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  • No crisis between me and Oyetola, says Basiru

    No crisis between me and Oyetola, says Basiru

    • …Osun APC chairman calls for cohesion

    The national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has said there is no crisis between him and the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.

    He, however, warned those spreading false information about a frosty relationship between him and the former Osun state governor to desist from falsehood.

    Basiru, who paid a courtesy visit to the Osun state chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, at the party secretariat, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, said he enjoyed cordial relations with the minister and party leader.

    The national secretary urged party members and the public to disregard the antics of propagators of the misinformation and falsehood bent on causing disaffection and acrimony within chapter.

    Basiru hinted that he was preoccupied with how to reinvigorate the party across the nation with a view to improving its fortune in many states.

    He said the report about an imaginary war was a product of beer parlour talks from habitual drunkards.

    In a statement by Osun APC director of media and information, Basiru enjoined party stakeholders to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu in his efforts to bail out the nation from numerous challenges.

    He explained that the economic downturn in Nigeria is an offshoot of the global phenomenon, which is taking its toll on all the nations.

    Read Also: Over 2,000 residents get Oyetola’s free food palliative

    Basiru urged party leaders to be steadfast and loyal to the party, assuring that APC will bounce back in Osun State in  the 2026 election.

    He said: “I don’t know where some hungry bloggers source their story from? It is not true that there is acrimony between the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and I.  We are always on the same page.

    “I was with him yesterday where I spent over two hours. Infact, he is aware of my trip to Osun State today. Where some bloggers came over a phoney story that I consulted an esteemed leader of our party yesterday in Iwo still remains a mystery when I was in Abuja.

    “Was it my spirit that went to Iwo? Those who are writing compositions with the aim of causing acrimony in our party should go and find meaningful work to do instead of ranting.”

    The chairman thanked Basiru for the visit, saying that it would entrench the faith of the members in the party.

    Lawal urged the local government and ward chairmen and other party officers to always work in unison in the interest of the party in their respective constituencies.

    He appraised the party’s sensitization visits to the local governments, advising party chairmen to continue to build on the success of the tours.

    Lawal said party chairmen should hold meetings at all the levels to sustain its viability.

  • Over 2,000 residents get Oyetola’s free food palliative

    Over 2,000 residents get Oyetola’s free food palliative

    No fewer than 2,000 Osun State residents yesterday benefitted from the free food programme of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

    The gesture tagged: ‘Oyetola’s Hand of Fellowship’, was the 3rd edition held at Modakeke in Ife-East Area office of the state.

    Oyetola, former governor of Osun State, said the gesture was a continuation of his people-oriented and masses-focused projects popularly called ‘Ilerioluwa food support scheme’, while serving the state.

    Read Also: All eyes on MPC to strengthen naira’s correction

    The minister, represented by the former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives, Investment and Empowerment, Dr. Bode Olaonipekun, said the sustainability of the programme was a testament to the commitment of the progressive family to improve people’s welfare.

    The facilitator, Kayode Sowade, an engineer, attributed the continuity of the programme to his commitment to give back to the people, particularly the vulnerable and the needy.

  • Mining: Oyetola’s spokesman tackles Adeleke, says zero investors attracted since 2022

    Mining: Oyetola’s spokesman tackles Adeleke, says zero investors attracted since 2022

    Ismail Omipidan, the spokesperson for Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, on Tuesday, January 23, criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke over the mining operations in Osun state.

    Omipidan flayed Adeleke for claiming that Oyetola, the former governor, misappropriated dividends from the Segilola Mining Firm and challenged Adeleke to provide evidence for his claims.

    The Nation reports that Adeleke’s team led by his Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye while meeting the team of Segilola, alleged that under the past administration, shareholding with the firm was shrouded in secrecy and largely unvalidated.

    Omipidan said: “Segilola worked cordially with the state for which the Oyetola government facilitated every waiver, and permit required for their operations. It remains on record that Segilola was the only firm cleared by the Oyetola government to continue working all through the COVID-19 Lockdown period which birthed the current growth the company has witnessed.

    “The Segilola Mining firm has only briefed the government the same way it briefed Oyetola. As a responsible business entity, it is now time for Segilola to begin the payment of Osun’s dividends, a process that was initiated by Oyetola. If the Osun government is sincere, how come it is finding it difficult to disclose to Osun citizens that the Adelekes have some shareholdings in the Segilola Mining firm?

    Read Also: Osun statistics of out-of-school children increased after Adeleke sacked 1,500 teachers—Oyetola

    “Why name the Chief of Staff to the governor, Kazeem Akinleye, who is one of those overseeing the Adelekes’ investments in Osun government and beyond as the State’s representative on the board of Segilola and not Prof. Lukman Jumoda, Special Adviser on Mining and Mineral Matters, if it had nothing to hide?  But for the administration’s conscious efforts at developing the sector, Osun would have since lost all its 17 mining licences.

    “The Adeleke government should tell us the investors that have come in from Europe and Asia, going by their claim in November that the governor embarked on a working visit to Europe and Asia to woo investors. No foreign investors have been attracted to the state since 2022 when it was inaugurated.”

  • Osun statistics of out-of-school children increased after Adeleke sacked 1,500 teachers—Oyetola

    Osun statistics of out-of-school children increased after Adeleke sacked 1,500 teachers—Oyetola

    The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has lamented that the sacking of over 1,500 teachers by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has surged the numbers of out-of-school children in Osun State.

    Oyetola who is the immediate past governor of Osun State expressed worry over the surge in statistics, as he implored Adeleke not to politicise the education sector of state.

    The Minister who was represented by his former Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Chief Sunday Akere speaking at the commissioning of the multi-million naira solar borehole donated by ex-students(1973&74 set) of Ife-Oluwa Grammar School, Osogbo, yesterday disclosed that he recruited 1,500 teachers but were sacked politically by Adeleke.

    He said, “My admonition to the government is that the government should not play politics with education. When we were in government, we employed about 1,500 teachers but unfortunately, the present government stopped all of them when they came on board, and over a year now they have not done anything to fill up the vacancies created.

    Read Also: Babarians have taken over social media  – Soyinka

    “This has led to the recent increase in out-of-school children in Osun State. I want to implore the government to ensure they employ adequate teachers and also the ex-students of schools across the state should partner with the government.”

    Earlier, the Principal of the school, Mr. D.K Faleye said, “We appreciate the kindness, generosity, and philanthropic gestures of our distinguished Old Students of the school, Class 1973-74. The school will not forget in a hurry, the assistance made in paying the NECO fee of seven indigent students of the school last year, 2023.

    “Furthermore, the sinking of the solar-powered borehole which we are today commissioning is another laudable project embarked upon by these wonderful men and women class of 1973/74 – we shall ever be grateful.”

  • Alake, Badaru, Oyetola, others hold inter-ministerial committee meeting in Abuja

    Alake, Badaru, Oyetola, others hold inter-ministerial committee meeting in Abuja

    The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake and his counterpart Ministers of Defence, Interior, Marine and Blue Economy, and others on Friday, January 19, held the maiden meeting of the Inter-ministerial committee meeting on securing Nigeria’s natural resources.

    Alake said the committee was set up by President Bola Tinubu at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    He revealed that the ministers cross-fertilized ideas and brainstormed on modalities of achieving the presidential mandate of coming up with a blueprint for securing the country’s natural resources.

    Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Segun Tomori made this known in a press statement.

    Read Also; Meet new commander of IRT, DC Sanusi assigned to tackle Abuja kidnapping crisis 

    He stated: “We are here to deliberate on mainly the issue of security around Nigeria’s natural resources, as directed by the president. The president set up this committee. Solid minerals, marine economy, and forests all constitute Nigeria’s natural resources. So, all the relevant ministers are here to deliberate on how to efficiently and effectively curtail all the atrocious, nefarious activities of either illegal mining, deforestation, or pilfering in the marine economy.

    “With these words, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake threw light on the outcome of the maiden meeting of the Inter-ministerial committee on securing Nigeria’s natural resources set up by President Bola Tinubu at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. He revealed that the Ministers cross-fertilized ideas and brainstormed on modalities of achieving the presidential mandate of coming up with a blueprint for securing the country’s natural resources.

    “We will be having another meeting, an expanded one, comprising of all the other critical security agencies with a view to now finalizing strategies and presenting a report to Mr. President.”

    “In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, HE Abubakar Badaru, stressed that the committee will come up with a robust strategy that will culminate in a rejigged security architecture to effectively secure the nation’s forests, blue economy, and solid minerals.

    “Ministers that graced the meeting include the host, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; Defence Minister, HE Abubakar Badaru, his interior counterpart, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Gboyega Oyetola; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal and Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim.”

  • Oyetola, Aregbesola will soon work together— Akande reveals

    Oyetola, Aregbesola will soon work together— Akande reveals

    The first interim national chairman of All Progressive Congress(APC), Chief Bisi Akande has boasted that the warring Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and the ex-Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola will soon end their animosity and work together. 

    Akande also noted that he risked his life to end the bickering between the two political gladiators during the ravaging COVID-19 in 2020 but the reconciliatory meeting which was witnessed by President Bola Tinubu yielded no results.

    Chief Akande who is an ex-governor of Osun state, while featuring on a private radio station, Rave FM in Osogbo during a Yoruba political programme, ‘Oro Oselu’ said the bickering between the duo will not last. 

    He said: “Both Oyetola and Aregbesola are my children, they will be calm and patience, they will be happy like me. No single person can build or destroy the politics of Osun state but I am sure that character determines friendship, I am sure that the animosity between them will grow weak, the one who is aggrieved will be appeased. 

    Read Also: Aregbesola blames Oyetola for APC’s defeat in Osun

    “In no distance time, they will work together. In 2020, they brought the fight before me and I tried my best, when it went bad, I risked my life to reconcile them, I got to know about their fight during COVID-19. I was surprised, I called them for a meeting, they ended the fighting in my presence but still continued with it after they left. I discovered that their followers were angry, I started calling them federal constituencies by constituencies to meet with stakeholders, I set up committees, this was during COVID-19. I am old, if I contract the virus, the chance of me surviving is slim but for these people they have high chances of surviving it. I risked my life to reconcile them. 

    “I called two of them to my residence and I invited President Tinubu to witness the meeting. I expended a lot of money and energy to reconcile them. Nevertheless, it never ended. I am only praying for them.” 

    Akande added that It was not the bickering between Oyetola and Aregbesola that caused APC to lost Osun State, saying, “APC almost lost the state before the the fight began, remember APC won through rerun in 2018. In 2022, APC has additional 120,000 votes more than that of 2018. It is clear that it is destined. Anybody who claimed that it is the fight, it is a lie.” 

  • Oyetola sets up committee to review e-call system

    Oyetola sets up committee to review e-call system

    The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has set up a committee to review the e-call up system for better performance.

     The system was introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in February 2021 for trucks at the Lagos ports.

    Under the system,  truck owners or drivers were expected to book turns to enter the ports. However, recent reports suggest that it has been compromised.

    Read Also; Electricity disruption nationwide caused by shutdown of Egbin Power Plant – IED

    In a statement in Abuja yesterday, the minister’s spokesman, Ismail Omipidan, said the committee was expected to meet with other critical stakeholders in Lagos today.

    He quoted the minister as saying: “Every possible abuse of the system by humans should be x-rayed and solutions provided to ensure that it is abuse-free.

    “I have a number of suggestions on how I believe the system can be strengthened. But I want input from the stakeholders. This is why I have set up this committee to interface with the service provider and other stakeholders in the industry to come up with a best way of dealing decisively with the saboteurs.”

  • FG plan dredging of Nigerian ports, construction of new ones, says Oyetola

    FG plan dredging of Nigerian ports, construction of new ones, says Oyetola

    The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that the government plans to dredge some of the nation’s ports to allow to accommodate bigger vessels, while plans are on to build new ports in parts of the country.

    The minister who spoke at the Ministry’s budget defence before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Ports and Habour also said that about $1.2 billion was required to fix the decay in the nation’s ports.

    He spoke just as the lawmakers said there was the need for Nigeria to tap into the $1.8 trillion Blue Economy potentials as well as improve on revenue generation through the Maritime sector.

    The Minister, who expressed concern about the attitude of importers and shippers who abandon the nation’s ports and divert vessels to neighbouring countries stressed the need for adequate funding for the dredging of various ports to enable them to take big vessels.

    He disclosed that the Ministry was discussing with the World Bank and other stakeholders to address the infrastructural decay at the Tin Can Inland and other ports in the country.

    He assured of the determination of the Ministry to adopt technology as well as the National Single Window policy to reduce the level of the human interface as well as reduce the man-hour spent on the clearance of cargoes at various ports across the country.

    On the installation of scanners at the ports for effective operation, he said the management of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was positively disposed to the use of scanners at the ports, but underscored the need for attitudinal change.

    The Minister solicited the support of the Parliament on the establishment of Coastal Guard in the bid to ensure safety at the various Ports and boost revenue through fishery in the Blue Economy industry as part of efforts to reduce $4 billion spent on the importation of fish into the country annually.

    While noting that not less than 28 States are connected to water, he underscored the need for massive investment in the dredging of waterways for improved water transportation.

    Speaking on the 2023 budget of the Ministry, the Minister explained that the total capital appropriated for marine-related programmes in 2023 was N777 million, out of which N448,027,468 has been utilised as at the end of November 2023.

    He said further that in the 2024 budget proposal, the Ministry proposed N10,781,130,916 as the total capital budget while the sum of N191,086,917 as overhead expenditure.

    He observed that three of the agencies under the ministry, namely NPA, NIMASA and NSC are fully self-funding and make reasonable remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF/TSA) while National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron and Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) derive their funding from both the Federal Government Budget and Internally generated revenue.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, Oyetola, others receive largest container-RORO ship in Lagos

    The lawmakers however expressed regrets over the reported loss of over N1 trillion in revenues due to poor infrastructure in the maritime industry, while frowning at the non-provision of funds in the 2024 budget for the acquisition and installation of scanners at various ports as part of ongoing efforts geared toward making the nation’s ports competitive.

    They also expressed concerns over the activities of shippers/importers who abandoned Nigerian Ports to berth at the ports owned by neighbouring countries, as well as a roadmap towards addressing a myriad of challenges facing the industry.

    The lawmakers queried the Ministry over the underutilization of N130 million released for rehabilitation, utilisation, and patronage of eastern ports; monitoring for navigational channels Calabar River Port; Women empowerment on maritime-related activities, World Seafarers Day and world women in Maritime International Day; Coordination of process of establishing/designating a National Career (Shipping); International seabed Authority (ISA)/United Nations Convention on the law of the sea (UNCLOS) and Development of Inland Dry Ports including Ministerial Standing Committee on delivery of Inland Dry Ports.

  • IMO: Oyetola in bilateral talks with Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Jamaica

    IMO: Oyetola in bilateral talks with Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Jamaica

    Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola yesterday continued bilateral discussions with ministers and representatives from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Brazil and Jamaica.

    The minister, according to his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, expressed Nigeria’s interest in learning from their knowledge and experiences.

    On Monday, Oyetola held bilateral meetings with representatives of Greece, Qatar and Mexico on the sidelines of the ongoing 33rd General Assembly session of the International Maritime Organization, IMO, in London, United Kingdom (UK).

    At the meeting, the Brazilian Chief of the Navy’s General Staff, Adm José Augusto V. da Cunha de Menezes, the minister said Nigeria would want to learn from the operations of the Brazilian coast guards.

    The ministry plans to set up one to further secure the maritime space and the waterways.

    Oyetola further noted that: “We want to also focus on sectors such as marine renewable energy; marine mining, subsea cabling and piping, marine genetics, and biotechnology, so as to grow the marine and blue economy.

    “As we continue to expand and develop the activities of the sector, there will be need to deepen security architecture within the maritime space. In this regard, we are considering setting up coast guards and we believe that they will complement the existing security architecture to further secure our maritime space.”

    Read Also: Oyetola gives marching orders to NPA, NIMASA, SON, NIWA

    Expressing Nigeria’s desire to tap into technology to revolutionalise the maritime sector, Oyetola said: “Technology and innovation are vital for boosting Nigeria’s trade and investment prospects within the marine and blue economy.

    “Advanced marine technologies, including innovations in maritime logistics and smart logistics solutions, will significantly enhance the efficiency and sustainability of maritime transport and port operations, making Nigerian ports more competitive globally.”

    The minister also met the IMO’s new Vice President, who doubles as Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the UK, Saida Muna Tasneem and Saudi Arabia’s Saleh bin Nasser AIJasser, who is the minister in charge of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services of Saudi Arabia, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

    Saudi Arabia and Nigeria agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cement collaboration and partnership in the maritime space.

  • Oyetola gives marching orders to NPA, NIMASA, SON, NIWA

    Oyetola gives marching orders to NPA, NIMASA, SON, NIWA

    Barely 24 hours after engaging stakeholders in Lagos, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday, November 22, directed heads of government agencies under his ministry to work assiduously and achieve their deliverables as captured in the performance bond signed by him.

    The affected agencies include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and other agencies under the Ministry of Marine and Blues Economy.

    Oyetola said the directive follows the standing instruction given by President Bola Tinubu to ministers to “unfailingly demonstrate innovative thinking and an unrelenting focus on results.”

    He said the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was set up to position Nigeria as a premier maritime nation.

    He spoke at the maiden edition of the Ministerial retreat, organised for the Ministry and agencies under it, to cascade the directive of Mr President on set targets and goals of the Ministry.

    He noted that the execution of the performance bond, in addition to the completion of key projects within the ministry would no doubt position Nigeria as one of the maritime nations in the world.

    He noted that the desire to make Nigeria a premier maritime nation would be achieved by utilising the potential of the county’s blue economy to diversify revenue, assure sustainable development, and cultivate environmental stewardship.

    The Minister said the retreat provides the space to evaluate, prioritise, and forge practical resolutions for improvement, which will help cascade the signed bond to the Ministry’s Directors and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Ministry’s Agencies.

    Oyetola went further to say that the retreat equally provides a platform to relate with sector players with a view to understanding their roles as a key sector within the Nigerian Economy, as well as to brainstorm on strategies needed to achieve its mandate and functions.

    He said: “The maritime sector stands as a reservoir of immense potential, not only for economic growth but also for diversifying our revenue source and generating abundant employment opportunities for Nigerians.

    “I am convinced we have what it takes to deliver on our Key Performance Indicators. We are, therefore, gathered here to brainstorm on how to deliver on the KPIs. For instance, three months ago, I was told that the Funtua Inland Dry Port was at 80 percent completion stage. Considering that we are expected to deliver this particular project in the first quarter of next year, it would be interesting to hear from the Nigerian Shippers Council how this can be achieved in record time.”

    The minister also shared the Ministry’s mandate, vision and mission with workers in the Ministry and staff of agencies within it, noting that it was imperative for them to understand and work towards achieving the goals of the Ministry.

    Oyetola said: “Our mandate is to Institutionalise Blue Economy as an important pillar for economic sustenance and growth diversification having due regard to the ecosystem.

    “The Ministry’s Vision is to position Nigeria as a premier maritime nation by utilising the potential of its blue economy to diversify revenue, assure sustainable development, and cultivate environmental stewardship.

    “While the mission is to formulate and implement policies, programmes, and initiatives that will facilitate the development of an inclusive maritime and blue economy (Ecosystem), driven by an operating environment that meets global best standards.

    Read Also: Oyetola, Iheanacho, others headline maritime exhibition

    “We have a solid team of resource persons and facilitators who will demystify the importance of the mandate, vision and mission to develop the goals and road map for the Ministry with a view to achieving the performance bond and other numerous projects, programmes and initiatives that will position Nigeria among the top earning nations in the Marine and Blue Economy Sector.

    “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. President wants to see tangible results and our shared responsibility to serve the people and I believe that Mr. President’s expectation from our sector is doable.”

    On her part, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani said the retreat was designed to provide a veritable platform for the top management officials of the ministry and its agencies to cross-fertilise ideas on how to galvanise the marine sector to meet the set goals and objectives of the ministry.

    “It is worthy to note that the Honourable Minister has signed a Performance bond with Mr President, which will serve as a scorecard for the Ministry. This bond comes with its initiatives, deliverables, Key Performance Indicators, timelines, and target, which the sector must unconditionally achieve.”