Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu-Port Harcourt, has launched the African Fleet Management Forum, marking a significant step toward advancing safer and more sustainable transport systems across the continent.

The initiative was inaugurated during the 3rd International Conference on Green and Safe Transport, organised by the Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management (IGEM) in collaboration with United Nations Institute for Training and Research-CIFAL.

Vice-Chancellor of RSU, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed that the forum’s secretariat has been established within the university, fulfilling an earlier commitment to UNITAR. He said the move underscores the institution’s ambition to become a continental hub for research and policy development in fleet safety, disaster risk reduction and transport sustainability.
Zeb-Obipi also revealed plans to establish a Blue and Maritime Economy Centre, pending approval by the university senate.

The conference, themed “Green and Safe Transport: Integrated Fleet Disaster Risk and Sustainability Management,” drew participants from academia, government and industry, all stressing the urgency of improving mobility systems, particularly in Nigeria’s riverine communities.

Chairman of the occasion and former RSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Blessing Chimezie Didia, emphasised that universities should be assessed by their intellectual contributions, noting that international conferences enhance institutional relevance and global visibility.

Representing Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, highlighted the critical role of water transport in riverine areas. She noted ongoing investments in maritime infrastructure, including seaports, to stimulate economic growth and improve connectivity.

However, she cautioned that infrastructure alone is insufficient, stressing the need for improved safety standards and stronger collaboration with international partners.

RSU Pro-Chancellor, Okey Wali, called for research that delivers practical societal impact, commending UNITAR’s partnership and declaring the conference open.

In his keynote address, Sunday Akuru of the World Food Programme underscored the strategic importance of maritime transport, which accounts for 80 to 90 per cent of global trade. He noted that despite Nigeria’s vast coastal and inland water resources, the sector remains underutilised due to weak infrastructure, poor regulatory enforcement and fragmented institutional coordination.

Akuru advocated a shift toward integrated and technology-driven transport systems, including real-time monitoring and structured risk management frameworks. He also warned against environmental degradation, particularly marine pollution, which threatens long-term economic benefits.

Logistics expert, Dr. Rita Owase, described fleet operations as the backbone of economic activity, stressing that safety must remain paramount. She highlighted the United Nations’ zero-tolerance stance on safety, including vehicle standards, driver training and compliance with operational regulations.
Director of IGEM, Prof. Akuro Gobo, noted that the institute was among the first organisations in Nigeria to host a conference on fleet safety in partnership with UNITAR-CIFAL, targeting operators across air, land and sea transport systems.
Goodwill messages from stakeholders reinforced the need for actionable outcomes. Registrar of the Institute of Humanitarian Studies and Social Development, Dr. Prince Origa, urged participants to translate deliberations into concrete policies, particularly in relation to security and fleet management.

Similarly, the Marine Equipment Owners/Leasing Association of Nigeria described the conference theme as timely, expressing optimism that discussions would yield practical solutions for the maritime sector.

Managing Director of Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Dr. Ibimina Wokoma, highlighted marine pollution—especially plastic waste—as a growing global challenge, urging proper waste disposal to protect aquatic ecosystems and livelihoods.

In her closing remarks, Director of UNITAR-CIFAL Nigeria, Mrs. Ihuoma Njemanze, described fleet safety and sustainability as a largely underexplored but critical sector.

The conference continues with technical sessions focusing on integrated fleet disaster risk management, maritime safety, environmental sustainability and policy innovation, with participants seeking practical frameworks to transform transport systems in Nigeria and across Africa.

By Victoria Michael

The Rivers State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Moses Oleghe, has charged heads of collaborating agencies for the 2026 Batch A Stream II orientation exercise to deploy their best personnel and uphold the highest standards of conduct, stressing that “the only thing required of you is your best.”

Oleghe gave the directive during a strategic meeting held in his office with agency heads designated for the orientation camp, scheduled to commence on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

He underscored the primacy of security, insisting that the safety of corps members and camp officials must be treated as non-negotiable. He specifically warned security agencies against lapses at camp entry points, directing that no unauthorized persons be granted access under any circumstances.

The coordinator also issued a firm warning against corporal punishment and any form of physical contact with corps members or officials, describing such actions as strictly prohibited. He added that the use of abusive language, as well as emotional or psychological intimidation, would attract serious sanctions.

Oleghe further urged all collaborating agencies to adhere strictly to the NYSC code of conduct and operate within the scheme’s established rules throughout the orientation exercise.

In his remarks, the Camp Director-designate, Mr. Barnax Uloneme, called for unity of purpose among stakeholders, encouraging them to see themselves as members of “Team NYSC” rather than representatives of individual organisations. He stressed the importance of synergy in achieving a seamless camp operation.

The meeting featured contributions and feedback from participants, who pledged their commitment and cooperation toward a successful orientation exercise.

Amnesty International has condemned what it termed an “outrageous and desperate attempt” by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to muzzle the media, warning that the regulator has no authority to dictate how journalists perform their professional duties.

In a statement reacting to the NBC’s ‘formal notice to broadcasters’ dated April 17, 2026, the rights organisation criticised the directive as an overreach targeting political broadcasts and presenters of current affairs programmes.

According to Amnesty International, the move imposes “unduly restrictive and invasive controls” on the broadcast space and appears calculated to coerce journalists and media organisations into self-censorship, with far-reaching implications for press freedom and democratic accountability.
Executive Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said Nigeria’s independent broadcast media remain central to citizens’ ability to freely seek, receive and exchange information and ideas, as guaranteed under international human rights frameworks.

He urged authorities to desist from what he described as the misuse of the National Broadcasting Commission to stifle dissenting voices.

“The Nigerian authorities must stop using the NBC in an unrelenting quest to silence journalists and media organisations that are crucial to ensuring an independent and diverse media space that fulfils people’s right to information,” Sanusi said.

Maintaining that the directive is both authoritarian and unconstitutional, Amnesty International called on broadcasters nationwide to remain resolute, urging journalists to continue their work “fiercely and independently without fear,” despite mounting pressure.

The Federal Government has firmly pushed back against interpretations of a recent World Bank Nigeria Development Update suggesting that large portions of the country’s revenue are unaccounted for, describing such claims as misleading and rooted in a flawed reading of the fiscal framework.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, dismissed insinuations of “hidden spending” or diversion of public funds, stressing that the reports mischaracterised legitimate financial processes.

According to the ministry, deductions from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) have been wrongly interpreted as leakages, whereas they represent lawful fiscal transactions.

“It is important to emphasise that refunds and transfers to states and other tiers of government are not leakages,” Oyedele stated. “They are legitimate fiscal flows, including repayment of obligations and allocations backed by law.”

The government explained that these deductions cover a range of approved expenditures, including statutory transfers, security outlays, savings and investments, cost-of-collection charges, and refunds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as interventions for subnational governments.
Reaffirming its position, the ministry stressed that allocations and refunds to states are constitutionally grounded and should not be misconstrued as missing funds.

It also criticised what it described as the selective reliance on outdated data in some analyses of the World Bank report, noting that the document itself acknowledged ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s public financial management.

Among recent measures, the government highlighted a 2026 Executive Order designed to strengthen the remittance of petroleum revenues, a move expected to enhance transparency and boost distributable income by approximately 0.4 per cent of GDP annually.

Beyond the controversy, the ministry pointed to more optimistic signals in the report, including increasingly broad-based economic growth, easing inflationary pressures, improving external reserves, and a sustained current account surplus. It added that key debt indicators have also improved, with a declining debt-to-GDP ratio.

The Federal Government maintained that, contrary to alarmist interpretations, the World Bank report does not depict a failing fiscal system but rather underscores progress driven by ongoing reforms, efforts it says must be sustained.

The Ministry of Regional Development, Regional Development Commissions and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have resolved to deepen collaboration with stakeholders to close development gaps, curb project abandonment and deliver impactful infrastructure across the country.

This formed the thrust of a communiqué issued at the end of a three-day retreat held in Benin City, Edo State, where top government officials and heads of development commissions converged to chart a new course for regional growth.

The retreat, chaired by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, brought together key figures, including Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, and other board members.

Presenting the communiqué, Director of Planning and Research in the ministry, Victor Ewache, said participants agreed on far-reaching measures aimed at strengthening institutional performance and accelerating development outcomes.

Central to the resolutions is a renewed commitment to synergy among commissions and stakeholders, alongside plans to review existing Establishment Acts to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance operational efficiency.

The communiqué also unveiled a draft National Policy on Regional Development, designed to provide a coordinated framework for addressing infrastructural deficits and unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s regions.

Ewache noted that discussions focused on “generating fresh ideas to unlock regional potentials,” with emphasis on attracting international funding through partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), while ensuring strict compliance with Treasury Single Account (TSA) regulations.

To boost accountability, leadership of the commissions will sign performance bonds tied to measurable outcomes, with priority placed on strategic infrastructure projects aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and targeted at poverty reduction.

The minister, in his closing remarks, described the deliberations as “robust and forward-looking,” stressing the need for strict adherence to statutory mandates. He added that government would move to amend existing laws governing the commissions to address identified gaps and strengthen delivery capacity.

The retreat ended with honours for Momoh and Ogbuku, who were recognised for “outstanding development and impact” by the Association of Edo Youths for Peace, which described them as transformational leaders.

Evomec Global Services Limited has assured that the ongoing reconstruction of the road linking the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT) to Coal Beach in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State will have a minimum lifespan of 50 years upon completion.

The company, an engineering, procurement and construction firm, said the project is being executed in line with global best practices, with strict adherence to design specifications provided by the sponsor, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited.

Speaking during a media tour of the project site, project engineers, Stanley Nwosu and Cornelius Okparaugo, projected that the road could last between 70 and 80 years. However, they noted that when safety margins are applied, a 50-year lifespan remains the baseline expectation.

They emphasised that the durability of the road depends on faithful implementation of the approved design, adding that the company is committed to delivering quality work within schedule.

Also, the General Supervisor, Tamunotonye Jumbo, said the firm is determined to provide Bonny residents with infrastructure that meets international standards.

“Evomec is executing this project with a sense of ownership because it is part of the Bonny community,” he said, urging residents to cooperate with the company to ensure timely delivery.

He warned against the removal of construction materials from the site and advised motorists, particularly commercial motorcycle operators, to avoid unauthorised access to the work area for safety reasons.

Jumbo further disclosed that the project has engaged a significant number of local residents across various skill levels, in line with the vision of the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Esievo, to promote employment within the community.

Since its mobilisation, Evomec has commenced key phases of the project, including earthworks, sand stabilisation and precasting, as construction progresses on the strategic Bonny road corridor.