Otuaro Hails Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation Boss On Conferment With Honorary Doctorate Degree

By: Michael Mike

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has congratulated the Founder of Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation, Mrs Esther Tonlagha, on her conferment with an Honorary Doctorate of Science (D.Sc) Degree in Community Development and Empowerment by the Federal University, Otuoke.

The honoree is the wife of Engr. Matthew Tonlagha, an accomplished Ijaw businessman with huge investments in oil and gas, and engineering solutions in various sectors.

She was presented with the award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to community development and empowerment, during the maiden combined convocation ceremonies of the university held on 8 December, 2025 at Otuoke in Bayelsa State.

Otuaro noted that the honour was a testament to Mrs Tonlagha’s unwavering commitment and dedication to community development and empowerment through her foundation.

He described Mrs Tonlagha as an amazon and a philanthropist with a large heart, whose selfless service to community and humanity resonates across the Niger Delta and beyond.

Otuaro described the honour as well-deserved as shown by her bold antecedents, and expressed the hope that it would motivate her to do more for society.

He said he is not surprised that Mrs Tonlagha, a devout Christian, has given due priority to the service of humanity.

The PAP Administrator also lauded the management of Federal University, Otuoke, for recognizing Mrs Tonlagha’s selfless service, life of sacrifice, remarkable achievements, and the commendable work of her foundation.

Otuaro Hails Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation Boss On Conferment With Honorary Doctorate Degree

President Tinubu Unveils New Security, Economic Blueprint To Harness Nigeria’s Marine Wealth

• Directs NIPSS to conduct nationwide security diagnostic, targets port reform, maritime expansion

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a new security and economic framework aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast marine and aquatic resources under the blue economy as one of the country’s most critical sectors for national transformation.

Accordingly, he directed all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to immediately review and implement recommendations by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies’ (NIPSS) comprehensive study on blue economy development.

Speaking on Wednesday during a Presidential Parley with participants of Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at the Presidential Villa, the President, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the administration is committed to converting Nigeria’s maritime potential into a major driver of economic diversification, job creation and long-term prosperity.

“The blue economy offers a strategic pathway for diversifying our revenue base, creating sustainable employment and revitalising the ecosystems that sustain national development. If properly harnessed, this sector could become an anchor of shared prosperity for generations,” he said.

President Tinubu welcomed the findings of the NIPSS study on Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, describing it as a timely resource that outlines the “opportunities we must seize, the challenges we must confront and the policies we must refine.”

He praised the institute for sustaining what he called its tradition of analytical rigour, creativity and patriotic duty.

The Nigerian leader noted that Nigeria’s marine endowments, including an 853-kilometre coastline, rich fisheries, extensive inland waterways and a strategic location within the Gulf of Guinea, place the country in a strong position to build new growth avenues.

He said the administration is prioritising aquaculture expansion, port and maritime corridor modernisation, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology and renewable ocean energy.

“These opportunities lie within our grasp if we act with discipline and intentionality,” he said.

Reaffirming his administration’s reform agenda, President Tinubu highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as a critical step toward improving port management systems, strengthening maritime security operations and enabling private-sector growth.

He, however, acknowledged that more work lies ahead and directed all relevant ministries, departments and agencies to immediately study and prepare to implement the NIPSS recommendations.

The President stressed that economic ambitions in the blue economy cannot be realised without a safe and stable environment.

While piracy has reduced through the Deep Blue Project, he warned that oil theft, illegal fishing, smuggling, vandalism and kidnapping still undermine national revenues and investor confidence.

“These threats are real, and this Administration is taking decisive steps to address them,” he said.

President Tinubu also assigned NIPSS an expanded national security mandate, ordering the institute to conduct a nationwide security diagnostic and develop actionable recommendations to guide reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture.

“The policy paper shall be submitted to my office within an agreed timeline, and it will receive the utmost attention,” he assured.

The Nigerian leader described NIPSS as the intellectual engine of our national transformation and urged the scholars to remain bold, solution-driven and rooted in the country’s realities.

Earlier, the Director-General of NPISS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, thanked President Tinubu for the support the institution has received, just as he appreciated the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, for providing funding for SEC 47.

He noted that the team visited several Nigerian states and 14 countries outside Nigeria, and were at the Presidential Villa to present their findings titled “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.”

Highlighting the content of the report, Colonel Murkar Dauda said the Federal Government was already addressing systemic gaps in the blue economy, while commending the President for his visionary leadership in driving the economy.

Among other issues, the report noted challenges of governance, institutional coordination, and policy coherence, as well as the fact that available infrastructure falls below global standards.

The report further emphasized the opportunities available in Nigeria.

“Fisheries and aquaculture remain strong entry points for Nigeria,” the report added, advising that diversifying revenue sources will unlock new earnings for the country.

In its recommendations, the Federal Government was advised to launch a national fisheries expansion programme, leveraging public-private investments to increase fish production from the current 1.2 metric tonnes to 10 metric tonnes within two years.

The report also recommended expanding the revenue base of the marine and blue economy sector, while developing a comprehensive marine and blue economy financing framework.

Additionally, the report stressed that the Federal Government should review and harmonize all legal, policy, and institutional frameworks on the marine and blue economy; establish an innovative marine and blue economy skills, job creation, and social inclusion framework, as well as enhance the safety and security of inland water bodies, among others.

President Tinubu Unveils New Security, Economic Blueprint To Harness Nigeria’s Marine Wealth

UN reaffirms support for Nigeria’s filmmaking to advance SDGs

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed Fall has reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting filmmaking to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.

Speaking at the third edition of the SDGs short film challenge and awards grand finale 2025 on Tuesday in Abuja, said the UN remains committed to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria and the rest of the world

The event with the theme: “Film as a catalyst for sustainable development: reimagining the future we want through the screen” was organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs.

Fall said although the UN in Nigeria invested in talent and amplified voices, more needs to be done; saying policymakers. private sector and partners should invest in film stories to achieve SDGs.

He said: “A film story can change life, change Nigeria and not only Nigeria, but the world. To Bollywood, to Afrobeat, to all the sexism and all sorts of art and creation we stand at a turning point.

“ Less than five years remain to 2030 and this is time to attain the SDGs, yet the path we are today is not straight, inequality persists across the globe; Poverty remains, our climate crimes are under direct action and the world is waiting for us to step-up.”

He said the UN’s pathways designed to accelerate progress towards the SDG include; transforming food systems, transforming clean water and affordable energy, and bridging the digital divide for all.

Others are building resilience and sustainable cities, as well as protecting plants and biodiversities for generations to come.

He noted that: “Film is a mirror of our society, a voice for the voiceless, a spark for action, a short film can inspire, and provoke empathy. It can ignite debate, change policy and shift behaviours.

“Since the first edition in 2023, the SDG short film has grown from 73 entries in 2005 to 2,250 entries on 114 entries in 2024 and surged to 2,265 entries on 114 entries this year.

“This is the proof that the world is listening. They are calls to action. They remind us that when creativity meets purpose, change happens, film can inspire audiences to advocate for equality and justice.

“This is the essence of our challenge today. Creativity for action, art for transformation, story for sustainability. The UN in Nigeria stands with filmmakers. We invest in your talent. We amplify your voice. We support your journey.

“We cannot do it alone. policymakers, private-sector partners should also invest in films. Fund them and let them reach every corner of our society; through film we can turn ideas into action, dream into realities, and ensure we leave no one behind,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, said the way people tell stories either proffered solution or created problems in society.

Orelope-Adefulire said: “Today, we celebrate creativity, innovations and the power of young Nigerians to shape national conversation around sustainable development.

“The challenge was conceived to build platforms, to tell compelling stories that reflect collective aspirations under the 2030 agenda: the quality of entries demonstrated good understanding that our country is rich in talents.

“Your contribution highlighted the role of storytelling and creating awareness, influencing policy and mobilising communities toward accelerating SDGs.

“As we celebrate the winners, let us also reaffirm our commitment to building more inclusive, equitable and sustainable Nigeria, one where no one is left behind.”

For her part, Mrs Edesili Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Edo, commended the organisers for promoting the art of storytelling through filmmaking.

According to her, filmmakers demonstrated that cinema is not just entertainment, it is advocacy, education, mobilisation and ultimately a catalyst for transformative change.

“In adjusting it, we have embraced the same spirit of action and innovation as we work tirelessly to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.

“While they tell the stories of our culture, our pride, our heritage through the lenses of their cameras. I encourage all filmmakers here today to continue using creative voices as a force for good.

“As we look to the future, let us remember that achieving the SDGs is not the responsibility of government alone, it requires the collective efforts of citizens, who refuse to give up on the idea of a better world,” Anani said.

On her part, the Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III, stressed the need for telling good stories that could influence decision and attract investment for industrial growth.

She explained that such can inspire community development, create a movement or simply whisper to one person to know he or she is not alone and that things can get better.

“This is the power that you carry and that is also why I want to speak to the policy makers here today. The development partners, corporate leaders and philanthropists in this room.

“We all talk about investing in infrastructure, roads, power and technology, but we need to begin to talk just as much about investing in storytelling. If we want to truly accelerate the SDGs, we need filmmakers,” Atuwatse said.

UN reaffirms support for Nigeria’s filmmaking to advance SDGs