By David Owei
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Publisher of the Blue Economy Newsmagazine and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), has congratulated Professor Momoko Kitada on receiving the 2026 IMO Gender Equality Award.

The award was conferred at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London during the commemoration of the International Day for Women in Maritime on May 18, 2026.

Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Thursday, Dr. Kiyaramo, who also serves as Special Assistant to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Port Harcourt, commended Prof. Kitada’s decades of work advancing opportunities for women in shipping and maritime leadership as both a seafarer and academic.

A former Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Government on Tourism, Dr. Kiyaramo said the IMO recognition reflects Prof. Kitada’s long-standing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in maritime education and professional development, particularly for young professionals and future industry leaders.

“Prof. Momoko Kitada currently serves as Academic Dean, Full Professor, and Head of Maritime Education and Training at the World Maritime University (WMU),” Dr. Kiyaramo noted. “For several years, she has integrated gender perspectives into maritime education, sustainability, innovation, digitalization, and leadership development.”

He added that her work has focused on identifying structural barriers facing women in maritime and developing practical solutions to build a more inclusive industry.

During the award ceremony, Prof. Kitada reflected on how her mother encouraged her to pursue education and economic independence from an early age, stressing that knowledge and genuine understanding are key to advancing gender equality.

IMO, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez praised Kitada’s contribution, stating that her work has helped move gender balance “from aspirational policy to actual practice.”

Established in 2022, the IMO Gender Equality Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in the maritime sector.

The Philippines were also recognized at the event, with Commodore Christine Pauline Bergaño-Diciano, Ms. Elisa D. Chomi, and Rear Admiral Mitzie Silva-Campo receiving Letters of Commendation from the IMO.

By Our Correspondent

The All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship primary election has ended in Rivers State with the lawmaker representing the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda, emerging as party’s gubernatorial candidate in forthcoming 2027 elections.

Chinda, who is the Minority Leader, of the House of Representative, and a strong ally of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, emerged as the sole candidate of the party following the withdrawal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and two other aspirants, Pastor Tonye Cole and Dr. Dax Alabo George-Kelly from exercise. He was declared winner of the primary held in across 23 local government areas of the state on Monday with 268,497.

Declaring the results of the election at the APC State Secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of the APC Governorship primaries election for Rivers State and Returning Office, Kwamoti Bitrus, said OK Chinda got 268,497 votes, out of the total number of voters at 297,068

Bitrus thanked the party’s faithful, especially the State APC chairman, Tony Okocha and Rivers people for the peace experienced all through the exercise.

‎“The sole aspirant, Chinda Ogundu Kingsley, scored the total number of votes, 268, 497. Chinda Ogundu Kingsley having satisfied the requirements of APC Constitution and guidelines, and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared winner of the primary election and is in turn elected as the party’s governorship candidate for Rivers State dated this 21st day of May 2026.

‎”We appreciate your conduct and your commitment, most especially the State Party Chairman that provides a conducive environment for us to conduct this exercise and we are so grateful for that.

‎ “I also want to appreciate the people of Rivers State. We have gone to four places to observe before coming to the collation center how the exercise is being carried out and we are truly satisfied with what we have seen, which was rancor free. That is how a party should conduct themselves, and we commend you for that,” he added.

‎Addressing newsmen, Felix Obuah, the APC candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District, congratulated OK Chinda, describing him as the best sellable candidate for the party in the polls.

‎He boasted that no other party or candidate can defeat Chinda in the 2027 elections.

‎”In Rivers State, we are going for the best candidate that can join people around in Rivers State. To be sincere to you, I don’t think any party can win anything in Rivers State.

“I want to assure you that we’re not only marketing OK Chinda, we’re marketing a better candidate. Chinda is an acceptable candidate any day any time and I want to be very grateful to God Almighty for making this day to come,” he said.

Kogi East: APC Leaders Defend Primary Outcome

……Ask Echocho to Accept Defeat as Zoning Deal Sparks Controversy
By Our Correspondent
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East Senatorial District have defended the outcome of the party’s senatorial primary election held on May 20, 2026, insisting that the exercise was free, fair and credible, while urging aggrieved aspirants particularly incumbent Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho to accept the outcome in the interest of party unity.

Speaking at a press conference on the outcome of the APC senatorial primary election on Friday leaders of the party in Kogi East said the process reflected the “true spirit of democracy,” stressing that the emergence of the winning candidate was the clear expression of the will of party members across the district.

The stakeholders, led by Dr. Abubakar Y. Rajab, said the primary election, conducted through direct voting, was necessitated after extensive consultations among elders, party executives, opinion leaders and stakeholders across Kogi East failed to produce a consensus arrangement.

According to them, while consensus-building efforts were initially explored, “observable gaps and emerging concerns” made it necessary to adopt direct primaries to provide all aspirants equal opportunity to test their popularity, grassroots appeal and political acceptability among APC members.

The group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his unwavering commitment to democratic principles, internal party discipline, justice, equity and fairness within the APC.

They also praised the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside members of the National Working Committee (NWC), for providing steadfast leadership and strengthening internal democracy within the ruling party.

At the state level, the stakeholders expressed appreciation to the Kogi State APC Chairman and the party leadership for their coordination and maturity during the conduct of the primary election.

Special commendation was equally extended to former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello for his political leadership and continued influence on progressive politics in Kogi State, as well as Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo for ensuring what they described as a level playing field for all aspirants during the primaries.

Defending the credibility of the process, the APC leaders said the direct primary election was conducted peacefully and without intimidation, coercion or manipulation, adding that party members turned out massively to vote for candidates of their choice.

“The voices of party members resonated louder than the whispers of political convenience,” the stakeholders stated, insisting that the exercise allowed democracy to thrive and enabled the most credible and politically marketable candidate to emerge victorious.

The stakeholders stressed that political contests naturally produce winners and losers, noting that democratic maturity demands that defeated aspirants accept outcomes with dignity and magnanimity.

They called on all aspirants, their supporters and stakeholders in the district to respect the outcome of the primary election and rally support for the victorious candidate to strengthen party cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.

However, the conference took a dramatic turn as the APC leaders revealed that Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho had allegedly been informed of an existing zoning arrangement which ceded the Kogi East senatorial seat to Ankpa Federal Constituency after the completion of his two-term tenure.

According to the stakeholders, the arrangement was in line with an established political understanding and rotational tradition within the district aimed at promoting fairness, inclusion, political balance and peaceful coexistence among constituent federal constituencies.

They further claimed that Senator Echocho had accepted the zoning arrangement and reportedly appreciated both former Governor Bello and Governor Ododo for supporting his two-term representation of Kogi East in the Senate.

The stakeholders, however, expressed surprise that the senator later obtained the APC senatorial nomination form and joined the race despite what they described as a gentleman’s agreement on zoning.

Despite this, they maintained that the APC, as a democratic party, did not bar Echocho from participating in the process, insisting that he was granted equal opportunity alongside other aspirants to test his political relevance through the ballot.

“The outcome of the primary election has now settled the matter democratically and decisively,” the stakeholders declared, adding that no political structure could permanently stand against the collective will of the people.

They appealed to all aggrieved parties to embrace reconciliation, avoid bitterness and place the unity, stability and progress of the APC above personal ambitions.

Reaffirming confidence in the party’s strength in the district, the APC leaders declared that Kogi East remained united and resolute, expressing optimism that the party would deliver overwhelming support for President Tinubu and APC candidates in future elections.

The statement concluded with prayers for Nigeria, Kogi State and the APC, while reaffirming the party’s commitment to cohesion and electoral success.

The press conference statement was signed by Dr. Abubakar Y. Rajab, on behalf of leaders and stakeholders of the APC in Kogi East Senatorial District.
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