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Nigerian Police, Military, Civil Society others reject creation of Nigerian Marine Corps
Nigerian Police, Military, Civil Society others reject creation of Nigerian Marine Corps
On Monday, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, joined other lawmakers, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Shippers Council, and several civil society organizations (CSOs) in rejecting a proposed Bill to establish the Nigerian Marine Corps.
The Bill, which was presented for a public hearing by the House Committee on Navy, aims to enhance maritime security and safeguard Nigeria’s blue economy. Titled A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Marine Corps to Promote Maritime Security (HB 225), it was sponsored by Hon. Alex Egbona (Cross River) and passed its second reading in the House on Thursday, November 30, 2023, before being referred to the Navy Committee for further review.
Opposing the Bill during the hearing, Agbese, who represents the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, argued that the creation of the proposed federal body to handle maritime law enforcement and defense would duplicate the roles already effectively carried out by the Nigerian Navy and other agencies, including NIMASA.
He warned that the establishment of such an agency would lead to unnecessary overlap in responsibilities and administrative inefficiencies.
Speaking on behalf of 66 other House members, Agbese emphasised the importance of scrutinizing proposed legislation to ensure that it serves the nation’s best interests and does not create redundant governmental structures.
Agbese said: “Acting under the mandate to promote efficient governance and resource management, we hereby call for the total and complete rejection of the bill proposing the establishment of the Nigerian Marine Corps.
“It is our contention as members of this legislative body that the creation of this new entity would only result in significant overlap, redundancy and logistical strain, creating operational inefficiencies and imposing unwarranted financial demands on the government.
“The proposed Act outlines the creation of a maritime enforcement agency charged with enforcing or assisting in the enforcement of federal laws on, under, and over Nigeria’s high seas and other waterways, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and required to maintain a state of readiness to function as a specialized service within the Nigerian Navy in times of war. This proposed body raises multiple operational, economic and strategic concerns particularly in the areas of jurisdictional conflicts, wartime readiness, legal authority and environmental management.
“We have thoroughly examined this bill and its objectives and we assert that the establishment of a Nigerian Marine Corps is both redundant and counterproductive, given the existing roles, mandates and capacities of the Nigerian Navy and other maritime agencies.
“We therefore firmly and unequivocally call for the total defeat of the bill and a recommendation for its immediate withdrawal, while highlighting the compelling need to prioritize efficiency, fiscal responsibility and coherent maritime governance.”
The Nigeria Police Force also strongly criticised the proposed Bill to establish the Nigerian Marine Corps, calling it an ill-advised initiative.
They argued that the Bill would not only duplicate the responsibilities already handled by certain sections of the police but also contribute to the proliferation of maritime security agencies, potentially creating a parallel force to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
While acknowledging the Bill’s good intentions, SP Nandom Vongjen, Staff Officer for the Marine Section of the Police Force, warned that it could lead to more problems than it resolves.
He advocated for a more strategic approach, urging that existing agencies be strengthened and their capabilities optimized. According to Vongjen, streamlining current structures and fostering greater inter-agency collaboration would enhance maritime security without incurring unnecessary costs or adding bureaucratic layers.
During the public hearing, other key stakeholders echoed similar concerns. Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, Chief of Training & Operations for the Nigerian Navy, Mrs. Moji Jimoh, Coordinator for NIMASA’s Abuja Zonal Office, and Mr. Bala Saleh, Director of Legal Services for the Nigerian Shippers Council, all emphasized the need to fortify existing institutions rather than establishing new ones, which could introduce additional security risks for the country.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) also voiced their opposition to the Bill. Representatives from various CSOs, including Abdullahi Bilal (Spokesman for Security Analysts & Research Forum in Africa), Okwa Daniel (Executive Director of Centre for Social Justice, Equity & Transparency), Daniel Momoh Prince (National President of Nigerian Unemployed Youth Association), Igwe Ude-Umanta (Convener of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Economic Watch), and Opialu Fabian (Executive Director of Centre for Human Rights & Advocacy in Africa Network), all argued that the proposed Marine Corps was unnecessary and urged the House to reject the Bill during its third reading.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Hon. Yusuf Gadgi, Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, assured the public that the committee would carry out a thorough and impartial review of the Bill.
He emphasised that the committee’s role was to ensure that legislative actions are made in the best interest of the nation, free from bias.
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Multichoice announces price increase for GOtv, DStv subscription packages
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Multichoice announces price increase for GOtv, DStv subscription packages
A leading pay-TV operator, Multichoice Nigeria, has announced another round of price increases across its subscription plans for both DStv and GOtv services. The new prices will come into effect on March 1, 2025.
In a notice sent to customers on Monday, the company outlined the upcoming changes, which will see significant price hikes across various packages.
The DStv Compact bouquet will rise from N15,700 to N19,000, reflecting a 25% increase. The DStv Compact Plus package will see a 20% jump, from N25,000 to N30,000.
The highest-tier DStv Premium package will also experience a 20% hike, increasing from N37,000 to N44,500.
For GOtv users, price adjustments are equally notable. The Jinja package will increase from N3,600 to N3,900, while the Jolli package will rise from N4,850 to N5,800.
The GOtv Max package will go up from N7,200 to N8,500, and the GOtv Supa package will climb from N9,600 to N11,400. The GOtv Supa Plus package will now cost N16,800, up from the previous N15,700.
The official notice from Multichoice, titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” explained that the new prices were necessary to maintain the delivery of high-quality content and service.
The company noted that the adjustments were essential to ensure the continued provision of both local and international content through advanced technology.
“Dear Customer, please note that effective 1 March 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages. This is to enable us to continue to offer our customers world-class home-grown and international content, delivered through the best technology,” the statement read.
This price increase follows a similar one implemented in May 2024, with Multichoice citing inflationary pressures, rising operational costs, and currency depreciation as the key reasons for the hikes.
The company pointed out the challenges posed by the significant drop in the naira’s value and the growing expenses tied to inflation in the country.
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You got it all wrong – Presidency replies Osinbajo over IBB tormenting Tinubu’s comment
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You got it all wrong – Presidency replies Osinbajo over IBB tormenting Tinubu’s comment
The Presidency through the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has strongly disagreed with Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s assertion that former military President Ibrahim Babangida was a “tormentor” of President Tinubu.
The controversy arose during the public presentation of Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja last week. Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, reflected on Tinubu’s role in resisting the military’s dissolution of the Senate after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
He humorously remarked that Tinubu, who was then a senator, was “tormented” by the military, including Babangida, for his attempts to reinstate the Senate, even suggesting that Tinubu was at the event to honor one of his tormentors.
However, Onanuga, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, rejected Osinbajo’s characterization of Babangida. He emphasized that Babangida had actually been a significant source of inspiration for Tinubu’s political career.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s resistance to the military government, and the political course he charted thereafter, was deeply influenced by Babangida’s leadership and the broader political context of that era.
“I think the former Vice President got it wrong. I think Babangida was not really a tormentor of President Tinubu, don’t forget that President Tinubu said in his own extempore speech that he held Babangida as something, that he was the person that inspired him to get into politics.
“When Babangida came in, he was talking about new breed politicians and so on, and Tinubu like many of them were already technocrats or in private business and so on. All of them came out to participate in politics, that was what brought him in. So, he came there to pay homage,” Onanuga said.
Onanuga clarified that the real torment began under General Sani Abacha’s regime, when Tinubu, alongside some colleagues, made an effort to reconvene the Senate in Lagos.
He also praised Babangida for eventually acknowledging that MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, although he noted that the admission came too late.
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President Tinubu promises renovations of Police Barracks, improving mobility, robust Police welfare package
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President Tinubu promises renovations of Police Barracks, improving mobility, robust Police welfare package
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration is working to enhance the nation’s security capabilities to effectively address the growing security challenges.
Speaking through his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the opening of the fifth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, President Tinubu emphasised the government’s commitment to improving the security infrastructure across the country.
The President noted that security is a key pillar for Nigeria’s socio-economic development, and his administration is focused on bolstering the operational readiness of security agencies. This includes providing the necessary equipment to handle emergencies and combat crime effectively.
“While the Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally empowered to maintain internal security, protect lives and property, and uphold public order, it is essential to recognise that security is a shared responsibility. Communities and citizens must actively collaborate with the police to foster a safer society,” Tinubu stated through his representative, Senator Shettima.
He highlighted that no matter how well-funded or equipped the police force is, it cannot succeed without the active support and trust of the public.
“Public engagement and trust are central to the process of inclusive policing,” the President affirmed.
Further reaffirming his administration’s commitment, President Tinubu pledged to enhance the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity to meet its constitutional duties, ensuring it is both effective and well-positioned to handle internal security.
He revealed that the federal government is focused on bridging gaps in security, infrastructure, and recruitment through a comprehensive program.
This initiative will include renovations of police barracks, improving police mobility, and upgrading essential combat and protective gear.
Additionally, Tinubu emphasised the importance of welfare for police personnel, pointing to the recent implementation of the new minimum wage as part of broader efforts to improve the living conditions of the Nigerian workforce, including law enforcement officers.
He assured that his administration will continue to collaborate with police leadership to provide financial incentives and motivate officers to perform at their highest levels.
The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to reforming the country’s economic and security frameworks to restore investor confidence, stabilise the macroeconomic environment, and tackle inflation, marking his government’s multi-pronged approach to strengthening both the nation’s security and its economic foundation.
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