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2015 ELECTION: NLC, IBB, Fayose Congratulate BUHARI

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…AS JONATHAN CONCEDES DEFEAT

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari over his electoral victory, even as the body hailed the outgoing President, Goodluck Jonathan for his unprecedented statesmanship, in timely conceding victory to the winner of the 2015, March 28 Presidential election.

Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida

Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida

The NLC, in a message signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero however warned that the actual gains of the peaceful, credible election would only be deemed attained, when electricity supply becomes realistic and infrastructural decay was arrested.

“We call on all Nigerians to realise that these elections are the means. The desired end is good governance. Therefore until all these election results translate into uninterrupted electricity supply, revival of collapsed industries with mass sustainable decent jobs, payment of new minimum wages and pensions, autonomy of local government and an end to the general climate of physical and Socio-economic insecurity in the land, there is actually nothing to celebrate for mass of our peoples”, Comrade Ajaero indicated, noting that the current election was a practical demonstration of the maturation of Nigeria’s democratic process, and an assurance of hope that the country would improve its performance in subsequent elections.

The NLC commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrowhead, Prof. Attahiru Jega for his vision, commitment and determination which ensured the success of te election; even as it lauded the un-spared dedication of the electorates who dared the inclement weather, and other risks to cast their votes.

“In particular we salute INEC steadfastness to resist desperate attempts by some external forces to use national security apparatuses to undermine the election collation process and invent dubious results that would undermine the credibility of the elections.  This was a progressive departure from what security apparatus did in undermining the NLC rescheduled election held on March 12th2015”, the NLC President stated further.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, also on Tuesday, congratulated the winner of the presidential tussle as he conceded victory, even as he told Nigerians that he had delivered on the promise of overseeing a transparent and credible election.

President Jonathan, a candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, it was learnt, put a call to Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC at about 5.15 p.m. even before the results from Borno State declared, at which point Gen. Buhari was already leading by over 14,932,385 to the 12,638,310 votes scored by Jonathan.

The 72 year old Buhari defeated Jonathan by 15,405,928 votes to 12,663,950 votes, according to final results declared by the chairman of the INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega. followed sweeping victories in all but one of the six South-West states and all but two of the North’s 19 states. The endorsement of Buhari was, however, tempered in Jonathan’s South-South and the South-East states where the President won massively. With the eyes of the world focused on Nigeria after the Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections, Jonathan put a foot in a personal march towards international statesmanship when he conceded victory to Buhari once the trend of the results put Buhari in an unassailable lead yesterday evening.

Shortly after the President made the call, he received a high powered delegation of statesmen led by a former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who came to congratulate him on his worthy example. The routing of the PDP also went beyond its hold of the presidency as the party was, according to trend, also on its way to losing control of the National Assembly. The party which had since 1999 always won control of the National Assembly in every National Assembly election lost control of the Senate and the House of Representatives to the APC. Buhari won in 22 of the 36 states and achieved 25 per cent of the votes in another three states, all of them in the North and the South-West. The outgoing president won in all the South-East, South-South states and also picked Ekiti in the South-West and Taraba and Plateau in the North. Buhari in a terse statement issued shortly after, however, called for restraint from party supporters, saying anyone celebrating with him would not be involved in the wild celebration that included the harassment of opponents.

The former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida also joined other Nigerians in congratulating the All Progressives Party (APC), General Mohammadu Buhari over his victory at Saturday’s elections, saying it shows that democracy has come to stay in the country.

Similarly, the former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari over the party’s victory in the just concluded presidential election, saying the victory signposts a new beginning for Nigeria and Nigerians.

A congratulatory message, from the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose who consistently fought Buhari through hate-campaign adverts may however shock Nigerians, as the Governor did a 360-degree turn around to advise President Jonathan to accept the results in good faith, knowing full-well that Nigeria is greater than any individual or group.

Governor Fayose, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, hailed the resilience and commitment General Mohammadu Buhari, praising Nigerians for believing in the democratic process.

“By this election, Nigerians have shown that Democracy has come to stay in the country”, Fayose said, saluting Jonathan “for laying the most solid foundation for democracy in Nigeria” while hailing Buhari for being a resilience and dogged fighter.

“I urge Nigerians, irrespective of their ethic, religious and political affiliation to respect the outcome of the election in the interest of peace, progress and development of the country.

“Nigeria as a country is greater than any individual or group and it is my plea that no one should do anything to rock the boat of peace in the country”, Fayose concluded.

★BIO-DATA OF GMB
◆ NAME: Muhammad Buhari;
◆ DOB: 17th December 1942;
◆ NATIONALITY: Nigerian;
◆ STATE OF ORIGIN: Katsina State;
◆ HOME TOWN: Daura;
◆ MARITAL STATUS: Married;
★EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
◆ Elementary School, Daura ~ 1948-1952;
◆ Katsina Model School, Katsina ~1953;
◆ Katsina Provincial School (now Government
College Katsina)~1956-1961;
★MILITARY CAREER/TRAINING:
◆ Military Training School, Kaduna ~1963;
◆ Officer’s Cadet School, Aldershot (UK)~Oct.’63;
◆ Platoon Commanders’ Course
Nigerian Military College, Kaduna ~1964;
◆ Mechanical Transport Officer’s Course Army
Mechanical Transport School, Borden (United
Kingdom) ~1965;
◆ Defence Services’ Staff College,
Wellington (India) ~1973;
◆ United States Army War College ~ 1979-1980;
☆MILITARY APPOINTMENT EXPERIENCE:
◆ Platoon Commander, 2nd Infantry Bat. ’63-64;
◆ Mech Trans. Officer, Lagos Garrison, ’64-65;
◆ Transport Coy Commander, 2nd Brigade,’65-66;
◆ Batt Adjutant/Commander, 2nd Brigade,’66-67;
◆ Brigade Major, 2nd Sector, 1st Infantry Division,
April to July, 1967;
◆ Brigade Major, 3rd Infantry Div, 67–68;
◆ Acting Commander, 4th Sector, 1st Div!’68–70;
◆ Commander, 31st Infantry Brigade, ’70-71;
◆Assistant Adjutant-General, 1st Infantry Div.
Headquarters, ’71-72;
◆ Colonel, General Staff, 3rd Infantry Division
Headquarters,1974 –1974;
◆ Acting Director Supply & Transport,
Nigeria Army Corps Hqts,1974 –1975;
◆ Military Secretary, Army Hqts. 1978-1979;
◆ GOC, 4th Infantry Div.~1980 – 1981;
◆ GOC, 3rd Armored Div. ~ 1981 –1983;
★POLITICAL APPOINTMENT EXPERIENCE:
◆ Military Gov., North Eastern State ~’75-76;
◆ Fed Commissioner for Petroleum ~ ’76–78;
◆ Chairman, NNPC ~ 1978 –1978;
◆ Member, Supreme Military Council, ~ 78-79;
Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the
Nigerian Armed Forces ~ Dec 1983 – Aug. 85;
♡Executive Chairman, PTF ~ 1995 – 1999;
★ AWARDS AND MEDALS:
● GCFR: Grand Commander of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria
◆ DSM: Defence Service Medal
● NSM: National Service Medal
◆ GSM: General Service Medal
● LSGCM: Loyal Service and Good Conduct Medal
◆ FSS: Forces Service Star
● CM: The Congo Medal
★ HONORARY DEGREES:
◆ Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) ATBU,
Bauchi~ 1994
◆ Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) University of
Calabar ~1996
◆ Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa) Benue State
University ~1998

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WAIVER CESSATION: Igbokwe urges NIMASA to evolve stronger collaboration with Ships owners

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…Stresses the need for timely disbursement of N44.6billion CVFF***

Highly revered Nigerian Maritime Lawyer, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Igbokwe has urged the Nigeria Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA) to partner with ship owners and relevant association in the industry to evolving a more vibrant merchant shipping and cabotage trade regime.

Igbokwe gave the counsel during his paper presentation at the just concluded two-day stakeholders’ meeting on Cabotage waiver restrictions, organized by NIMASA.

“NIMASA and shipowners should develop merchant shipping including cabotage trade. A good start is to partner with the relevant associations in this field, such as the Nigeria Indigenous Shipowners Association (NISA), Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Oil Trade Group & Maritime Trade Group of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

“A cursory look at their vision, mission and objectives, show that they are willing to improve the maritime sector, not just for their members but for stakeholders in the maritime economy and the country”.

Adding that it is of utmost importance for NIMASA to have a through briefing and regular consultation with ships owners, in other to have insight on the challenges facing the ship owners.

“It is of utmost importance for NIMASA to have a thorough briefing and regular consultations with shipowners, to receive insight on the challenges they face, and how the Agency can assist in solving them and encouraging them to invest and participate in the maritime sector, for its development. 

“NIMASA should see them as partners in progress because, if they do not invest in buying ships and registering them in Nigeria, there would be no Nigerian-owned ships in its Register and NIMASA would be unable to discharge its main objective.

The Maritime lawyer also urged NIMASA  to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF)that currently stands at about N44.6 billion.

“Lest it be forgotten, what is on the lips of almost every shipowner, is the need to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (the CVFF’), which was established by the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act, 2003. It was established to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity, by providing financial assistance to Nigerian citizens and shipping companies wholly owned by Nigerian operating in the domestic coastal shipping, to purchase and maintain vessels and build shipping capacity. 

“Research shows that this fund has grown to about N44.6billion; and that due to its non-disbursement, financial institutions have repossessed some vessels, resulting in a 43% reduction of the number of operational indigenous shipping companies in Nigeria, in the past few years. 

“Without beating around the bush, to promote indigenous maritime development, prompt action must be taken by NIMASA to commence the disbursement of this Fund to qualified shipowners pursuant to the extant Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (“CVFF”) Regulations.

Mike Igbokwe (SAN)

“Indeed, as part of its statutory functions, NIMASA is to enforce and administer the provisions of the Cabotage Act 2003 and develop and implement policies and programmes which will facilitate the growth of local capacity in ownership, manning and construction of ships and other maritime infrastructure. Disbursing the CVFF is one of the ways NIMASA can fulfill this mandate.

“To assist in this task, there must be collaboration between NIMASA, financial institutions, the Minister of Transportation, as contained in the CVFF Regulations that are yet to be implemented”, the legal guru highlighted further. 

He urged the agency to create the right environment for its stakeholders to build on and engender the needed capacities to fill the gaps; and ensure that steps are being taken to solve the challenges being faced by stakeholders.

“Lastly, which is the main reason why we are all here, cessation of ministerial waivers on some cabotage requirements, which I believe is worth applause in favour of NIMASA. 

“This is because it appears that the readiness to obtain/grant waivers had made some of the vessels and their owners engaged in cabotage trade, to become complacent and indifferent in quickly ensuring that they updated their capacities, so as not to require the waivers. 

“The cessation of waivers is a way of forcing the relevant stakeholders of the maritime sector, to find workable solutions within, for maritime development and fill the gaps in the local capacities in 100% Nigerian crewing, ship ownership, and ship building, that had necessitated the existence of the waivers since about 15 years ago, when the Cabotage Act came into being. 

“However, NIMASA must ensure that the right environment is provided for its stakeholders to build and possess the needed capacities to fill the gaps; and ensure that steps are being taken to solve the challenges being faced by stakeholders. Or better still, that they are solved within the next 5 years of its intention to stop granting waivers”, he further explained. 

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Breaking News: The Funeral Rites of Matriarch C. Ogbeifun is Live

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The Burial Ceremony of Engr. Greg Ogbeifun’s mother is live. Watch on the website: www.maritimefirstnewspaper.com and on Youtube: Maritimefirst Newspaper.

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Wind Farm Vessel Collision Leaves 15 Injured

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…As Valles Steamship Orders 112,000 dwt Tanker from South Korea***

A wind farm supply vessel and a cargo ship collided in the Baltic Sea on Tuesday leaving 15 injured.

The Cyprus-flagged 80-meter general cargo ship Raba collided with Denmark-flagged 31-meter wind farm supply vessel World Bora near Rügen Island, about three nautical miles off the coast of Hamburg. 

Many of those injured were service engineers on the wind farm vessel, and 10 were seriously hurt. 

They were headed to Iberdrola’s 350MW Wikinger wind farm. Nine of the people on board the World Bora were employees of Siemens Gamesa, two were employees of Iberdrola and four were crew.

The cause of the incident is not yet known, and no pollution has been reported.

After the collision, the two ships were able to proceed to Rügen under their own power, and the injured were then taken to hospital. 

Lifeboat crews from the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service tended to them prior to their transport to hospital via ambulance and helicopter.

“Iberdrola wishes to thank the rescue services for their diligence and professionalism,” the company said in a statement.

In the meantime, the Hong Kong-based shipowner Valles Steamship has ordered a new 112,000 dwt crude oil tanker from South Korea’s Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering.

Sumitomo is to deliver the Aframax to Valles Steamship by the end of 2020, according to data provided by Asiasis.

The newbuild Aframax will join seven other Aframaxes in Valles Steamship’s fleet. Other ships operated by the company include Panamax bulkers and medium and long range product tankers.

The company’s most-recently delivered unit is the 114,426 dwt Aframax tanker Seagalaxy. The naming and delivery of the tanker took place in February 2019, at Namura Shipbuilding’s yard in Japan.

Maritime Executive with additional report from World Maritime News

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