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UNODC Commends Nigeria’s fight against maritime crime
UNODC Commends Nigeria’s fight against maritime crime
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has commended the efforts of the Nigerian government in the fight against maritime crime.
A statement on Tuesday by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Communications Associate, Ms. Olivia Ogechi Okorondu said the Government of Nigeria, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy need to be commended for their sustained efforts in the fight against maritime crime.
The commendation was given during the opening of a four-day Inter-Agency Expert Consultative Dialogue Session in Lagos, on the implementation plan of Nigeria’s draft National Maritime Strategy organized with the support of the Danish Government.
According to the statement, the Government of Nigeria had in 2015 inaugurated a committee made up of several maritime stakeholders within the public and private spheres to work on drafting a National Maritime Strategy. The vision of the National Maritime Strategy is to support Nigeria’s economic prosperity, growth and development through the sustainable use of the nation’s maritime resources in a safe and secure environment.
The event hosted in Lagos is aimed at providing a platform to undertake a proper articulation of the implementation framework and to obtain practical consensus on the institutional arrangement for the operationalization of the National Maritime Strategy.
The Country Representative of the UNODC Nigeria, Oliver Stolpe in his opening remarks at the opening ceremony on Monday noted that according to the first six-month report of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) for 2021 released in July, there has been an overall decline in reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea which was attributed to the sustained and collective efforts of the regional and international navies, regional organizations as well as national maritime security agencies.
Stolpe commended in particular the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure also called the Deep Blue Project being implemented by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as well as the Nigerian Navy’s increased presence within the maritime domain.
He assured the Government of Nigeria of UNODC’S continued commitment and support in the process of ensuring that the maritime security strategy is in place and operational.
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In his opening remarks, the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sune Krogstrup, stated that under the Danish Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security Programme, the Danish Government is currently supporting programmes for longer-term institutional strengthening of maritime governance through intensified regional capabilities as well as capacities for maritime domain awareness and response.
He said that the development of national maritime strategies is key to long term maritime governance, noting that where security is guaranteed, cost is reduced, and economic development is enhanced.
The representative of the Minister of Defence, Utsu Peter Ashibel, Director Airforce, Ministry of Defence, stated that the maritime environment provides a critical pathway for international commerce and socio-economic interaction between many countries in the world.
He further stated that the maritime domain serves as a gateway for the importation of goods into Nigeria and other landlocked countries in West Africa. He mentioned the commitment of Nigeria and other Gulf of Guinea member states aimed at improving safety and security in the region; adding that the Deep Blue Project and the investment in the acquisition of more patrol vessels and aircraft for the Nigerian Navy were an attestation to this commitment on the part of Nigeria.
He expressed confidence that the Inter Agency Expert Consultative Dialogue Session will provide the deliberative platform for a clear articulation process for an effective implementation plan for the draft National Maritime Strategy, identify areas of collaboration among relevant stakeholders and further enhance its implementation framework.
The draft National Maritime Strategy was concluded in 2019. It is currently awaiting approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The UNODC remains committed to support the strengthening of strategic approaches to maritime security in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
UNODC Commends Nigeria’s fight against maritime crime
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.
The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.
This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.
Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
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