The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that 38 ships carrying petroleum products, food items, and other goods are expected to arrive at the Apapa, Lekki Deep Sea, and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos starting Monday.

The NPA disclosed this in its Daily Shipping Position, adding that the vessels are expected between June 8 and June 13.

It stated that 10 of the expected ships are carrying containers of various goods, while the other 28 contain frozen fish, bulk urea, condensate, petrol, gas oil, general cargo, aviation fuel, bulk wheat, diesel, and crude oil.

The NPA noted that nine ships and tanker vessels have already arrived at the three ports and are waiting to berth with containers, gasoline, petrol, bulk fertiliser, diesel, and crude oil.

It added that 21 ships are currently discharging bulk urea, containers, petrol, bulk fertiliser, frozen fish, bulk gypsum, bulk sugar, bulk wheat, and bulk gas at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Apapa, and Tin Can Island ports.

…To decongest Lagos

Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation and capacity expansion of Nigeria’s eastern ports in a bid to further stimulate economic activities in the axis and decongest the Lagos Ports. 

Afolabi said this while receiving Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council, at the SIFAX Group’s head office in Lagos. 

Afolabi noted that the lack of attention to the country’s eastern ports over the years has continued to affect the country’s overall port efficiency negatively. 

He said: “My passionate appeal to the government is to extend the port modernisation initiative to the eastern ports. As you can see, economic activities at the ports are on the increase year on year”. 

The concentration of these activities is predominantly at the Lagos ports, and the facilities at these ports have been stretched to their limits, thereby leading to congestion, which will ultimately impact port efficiency. 

“This is the time for the government to resuscitate those ports in the Eastern part of Nigeria. For instance, the government needs to dredge the Warri, Onne and Calabar ports so that large vessels can berth there safely and reduce the pressure on the Lagos ports.” 

The SIFAX Group Boss further noted that the Tin Can Island Port corridor has long struggled under the weight of traffic volumes it was never designed to sustain and that the gridlock along that axis has become a recurring cost for businesses, a source of frustration for transporters, and a drag on the economy. 

Ukeyima lauded the contribution of Dr. Taiwo Afolabi and SIFAX Group, which he described as one of the leading maritime investors in Nigeria, adding that the conglomerate has taken advantage of the maritime value chain to contribute substantially to the economic growth of Nigeria. 

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He promised that his agency would collaborate with the company in a bid to move the industry forward.  

…As Rivers State’s Midas Touch Comes to Benin Home to Roost!

Dele Aderibigbe

LAGOS

He is distinctly unique. Totally a distinguished businessman. An eagle with a billionaire’s heart. An eagle that is not carnivorous. He subdued the seas before he was 70 years old. Then, he moved to his country home for a deserved retirement.

Engr. Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun has a major weakness: he cannot watch unemployed youths walk the streets helpless or restive. He had once experienced a threatened job situation. In response to the harrowing experience, he set up his own business firm, nurtured it and turned it into a formidable platform capable of engaging as many as he could, with eyes on good remuneration for workers, rather than on profit margin.

Today’s story is not about a kindly, hardworking billionaire. It is about a man who spent his youth and time wisely, prudently and selflessly, so that the Nigerian youth may not suffer. It is about an iconoclast, as the ‘Doyen’ and ‘Cicero’ of the Nigerian Maritime Industry, Chief Adebayo Babatunde Saruni, once called him, who does not ever look for short-term businesses, but something that has a noteworthy gestation period; a business that, when it germinates, consistently grows!

Kind and altruistic to a fault, Ogbeifun is so straightforward that anyone can safely take his word to the bank and won’t be disappointed. At the age of 70, when he announced his retirement, the industry’s then most formidable woman, Chief (Barrister) Margaret Orakwusi Onyema (Bless her memory, Lord!), had openly expressed scepticism about whether Ogbeifun would actually be able to remain long in retirement.

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Her reason: Ogbeifun is too cerebral, humane and too youth-committed. True to her prediction, the man with a Midas touch had hardly berthed in the Edo State capital, Benin, for two years before he began to see hopeless and helpless youths who should be mentored and prudently fixed up.

From Qatar to the United Kingdom, he was hailed at 70 as he handed over his vibrantly thriving businesses to his Harvard-trained daughter, Iroghama Ogbeifun. Only two years later, he was indeed out of retirement, with several business ideas aimed at getting hundreds of youths off the streets. Every observable human or economic challenge to Utomwen is a new opportunity to create another business to engage youths. If Nigeria had just a hundred of such!

Each worker is not only well paid, but they are also given a sense of belonging. Everyone is hardworking. Even their toilets are spotlessly clean when the Maritime First deliberately visited there!

The Diverse Motors came into being because those who read Mechanical Engineering were loafing away, while the untutored roadside mechanics were busy cannibalising innocent Nigerians’ exotic cars! The adequately equipped and computerised Diverse Motors brought a fusion of both categories to work together, consistently putting smiles on relevant vehicle owners, particularly the accidented ones. Unbelievably, the high-grade service delivery attracts very affordable charges!

The soaring cost of fuel and attendant complaints by motorists became a good reason to establish a giant domestic gas outlet and a clean energy fuel conversion centre. Meanwhile, a highly trained and equipped security outfit he founded in Port Harcourt, where every subscriber is directly connected to the nearest police station by ultramodern gadgets, now has a vibrant branch in Benin City, with workers moving towards 300 people!

Each worker is not only well paid, but they are also given a sense of belonging. Everyone is hardworking. Even their toilets are spotlessly clean when the Maritime First deliberately visited there!

Reason: he forgave the bully because he could not afford to see a remorseful youth’s life ruined by a prison sentence. Of course, only the strong forgive!

Yet, even as we speak, Engr. Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun is also working on something bigger than these: an unfolding vision for the expansion of his ship repairs and shipbuilding project, for which funds exceeding US$367 million have been pooled. The project is expected to directly bring several thousand Africans to Nigeria, while taking away noteworthy thousands from the Nigerian labour market! But that is a story for another day!

A few years back, an intransigent youth cyberbullied Ogbeifun and was promptly dragged to court for prosecution. Common sense returned to the youth’s head after about 65 days in the Lagos Kirikiri Correctional Centre, awaiting bail. The Nigerian Correctional Service has an unimaginable capacity for resetting brains. Now, the penalty for cyberbullying can be between three and 10 years. A few minutes before the judgment would be pronounced, the totally subdued and now repentant ‘accused’ went on all fours: both knees and hands, begging for forgiveness. It was on the premises of the Federal High Court. Forty minutes later, Ogbeifun was before His Lordship, Justice Faji, pleading that the accused be forgiven.

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Reason: he forgave the bully because he could not afford to see a remorseful youth’s life ruined by a prison sentence. Of course, only the strong forgive!

Fielding questions on the Diverse Auto Care as encomiums poured on him last week in Benin, on why he came out of retirement to subdue the land, creating jobs, Ogbeifun gave the same response: the love of the Nigerian youths! He could not continue to fold his hands and watch helpless and hopeless youths roam the streets!

Engr. Greg Ogbeifun said the establishment of the automobile company is to directly contribute to the development of Nigeria’s automobile sector and also to increase employment opportunities for youths, adding that the Centre represents a major investment in modern automobile technology, manpower development, and environmentally sustainable transportation solutions.

He revealed that the Diverse Automobile Hub and CNG Conversion Centre have done over 15 intakes for pressurised fuel cells and other industries, while the NADDC took about 15 young people on a trip, in addition to recently sending another group of people on a trip, particularly for the CNG initiative, which is a new direction.

He expressed huge delight in his intentional pursuit of the development of electric vehicles (EVs). The Diverse effort is already remarkably successful here, even with most members of the public being largely ignorant of this, let alone being aware of what CNG is about.

Whatever he lays his hands upon turns to gold. Like the STAZRS Group. Like the beautiful lady, MV ‘Osayame’. Like the Ship Expansion Project, over which the world is set to soon begin to converge on Africa!

“And that is why we are here today, to commission this initiative that is going to create more jobs, that is going to attract other investors who come into the state.”

“We know that the state is actually safe because the state environment encourages investment, because the state is a place where everyone can be welcome, and again, we should appreciate the administration of the state. We know that there are issues; there are issues all over the world. If you want to find out where there are issues, ask Mr. Trump,” he said, urging the people to collectively look at what they can do to help the situation, especially because of the sincere efforts of the Edo State Government and its commitment to creating a better environment for investors and businesses to succeed.”

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Whatever he lays his hands upon turns to gold. Like the STAZRS Group. Like the beautiful lady, MV ‘Osayame’. Like the Ship Expansion Project, over which the world is set to soon begin to converge on Africa!

The Diverse Auto Care Centre is a landmark automotive care facility established to redefine vehicle maintenance and diagnostics and guarantee clean energy conversion and dispensing solutions in Nigeria.

Classy and encompassing, the hub represents a major investment in modern automobile technology, manpower development, and environmentally sustainable transportation solutions.

Thereafter, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Ekpobholo, and the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) took centre stage for the official commissioning of the Diverse Automobile Hub and CNG Conversion Centre. The event was jam-packed with government officials and industry stakeholders from different parts of the country.

An elated Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Right Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasised that the project is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that Diverse Auto Care will help to reduce overdependence on fuel and increase a clean ecosystem.

“This facility is more than an Automobile Conversion Centre. It is a practical demonstration of private sector confidence in the future of natural gas as a cleaner, more affordable, and more sustainable fuel for transportation and industrial development in our country, Nigeria,” he further stated.

The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa deeply appreciated the unwavering commitment of the man with a most altruistic spirit, as he stressed that the facility is strategically positioned to serve not only individuals, organisations, and government institutions, but the nation’s entire transport sector, more so with globally aligned automotive solutions.

The Governor assured that the Government will continue to prioritise the security of lives and investments in Edo State and specifically commended the Chairman of the Diverse Auto Hub, Greg Ogbeifun, for investing in the state, describing the Diverse Automobile Hub and CNG Conversion Centre as a major investment milestone in modern automobile technology in the state.

“This is a one-stop facility for vehicular sales, servicing, diagnostics, spare parts fabrication, and most importantly, a centre for training and skill transfer. This hub speaks to the future we are building for Edo State,” said the Governor, highlighting the initiative as a big boost to private sector investment and huge economic growth for the state.

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“Before I go further, let me specially congratulate Engineer Greg Ogbeifun for his visionary insight in establishing this hub right here in Benin City, the heartbeat of Nigeria. Sir, this hub is bold, it is modern, and it is ambitious. You looked at Edo, and you saw potential, and you invested.

“On behalf of a grateful state, I say thank you. You have shown that our sons and daughters can return home to build, to create jobs, and to inspire the next generation. One truth in government is that security is the most important catalyst for economic growth.

“No investor will put money where there is fear. That is why the government has placed security at the very top of our agenda. We have strengthened community policing by properly equipping and training the Edo State Security Vigilante Network to work hand in hand with federal security agencies.”

“Today, we reassure every investor in Edo State: Edo State is the destination to be. Our message is simple: bring your investments to Edo State; we will protect them. Beyond security, we are tearing down the bottlenecks that have frustrated businesses.”

“We are serious about ease of doing business. What does that mean to you? It means faster approvals, it means digital access to permits and land titles, and it also means no more harassment from multiple agencies. One government, one process, one goal: to help you succeed.”

“The government creates the environment; the private sector creates the jobs. To our young entrepreneurs, look at this hub; this is what is possible. The days of waiting for government jobs alone are over.”

“The new Edo rewards skills and encourages hard work. Edo has one of the youngest populations in Nigeria. Our youths are energetic, talented, and hungry for opportunities. What they lack is not intelligence; it is access to skills. I assure you that the government is ready to collaborate through Edo Jobs. We will support with training partnerships, stipends, and starter packs for graduates.”

“If government provides the policies and security and the private sector provides the platform and training, together we will defeat unemployment. That is the Edo we are building.”

“Finally, the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Diverse Automobile Hub gives us the training platform we have been yearning for.”

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To Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, we say thank you for your trust and for your confidence in Edo State. May this Diverse Automobile Hub serve our people, grow our economy, bring glory to our dear state, and may the vision behind it be fully achieved.

Several goodwill messages followed, with some pouring encomiums and others marvelling at the huge gains the nation, the state, and the people truly stand to attract via the establishment.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Right Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo, thereafter officially commissioned the Diverse Auto Care Centre on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the presence of political and industry movers and shakers, including the governors of two states, the Chairman of the PCRIG, the Coordinator of the Department of Gas, the Chairman of the Diverse Auto Care Centre, “for the Use of Humanity: In the name of God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit!”

Some are gifted to change narratives. A few are endowed to achieve paradigm shifts and make the impossible become possible. But can you count five people within the African continent who meritoriously retired at 70 years, beheld suffering youths, and, for the love of humanity, went back to the trenches to renew hope and groom others’ confidence? We have one in Nigeria. Perhaps this was why the Doyen of the Nigerian Maritime Industry, High Chief Adebayo Sarumi, actually called him an Iconoclast!