By David Owei, Bayelsa

The Convener of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable and Publisher of Blue Economy Newsmagazine, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo has commended the Nigerian Navy for transforming from a force of 250 personnel in 1956 into Africa’s leading naval power, with over 34,000 personnel and more than 150 ships.

Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Dr. Kiyaramo also applauded the Navy for taking 2,200 civilians selected at random through an online raffle from Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Calabar to sea under its historic 70th anniversary initiative.

As Special Assistant to the Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), he said the successful execution of the “Sail With The Nigerian Navy” program on May 25, 2026, was a clear testament to the Navy’s commitment to creating awareness about the blue economy.

“For the Navy to meticulously select civilians through an online raffle and coordinate their boarding of active warships from key naval hubs in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Calabar speaks volumes about the cordial relationship between the Navy and civilian communities in its operational bases,” Dr. Kiyaramo stated.

“In Lagos alone, approximately 1,500 civilians sailed aboard NNS Kada, DB Abuja, and DB Lagos, journeying from Apapa jetty into the Atlantic,” he added.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the initiative aimed to strengthen civil-military relations and give Nigerians firsthand experience of the nation’s maritime space.

The 70th anniversary celebrations continue with an International Fleet Review on June 1, where President Bola Tinubu will commission new platforms and the 6th Sea Power for Africa Symposium from June 2–3. The jubilee concludes on June 4 in Lagos.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) has declared its former President, Mr. Femi Fadina, a matter of history, stating that he should “lick his wounds quietly” while the association moves forward. ATPN also reaffirmed that his expulsion remains valid.

Speaking in Port Harcourt on Saturday, National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo disclosed that the First Deputy President, Prince Ayodele Arokoyo, has since been appointed Acting President of the association, pending the election of a substantive president at the next Annual General Meeting.

“Mr. Fadina should accept his fate and recover privately instead of fighting publicly or making false claims. As a forward-looking professional body, ATPN is too busy building the industry to carry extra baggage or entertain unnecessary distractions.

“We use this medium to reassure tourism stakeholders, members, partners, and government agencies that ATPN remains functional and focused under the leadership of Acting President Prince Arokoyo.
We urge all stakeholders to work with the Acting President,” he added.

Dr. Kiyaramo further advised the public to disregard Mr. Fadina’s media claims that he is still the substantive president of ATPN

He said ATPN is a premier, member-driven professional trade association founded in 1990 dedicated to promoting domestic and inbound tourism and serves as the unified voice for tourism businesses, advocating for industry standards, policy reforms, and consumer protection across the country.

By Owei David

In line with globally recognised practices, professional bodies often engage governments in power to secure policy shifts that create an enabling operational environment for businesses.

It is against this backdrop that the ‘Tourism Vanguard for Tinubu (TVT)’ was initiated as a national movement of tourism stakeholders mobilizing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, with a focus on transforming Nigeria’s tourism sector.

Stakeholders in the South-South geopolitical zone have since keyed into this vision and are actively running with it. The zone is set to inaugurate its South-South Zonal Council this week, alongside the appointment of State Coordinators to drive grassroots mobilization.

Announcing this in Port Harcourt, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, former Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism, who now serves as the South-South Coordinator for TVT, said the movement is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s tourism potential through strategic policy advocacy and stakeholder alignment with the Tinubu administration.

“The TVT is not just about politics; it is about positioning tourism as a key driver of jobs, revenue, and national image. The South-South, with its rich coastal and cultural assets, must take the lead,” Dr. Kiyaramo stated.

He added that the forthcoming inauguration of the Zonal Council will mark a major milestone in consolidating tourism stakeholders across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States for the 2027 agenda.