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Boost Economy by modern technology, we’ve increased Marine revenue from N126Billon to N242 billion for the first quarter of this year, Says Oyetola
Two key agencies with the Marine and Blue Economy ministry raised their revenue profile by 92 per cent, Minister Adegboyega Oyetola said yesterday.
According to him, the earnings by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) grew from N126,359,074,742 in the first quarter of last year to N242.811 billion in the first quarter of this year.
The minister attributed the success to the far-reaching reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and being implemented by his ministry.
Oyetola spoke yesterday while presenting his ministerial scorecard as part of activities marking the first year of the Tinubu Administration.
He gave a breakdown of the revenue growth by the four agencies in his ministry, including the NPA, NIMASA, Nigerian Shipper Council (NSC) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
Oyetola said: “We have been able to ramp up revenue to the government in the last year and we are poised to do more.
“A comparison of Quarter 1 of 2023 against Quarter 1 of 2024 revenue performance across the agencies reveals a 92 per cent increase.
“In 2023, the NPA generated N82,987,439,908 while it generated N170,493,192,630 in the Q1 of 2024.
“NIMASA in 2023 generated N37,405,830,219 while in the Q1 2024, the revenue generated was N62,154,237,671
“The Nigerian Shipper Council (NSC) which generated N4,878,647,275 in the Q1 of 2023 experienced N8,675,726,282 revenue generation in the Q1 of 2024.
“The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), recorded N1,087,157,340 in the Q1 of 2023 while in the Q1 2024, the revenue generated was N1,488,588,802
“Overall, compared to last year where in Q1, the entire sector generated N126,359,074,742 in Q1 of 2024, the revenue generated was N242,811,745,385.
“So, the sector witnessed N116,452,670,643 revenue growth compared to the Q1 of the previous year which is a 92 per cent increase in revenue generated.”
He attributed the growth in revenue generation to an increase in vessel calling at the ports and other things.
Oyetola said: “The increase in revenue performance has largely been due to a 10 per cent increase in the number of vessels using our ports due to strategic investments in port infrastructure in the last one-year, mooring boats, patrol vessels and dredging of the port’s channels. We have also tightened revenue assurance by deploying technology.
“Revenue generation is critical to us and that is why we commissioned revenue enhancement studies focused on the ministry, its departments, and agencies.
“The objective is to further identify and block leakages while identifying recommendations to expand current revenue sources.
“Automation of revenue collection processes to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance transparency and accountability is also our goal.
“We are also deploying revenue assurance technologies to ensure accurate and complete billings in line with established contracts and services rendered.
“We would ensure the efficient utilisation of existing assets through concessions to the private sector and public-private partnerships as required.”
Oyetola explained that funds have been sourced for the comprehensive modernisation and reconstruction of Tin Can Island and Apapa Port Complex.
He said discussions were ongoing to seek funds for the rehabilitation of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar port complexes.
The minister said the port modernisation would generate at least, 20,000 jobs, decongest the ports, and improve ease of doing business.
Oyetola said the government was considering the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for a national shipping line to protect the nation’s economic interest.
To protect the inland waterways, the minister also said the ministry would procure three water ambulances for areas where accidents were prevalent.
He said a national policy on blue economy will be unveiled by year’s end.
Oyetola said the reforms initiated by the ministry and the deployment of modern technology led to an increase in revenue.
The minister also explained that the proposed shipping line would boost the economy and give opportunity to ship owners and others in the sector to thrive.
Oyetola added: “Efforts are in top gear to create a national carrier based on a PPP arrangement that will entail very limited equity participation by the government.
“This will reduce capital flight, create shipping jobs, and enable Nigerian ship owners to benefit more from the global maritime shipping trade through Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) of cargo onboard.
“The point of a shipping line is not to bring back the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL). The issue is that we should have a shipping line.
“We realised that we are losing so much in the area of freight because we don’t have a shipping line that would compete with most of the other shipping lines in other parts of the world.
“So, the intention is to have PPP, the government may decide to have token equity or it could be a purely private partnership.
“We are not looking at bringing back the moribund or liquidated NNSL. I don’t believe the government should be in business.
“The government will create an enabling environment for business to thrive. The failure of the first line was because NNSL was purely run by the government and it died a natural death.
“We should allow the private sector people that are trained for business to drive business.
“So, we are looking at a partnership perhaps between government and private or private-private but we need to have a line that will fly our own flag and enjoy the opportunity of not only participating in freight but also participating in bringing import to our country.
“If we have our own line, we are entitled to about 40 per cent of import coming to our country. So, that is the kind of thing we are looking at and not NNSL that is liquidated.”
For the safety of the inland waterways, he said: “Deployment of Water Ambulances – we have deployed three water ambulances for prompt search and rescue operations on the inland waterways. This will reduce fatalities whenever accidents occur on our inland waters.
“The issue of water ambulance is a pilot scheme is meant to take care of specific areas and we are going to buy more to cover the entire country but there are specific places where accidents are very prevalent, so we want to ensure that these three ambulances are deployed to take care of those areas where we have been having lots of accident.
“The intention is to ensure that we have enough to go around the entire country to cover our inland waterways.”
The minister also said in line with its key performance indicator, the ministry had initiated consultations with relevant bodies to reduce, by the end of the year, the number of agencies at the seaports to a maximum of even to fast-track port processes.
The minister said the extension of the continental shelf will add more to Nigeria’s marine resources, saying: “We have an exclusive economic zone of over 200 nautical miles, and 10, 000 kilometres of inland waterways capable of supporting a vibrant intra-regional trade.
“We are blessed with strategic navigational routes linking Africa with North and South America, Europe, and Asia, making the shipping industry potentially a major driver of our country’s economy.
“Let me hasten to add that the recent expansion of our continental maritime domain came at the right time. Here, we must commend Mr. President on the work of the Presidential Committee on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project.”
“The expansion gave us an additional 16,300 square kilometers which is six times the size of Lagos State. This has no doubt added more to the marine resources base of Nigeria.”
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UPDATED: Police Arrest Adeyemi Over Alleged False Claim as PFIPC Director-General in Osun
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Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State.
Adeyemi, who had been the subject of an intensive manhunt by security agencies, was apprehended following intelligence-led operations weeks after investigations into allegations about the purported federal agency’s activities.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the suspect was arrested without incident by a team of IRT operatives and has been moved into police custody for further interrogation.
He confirmed the arrest while speaking to our correspondent in Abuja.
His arrest followed days of coordinated efforts by security operatives, who had earlier raided his family residence while tracking his whereabouts. Reports indicated that investigators questioned his family members during the search for the suspect.
Adeyemi came into national prominence after controversy erupted over the operations of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation widely described by government officials as having no legal backing or official recognition.
The controversy deepened following allegations that the suspect claimed close links with top government officials and allegedly used the platform to project influence in government circles.
Oyo police rescue abducted farmer after joint security operation
The matter also generated public attention after claims surfaced that huge sums of money were exchanged in connection with promises of government appointments. Those allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.
The Presidency had earlier distanced itself from the activities of the organisation, while the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, denied any connection with the group or its activities, maintaining that neither the office nor the Presidency authorised the operations of the PFIPC.
Police investigators are expected to interrogate Adeyemi on the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of the organisation, the authenticity of documents allegedly used in its activities, and claims that some individuals were deceived into believing it was an official government body.
Investigators are also expected to determine whether other suspects were involved in the alleged scheme and whether additional offences, including impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, forgery and conspiracy, may have been committed.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the arrest or announce possible charges against the suspect. Demographics
The arrest is, however, expected to advance investigations into one of the most controversial cases involving the alleged use of a non-existent government agency to project influence within the Presidency.
Adeyemi is expected to remain in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment before a competent court.
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Breaking : Nigerian Soldiers Kill ISWAP Cameraman, Uncover Foreign Terrorist Network in Borno
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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group in Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.
The statement read, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.
“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”
The failed attack, he said, occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.
“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” Goni said.
According to him, the attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” he added.
He said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses,” he added.
The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during the operation.
He further stated that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.
According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care, adding that both personnel remained in stable condition.
“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he said.
He added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty the terrorists faced in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East,” he assured.
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BREAKING: Security Forces Rescue Kidnapped Pupils, Teachers in Oyo Forest Operation
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Eight kidnappers arrested
Ibadan, Oyo State – Nigerian security agencies have successfully rescued a group of kidnapped pupils and teachers following a coordinated operation in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Photos circulating after the operation show the rescued victims gathered in a rural forest location alongside security personnel shortly after they regained their freedom.
According to available information, the victims were abducted by suspected kidnappers before security operatives launched an intensive search-and-rescue mission. The operation, carried out through coordinated efforts by security agencies, led to the safe recovery of the pupils and their teachers.
The rescued victims have since been reunited with security officials and are expected to undergo medical examinations and trauma counselling before being reunited with their families.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests were made during the operation or if a ransom was paid. However, investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
The successful rescue has been welcomed by residents of the area, who commended the swift response of the security agencies while calling for increased security around schools and rural communities to prevent similar incidents.
The incident once again highlights the persistent security challenges facing some parts of the country, particularly the threat of school-related kidnappings, which have raised concerns among parents, educators, and community leaders.
Security agencies have assured the public that efforts are continuing to track down the perpetrators and strengthen measures aimed at protecting schools and vulnerable communities across the country.
Further official details are expected as the authorities provide updates on the operation.
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