FG approves ratification of 6 maritime conventions, protocols

The Federal Government has approved ratification of six maritime conventions and protocols that promote a cleaner marine environment, ship-breaking criteria, global standards for fishing crew, and response to oil pollution casualties.

Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) made this known in a statement by Osagie Edward, Assistant Director, Public Relations of the agency on Tuesday in Lagos.

The approved instruments for ratification are Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 2009; the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) 1995.

Others are the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties (intervention protocol) 1973 and the Protocol on Limitation of Liabilities for Maritime Claims 1996.

Also, the Protocol to the 1974 Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 2002.

Also included is the protocol of 2005 to the 1988 protocol to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf (SUA PROT 2005)

eNaira: CBN sensitises Kano varsity students, VC pledges support

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday in Kano carried out a sensitisation campaign on the e-Naira at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUST) Wudil.

The Kano Branch Controller of the bank, Umar Ibrahim-Biu, called on the university community to adopt the new e-wallet system in its payment of tuitions, salaries and other financial transactions.

Ibrahim-Biu said that to advance financial security and efficiency it was important for members of the university community to adopt the e-Naira initiative as a safer means to migrate to a cashless economy.

The controller said that e-Naira was a trail blazer now as it had come to stay and the bank was trying to make sure that everybody was brought on board.

“We’ve been to Universities of Nsuka and Jos and now we are here to also sell the idea of e-Naira wallet to both the students and staff of the institution,” he said.

Gov Godwin Obaseki increases Edo minimum wage, approves three days work week

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has empathized with the people of Edo State over the untold hardship brought about by the recent fuel price hike.

On Tuesday at the state house, the governor said that civil and public servants would work three days a week as opposed to five working days due to the rise in transportation.

Obaseki added that the minimum wage for workers would increase from N30,000 to N40,000, the highest in the country.

He promised that this new amount would be paid monthly and that the wage would be increased once the allocation from the federal government was increased.

He said, “In the wake of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government, fuel prices have increased astronomically, leading to a rise in the prices of goods and services and the overall cost of living.

“The Edo State Government shares the pains of our people and wants to assure everyone that we are standing with them in these very challenging times.”

Shettima assures AfCFTA of Nigeria’s commitment, leadership

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured other African countries that Nigeria will actively participate and provide leadership in the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The Vice President gave this assurance at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held by the African Continental Free Trade Area on Monday.

Shettima disclosed that Nigeria’s participation would enable it to harness the vast opportunities available and enhance its position as a key player in the African market.

Christie launches White House campaign, to challenge Trump

Chris Christie, former New Jersey Governor, launched his 2024 presidential campaign on Tuesday, presenting himself as the only candidate in the growing Republican field willing to challenge former President Donald Trump to pick the ticket of the party.

Christie, an adviser to Trump’s successful 2016 White House campaign, has since become a vocal critic of the former president, especially after he claimed that the 2020 election was rigged.

A former federal prosecutor, Christie kicked off his White House bid at a town hall-style event at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. He wasted little time attacking Trump directly, accusing him of shirking responsibility for mistakes while caring only about himself.