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Nigerian Navy will continue to support NOSDRA – Navy Chief

Published

6 years ago

May 22, 2019

The Nigerian Navy has said that it will continue to support the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to curb the menace of oil spills in the country.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas said this when the D-G of NOSDRA and some of his Directors paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja.

Acvording to him, we have been addressing the consequences of oil spill that we all know that are deliberately caused by criminals and saboteurs.

“There is hardly a day that passes without the Navy shutting down illegal refineries as well as vandalised pipes and abandoned oil well.

“Because if these criminals do not have the means of getting the oil it will slow down their effort at attempting to steal and refine the products’’.

Ibas congratulates the agency for the wonderful job they have been doing.

“ The efforts you have carried out is noble, I want to assure you that when you need us, rest assured that we will provide the needed support.

“The Navy have been partnering with your agency and we have concerned in the devastation of oil spills in the country.

“The statistics and the records we have show that something serious need to be done therefore we must come together to address the menace being done in the environment.

the Navy Chief, however solicited for the support of all stakeholder in keeping the environment safe and secured.

“It’s a campaign that we are going to solicit the support of all stakeholders to be able to address the menace,’’ he said.

Earlier, the D-G of NOSDRA, Mr Idris Musa said that the agency has been embarking on consultations to sensitise the people of the communities on the dangers and implications of oil spills.

“We want to let the community people to understand what dangers there are in the case of oil spill: when oil spills, it goes into the rivers that they drink or use for domestic purposes.

“It also goes to farmland, to the creeks and to the fish, all of these places are places are endangered and we need them all the time to sustain our daily livelihood.

“It destroys the environment, endangers your life as a person and cause some social and economic dislocation to the community where you come from and Nigeria at large’’.

He said that the agency will continue to consult and give details on the issues of disaster that is awaiting if communities do not stop or point fingers at people who engage in the criminal activities.

“We are going to be discussing with the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, Major Oil Marketers of Nigeria, and the Depot Marketers Association of Nigeria.

“We want to let them our next line of action so that when we get to them it won’t be strange to them.

“We will sensitise them and get them to understand what role they should play to avoid polluting ground wate: because ground water remediation is very costly, more difficult and takes more time, so we need to begin to sensitise them in these areas too’’.

The D-G, however solicited the support of the Navy, saying, we have been having a lot of challenges especially on our water ways, the creeks and creek lets in the Niger-Delta.

“We do not want to be having oil spills all the time because our vision is to have a Zero tolerance to oil spill.

“It’s unfortunate that in spite of the efforts, we still see some of these criminals finding their ways into our water ways to puncture our pipe lines.

“The recent case is in April where the 24inch and the 28inch Trans-Niger pipelines were cut by some miscreants and another one in Ondo state, the fire is still burning now as we speak’’.

He therefore asked for more support from the Navy to have a very safe and conducive environment.

“ Noting the way we now operate and most of our oil companies are moving off shore and land shore, we now see that the task of maintain a very secure marine environment cannot be over emphasized.

“So we want to make sure that the custodians of the National Oil Spill Contingency plan are in touch with all our major stakeholders. (NAN)

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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