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.

By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja on the deadline for party primaries, among others.

In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday evening, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it views the ruling as vindication of its vehement objections to key aspects of the electoral body’s guidelines at the time they were issued.

The ADC also recalled its specific objections to the strict timelines on membership registration, as well as the conduct of party primaries.

“The decision of the Court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” the party said.

The party also said the ruling, which removes the impediment placed by the guidelines on politicians who wish to seek alternative platforms to contest elections, was a positive development that promotes freedom of association.

“We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC. Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party.”