By Stephen Ubanna
After several years of working behind the scene by maritime stakeholders to improve working relationships with the ministry of Transportation, now split into two: ministries of Transportation and Marine and Blue Economy, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and other maritime agencies, the coast appears to have been made clear by Oyetola Adegboyega a former governor of Osun state and minister of the new ministry of mines and blue economy.
The minister who may have understood the language of the nation’s maritime industry over the last one year of being in office was said to have sent a message to the industry stakeholders that it is down of a new era where all parties must work together to reposition the industry to a new where it could compete with other maritime nations, including the North American country of the United States, US, United Kingdom and the Asian country of China.
The former Osun state governor , who never minced words, to make Nigeria a key hub for maritime activities in the African Continent and who was said to have repeatedly assured the industry stakeholders , at various forums, that the ministry, which he currently superintends is fully Committed ‘’to promoting partnerships with industry players , driving innovation and sustainably leverage the country’s maritime resources to create jobs, increase revenue and promote environmental stewardship ’’.
Speaking at the recent Stakeholders sensitization Workshop on’’ Deep Seabed activities in Nigeria’’, organized by NIMASA, under the close watch of Dayo Mobereola, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the agency boss hawas said to have given an insight on how ‘’to promote partnership in the industry by harnessing the vast potential of the country’s marine resources ‘.
Describing the marine and blue economy as’’ a crucial step in diversifying the nation’s economy’’, the minister had said that ‘’the transition from an oil- based economy to a mineral- based one represents opportunities for Nigeria ‘’to leverage its marine resources’’, particular, the wave and tidal energy ‘’to generate electricity’’. He had said that the shift in the country’s economic focus in generating energy will contribute significantly to the country’s power needs.
Giving an insider information, he had said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was a former governor of Lagos state but who many believe have played into the hands of the trio of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Generals Ibrahim Babangida, a former military President and Abdulsami Abubaka, another former military Head of state and Gen. Ibrahim Gusau , National Security Adviser, NSA, during Babangida’s Administration, is doing everything within his powers ‘’to transform Nigeria’s economy’’..
The foursome who were said to have met at the Gen. Babangida, rtd hill top residence, in Minna, Capital of Niger state, appears to be shopping for a replacement for Tinubu, in the upcoming 2027, general election to help salvage the country’s damaged economy under the ruling All Progressive Congress , APC, since 2015.
Even Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers state and minister of Transportation during President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration, and who had contested the APC, Presidential primaries in 2022, but to lost to Tnubu, the then party national Leader , who had contested the February 25, 2023, general election and won, may not have seen anything good in the Administration.
The former minister of Transportation, who was said to have made da damning declaration about the Tinubu’s government at the inaugural lecture and book Launch of former Dayo Oketola, a former Editor of Punch Newspapers, had said that the present ‘’Tinubu’s Administration is worse than military rule’’, insisting that the former Lagos state governor has violated the principles of democracy. The Rivers state born politician and Buhari’s political ally, had alluded to the economic hardship battling with Nigerians and the rising cost of living among other challenges.
But Oyetola, the minster of marine and blue would not take it. He was said to have told those that cares to listen at the NIMASA, recent Workshop, in Abuja, that the establishment of the ministry of marine and blue economy in 2023, by Tinubu, clearly demonstrates his commitment ‘’to diversifying the country’s economy and capitalizing on the global surge in deep-sea exploration’’.
He may have sent a message to the critics of the Tinubu’s Administration, that as a major oil-producing nation and member of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, with an extensive coastline and Inland waterways, ‘’ the country cannot afford to lag in this new frontier to reclaim its rightful place as a key maritime player globally ’’.
The minister who was said to have been represented at the NIMASA, Deep Sea Workshop, in Abuja, by one Oloruntola Olufemi, a Director in the ministry, had said that there is no other time to raise the awareness of the maritime stakeholders about the significance of deep seabed exploration and exploitation , other than now, to further showcase the efforts of the Tinubu’s Administration ‘’to revive the nation’s economy’’.
Mobereola, the NIMASA, boss , may have taken advantage of the opportunity provided by the Deep seabed Workshop, to open up that the agency which has the support of the government in collaboration with the International Seabed Authority, ISA, and relevant MDAs, would continue ‘’to ensure the country’s compliance with global standards’’.
The mari at the time regulatory agency helmsman who spoke on the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, the NIMASA, orkshop was said to have stressed the need for the government to amend the Act ‘’to reflect relevant provisions of the ISA’s model of legislation on exploration and exploitation’’ .
He was said to have received wide applause, when he acknowledged the Commitment of the new ministry of marine and blue economy and support to NIMASA, in ensuring ’’the full implementation of the relevant legislative works for the sustainable use of the country’s marine environment and safety standards’’.
He may have gladdened the heart of Nigerians when he disclosed that the maritime regulatory agency, under his leadership would remain committed ‘’to ensuring that relevant legislative frameworks on the sustainable use of the marine environment and safety standards’’.
With the damning remarks by the likes of Amaechi, a Chieftain of the APC, against the Tinubu’s government may have informed why Lateef Fagbemi , a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, was said to have said to have urged Nigerian ‘’politicians to stop de-marketing the country on the Social Media, insisting that such people don’t deserve ‘’to lead the nation’’.
The AGF, who spoke at a Social Media Summit with the theme : Harnessing the Power of Social Media for National Development, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the FCT, represented by Kamarudeen Ogundele, his Media Aide, had said that’’ all hands must be on deck in efforts to transform Nigeria into a greater nation devoid of bickering’’ .
The minister who does not see any wrong with the Tinubu’s Administration’s economic policies, had said that the Nigerian President is truly committed ‘’to leading the country out of the woods’’, corroborating what Oyetola, the former governor of Osun state had said during a recent NIMASA’s Workshop, at the FCT.
Appealing to Nigerians ‘’to weigh their words before going to the Social Media to make it viral, he noted that’’ such statements, when uttered cannot be retrieved ‘’. The minister would want Nigerians ‘’ to leverage on the Social Media Platforms ‘’to promote the country’s economic growth, improve governance, enhance civic engagement and foster societal progress’’.
