General
FG to Disburse Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund Soon
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has promised to commence the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) before the end of 2022 in order to build and increase local capacity in the maritime sector, as well as improve the nation’s economy.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, said this while commissioning two boats acquired by the National Inland Waterways Authority in Marine Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said CVFF is a fund established under the Cabotage Act to build domestic capacity, stressing the need to build local capacity for Nigerians involved in the maritime business.
He stated that machinery has already been put in place to commence the disbursement of the funds in no distant time, assuring of his continued support to NIWA, saying that inland waterways transportation remains an alternative means of moving a nation’s economic growth and development, especially when that country is endowed with water.
“Regarding the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, it is low-hanging fruit and I will do everything within my powers to ensure that fund is disbursed to Nigerians as quickly as possible so that Nigerian ship owners can increase capacity as well as generate wealth here instead of patronizing foreign ships and money from such business is taken out from Nigerians and rending us jobless.
“So, I want to assure the maritime community that I have already put in place machinery to ensure that we benefit from the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund before the end of this year by the grace of God,” Mr Sambo stated.
The Minister also urged the Managing Director of NIWA to ensure that the Marina Area Office of the authority becomes a hub for trans-shipping cargo from Lagos through the intra-coastal routes to Warri, Onitsha up to Baro port.
“Whatsoever support you will require to get this project kick-off, I will give it to you. Please move as quickly as you can to get this channel management operationalized,” he stated.
On his part, the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr George Moghalu disclosed that the agency has licensed several companies for the transportation of cargo across the waterways in Nigeria, especially, from Lagos and Onne Ports to the hinterlands.
He said the newly acquired boats will enhance the operational efficiency of the organisation, adding that NIWA in the last year has acquired more than 20 different kinds of boats, patrol boats, tugboats, houseboats and water ambulances for distribution to various Area Offices of the authority.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Contrary to reports making the rounds, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is not considering passing a bill to make it a criminal offence for single ladies having romantic affairs with married men in the state.
On Monday, unconfirmed news went viral, purporting that a phantom Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Akon Etim, had sponsored a bill to ensure single ladies having sexual relationship with married men spend 10 years in prison, while the men pay a fine of N2 million.
It was claimed that the bill was to be passed by the state parliament, today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Business Post reports that the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State is Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, not Mrs Akon Etim.
Reacting to the reports, the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mr Jerry Anson Otu, described the reports as “false.”
“The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly wishes to categorically state that this report is entirely false and has no basis in fact. The Assembly has not received or considered any such bill, and the Deputy Governor has not sponsored it.
“We condemn this malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the Deputy Governor and the Assembly, and urge the public to disregard this fake news and any associated commentaries.
“The House remains committed to its constitutional role of law-making, and will not be swayed by mischievous attempts to undermine its integrity,” parts of the statement issued by the parliament stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria is eyeing stronger diplomatic and strategic ties when it comes to sustainable development as it participates in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Sunday. His plane landed at the Presidential Wing of Zayed International Airport at exactly 11:30 pm local time.
He was received by Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; and members of the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi.
Several other ministers, including the Minister of Budget and Planning, Mr Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr Mohammed Mohammed, welcomed President Tinubu at his hotel.
President Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi from Europe, where he spent part of his end-of-year break, engaging in fruitful discussions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement by the presidency.
The 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, with the theme The Nexus of Next, All Systems Go, is a global platform that brings together world leaders, policymakers, investors, and experts to advance dialogue and action on sustainable development, climate action, energy transition, and inclusive economic growth.
This visit further reinforces the strong diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while positioning Nigeria as an active contributor to global conversations on sustainable development.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to account for about N55.9 billion earmarked for the purchase of some materials for the 2019 general elections has forced the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to file a lawsuit against the commission.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP asked the court for an order of mandamus to compel INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid the sum of money.
It was claimed that the N55.9 billion was meant for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials for the 2019 general elections, which produced the late Mr Muhammadu Buhari as President for a second term in office.
SERAP is relying on the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on September 9, 2025, to ask for the use of the funds, which is said to be missing or diverted.
The organisation argued that the electoral umpire “must operate without corruption if the commission is to ensure free and fair elections in the country and uphold Nigerians’ right to participation.”
“INEC cannot ensure impartial administration of future elections if these allegations are not satisfactorily addressed, perpetrators including the contractors involved are not prosecuted and the proceeds of corruption are not fully recovered,” a part of the statement issued by the group stated.
“INEC cannot properly carry out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to conduct free and fair elections in the country if it continues to fail to uphold the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
“These allegations also constitute abuse of public office and show the urgent need by INEC to commit to transparency, accountability, clean governance and the rule of law,” it further declared.
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