News
Oyetola Launches 3,500 Life Jacket Campaign In Lagos
…tasks boat operators on water safety, commits to Zero Mishap Vision
Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, has officially launched the distribution of 3,500 life jackets in Lagos State, as part of the federal government’s nationwide water safety campaign aimed at enhancing security on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The event, held during a marine safety sensitisation and life jackets distribution exercise in Lagos, underscores the ministry’s unwavering commitment to a safety-first culture, particularly in riverine communities where water transport is a daily mode of movement.
Oyetola, represented by Mercy Ilori, a director in the ministry, disclosed that the initiative already carried out in Niger, Bayelsa, Anambra, and Akwa Ibom States, would extend to other coastal states over the coming months, with a target of reaching 12 states within the shortest possible time.
Highlighting the importance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister outlined three core pillars of the campaign, which include the enforcement of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, ongoing public sensitisation on safety, and the provision of life-saving equipment, including life jackets.
Oyetola praised the proactive efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in transforming water transportation in Lagos and commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its regulatory oversight and public awareness drives.
The Minister, while calling for grassroots participation, urged boat operators, community leaders, and transport unions to adopt the life-saving slogan “No life jacket, no entry.”
He stressed that life jackets are shields, not inconveniences, and called on all stakeholders to make water safety a shared responsibility.
Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos state commissioner for transportation, described the initiative as a timely intervention.
With over 85 percent of daily commutes in Lagos currently done via road, Osiyemi emphasised the importance of expanding safe and reliable water transport to meet the needs of the state’s growing population.
“This initiative is not just about safety gear; it’s about building a safety culture,” Osiyemi said, thanking the Federal Ministry and NIWA for their support and partnership.
The event brought together stakeholders from across the marine and blue economy sector, reinforcing the shared vision of a safe, secure, and efficient inland water transport system across Nigeria.
Bola Oyebamiji, managing director of NIWA, in his address, emphasised that in the water transport sector, safety is the real measure of success.
“While profitability is key in finance, safety is our profit here,” Oyebamiji stated.
He reiterated NIWA’s determination to achieve zero fatalities on Nigeria’s waterways and confirmed that six of the twelve targeted states have already benefited from the campaign.
“We are committed to reaching the rest in the next one to two years,” Oyebamiji said.
He highlighted the strict safety enforcement in Nigeria: “Here, if you don’t wear a life jacket, you don’t get into the boat. It’s that serious.”
Earlier, Damilola Emmanuel, general manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), welcomed participants and applauded the federal government’s leadership on safety.
“This is more than just a distribution, it is a significant step toward sustainable water transport. Safety is what keeps our waterways functional and reliable,” Emmanuela said.
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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
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