Train Attack: We’re doing everything to rescue kidnapped victims, FG assures victims’ families

The Ministry of Transportation has disclosed that the government was doing a lot to ensure that  passengers kidnapped during a recent terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train regains freedom.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki, while speaking Thursday in Abuja at the 2021 ministerial press briefing for the ministry said the ministry could not disclose all that was being done to ensure the safe return of the abducted passengers.

She added that efforts were being made to ensure that no life was lost among those kidnapped.

Members of families of kidnapped passengers who boarded the Abuja-Kaduna train that was attacked on March 28, 2022, staged a surprise protest  at the venue of a ministerial press briefing organised by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in Abuja. They displayed placards demanding the government to do everything to rescue their loved ones.

One of the protesters, Idayat Yusuf, who has two sisters still with their abductors, spoke to journalists in tears pleaded with the government to help rescue their loved ones.

In her words, “The government should come to the aid of those who are alive. We are sorry and sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives and those in the hospital. But for those who are alive, at least government should bring them back.

“We are praying for the government to be able to rescue them. Two of my sisters from the same mother and father are among those kidnapped.”

Another protester, Aminu Othman, who also has a brother  with the terrorists, alleged that the Federal Government has not been forthcoming with information as regards those abducted.

He disclosed that the families of the victims decided to stage a protest at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, before they were informed that the ministry was holding a press briefing at the Radio House, Abuja.

He said, “ For the past 10 days, we’ve not heard anything from the government. My immediate younger brother and his wife are among the victims and they are still with the kidnappers.

“It is the most difficult 10 days I’ve ever had in my life. It is a nightmare for me. We can’t sleep, we can’t eat and it’s been seriously tough for us.”

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria was however conspicuously absent as heads of agencies under the supervision of the ministry took turns to reel out achievements made by their different organisations.

Nigeria Air: Sirika explains relationship with Emirates

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has cleared the air on an offer by The Emirates on the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air.

According to a statement Sunday signed by his Special Assistant, Public Affairs, James Odaudu the relationship cannot be anything other than an endorsement of the need, the zeal, and, of course the process for the national carrier project.

He added that the statement credited to the airline is also an expression of confidence of the international aviation community in the commitment of the Buhari government to the establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier.

The management of Emirates Airlines recently made an offer to partner with the Nigerian Government in its quest to establish a national carrier and this has elicited requests for clarification, mostly from the media and industry stakeholders.

Speaking recently during a panel session moderated by Richard Quest to discuss the future of Aviation at the Dubai Expo 2020, Tim Clark, President of Emirates said the organization would be very happy to help if any assistance was required in starting the national carrier.

According to Clark who was speaking in support of the position of Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Senator Hadi Sirika, the establishment of a national carrier is an almost compelling case for Nigeria, going by certain indices.

“Of course, Nigeria needs a National Airline. There is an enormous business case for the national carrier. Nigerians are seeking to travel all over the world. Nigeria is a power house of Africa. We are very interested in flying there because it is a rich nation in terms of demand for services,” Clark had said.

The Minister also sees the offer as an encouragement to the many bidders currently preparing their PPP bids for Nigeria Air in response to the recently advertised Request for Proposal.

The process for the acquisition of the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and the Air Transport License (ATL) is well on course for the expected launch date of the airline, which Sirika has assured, Nigerians will be proud of.

“As has been repeatedly stated, the whole process for the establishment of the national Carrier, and indeed, all the projects under the Administration’s Aviation Roadmap, has been guided by the principles of transparency and accountability and this will remain till the final delivery of the project,” the statement added.

Youths, women march to Villa, seek Tinubu as APC consensus candidate

Women and youths from across the nineteen northern states in Nigeria today converged on Abuja and marched to the Presidential villa to demand the adoption of All Progressive Congress, APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the consensus candidate of the party in the forthcoming Presidential election.

The group said Tinubu is the only person fit and capable among all those that have been declaring their intention to turn around the economy of the country. 

Led by Patriot Yakubu Dauda, they said the APC Youth and Women in the 19 Northern States of the federation have been actively involved in the activities of the party through several ways that have positioned the party firmly in the hearts of the people.

He said, “We wish to inform Mr President that we have also been actively mobilizing support for the party at the grassroots levels across the 19 northern states in preparation for the 2023 general elections.

“The response of the people has been encouraging. We wish to use this medium to inform Mr President that the APC as a party has continued to have a stronghold amongst the people who have been beneficial to the various social security initiatives implemented across the country in critical sectors such as agriculture, education and health.

“Mr President, in the course of our daily engagements, across the northern states, we have been inundated with an astronomical level of support for the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His acceptance level amongst the grassroots is phenomenal. One might be tempted to think he has his origin from the North.

“As a group with a vast network amongst youths and women in the 19 northern states in the county, including the Federal Capital Territory, we can say without fear or favour that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is widely accepted as the prime candidate for our great party in the coming 2023 general elections. This is on the heels that he has been able to build bridges across the country in service to the country and humanity through ways too numerous to mention” he added

The group said after extensive deliberations and consultations, the APC Youth and Women in the 19 Northern states, including the federal capital territory, have elected to adopt Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the consensus presidential candidate of the APC in the 2023 general elections.

Dauda saud It is the firm conviction of the group  that the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is well in place for guaranteed victory for the APC because of his broad appeal across religious groups and ethnicities.

“The candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is such that it resonates with the ordinary man and woman on the street. They see him as their role model, and he has indeed touched their lives in ways too numerous to mention.

“Mr President, the adoption of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tunubu as the consensus presidential candidate of the APC is a national concern for the party and its teeming supporters. They are desirous of not just ensuring the party comes out victorious at the general elections but also a president that would sustain the tempo of your laudable initiatives.

“Mr President, as the leader and father of our great party, we are grateful to God for gifting you to Nigeria when the country was on the verge of annihilation. You indeed remain God sent to Nigeria.

“It, therefore, becomes imperative that our great party presents a candidate in the mould of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has the clout and all other requirements to sustain those laudable initiatives of this present administration.

“Mr President, may we humbly use this medium to inform you that there is a need for your kind and urgent intervention towards adopting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the consensus presidential candidate of the APC. In our opinion, this would go a long way in positioning the party for electoral success come 2023” he added

Dauda added that there is no gainsaying that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a well-loved and adored Nigerian whose antecedence speaks volumes of selfless service to the country right from 1999 in his capacity as the executive governor of Lagos state.

“Mr President, we must not also forget the numerous contributions of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the formation and sustenance of our great party, as it is on record that he has been selfless without fail since our great party come into existence.

“The Concerned APC Youth and Women in the 19 Northern States, including the Federal Capital Territory, supports the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2023 presidential elections in the country.

“We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that all stakeholders in our great party would adopt the endorsement of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the consensus candidate of the party for the presidential elections.

“Mr President, we thank you for your selfless service to the country. We pray that God continues to bless you with wisdom and understanding as you pilot the affairs of our great nation” he added.

Electoral Act: Section 84(12) should cut across – Group tells NASS

A civil society organisation, Equity And Justice In Politics And Governance Movement, has said the Section 84(12) of the Amended Electoral Act 2022 should apply to both elected and appointed public officers.

In the new Electoral Act, Section 84 (12) of the Act says “No political appointee at any level shall be voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

According to the group, this section of the act contradicts the Nigerian Constitution which allows appointees to vote or be voted for as long as they resign their positions at least 30 days to the election.

The Convener of the group, Comrade Momodu H. Tarka, commended the attorneys general of the federation and minister of justice for standing firmly to ensure that justice is done to all Nigerians.

The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, on March 18, 2022 struck down Section 84(12) of the newly amended Electoral Act which President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the National Assembly to delete.

The court in a judgment delivered by Justice Evelyn Anyadike, held that the section was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever and ought to be struck down as it cannot stand when it is in violation of the clear provisions of the Constitution.

Comrade Tarka said, ”We want to be emphatic about this and we dare say that both elected and appointed public officers should be treated equally, If the law is to have universal applicability

”As we have pointed out earlier, the law is selfish and discriminatory, if it applies only to appointed public officers. We therefore state that the Section should be expunged or in the spirit of fairness and equity, both should be asked to resign.

”If there is sincerity of purpose, the makers of the law should have thought it wise to say that a public officer, both elected (President, Governors, members of National and State Houses of Assembly) and appointed should resign from office before standing for another elective office.

As it stands now, the law favours one set of public officers while some others are disadvantaged. If we may ask, where is JUSTICE and EQUITY in the law?

”The law, we dare say, is self-serving and discriminatory and we are of the view that the National Assembly should make laws with universal appeal and in the interest of the nation, not discriminatory and self-serving laws that end of creating confusion.

”The National Assembly should urgently address this issue in their legislations.”

He said with this judgement, the National Assembly is not required to further make any amendments to the section as the import of the judgment is that Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act is no longer in existence or part of the Electoral Act.

He commend the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, mr abubakar malami, SAN, for the swift action taken to give effect to the judgement and also for coming out categorically to say that his office will not be appealing the judgement.

He said, ”The makers of the law obviously have an agenda for inserting the section into the amended Electoral Act and it is to shot out political appointees from contesting the next general election.

”According to the 1999 Constitution, both elective and appointed persons in public office are all public officers.

”If the law gives political appointee 30 clear days to resign from office before contesting for an elective position, why amend that section to be one year. If indeed the lawmakers are sincere and fair, they should also amend the law and cut short their stay in office before standing for another election.

”Like we said earlier, there is an agenda and thank God for our courts that stood up to the injustice and truncated it

”With the verbal attack on the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, since the judgement was delivered, it is obvious that some persons do not MEAN well for the country.”

According to him, in about seven years of his appointment as the attorney-generalof the federation and minister of justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, has faced very serious criticisms from those who obviously are no longer benefitting from the bad system the country was operating before President Muhammafu Buhari assumed office in 2015 as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

”The lacuna and situation where elected officers could get to the level of having two or more positions without resigning before contesting, simply because they are elected, does not say good about our laws and democracy.

”The National Assembly should urgently act and address the situation for the sake of JUSTICE and EQUITY”, he concluded.

2023 Presidency: Northern Youths, Women insist on Tinubu as ‘Consensus’ APC Candidate, plans rally

Thousand of youths and women in the ruling All Progressives Congress have endorsed former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as the party’s consensus presidential candidate.

To demonstrate their support for the party’s national leader, the group from 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory have announced that it will hold a national rally in the FCT on Thursday.

Speaking to newsmen, on Monday, secretary of the planning committee, Barrister Adamu Abubakar, said the exercise will be the mother of all rallies never seen in the history of the country.

According to him, the youths and women across the northern states and the FCT will converge in the nation’s capital in their numbers.

He said the march will culminate at the Aso Villa where Tinubu will be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari as his successor.

Abubakar said the choice of Tinubu was due to his incredible pedigree, experience and resume.

He noted that the former Lagos Governor is respected and widely accepted, especially in the north where he is only second to President Buhari in terms of cult-followership.

Abubakar added that the APC leader will sustain infrastructural strides, economic reforms and other remarkable legacies of the president.

He, however, enjoined other youths and women from the north to throw their weight behind Tinubu.

Tinubu @70: Buhari women group insists only he can transform Nigeria

Women under the auspices of the Buhari Women Organisation today extolled the virtues of former Lagos Governor and All Progressive Congress, APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as he marked his 70th birthday. 

The women said Bola Tinubu is the only person that can transform Nigeria. 

They bore their mind at the unity fountain in Abuja where they described Tinubu as a bridge builder and a unifying factor in Nigeria. 

Led by Honourable Cecilia Ikechukwu, the women descibed Tinubu  as  a shining star who has distinguished himself in service to the country in ways too numerous to mention. 

“He has been tested and trusted, and on this day of his 70th birthday, we have joined millions of Nigerians in rolling out the drums in celebrating a man of many parts, a man with heart gold and a man whose contributions to the socio-economic development of the country cannot be overemphasized.  

“We are glad that God has been faithful to this man who is in love with the country and a man who knows no tribe or religion but one Nigeria. This much he has proven in the various bridges he has built across the country over several decades” 

“That he has attained the ripe age of 70 indicates that Nigerians should expect more from this detribalized Nigerian whose focus from time immemorial has remained for the good of the common man and woman on the streets” she said

She said the women cannot but roll out the drums in celebration of an “enigma of our time and the one that is called the Jagaban of Nigeria. As we can see, today’s crowd is not one meant for those who think of themselves alone but for those dedicated to the peace and unity of our dear country.”

“We are not just celebrating Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; we are also using this occasion to make a loud statement that we want the whole country to hear. We are making a statement that would reverberate across the length and breadth and the nook and cranny of the country. 

“The Buhari Women Organization is elated to be part of this epoch-making event. We are informing Nigerians that we are using the occasion of the 70th birthday celebration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to endorse him as the Presidential Candidate come 2023. 

“We believe that under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria shall experience tremendous growth and development. We are also convinced that a Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency is what the country needs at this critical point of our existence. 

“He has the experience, the intellectual wherewithal and the political sagacity to champion the cause of a new Nigeria where there would be endless opportunities across the country for sustainable growth and development. 

“We have no doubt whatsoever about the mental and physical capacity of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver on that mandate to take Nigeria to greater heights. This is also coupled with the fact that he is a talent hunter who can identify and nurture talents into full maturity in service to the country” she said

The women however used the occasion to wish Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a happy 70th birthday and to assure him of the support of the Buhari Women Organization towards the actualization of his well-intended aspiration to lead Nigeria. 

“Our support for this cause is unflinching as we pledge to begin the process of mobilizing women from across the country in support of the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

“We offer our prayers and support as mothers to him on his 70th birthday. Our prayer is that God grants him good health and a sound mind. God would also give him his heart desires and crown his efforts with glory.

“We say a happy Birthday to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and we wish him many more years ahead” she said

Soldiers rescue passengers as NRC confirms terror attack on Abuja-Kaduna train

One of the passengers on the ill fated Abuja-Kaduna train which was attacked Monday evening by terrorists has confirmed the prompt response of the Nigerian Army to rescue them.

In a Facebook post after the attack, Anas Iro Danmusa said “Alhmamudililah, the army are with us, we are safe”.

Confirming the Incident, the Managing Director of Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) Fidet Okhiria told journalists that “we can not give you much information now.

“Must of the passengers have gone  into hiding and they can not be giving information, but there are reports of gun shots as the train stopped”.

Daily Nigerian had reported the Monday night attack saying the attack occurred at a point between Katari and Rijana.

One of the passengers who confirmed the incident in a telephone call said the attackers had surrounded the train, shooting sporadically.

“All the passengers are currently lying on the floor of the train. The bandits are shooting sporadically. We are in serious danger,” said one of the panic-stricken passengers.

The report said there are at least 970 passengers onboard the train, according to official sources familiar with the train service.

2023: Group canvasses for Tinubu as APC consensus presidential candidate

The Middle Belt Youth Emancipation Vanguard has called on stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress from the zone to adopt party national leader, Bola Tinubu, as its consensus presidential candidate.

The group said it settled for the former Lagos State Governor after a careful assessment of the aspirants, concluding that Tinubu is needed at this critical point in the nation’s existence.

The Middle Belt group made this known at a press conference on Monday in Abuja.

In his address, the convener, Patriot Dauda Yakubu, said Tinubu is perfect for the job having displayed consistency, capacity and sagacity over the years.

Describing Tinubu as a bridge-builder, talent hunter and icon of democracy, Yakubu said the APC national leader has contributed immensely to the democratic ideals in the country right from the era of military rule.

He also said that the ex-governor is a detribalised Nigerian that knows no religion or ethnicity and believes in the country’s unity, peace and progress.

With Tinubu at the helms of affairs, the group added that Nigeria would be guaranteed socio-economic growth and development that would in “no small measures aid the translation of our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities”.

The Middle Belt youths, therefore, called on all well-meaning Nigerians to show solidarity with Tinubu.

Yakubu noted that the former governor “ presents a credible credential laced with experience, commitment, patriotism, and an unalloyed sincerity of heart and purpose, which would come in handy in setting Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth and development”.

Read full statement below:

The leadership of the Middle Belt Youth Emancipation Vanguard welcomes you all to this press conference organized to advance the position of the Middle Belt region with regards to the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the country is once again on the curve where the country’s leadership would be elected through the ballot across the country. As concerned stakeholders in the scheme of things in the country, it is our emphasis now and always that as a people and a nation, we must get the leadership question right if we are desirous of sustainable growth and development.

The Middle Belt Youth Emancipation Vanguard, after a careful assessment of the various aspirants that have indicated an interest in the highest political office in the country, we wish to state in unequivocal terms that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu indeed is what the country needs in this critical point of our existence.

We have also carefully studied his numerous contributions to democratic ideals in the country right from the era of military rule in Nigeria and indeed found it worthy as that presidential material with the proper focus, capacity, and sagacity to lead this country come 2023.

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not new to us as his trademarks are replete in various sectors of our national life and paramount in the sustenance of our nascent democracy. He is a bridge-builder and a talent hunter, as evident during his tenure as the Executive Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

It is sufficient to mention that Lagos state experienced phenomenal growth and development under his astute leadership. It is also on record that he also identified and brought into reckoning some individuals who went ahead to become resourceful in their contributions to the country’s socio-economic development at large.

The Middle Belt region owes Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu a great deal of gratitude. It is on record that he was instrumental to many gains recorded in the region through his network of friends of like minds that consequently embraced his progressive leadership style of governance.

Our firm conviction that the history of progressive leadership in Nigeria would be incomplete without the mention of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His emphasis on putting the people first is indeed noteworthy and a necessity moving forward in the country’s leadership.

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a detribalized Nigeria that knows no religion or ethnicity; for him, it is neither east, west, south, nor north, but One Nigeria. And this much has resonated in the leadership template that has seen him building bridges across the country.

The Middle Belt Youth Emancipation Vanguard wishes to emphasize that as the country prepares for the 2023 general elections, the presidential aspiration of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the right tonic needed to consolidate on our democratic journey towards the country of our dreams. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the icon of our democracy. As such, he fits the bill to govern this country come 2023.

As a result of this, we endorse Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the consensus presidential choice of the middle belt region come 2023. This endorsement is hinged on his impeccable track record and his unalloyed commitment towards sustainable growth and development in the country.

We are convinced that a Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency in Nigeria would guarantee socio-economic growth and development that would result in no small measures aid the translation of our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities.

We are using this medium to call on all well-meaning Nigerians to toe the line of the path of the Middle Belt Youth Emancipation Vanguard in endorsing Senator Ahmed Bola Ahmed Tinubu as presidential candidate come 2023.

We consider that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu indeed presents a credible credential laced with experience, commitment, patriotism, and an unalloyed sincerity of heart and purpose, which would come in handy in setting Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth and development.
As members of the Middle Belt Youth Emancipation Vanguard, we believe that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has all it takes to lead Nigeria, hence our unflinching support. We pledge to deploy all our members in the Middle Belt region in a sensitization drive towards the actualization of an aspiration for the common good of all Nigerians from all walks of life.

Nigerians must come alive to this unique opportunity presented through Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential aspiration. We must come to the reality that the issues at hand require that we get it right in leadership come 2023.

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the man for the job. As such, it behoves us all to lend our support to a man that is committed and passionate about the development of our great country.

We thank you all for your time and attention.

God bless Nigeria

How media exaggerated worth of demolished Lagos office – AIB-N

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB-N), Sunday, stated that the published value of N5 billion being peddled in the media as the purported worth of the demolished Lagos office buildings belonging to AIB-N, was highly exaggerated.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, AIB-N, Tunji Oketunbi in a statement, explained that a widely published media report in respect of the demolition albeit misleading, media report in respect of the demolition of Lagos office buildings purportedly worth five billion naira, belonging to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB-N), an agency of the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

In his words, “It is noteworthy to state that the published value of five billion naira being peddled in the media is highly exaggerated. 

“The relocation of the Bureau from Lagos to Abuja was not precipitous, as claimed by media reports. Without a doubt, AIB-N erstwhile Lagos office (former Corporate Headquarters) has since the ministerial relocation directive, served mostly as a regional administrative liaison office. 

“All its core operational functions/facilities in the discharge of its statutory mandate were positioned in Abuja; except for the command-and-control centre which just recently repositioned safely to Abuja. 

“The AIB-N’s Lagos office was inevitably earmarked for demolition due to its location which directly impacts some critical features necessary for the seamless operations of the just commissioned newly constructed terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos state.

“It is not lost on us that ALL LAND at the airport belongs to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN): and can be retrieved at any time for an overriding public interest, as in the present circumstances.

“AIB-N was allotted land space at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja to build its training school, which is 90% completed, and its proposed new Corporate Headquarters. Meanwhile, talks are on-going with FAAN to have a suitable location in Lagos as its regional office. 

“This temporary reshuffling will not in any way affect our operations. AIB-N has invested so much in equipment and technology that will aid delivery of its mandate seamlessly.” 


Help identify pipelines hampering Bonny seaport, Amaechi tells Navy

The Federal Government has enlisted the support of the Nigerian Navy to identify pipelines that may hamper the building of the Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State.

The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who made this known when the Nigerian Navy led by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, paid him a courtesy call today in Abuja, said a place has already been chosen to build the seaport.

“There’s a place we have chosen to build the seaport, we want to make sure there are no pipes in that location and enroute that location by vessels”. We will be glad if they can work with us to identify where the pipes are in Bonny, so that we know where they are”, the Minister said.

The Minister also said the Ministry is prepared to work with the Nigerian Navy to achieve maritime security in the country and will be glad to assist if it is within the authority he presides over.

“If it’s something within my authority as the Minister, we proceed and approve. If it’s above the Minister, I will approach the President, so we can get the same approval”, he said.

Speaking further, Ameachi lauded the Nigerian Military for their selfless service, culminating in the safety of the citizenry and protection of the territorial integrity of the nation.

“I have very high regard for the Nigerian military, just because is a national service you are providing, it entails their lives; the sacrifice they make is what guides my relationship with the military and because of that I don’t disrespect any relationship”, the Minister said.

Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, reiterated the need for on the ground presence of an effective team of the Nigerian Navy at all seaports across the nation.

“Credible intelligence has it that since we left the ports about 1996, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons into our country is scary. But again, at every importation of fertilizer making materials or explosives for mining sites, the Navy had to be invited”, the Vice Admiral said.

Also Gambo said; “If NPA invites us at every opportunity to come and inspect these consignments and also ensure that they get to the destinations they are meant for and they are not diverted, then why not have us at the ports so that when the containers come in, they are not broached in the ports and subsequently after the inspection, we make sure they get to the right destination. But it has not gained the necessary traction but I have written again to see that there is need for that especially with the establishment of the Office of the National Coordinator on Small Arms and Light Weapons by the Office of the National Security Adviser”.

He equally appreciated the long standing support of the Minister, saying the launch of the Deep Blue project last year by President Muhammadu Buhari has impacted on the Navy’s ability to improve maritime security operations in Nigeria’s territorial waters.

The chief of Naval Staff invited the Minister to visit the Naval Headquarters, Abuja and see the Nigerian Navy’s Falcon Eye System; a maritime surveillance facility that incorporates various sensors located along the nation’s enormous coastline, enabling it respond promptly to danger signals.

Present at the courtesy call were: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Sen. Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako, representing Adamawa Central District and other top echelon of the Nigerian Navy.