News
PAP: 98 Delegates Deployed For Maritime-Related Skills Training As Otuaro Charges Cadets On Commitment
Published
10 months agoon
By
Editor
The Presidential Amnesty Programme, on Wednesday, deployed 98 delegates for a boot camp and a refresher course in maritime-related skills as part of its manpower development scheme for the Niger Delta.
Addressing the maritime cadets during the flag-off ceremony at the Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Otomewo, Delta State, the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, said that manpower and human capacity development were critical to the economic growth of the region and indeed the country.
Otuaro described the deployment of the 98 maritime cadets as strategic and in tune with President Bola Tinubu’s policy on the blue economy to harness the massive opportunities in the country’s maritime industry for national development.
He noted that President Tinubu was interested in manpower development for the nation’s blue economy, stressing that the PAP Office deployed the 98 maritime cadets to train skilled workers for the maritime sector of the economy.
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Otuaro, in a press statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Thursday, urged the maritime cadets to take their one-month boot camp and refresher training seriously and demonstrate discipline throughout the duration of the programme.
The PAP helmsman said, “I consider this deployment of 98 delegates as strategic because the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is very interested in human capacity development for the blue economy. Manpower development is very important to our region and our country.
“Today, we are starting with 98 delegates as maritime cadets for the blue economy. And you all owe us a duty to be committed to your study, and demonstrate that the Niger Delta people are ready to key into the blue economy policy of the President.
“Your moral conduct should be high. See yourselves as ambassadors of the PAP and the region. We will not condone absconding. Obey the regulations of Joemarine. Our eyes are on you. We need good results from you for your communities, the Niger Delta and the President who is very happy over this deployment.”
READ ALSO: PAP: Remain Focused; Don’t Be Distracted By Nay Sayers, Sen. Manager Tells Otuaro
He, again, thanked the President for giving him the opportunity to serve his Niger Delta people.
Otuaro also expressed confidence in the expertise of the Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research to carry out the training effectively to achieve the desired objectives.
Earlier in his speech, the PAP’s Head of Vocational Training Unit, Mr. Lambert Daunemighan, had explained that the training was designed by a team of personnel from the Presidential Amnesty Office, South Side International Resources (the consultants) and Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research.
Daunemighan described the deployment as “a rare achievement by the PAP Administrator”, noting that the aim was to develop world-class maritime professionals for the country’s maritime industry.
READ ALSO: Purported Leaked Document: Group Condemns Allegations Against PAP Boss, Otuaro
The CEO/MD of Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Akpos Epidei, said that the institute had trained over 10,000 maritime professionals from different parts of the country within the past 14 years.
Epidei, who conducted Otuaro and other officials on a facility-tour of the institute, thanked the PAP Administrator for finding them worthy to handle the training of the maritime cadets.
Mr. Ebi Jackson who responded on behalf of those deployed expressed gratitude to the PAP office for giving them a platform to acquire maritime-related skills with potential for meaningful engagement in the maritime space.
In their separate remarks, the Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom and chairman of the institute’s governing council, HRM Pere Luke, as well as the CEO/MD of South Side International Resources, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, commended the PAP Administrator for his policy of continuity.
They also advised the delegates to be worthy ambassadors of the Programme as their good performance would encourage the PAP Office to deploy more Niger Deltans for training to improve the manpower base of the region.
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News
NBA Drags IGP Egbetokun To Court Over Tinted Glass Permit Policy
Published
9 minutes agoon
September 5, 2025By
Editor
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, challenging the legality of the Nigeria Police Force’s tinted glass permit policy.
The lawsuit, instituted on Wednesday, September 2, 2025, before the Federal High Court in Abuja, comes months after the IGP introduced a directive requiring motorists to apply for and renew tinted glass permits annually through a digital platform, for a fee.
In a statement released Friday, the NBA described the policy as unlawful, unconstitutional, and lacking transparency. It also raised concerns that proceeds from the exercise were being paid into a private account rather than the Federation Account.
“Despite the extension of enforcement to October 2, 2025, several motorists have reported harassment and extortion by policemen at checkpoints on the basis of this policy,” the association said, warning that it infringes on citizens’ rights to privacy, freedom of movement, and dignity.
READ ALSO:Ex-gov Ohakim, IGP, Others Win Fundamental Rights Suit
The NBA also questioned the validity of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, a military-era law under which the police has anchored the policy, stressing that it may not meet constitutional tests required in a democratic society.
The action was filed by the NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), led by Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN) and Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun (SAN). The association vowed to pursue the case “to a logical conclusion.”
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION CHALLENGES THE LEGALITY OF THE POLICE TINTED GLASS PERMIT POLICY OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE
One of the key resolutions of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association at its pre-conference NEC meeting held on the 23rd day of August 2025 in Enugu is that the NBA should challenge the legality of the Nigeria Police Force tinted permit policy in court.
READ ALSO:IGP Launches Safe School Initiative In Bauchi
In April 2025, the Inspector General of Police purportedly introduced a policy which mandated members of the Nigerian motoring public to apply for and obtain annual motor tinted glass permits from the Nigeria Police Force for a fee. The Inspector General of Police in the same month purportedly launched a digital portal (http://possap.gov.ng) through which the application for tinted glass permits were to be processed. We are being informed that the portal and the policy are to be managed by a private vendor, and there is no indication that the funds generated from the enforcement of the purported policy will go into the Federation Account.
The Inspector General of Police initially pegged the date of commencement of the enforcement of the Policy to the 1st day of June 2025, but subsequently extended the date to the 2nd day of October 2025.
Despite the fact that the date of commencement of the enforcement of the purported policy has been extended to the 2nd day of October 2025, there have been several reported cases of harassment and extortion of citizens by the Policemen in checkpoint duty on the basis of this same Policy, thus raising serious concerns of threats to and violation of citizens’ fundamental rights to dignity of human person, right to privacy, right to freedom of movement and the right to own movable property guaranteed as by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
Furthermore, the introduction and proposed enforcement of the tinted glass permit Policy has raised several other genuine concerns, including the validity of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act (Decree 1991), a military-era law under which the Police has sought refuge. A critical scrutiny of the Act would confirm concerns that the legislation may be unable to satisfy the test of a law reasonably justifiable in a democratic society under Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution as to justify reliance on it to deprive citizens of their rights to privacy and free movement.
READ ALSO:NCAA Petitions IGP Over KWAM 1’s Unruly Conduct In Abuja Airport
Moreover, the fact that the legislation does not make provision for renewal of tinted glass permits or payment of fees for renewal are serious issues which clearly reveal that the Policy lacks statutory foundation.
Furthermore, that payment for the permit is being made into a private account: PARKWAY PROJECTS Account No: 4001017918 raises serious concerns of transparency surrounding the utilisation of funds realised from the exercise, given that the account is neither domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria nor associated with the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Against the above backdrop, the Nigerian Bar Association, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) has on Wednesday the 2nd September 2025 instituted a public interest action before the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025 between: The Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. The Inspector General of Police & Anor essentially challenging the legality of the tinted glass permit policy.
The NBA-SPIDEL, under the leadership of its Transition Committee Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN and the Section’s Public Interest Litigation Committee, chaired by Mr. Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, SAN, whose proactive efforts were responsible for the accomplishment of this task, have been directed to pursue this litigation to a logical conclusion.
News
Peju Ogunmola’s Family Breaks Silence On Cause Of Son’s Death
Published
20 minutes agoon
September 5, 2025By
Editor
The family of veteran actress, Peju Ogunmola, has spoken out for the first time following the passing of the actress’ only son, Sola Ayomikun Omobolanle, dismissing rumours about the circumstances of his death.
Tribune Online reports that Ayomikun, the 24-year-old son of Ogunmola and her husband, comic actor Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as Aluwe, died on September 2, 2025.
Shortly after the news broke, unverified reports surfaced online alleging that his death was linked to a bathroom accident — claims the family has now categorically denied.
In a statement signed by Yemi Amodu on behalf of the Ogunmola family, they clarified that Ayomikun passed away in a hospital in Ibadan after a brief illness, not from any accident.
READ ALSO:Veteran Actress, Peju Ogunmola, Loses Only Child
The statement read: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved son, Sola Ayomikun Omobolanle, a jewel, a precious child, and a rising star whose light shone brightly and touched many lives.
“We wish to clearly state that Sola did not pass away as a result of any bathroom accident, contrary to false reports being circulated online. He was briefly unwell and, during this period, received first-class medical care. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he peacefully answered the call of his Creator.”
The family further condemned the speculation surrounding his death, describing it as painful and disrespectful.
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“These misleading stories, suggesting that Sola died from a fall in the bathroom without help, are entirely false. They not only dishonour his memory but also bring unnecessary pain to his loved ones,” the statement added.
According to the family, Ayomikun has since been laid to rest at Eternal Rest Home in Ibadan, surrounded by relatives and close friends.
They also expressed appreciation for the support received during their period of mourning:
“At this time of grief, we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support we have received from family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort. We pray that no family will ever have to endure the pain of untimely loss. May the Almighty grant Sola eternal rest and grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
News
NUPENG Tanker Drivers Announce Strike Over CNG Trucks Dispute
Published
35 minutes agoon
September 5, 2025By
Editor
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced that its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch will begin an indefinite strike on Monday, September 8, 2025, following unresolved disagreements over the planned deployment of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for nationwide product distribution.
The union said it is concerned that the new system could displace thousands of its members from their current roles in the oil and gas transport sector.
In a statement jointly signed by NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union noted that several meetings with industry stakeholders did not yield a resolution.
According to the statement, recent recruitment of drivers for the CNG trucks under new terms of engagement heightened tensions. NUPENG expressed concern that these terms may exclude drivers from joining existing unions in the oil and gas sector.
READ ALSO:NUPENG Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Brutalization Of NLC President, Others
The union described such a policy as inconsistent with labour rights and called on relevant government agencies to intervene.
“By this statement, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, its regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to urgently wade into this matter,” the statement read.
NUPENG further warned that if the issue is not addressed, the planned strike action would affect the lifting and distribution of petroleum products across the country.
The union appealed to Nigerians to understand and bear with any inconveniences that may arise during the industrial action, insisting its action is aimed at protecting the welfare and rights of its members.
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