Jonas Ezieke
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer CEO of the Nigeria Ports Authority NPA Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has attributed the transformation of the nation’s maritime sector to the impact of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola and the federal government reforms.

This was as Dantsoho has assured investors that Nigeria has the capacity to dominate Africa’s blue economy, citing ongoing federal government reforms and increased private sector participation as critical drivers of transformation in the maritime sector.

Dantsoho gave the assurance while speaking at the Blue Economy Investment Summit in Abuja, where he stressed that Nigeria’s port system would play a pivotal role in unlocking strategic investments and accelerating economic growth.

He noted that the country must urgently refocus its economic priorities toward fully harnessing its vast marine resources in line with global sustainability goals.

“The time has come for a paradigm shift in the structure of Nigeria’s economy towards the full utilisation of our marine resources. Our port system, if properly harnessed, can serve as a major driver of economic growth,” Dantsoho said.

The NPA boss explained that Nigeria’s strategic location, large population and economic strength position it to become a maritime hub for West Africa, comparable to global leaders such as Singapore and Morocco.

“By virtue of our strategic location, market size and economic strength, Nigeria is well-positioned to function as the maritime hub for West Africa,” he added.

Despite these advantages, Dantsoho expressed concern that Nigeria currently handles only about 25 per cent of cargo traffic in the region, even though it accounts for over 60 per cent of West Africa’s GDP.

“It is worrisome that Nigeria, despite controlling over 60 per cent of West Africa’s GDP, handles only about 25 per cent of the region’s cargo traffic. This clearly shows that we have not fully optimised our potential,” he said.

He, however, assured investors that the tide is turning, as the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is implementing far-reaching reforms to reposition the sector.

According to him, key initiatives include port modernisation, deployment of a Trade Single Window, implementation of a Port Community System, development of deep seaports and full digitalisation of port operations.

“We are implementing key strategic initiatives such as port modernisation, trade single window, port community system, deep seaport development and full digitalisation to reposition our ports for global competitiveness,” he stated.

Dantsoho emphasised that private sector funding remains central to achieving these goals, noting that the NPA is actively encouraging project financing to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve efficiency.

“We are open to private sector participation through project financing. This approach is already improving efficiency and providing access to funding for critical infrastructure,” he said.

He added that the reforms are designed to enhance port efficiency, improve connectivity, reduce freight costs and boost non-oil exports, ultimately driving revenue growth.

“The ultimate goal is to improve liner connectivity, attract bigger vessels, reduce freight costs, and expand our export base, which will significantly boost revenue generation,” he noted.

Dantsoho stressed that competitiveness in the global maritime industry requires efficient operations, competitive pricing and strong hinterland connectivity, adding that Nigerian ports must remain adaptive to evolving global shipping trends.

“With sustained commitment to these initiatives, Nigeria’s port system will enter a new phase and emerge as a leading maritime logistics hub in Africa,” he assured.

Also speaking, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, said Nigeria’s natural endowments, including its 823-kilometre coastline and extensive inland waterways, place it in a strong position to lead the sector.

“With over 823 kilometres of coastline, extensive inland waterways and a prime location along the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to harness the immense potential of the marine and blue economy,” Oyetola said.

He added that reforms by the federal government have improved coordination, strengthened maritime security and boosted investor confidence, noting that the sector accounts for over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s international trade by volume.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The Niger State Government has said that it will strengthen interventions across ten local government areas (LGAs) identified as zero dose burden to immunise children within the next eight months.

The State Commissioner for Health Dr. Murtala Babagana stated this while speaking at the Socialization Meeting on Republic of Korea (ROK)-United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) partnership grant on maintaining and strengthening immunization and Essential Service in ten prioritized LGAs in the state.

Dr. Murtala Babagana blamed the burden in the state on insecurity and the number of hard to reach communities in the state, particularly security prone communities.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullah Imam while commending the UNICEF, and the Republic of Korea for the grant, urged the ten LGAs of Bida, Chanchaga, Edati, Gurara, Katcha , Kontagora, Mariga, Rafi, Suleja and Wushishi to ensure ownership so they can strengthen both routine immunization and outreaches at facilities and in communities.

According to him “as a state, we are doing everything possible to ensure insecurity is curbed. We can all see the negative impact of insecurity, everybody is worried.

“It is not enough to plan for zero dose. We should plan so that there will be no zero dose because every child that is not immunized is exposed and it is a risk to other children.”

In his remarks, the Executive Director, Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Inuwa Junaidu explained that the state is positioned in such a way that there are a lot of challenges faced which include banditry and insecurity especially surrounded by Zamfara, Kebbi, Kogi and Kaduna states. “All we need to do now is to prioritize”, he said.

Accordingly, Dr. Junaidu disclosed that “we did a quick appraisal to identify LGAs that have contributed to the burden of zero-dose. So, with support from the Korean government and UNICEF we are trying to ensure that all zero-doses are identified and then vaccinated within the eight month period”.

He then said “we will, identify, enumerate, vaccinate and to ensure that the burden of zero dose is reduced to the barest minimum in Niger State.

In his goodwill message, the UNICEF representative, Health Specialist from the Kaduna Field Office, Dr. Ahmed Tsofo disclosed that, to actualise the implementation of the program, it will rely on the strong existing partnership with the state, saying “UNICEF will stand with you shoulder to shoulder to ensure that we do our best so that this project succeeds.”

He however disclosed that “Nigeria has the highest burden of zero dose globally of 2.1 million with Six states of Adamawa, Bauchi, FCT, Lagos Niger and Ogun identified. And some of these children are in Niger state and in these 10 LGAs.

“The coverage gap and the persistently outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases like diphtheria, measles, cholera are the reasons for this support. But the insecurity challenge has been hindering us from reaching children” he asserted

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Dr. Ere Siana Sintei Ogbachi, an obstetrician gynaecologist, 38 has died shortly after delivering a set of triplets at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa. State.

According to a Facebook post by her brother, Meshack Sintei, Dr. Ogbachi was said to have delivered successfully through Cesarian Section.

The post however read that complications arose soon after the delivery promoting them to rush her to the Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa where she was moved to the intensive care unit.

A team of doctors and specialists were said to have made frantic efforts to save her life.

It was gathered that “despite their efforts, Dr. Ogbachi died in the early hours of tuesday, April 14, 2026, at approximately 2:45 a.m.

Her brother recounted her final moments describing her as a fighter who struggled courageously until the very end.

He detailed at the post how medical personnel worked tirelessly to stabilize her as her condition deteriorated, with vital signs gradually declining despite intervention.

“It was a painful experience as we watched her battle for survival,she fought to the very end.”

Recall that Dr. Ogbachi was a dedicated medical professional and a compassionate caregiver, until her passing she served as a registrar at the Niger Delta university teaching hospital, was a member of the Nigerian medical association, and an alumna of the Niger Delta university.

Beyond her professional accomplishments she was a wife and a new mother to triplets lives she brought into the world in her final act of service,her passing marks a devastating loss to her family and the medical community leaving behind a legacy of dedication, resilience and sacrifice. The brother wrote.
[16/04, 20:27] Amos(NNS Bayelsa): Gov Diri Urges Patience On Independent Power Takeoff
*Former VP Osinbajo To Inaugurate Road Project

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said the state’s independent power project was on course, dismissing insinuations of its failure.

A 60mw gas-fired turbines plant installed by the Governor Diri administration to provide 24-hour electricity in the state was one of the projects commissioned on April 10, 2026 by President Bola Tinubu.

The Bayelsa governor, however, explained that the plant was undergoing finishing touches that required installation of some critical devices to safeguard the project and the state’s investment in the power sector.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said the governor gave the explanation on Thursday during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa and appealed to residents of the state to be patient.

While assuring that the process would soon be completed, Senator Diri frowned at those who chose to play politics with the power project.

He said: “We know that the people of Bayelsa will never forget the gas turbine project. But some of our people are talking about time and darkness. There is nothing like darkness. Those who want to play politics can do so but we will do what we know is right for our state and our people.
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‎”As a government, we want our people to be free from darkness. So, whatever you are seeing are the final finishing touches after the commissioning. Certain protective devices must be placed on the turbines so that when they start operation, they will not be affected.
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‎”Immediately the protective devices are fully installed, the turbines will come on to the shame of those who want darkness as they didn’t want the turbines at all.
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‎”From the beginning, they said we will fail. Now we have surprised them and they are not happy.“

Governor Diri equally rapped those who claim to be political fathers but do not want their sons to grow politically.

He said only bad fathers act that way, and urged political leaders to exercise restraint in their actions and comments as these send out the wrong signals to their followers.
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According to the Bayelsa helmsman, political fathers should pray for their successors to do better than them as that was the wish of a good father for his children.
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“A good father prays for his child to succeed more than him. So every political father should pray for his successors to do better than him. A father who prays for his son not to do better than him is a bad father.”
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He also disclosed that the immediate past vice president, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, would visit the state on Monday, April 20, 2026 to inaugurate the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road.

He said the former VP, who performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, would visit the project after its commissioning by President Tinubu.