Esther Komolafe

In a significant boost to Nigeria's maritime sector, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, has commended Nigeria for its efforts in maintaining the safety and security of commercial shipping in the Gulf of Guinea. This recognition comes amidst increased shipping traffic in the region due to the situation in the Red Sea . During a meeting with the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, at the IMO headquarters in London, Dominguez praised Nigeria's progress in addressing maritime security concerns. He expressed satisfaction with the country's collaboration with the IMO and…

Warri, Delta State - Tantita Security Services Ltd, in partnership with the Godfrey Pondi Book Club, has rewarded exceptional students from Delta State secondary schools with a total sum of N2.5 million for their outstanding performances in the Inter-School Public Speaking Competition. Competition Highlights: 20 students from 10 government-owned secondary schools participated Theme: "The Impact of Technology in Combatting Crude Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism" Winners:     1. Dom Domingos College, Warri (N1 million)     2. Edjeba Secondary School (N800,000)     3. Ighogbadu Secondary School (N700,000) Tantita Security's Commitment to Education Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director of…

The Customs Area  Controller ( CAC ) Comptroller Dera Nnadi of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tincan Island  Port Command has made a significant seizure of illicit drugs valued at N682,050,000. The drugs, totaling 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg, were extracted from three containers intercepted by the Command. Details of the Seizure Container 1:MSMU 518030/2 (1X40FT) - 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg Container 2:MSMU 602957/0 (1X40FT) - 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg Container 3: FSCU 927461/3 (1X40FT) - 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5kg The interception was made possible through actionable intelligence received…

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Navy have taken a significant step towards improving maritime safety in Nigeria by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) . This strategic agreement aims to boost collaboration in accident prevention, investigation, and mitigation within Nigeria's maritime environment. The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between the two institutions in various areas, including: Accident Prevention: Sharing expertise and resources to prevent maritime accidents Research: Conducting joint research to improve maritime safety Capacity Building: Providing specialized training to Navy personnel on accident investigation and prevention Search and Rescue Operations: Enhancing response times and…

The 2024 Workshop on African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) recently highlighted the plight of African seafarers, who face poor welfare conditions despite playing a critical role in the global economy. According to Engr. Oderinde Hakeem (MNSE), the international shipping industry transports approximately 90% of world trade by volume, with 1.89 million seafarers operating over 74,000 vessels . Challenges Faced by African Seafarers: African seafarers suffer from poor remuneration, exploitation, and limited access to medical care, compared to their counterparts in other continents. The implementation of labour laws in Africa is also inadequate, perpetuating these issues. In Nigeria, for instance,…

At the 4th Annual Symposium and Workshop organized by the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) in Lagos, Director Maritime Boundaries, National Boundary Commission, Nurudeen M. Abba, highlighted the pressing issues surrounding the Blue Economy. Abba emphasized the need to address challenges and leverage opportunities in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), and Deep Seabed Mining (DSM) . Key Challenges: Governance and Legal Uncertainty: ABNJ faces unclear regulations and overlapping claims. Environmental Concerns: Pollution, erosion, and over-exploitation threaten marine ecosystems. Equity and Access: Ensuring fair distribution of resources and benefits. Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs): Challenges: IUU fishing,…

  At a recent symposium and workshop organized by the Africa Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI), Captain Sunday Umoren, Secretary General of the Abuja MOU, emphasized the crucial role of partnerships and enforcement in achieving a sustainable Blue Economy in Africa. "Partnerships and collaboration are essential for Africa's marine and Blue Economy to thrive," Capt. Umoren stressed. "They provide advisory services, economic development, research, informed policy regulation, and sustainable management, ensuring rapid growth of Africa's marine resources." ¹ He highlighted that successful partnerships should be mutually beneficial, with each stakeholder contributing to the country's GDP without pitfalls. Capt. Umoren also…