By David Owei.

Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Nigerian Coast Guard Provisionary Committee (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba has praised participants of Senior Executive Course 47 (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) for their exceptional presentation and thoughtful policy analysis on Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, which was presented to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja recently.

In a statement issued by the Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo on Tuesday in Abuja, Capt. Ichaba noted that with the presentation of recommendations blue economy development and opportunities, after a comprehensive study on the subject matter by participants of SEC 47, he highlighted the urgent need for the Federal Government to expedite action on the planned establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard, which its bill is currently before the 10th National Assembly.

Capt. Ichaba, who applauded the Federal Government’s commitment to tapping into Nigeria’s maritime potential, described it as a “positive plan.”

However, he emphasized that intentions alone are not enough, urging the government to take concrete actions to remove obstacles and bridge the gap between plans and outcomes, by backing PC-NCG’s proposal for the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard which would be a more effective approach.

“Put differently, good intentions must be paired with conscious, effective action and awareness of their real situational impact, so as to bring the desired outcome of converting Nigeria’s Maritime Potential into a major driver of economic diversification, job creation and long-term prosperity via planned discipline and intentional policy refinement”, so that actions leading to achieving the expected result will not be diverted, derailed or misguided, thereby causing unwelcomed expectation.

“PC-NCG humbly wishes to submit that matters regarding “safe and stable maritime environment, implementation of policy recommendations, guidelines and laws affecting maritime business activities/transactions and engagements, strategic plan for arresting escaping maritime revenues, blocking revenue wastages and leakages, creating direct and indirect jobs for millions of Nigerians, using modern information communication technology and innovation to achieve flourishing maritime experience, among many others, government should consider aligning her intention with immediate effective action. There should be no further delay in establishing Coast Guard in Nigeria, which truly will be a helpful outcome and of putting “a square peg in a square hole.”

“It should be noted “fears of institutional interest, overlapping, duplication, operational conflicts in duties, functions and services been advocated against the creation of Coast Guard are imaginations of the human-mind and are not of administrative necessity and national interest, which the Federal Government is determined to achieve thru converting the maritime potentials into a driver that will turn our economic fortunes around in a prosperous and sustainable manner, with increasing opportunities.

“The truth remains that, “all expressed fears cannot be genuinely and godly substantiated by those behind such, because legislative and administrative mechanisms makes it apt for re-alignment and relinquishing of a fraction of duty hitherto performed by one Agency to another Agency whenever such becomes expedient.

“Coast Guard as a fully functional Maritime Law Enforcement Agency is different from a Defence or Regulatory Agency, with different organizational name and occupational nomenclature. Moreso, the ‘Harmonized Standard Operating Procedure’ had outlined smooth functional order between the MDAs and the over one hundred and twenty-nine distinctive specialities that exist within the maritime industry

“The soon to be established Agency and rightly designated Statutory Establishment, that is expected to enforce federal government’s policy and international regulations relating to the plan that was unveiled on December 10, 2025 is the Coast Guard, because, maritime law enforcement and such other array of duties are Coast Guard’s primary, secondary and tertiary responsibilities, services and protocols to carry out.

“Coast Guard is the first and foremost Maritime Law Enforcement Agency, a Security, Safety and Protection Provider for the open maritime commercial activities, transactions and engagements that will ensure the tranquility of the physical locations, installations, facilities, persons and legitimate interests where maritime market and commercial undertakings take place.

“Coast Guard is the Agency that will maintain active presence in all of its jurisdiction 24/7 and in upholding Nigeria’s Maritime Sovereignty and prosperity, through enforcement of all her maritime laws. Coast Guard is to patrol, detect, intercept, disrupt, secure, guard, protect, prevent, enforce, preserve, generate, create, respond, search, rescue, represent, invest, reinvigorate, strengthen, coordinate and collaborates for the achievement of rapid national economic growth, enhanced jurisdictional security, reduced sea crimes, uphold safety of lives, improve Nigeria’s international prestige and developmental strides.

“Coast Guard is the key agency for safeguarding the marine environment and ensuring sustainable opportunities and developments. Coast Guard will work with international partners on global maritime challenges and serves as an armed service that can support naval operations during wartime or national security crises.

“Coast Guard will address threats to the marine and blue economy through a multi-faceted strategy that emphasizes technological innovation, interagency and international cooperation, and a persistent operational presence to ensure safety, security, environmental stewardship, stability and prosperity of the maritime domain.

“There is, therefore, no doubt as to the rightful place, role, service, protocol and desirability of Coast Guard in Nigeria’s maritime domain to implement governments’ policies.

Coast Guard’s operational existence will not invite overlap, duplication, friction, wastage, leakage, and such likes, as it will operate purely within its scheme of service and dual operational orders.

“As a matter of fact, Nigeria is already far behind because of the absence of Coast Guard Agency and had fallen short of the expectation of existing maritime laws, as she has been needlessly spending to have a voice instead of earning the same as a right. Operating a maritime body without a Coast Guard as its life wire over the years had led to loss funds, material, and opportunities worth over hundreds of billions of dollars and trillions of naira.

“This is where the present Federal Government’s plan, as unveiled is worth the full support of Nigerians, Nigeria’s offshore and onshore partners, friends and well-wishers, so that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could be credited for establishing Coast Guard in Nigeria, and for that to form the performance score card of the government of All Progressive Congress (APC), the ruling Party,” Capt. Ichaba emphasized.

By David Owei, Bayelsa

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has suspended its planned inauguration of completed projects in the region in honour of the departed Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Managing Director of the interventionist agency, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this on Tuesday when he led the commission’s management team on a condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri and the Ewhrudjakpo family in Government House, Yenagoa.
‎
‎The NDDC MD explained that the commission would have commenced its end-of-year inauguration of projects on Tuesday, December 16 with the 700-bed President Bola Tinubu hostel at the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University but put it on hold because of the unfortunate death of Ewhrudjakpo on December 11.
‎
‎Ogbuku also stated that all other projects scheduled for inauguration have been placed on hold in honour of the deputy governor and the state government that was mourning.
‎
‎His words: “We have built partnership with Bayelsa State since the inception of this administration. The NDDC has had one of the best relations with state governors under this administration and that of Bayelsa State has been a wonderful experience.
‎
‎”The NDDC was supposed to start commissioning of projects in closing the year, starting from today, with the inauguration of a 700-bed hostel named after Mr. President at NDU, Amassoma.”
‎
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who also led a high-powered delegation to the Bayelsa Government House, conveyed the condolences of Mr. President to the state government and the Ewhrudjakpo family, stating that he received the news with shock and sadness.
‎
‎The Petroleum Resources Minister said the late deputy governor rendered great services to the state and humanity, adding that he would be missed for his outstanding services.

Lokpobiri said: “For those of us from his senatorial district, we are even more pained by his death. We learnt a lot from his proverbs and wisdom. We will miss him. Bayelsa and Nigeria will miss him for his invaluable services to the state and the country. He died a fulfilled man as it is not how long but how well one lived.”
‎
The leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) also paid a condolence visit.

Its National Chairman, Dr. Boladei Igali, who led a delegation comprising members of the Board of Trustees and the executive council, equally expressed shock over Ewhrudjakpo’s passing.

He said: “We know that this is a great personal loss to you (governor), considering the working relationship between the two of you, which was the envy of all Nigeria. The images of the way you related with each other are all over in the media in Nigeria.”

According to the PANDEF leader, the late deputy governor played a major role in the progress and development of the state and would be greatly missed.

Responding on behalf of the government and the Ewhrudjakpo family, Governor Douye Diri again thanked President Tinubu for his concern since the passing of his deputy through personal phone call and a condolence message issued by his media adviser, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

The Bayelsa helmsman equally commended the NDDC MD for his thoughtfulness and comforting words.
‎
He ‎said he was grateful for the brotherly love the government and family of the deceased had received from leaders across the country and that of the state, especially those at the federal level.
‎
Diri ‎emphasised the need for unity among political leaders in the state.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu is happy with the significant achievements recorded by the agency in the Niger Delta in about two years.

He spoke at the flag-off of the fourth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the agency in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday.

The PAP had in July and August 2025 successfully conducted a similar capacity-building workshop for three batches of its stakeholders at the same military facility.

Otuaro, who said the President is delighted with the agency’s expanded scholarship scheme, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta, urged stakeholders to maintain their position as key players in the region’s peace and development.

According to him, His Excellency, President Tinubu is very supportive of the programme because of his strong desire for the region to enjoy sustainable peace, stability and development.

He reiterated that the workshop is a vital component of the PAP’s peace process with all stakeholders as important partners in the peace initiative.

He stressed that the participants are not only partners for peace, but also the President’s peace ambassadors.

The PAP boss also applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic support to strengthen the programme’s initiatives and enable it to achieve the intended objectives for the people of the region.

While declaring the workshop open, Otuaro said, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is very happy with what we have achieved so far in one year and nine months. As stakeholders, you should continue to be key players in the peace and development of the Niger Delta, which His Excellency has been very supportive of and desirous of.

“The objective behind this training is to ensure that all of us are partners in every peace effort in the Niger Delta. This initiative is also to give you a sense of belonging.

“When we organised this workshop in July and August this year, we assured stakeholders that more people would also participate in the training. We don’t want to do the PAP’s work alone. It is a process of putting our heads together to ensure that the region is peaceful and united. When we are united, Mr President will do more for the region.

“We must also realise that peace starts from our communities; you all are leaders in your own rights. I know and acknowledge the support that the Office has received since we came on board. This leadership workshop is part of our peacebuilding process and is designed to ensure that peace is sustained in our region.

“Since we came on board, we have redirected the Programme towards our people and for the next generation. We have achieved a lot. This 2025-2026 academic session, we have sent 4,500 students, our future leaders, on scholarships to universities within Nigeria. We are doing this to invest in the future of our region.”

Otuaro said that his leadership would not be distracted by the smear campaign of some anti-Niger Delta elements who were angry that the programme had been taken to the people of the region, saying “nobody will hold the region to ransom.”

He further urged stakeholders not to be manipulated by political merchants, but to massively support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid because of his clear agenda for the region.

Otuaro enjoined the stakeholders to participate actively in the workshop and utilise the lessons they would gain to strengthen peace and development in their communities and the Niger Delta in general.

He also expressed appreciation to the management of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, resource persons, and the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral Ndidi Agholor (retd.), for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peace process in the region.