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Court okays foreign medical trip for Kogi Chief of Staff, Bello

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Court okays foreign medical trip for Kogi Chief of Staff, Bello

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, on Monday, granted the request of Kogi State Chief of Staff, Ali Bello, to travel abroad for a medical check-up.

Egwuatu, while delivering the ruling on the motion on notice filed by Bello’s lawyer, Abubakar Aliyu (SAN), ordered the release of Bello’s passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical examination and consultation.

He ordered the deputy chief registrar of the court to release Bello’s travelling documents to him.

He said, “An order is made granting leave/permission to the 1st defendant/applicant to travel to the United Kingdom, i.e. London Centre for Advanced Cardiology, 3rd Floor, 19 Horley Street, London, for a series of follow-up cardiologic medical examination and consultation with his medical consultant between July 22 and September 10, 2024.

“An order is made releasing the 1st defendant/applicant’s international passport number B50027568 in the custody of Deputy Chief Registrar of this Court to the applicant to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom i.e, London Centre for Advanced Cardiology, 3rd Floor, 19 Harley, Street London, for series of follow-up cardiologic medical examinations and consultations with his personal medical consultant from July 22, 2024 and September 10, 2024.”

Egwuatu, however, added that Bello is to return the passport to the deputy chief registrar of the court on or before September 15, 2024.

Bello’s lawyer, Aliyu, in the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/573/2022, sought an order granting him permission to travel to the UK for a medical checkup.

In the application dated April 2 but filed on April 5, the applicant sought two reliefs and an order from the court to release his passport, which is in the custody of the deputy chief registrar of the court.

Bello said the purpose of the routine cardiologic follow-up was to review his medication and undergo cardiac tests scheduled for July each year and as required based on medical advice.

He said the court had, on two occasions, granted him leave to travel between August 2023 and December 2023. He traveled and returned the international passport to the court’s deputy chief registrar before the expiration of the time granted.

He, therefore, undertook to return the travel passport as he had always done if leave was granted upon his return.

He also promised to be law-abiding in the UK should his application be granted.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, however, opposed the application.

EFCC, in a five-paragraph counter affidavit deposed to by Abubakar Salihu Wara on April 19, 2024, argued that Bello had not filed any medical report before the court showing the health condition that necessitated the medical appointment.

EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), argued that Exhibit ‘A’ attached to the application did not disclose the email address of the sender and the receiver of the said medical appointment and had not exhibited anything to show that Exhibit ‘A’ emanated from London Centre for Advanced Cardiology.

He said Bello might tamper with the evidence in the charges against him if the application is granted.

Bello, in a further affidavit, disagreed with the EFCC’s submission.

Egwuatu, however, asked if Bello had placed enough material before the court to enable the court to grant the application.

He added that it is on record that “this court granted bail to the applicant.

“Since the grant of bail, he has not breached the terms of bail and has been coming to court to stand his trial.

“It is not controversial that this court had granted the applicant similar prayers on two previous occasions.

“Applicant’s depositions that ‘on the two occasions, I returned my International Passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this court was not denied by the respondent (EFCC).

“There is no evidence before this court that the applicant breached the terms of the grant or the terms of the bail granted to him.

“The grounds for opposing this application now by the prosecution are anchored on Paragraphs 4 (a) to (g) of the counter affidavit.

“I have examined these paragraphs vis-a-vis the response of the applicant,” he said.

Kamala Harris wins Pelosi’s support

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Kamala Harris wins Pelosi’s support

United States Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday won the crucial backing of Democratic heavyweight Nancy Pelosi to lead the party against Donald Trump in November after Joe Biden’s stunning exit from the 2024 race.

As the endorsements stacked up, the 59-year-old Harris made her first public appearance since Biden’s announcement in a ceremony at the White House, where she warmly praised the outgoing president’s “unmatched” achievements.

But while she steered away from any triumphalism, Harris will now feel she has one hand on the prize after securing former US House speaker Pelosi’s support.

“With immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future, I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States,” Pelosi, 84, said on X.

A flood of Democratic leaders have backed Harris as the party’s new candidate, building momentum for a lightning-fast coronation despite some calls for an open primary.

Biden, 81, endorsed Harris — the first female, Black and South Asian vice president in US history — as he dropped out of the race on Sunday, in the culmination of a crisis triggered by a disastrous performance at a debate with Trump.

Then came endorsements from former president Bill Clinton and a host of lawmakers, but notably ex-president Barack Obama has held off so far.

Donors have also rallied, pouring a record $81 million into Harris’s campaign in 24 hours after Biden stood aside.

The campaign claimed it was the largest one-day haul in presidential history — and that, among the 888,000 grassroots donors, some 60 percent were making their first 2024 contribution.

‘Unmatched’
In a strikingly symbolic moment, Harris hosted a ceremony for college athletes at the White House on Monday while Biden remained stuck in isolation with Covid at his Delaware beach house.

“Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history,” Harris said in her brief remarks on the White House South Lawn, as a light rain fell.

She then made a first trip to campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware — not far from Rehoboth Beach, where Biden has been nursing his Covid infection since last week.

Biden’s symptoms “have almost resolved completely,” his doctor said Monday, though the White House has not yet announced any events on his schedule this week.

A series of other top Democrats have backed Harris.

“Let’s win this,” posted Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

She must still win over some key hold-outs if she is to wrap up the nomination in time for the Democratic National Convention starting August 19, though it could happen as early as a remote ballot on August 1.

‘Threat to democracy’

Biden’s stunning withdrawal has completely upended the 2024 race, transforming a long slog between two unpopular elderly men into one of the most compelling in modern US history.

The move has jolted a demoralized party that Harris could now unify, and could give America its first female president.

It has also hit Republicans hard, with former president Trump, 78 — now the oldest presidential nominee in US history — having to completely retool a strategy that had been built around attacking Biden over his age and physical frailty.

Harris’s entry not only flips the age issue, but puts Trump — a convicted felon also found liable of sexual assault — up against a woman and former prosecutor.

Trump has seemed to find it hard to move on from Biden.

He launched a series of invective-filled social media posts after Biden quit, mocking the president’s age and saying he and Harris posed a “threat to democracy.”

Running mate J.D. Vance echoed that line of attack at a rally in Ohio Monday, telling supporters that Harris had the momentum because “elite Democrats got in a smoke-filled room and decided to throw Joe Biden overboard.”

“That is not how it works. That is a threat to democracy,” he said.

The challenges facing Harris remain daunting, with less than four months until election day.

The vice president has long suffered from poor approval ratings, and she is largely neck-and-neck with Trump in the polls that have looked at a direct match up.

AFP

Don’t chase businessmen away, Dele Momodu urges FG

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Don’t chase businessmen away, Dele Momodu urges FG

Social commentator and the publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, on Monday urged manager of Nigeria’s economy not to discourage both local and foreign business men from investing in the country.

He expressed concerns over the recent spat between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority and the management of Dangote Refinery, saying the crisis is taking a toll on the owner, Aliko Dangote.

His concerns come in the wake of the Federal Government’s intervention into the lingering face-off.

Momodu raised the fear when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics on Monday.

“It’s almost like it is a crime to be an investor in Nigeria. I saw the reports in the Financial Times, Bloomberg and others. It will not help Nigeria.

“I don’t know who has grudges to bear with him. He should call him into a bedroom. Let them go and settle it behind closed doors. We cannot afford to wash this dirty linen in public. It is going to boomerang for all of us. That is my attitude.

“I believe this man has invested so much in Nigeria, just like other people. We have a lot of good businessmen in Nigeria who are doing great things. We should encourage them and not allow them to run away. Now, he said one of his friends is laughing at him because he warned him not to put all his eggs in one basket.

“I have seen other countries where Dangote invested. I have been to his plants in Ethiopia, Zambia and Tanzania. I can see the effort those countries are making to accommodate him there. We should not chase our businessmen away.

“I am sure other business people in Nigeria are watching. They might say, ‘hey, if this can happen to Dangote, it can happen to me.’ And everybody will be scared. We should not create this panic. We can’t afford this at this time,” Momodu warned.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has reportedly convened a crucial meeting with key stakeholders, including businessman Aliko Dangote and NMDPRA leadership, to address the ongoing disputes affecting the supply of crude to the Refinery.

But Momodu insisted that it would be a shame for Nigeria to allow its oil sector players and stakeholders to be washing their ‘dirty linen’ in public while the world looks on.

He said, “The whole social media is awash and abuzz with the issue of this Dangote refinery issue. Instead of me rehashing what people are saying, let me just tell you my own solution. Mr President, in this season of anomie in Nigeria, you need all the friends you can get in the private sector.

Kings worshipping idols are herbalists

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Kings worshipping idols are herbalists

Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has disclosed his plans with some royal fathers from the South West region to float a new group of traditional rulers who would not engage in idol worshiping.

He also said kings who are worshiping idols are herbalists and should quit their throne.

Akanbi, who made the disclosure in Iwo, at a reception organised for him in his palace by the Iwo community, said some monarchs from South Western states have indicated their readiness to join the new group.

A statement by Oluwo’s Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibrahim, obtained in Osogbo on Monday, said the royal father also noted that monarchs that would be part of the association are going to be those that trust only in Almighty God.

He cautioned idol worshipers to stay away from Yoruba culture and traditions just as Muslims and Christians would never attempt to lump their religion with Yoruba culture.

He said, “We are here today to correct the mistakes of the past and rewrite history, to challenge lies and lay a formidable foundation for truth to strive. One of the purposes of meaningful existence is to correct the mistakes of the past. It may take time, truth has no duplicate. The glory of Yorubaland will shine again. We will clean the throne for the prosperity of our dear land.

“We have commenced cultural revolt against adulterated monarchy. Kings worshiping idols are herbalists. They should quit the throne. We want to make the throne, which is the head clean. When the head is good, the body will be sound. Deity worshiping is a religion not culture.

“Idol Worshipers should stop mixing the wrong with the right. Our culture is one of the best worldwide. Today, it has been infected and infracted by deitism. The coordinated step to right the wrong is now. We will pursue it to a logical conclusion.”

The statement added that selected and interested monarchs from South Western states have registered their readiness and would form an association of Yoruba Monarchs who trust only in Olodumare.

“We want to redirect the throne to God has launched by Oduduwa, the founding father of the throne through a coordinated cultural revolt against adulterated monarchy.

“All infractions into Yoruba traditional institution will be checkmated and corrected. A prosperous Yorubaland will rise to be envy others. We will clean the institution and restore the glory of the institution,” Oluwo said

Police kill bandits, recover firearms in Benue

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Police kill bandits, recover firearms in Benue

Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have killed suspected bandits and recovered firearms in Mbafyan, Mbachir Council Ward, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, and Tse Shenge, Ukum Local Government Area.
The police disclosed this in a statement on Monday night, which was signed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene.
According to Anene, security agents have sustained operations in Sankara to clamp down on bandits, particularly in communities where attacks are threatened.
“In the last one week, the operation Zenda JTF teams have engaged bandits in gun duels at Mbafyan, Mbachir Council Ward, Kastina-Ala Local Government Area and Tse Shenge, Ukum Local Government Area.
“During these operations, three suspected bandits were neutralised, while others sustained injuries and escaped into nearby communities.
“Items recovered from them include one Toyota Corolla, one Hummer Bus, one tricycle, 12 motorcycles and three shotguns.
“The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Hassan Steve Yabanet, who was in Kastina-Ala on July 20, 2024, commended officers who have been on the frontlines fighting against bandits and encouraged them to remain steadfast and cooperate with the good people of Sankera for useful information.
“The CP assures the good people of Sankera of his commitment to fighting banditry in the area. He advised them to be vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agents in their communities, as bandits running from security agents may be violent against vulnerable people.”
Police kill bandits, recover firearms in Benue

Kamala Harris sets record, raises $81m in 24 hours for campaign

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Kamala Harris sets record, raises $81m in 24 hours for campaign

Democratic Party donors have poured a record amount into US Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign in the 24 hours since Joe Biden stepped down from the White House race and endorsed his erstwhile running mate.

“Team Harris raised $81 million in its first 24 hours, adding to the existing near quarter-of-a-billion dollar war chest already amassed this election cycle,” her campaign said in a statement Monday.

It claimed the haul was the “largest 24-hour raise in presidential history.”

Harris, 59, swiftly secured the backing of a flood of Democrats after receiving Biden’s endorsement on Sunday — including from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, both touted as top presidential contenders.

She still needs to persuade key hold-outs and convince some donors who are urging for an open contest to select the Democratic candidate that will take on Republican challenger Donald Trump.

But for now, her campaign appears to have energized large and small donors alike — a turnaround from the uncertain period after Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Trump, when major donors reportedly halted fundraising.

On Monday, US media reported that Democratic super political action committee (PAC) Future Forward had locked in $150 million in donor commitments within 24 hours of Biden dropping out of the race, citing a senior aide.

The super PAC held some $122 million in cash as at end-June, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Among the major names to back Harris on Sunday was LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.

He wrote on social media: “I wholeheartedly support Kamala Harris and her candidacy for President of the United States in our fight for democracy in November.”

Open Society Foundations chairman Alex Soros, son of billionaire philanthropist George Soros, also called for the public to “unite around Kamala Harris and beat Donald Trump.”

The Soros family are known to be mega-donors, spending tens of millions per election cycle.

Evercore founder Roger Altman told CNBC on Monday that as a Wall Street donor, he would line up behind Harris as well — adding that he expects her campaign to be “very well-financed.”

“Suddenly the Democratic base has gone from demoralized to excited,” he said.

Swing Left, a grassroots group which launched a fund for the eventual Democratic nominee on Sunday, told AFP it raised over $160,000 in less than 24 hours from some 1,500 unique donors.

But others have urged an open selection process.

Donor Vinod Khosla called for an “open convention” and “a more moderate candidate” in a social media post shortly after Biden said he would not run for reelection.

Another donor John Morgan wrote: “You have to be enthusiastic or hoping for a political appointment to be asking friends for money. I am neither.”

AFP

Fubara pledges timely completion of Rivers road

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Fubara pledges timely completion of Rivers road

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured of the timely completion of the five-kilometre Okania-Ogbogoro Road in Akpor area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, on Monday.

According to the statement, Fubara gave the assurance shortly after embarking on a long trek of the road, inspecting culverts, drainages, texture of the surface layers of the road work, and receiving explanations from the Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, who accompanied him on the inspection tour.

Fubara said, “You are aware that two months ago, we came here to flag off this project, having considered the importance of this road; knowing fully well what our people are suffering because of the Ring Road we are constructing.

“So, we are here this evening to assess the level of work going on here. I think from what we are seeing, it is better than what we met the first time we came here.

“The contractor has assured us that they have done 90 percent of the drainage work; and following the raining season, they are expecting to achieve a greater part of the project hopefully within August and September.”

Continuing, the governor noted that the road which has been abandoned for about 14 years could be set for commissioning by December, saying, “All things been equal, he has also assured us that by December, if we miss November, we will be coming here to commission this road.

“You can see how excited our people are. It is a road that has been abandoned for over 14 years. So, it means this project means a lot to the people living here.

“And for us as a government, it also means a lot that we are doing something that is touching the lives of our people.”

He therefore urged the people to exercise patience as a good quality road would be delivered for their use very soon, adding that the only thing the government expects from the people is their total support while maintaining peace in their communities.

Tinubu inaccessible to lawmakers, Ndume insists

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Tinubu inaccessible to lawmakers, Ndume insists

The immediate past Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, on Monday insisted that he did not lie when he came on air to announce that President Bola Tinubu was inaccessible to lawmakers and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress.

Ndume was sacked as the chief whip last Wednesday and was immediately replaced by the Senator representing Borno North, Tahir Monguno.

His replacement by the Senate followed a directive issued to that effect in a letter written by the National Chairman of the party, Umar Ganduje and National Secretary, Senator Bashir Ajibola.

The request was put to voice votes by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and loudly affirmed by all the APC senators.

But the Senator disclosed when he was featured as a guest on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today that he made conscious efforts and wrote severally to have an audience with the President in vain.

He said, “I can tell you that one of the major issues I had that led to my removal as the Chief Whip (of the Senate) was my complaint that the President is not very accessible. If he is accessible, we would have told him this in a closed door, not on TV. But I can tell you that I made an effort for myself. I made several efforts. I wrote several times so that we can discuss some of these things. I didn’t have the chance.

“But I have no grudge now that we don’t have any communication. But definitely, we are moving forward in terms of security in one area. In other areas like Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna, I can’t speak much about it. But we know that the security challenges are still there, even recently. What I am saying is that security matters are a collective matter. Everybody should come out and talk about it.

“Everybody should do and say something so that we can bring it to an end. The earlier we keep on deceiving ourselves that it’s all over, we will not get control.

“But so far, I can’t say the government is not doing anything. They are investing in it. Like in my place, as I said, I can talk about Gwoza where I slept. I did not sleep with the soldiers in my house or roaming around. That means there is improvement in Gwoza.”

Army hands over rescued pregnant Chibok girl to Borno State Govt

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Army hands over rescued pregnant Chibok girl to Borno State Govt

The theatre commander of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Maj Gen Waidi Shuaibu, has handed over the latest rescued Chibok girl, Ihyi Abdu, to the Borno State Government.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Monday in Maiduguri, Shuaibu said her rescue brought to 19 the number of Chibok girls rescued through direct military operations.
“Today, we are gathered here to hand over another Chibok girl rescued during the course of military operations in Sambisa Forest. She was rescued by troops of Sector 1 of the theatre. The theatre will continue to do its best to rescue the remaining Chibok girls in captivity in line with the strategic guidance of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff,” Shuaibu said.
Giving details of the rescue, the acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7 Division, Maiduguri, Brig Gen A.G.L. Haruna, said the girl was rescued on June 23 with two children by troops during an operation within Sambisa Forest.
“She is now 27 years old, Kibaku by tribe and a Muslim by faith. She is serial number 67 on the list of abducted Chibok girls published by the Federal Government in 2014.
“While in captivity, she was forcefully married to one Abu Darda at Gwoza town in 2014. However, Darda who is an indigene of Plateau State, later relocated to Senegal and she later got married to other terrorists that were eventually neutralised by troops,” Haruna said.
Army hands over rescued pregnant Chibok girl to Borno State Govt

NPA rakes in N541bn, remits N255bn in first half of 2024 — Outgoing MD Koko

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NPA rakes in N541bn, remits N255bn in first half of 2024 — Outgoing MD Koko

Outgoing Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello Koko, on Monday disclosed that the agency generated N541 billion in the first half of 2024.
The agency equally remitted N255 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, CRF, within the first six months of the year, Koko further disclosed.
Koko, who made the disclosures in his valedictory remarks while handing over to the new NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho at the organisation’s headquarters in Lagos, said the performance of the agency in the first half of 2024 surpassed its year-on-year total revenue generation and remittances in any year.
According to him, the cumulative revenue of the NPA between 2022 and the first half of 2024 was N1.423 trillion.
He also disclosed that he is handing over a new staff clinic and five other completed projects to his successor for commissioning.
Koko added that his administration put in place sustainable reforms, especially a drastic improvements in the Turn-Around-Times, TAT, of vessels and trucks in Apapa and TinCan ports.
Noting that staff salary was increased during his tenure, the outgoing MD urged staff of the agency to cooperate with and redouble their commitment to his successor.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Koko said, “We recorded an unprecedented growth in revenue generation and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, CRF, from revenue of N381 billion in 2022 and N501 billion in 2023 to N541 billion in the first half of 2024 and remittances to CRF increasing from N93.4 billion in 2022 to N206 billion in 2023 and to N255 billion in the first half of 2024—surpassing our year-on-year total revenue generation and remittances in any year.
“Unprecedented tax remittances to the Federal Government ranging up to N60 billion in the period of my stewardship. We raised the bar higher.
“Our hope and prayers are for the new management to continue on this trajectory and surpass it. But we were also deliberate on dialogue and driving reforms.”
Noting that NPA achieved all-round port efficiency during his tenure, Koko added: “We hit the ground running with the necessary approvals to get the Lekki Deep Seaport fully operational to retake the lost transit and transshipment cargo.
“Promoted the non-oil export drive of the President by setting up ten (10) Export Processing Terminals, EPTs, mainstreaming it to the NXP and e-call up system to facilitate exports, and the result is evident in the attainment of a foreign trade surplus, as highlighted in the NBS report for Q1 2024.
“Upgraded Data Center, Servers, Storage, and Business Continuity. Established a data recovery and protection unit with an up-to-date data protection audit certification.
“Digitized staff attendance for accountability and improved productivity. Ensured the sustainability and free flow of cargo by clearing the decade-long traffic gridlock menacing the Apapa and Tincan Island port complexes, and its environs.
“Provided aids to navigation such as buoys, fenders, and bollards across all the ports, and also enhanced seaside operations by providing marine crafts, pilot cutters, tugboats, mooring boats, etc to improve port efficiency.
“These led to a reduction in both vessel and truck turn-around times. The vessel TAT went down from an average of 6.5 days to an average of 5 days, while truck TAT went from an average of 10 days to a few hours.”
Highlighting the agency’s attainment of 100 per cent Ease-of-Doing-Business rating by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, during his tenure, Koko said, “We restored service boat management contract with its attendant boost in revenue, concluded the consultancy for the deployment of a Vessel Tracking System in conjunction with NLNG Shipping, secured FEC approval for the expansion of the Snake Island Port and a willing private investment to the tune of $300 million on this project, and also secured FEC approvals for the development of new ports such as ports of Ondo, Badagry, Burutu, and Snake Island expansion project, amongst other proposals that have reached advanced stages of review and approval.”
He also pointed to the consultancy for the development of the 25-Year National Ports Masterplan to guide investment and port expansion plans, adding that the NPA attained 100 per cent Ease-of-Doing-Business rating by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council despite having the most number of reforms.
“In addition to the aforementioned, we were also able to conclude with the FMMBE/BPP on the deployment of the Port Community System (awaiting a few processes before seeking FEC approval), and its corollary, the National Single Window, as well as propel the subject matter of port modernization to conclusive stages with the signing of the mandate letters for the reconstruction of TinCan Island and the comprehensive rehabilitation of Apapa, Rivers, Onne, Warri, and Calabar Port complexes, respectively,” he noted.
Noting that six completed projects executed by his administration are ready for commissioning, Koko said, “We have also completed some key projects that are ready for commissioning. These projects are crucial to staff development and improved efficiency. Some of them include the Staff Clinic at Lagos Port Complex; inter-agency building at TinCan Island Port to accommodate agencies in the port in one place to enhance operational efficiency; security mobile scanners at the Lagos Port Complex; administrative buildings of the Tincan, Warri, and Rivers Ports; Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria’s Headquarters; upgraded Revenue Invoicing Management System (RIMS 2.0); and employees e-medical records management.”
Koko appreciated management and staff of the agency for the support accorded him during his sojourn in the establishment.
“Looking back, I would like to summarize this tremendous phase of my life as a learning curve and an abiding history or experience.
“As I bow out today, I feel fulfilled for two reasons. Firstly, by working with all of you here, we have repositioned the Authority for greater operational efficiency and unprecedented revenue generation and remittance to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, CRF, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Secondly, my sense of fulfillment derives from the fact that we have achieved a lot and have made the Authority far better than we met it, and now handing over to a management team of distinguished professionals with the requisite character, competence, and capacity to sustain and indeed surpass the current performance trajectory.
“As most of us are aware, the Authority under the management team I was privileged to lead was able to position the Authority for improved efficiency, revenue generation, accountability, and adherence to international best practices in port management and operations.”
In the same vein, Koko thanked President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Delivering his inaugural address at the event, the new Managing Director of NPA, Dantsoho, unveiled plans for port rehabilitation and modernization. He also said priority will be given to total automation of NPA processes.
Assuring staff of adequate welfare, he said, “We will continue the digital transformation of the Authority and reinforce the current efforts at deploying the Port Community System, PCS, which we believe is key to our dream of total automation of our processes, thereby eliminating leakages and corruption.”
Assuring that the current efforts towards infrastructural renewal and development will be enhanced, he added, “In particular, we will drive Port Rehabilitation and Modernization. We will pay attention to the logistics that surround the arrival of cargoes along the port corridor, their receipt at the terminals and loading onboard ships in the most efficient way and also cargo evacuation from our ports.”
Other targets outlined by Dantsoho include development of deep sea ports, in order to unlock the full potential of the Nigerian economy, promotion of transparency, accountability and ease of doing business at the ports, enhancing collaboration and communication between sister agencies and promoting stakeholder engagement.
NPA rakes in N541bn, remits N255bn in first half of 2024 — Outgoing MD Koko

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