering a lecture to mark the 20th Anniversary Lecture/Awards and patrons Investiture of the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers in Lagos recently stated that national fleet was a very serious thing which according to him explains why the work of the committee was not on daily news. He said,” You can have a fleeting fleet if you like and tomorrow,…

Having lost its status as a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarding Associations (FIATA) for over two years now, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has set machinery in motion to return Nigeria to the body. The Chairman, Training Committee of CRFFN, Dr. Kayode Farinto who made this known in an interview with Primetime Reporters in Lagos recently said that the first thing the committee was going to do was to put the country back on the membership of FIATA having been delisted following the long absence of the Governing Council which in…

The National Fleet Implementation Committee has tabled a number of requests before the Federal Government as incentives for the development of shipping sector in Nigeria in order to position it to compete favourably with its counterparts across the globe. The Chairman of the Committee and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello who disclosed this at the 20th Anniversary Lecture/Awards and Patrons Investiture ceremony held in Lagos recently by the League of Maritime Editors stated that the committee had also met with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council to work out modalities for these incentives as every other industry…

Passengers on Wednesday commended the crew of Air Peace Flight P4 7121 for prioritising their safety and returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after receiving information that there was an explosive on board the aircraft. A statement issued by the Corporate Communications Manager of the carrier, Mr. Chris Iwarah confirmed the incident, saying the operating crew acted professionally and took the decision to return as a precaution. He attributed the false information to an intending passenger who was denied boarding after the crew suspected that he might be mentally challenged. “We confirm that Air Peace Flight P4 7121,…