News

ITV/Radio Pre-independence Lecture Series: Nigeria Must Look Beyond Oil, Utilise The Maritime Sector – NIMASA Ex- DG

Published

3 years ago

September 4, 2023

A former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Temisan Omatseye, has urged Nigeria to look beyond crude oil by harnessing the rich marine resources and optimise the benefits the nation’s aquatic nature provide.

He added that the country’s maritime sector must be fully utilised with a view to diversifying the economic base of the country.

Omatseye, who gave the charge as a guest speaker at Independent Television and Radio (ITV/Radio), Benin, annual Independence Lecture (Nigeria @63) with the theme ‘Harnessing the Potentials in the Maritime Sector’, lamented that despite the huge opportunities its provide, Nigeria naritime sector is potentially untapped.

He, however, said Nigeria requires a safe, secure and enabling Maritime Domain to drive a strong, diversified, sustainable and competitive economy, adding that the passing of a National Maritime Transport Policy (NMTP) will drive this process.”

He said: “We must begin this campaign by assessing the pillars which constitute the framework upon which a maritime nation stands: Institutions, legislation and regulations, and policy.”

He continued: “Nigeria government must rise and work towards producing maritime human capital which match national and global demands. But we must also develop other maritime sectors at a much quicker pace such as shipbuilding and repairs, shipping and ports services, logistics and the provision of ancillary maritime products and services among others.

“Stakeholders must be engaged and their inputs solicited in the review of maritime institutions, legislation and regulations and policies. In this, government must lead by adopting a comprehensive national maritime policy that defines the long-term strategic direction for MARITIME NIGERIA,” he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Managing Director, ITV, Engr. Elvis Obaseki, said the topic was picked because of its aptness, adding that this is the only way the country can get out of the current economic quagmire.

Corroborating Omatseye’s submission, the ITV/Radio MD urged Nigeria government to look beyond oil and gas as the only source of the nation’s revenue generation.

Urging Edo people and Nigerians at large to tap opportunities the Edo Seaport offer, Engr. Obaseki said: “The Benin Port project has already come and it has come to stay. We should be thinking of ways of keying into such areas. Edo is practically shifting from being called ‘Civil Service State’.

He thank the founder of ITV/Radio, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom for establishing ITV platform for management and staff of the station to celebrate the independence of Nigeria.

The event also had pannel of discussion segment where discussants – Dr. Casley Omon-Irabor, a constitutional/human right lawyer and National President, Human Rights Defenders; Pius Alile, Founder, Pius Alile Coalition Initiative and Bishop Osadolor Ochei, Human Right Gospel Defender Advocate all argued that for Nigeria to get it right, right leaders must be in helms of affairs.

They emphasized the need for Nigeria to diversify her economy with a view to boosting the country’s revenue base.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.