Spokesman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA,  Mr. Ikechukwu Oyemekara released an investors’ delight performance scorecard of his agency for year 2025 just as his colleague at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,  NIMASA,  Mr. Edward Osagie also chronicled the performance and outlook of his boss at  NIMASA-both reports were backed by facts with documented verifiable data from both spokesmen.

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho (middle), President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and CEO of Hamburg Port Authority Jens Meier (2nd Left), Managing Director IAPH, Mr. Patrick Verhoeven (2nd Right), Executive Director Finance & Administration, NPA Ms. Vivian Richard Edet (1st Right) and Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications NPA (1st Left) at the International Association for Ports & Harbours World Port Conference

see https://maritimenig.com/2026/01/nigerian-ports-set-for-economic-transformation-and-global-competitiveness-dantsoho

As Messrs Oyemekara and Osagie,  in their sharp lensed spectacles, map out strategies for 2026, we at Monday Mooring, urge them to roll up their sleeves and trim their agbadas for the task ahead  as the events of this year and the general elections of 2027 could be very demanding.

see https://maritimenig.com/2026/01/nimasa-finishes-…for-2026-roadmap/ ‎

Their continuous vigilance is essential for challenges likely to be hurled at them by political hawks and office seekers. The deployment of their experiences of many years in timely, very proactive response to issues this year  could determine events in the sector.

smiles, amiability and the usual camaraderia may be scarce from them; notwithstanding, journalist should be assured of their attention, support and

CGC Alert

Ushering in the year the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Dr Wale Adeniyi  admonished  Nigerians on the need to shun illicit trade and be compliant with  trade facilitation regulations.

“As we celebrate, let us be law-abiding citizens and avoid all acts that undermine our shared values, including smuggling and other forms of illicit trade,” the CGC said.

The CGC had barely finished his admonition when eagled eyed Customs officers at the Apapa Command of the Service,  led by Comptroller  Emmanuel Oshoba, CAC of the Command, intercepted 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilograms which were concealed onboard MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel.

It is our view that that  shipment of drugs is a pointer to the heightened desperation by hardened criminals to undermine national security network.

The security agencies must therefore rise to the challenge by being doubly alert and very vigilant. We trust the NPRO of the Service, Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada to mobilize his men to action in this regard.

Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, Spokesman, Nigeria Customs Service.

Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, has been in the news as the “Power of Continuity” is amplified, demonstrated and validated  at the school. Never has transition been so smooth and seamless at any institution except at the Nigeria Customs where another insider with decades of experience was appointed as helmsman; the results and manifold outcomes of such appointments are visible and would serve as testimonials if not reference points in years to come.

see https://maritimenig.com/2025/12/academy-in-renew…spects-dr-okonna/ 

The Ag Rector of the Academy, Dr. Kevin Okonna, (hasn’t he shown enough capacity?), stepped into the big boots of Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua, (rtd), (immediate past Rector of the school), unprepared. Considering how and where Cdr. Duja left the Academy, Okonna must have had some momentary doubts and worries on where to start from.

Flanked by the Cadets are L/R: Ag Rector, of the Academy, Dr. Kelvin Okonna, MD/CEO of NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed and the VC, NMU, Prof. Florence Oluwakemi

Within twelve months, Okonna  has shown the world that his grasp, knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges of the Academy are deep, firm and rooted in his many years of  service to country at MAN.

The collaborations-local and foreign, the engagements and partnerships have further strengthened the Academy and sealed its place  among world’s best Maritime Training Institutions, MTIs.

Credit must be given to the Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, for his leadership qualities in steering the ministry excellently-the harmony and results speak to his vision for the maritime industry.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON (third left); Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Domínguez (third right) with other officials and cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, during the IMO Secretary-General’s visit to Nigeria.

The Oyebamiji Example

In recent years, maritime editors are overwhelmed by a deluge of press releases about which they know very little or nothing. Very often, image makers craft such releases far away from the scene of events.

Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola CON (middle); Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho (left); Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola (second left); Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola (second left) and the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji (left) at the opening of the 2025 Sectoral Retreat for senior officials of the Ministry and its agencies in Abuja.

link: https://maritimenig.com/2026/01/journalists-coal…ndorse-oyebamiji/

The Coalition of Maritime Journalists are therefore very intentionally apt in recognizing the former National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA,  Managing Director and governorship candidate of the All People’s Congress, APC,  Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji  (aka AMBO), in  the forth coming general elections in Osun state as the Most Impactful Maritime CEO 2025.

“Oyebamiji consistently supported field coverage, enabling maritime reporters to visit project sites, waterways, jetties and operational areas to gain first-hand understanding of industry issues” the coalition said.

We urge other maritime CEOs to take a cue and emulate the Oyebamiji example as we begin tabulation of the strategic implementation of their respective mandates.