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FG in ‘Rat-Race’ to Beat Obama’s Ultimatum on ISPS

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Federal government has intensified action to overcome the security huddles of the US Government, especially the US demand that government beef up security in the Nigerian ports, or have ships coming out of the country’s ports barred from entering the American ports.

Specifically, US Government stressed the need for Nigeria to adopt and adhere strictly to the International Ships and Ports-Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The code is an enhanced security level which the United Nations, and its specialized organ, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prescribed, after the September 11 frightening attacks on the US twin towers.

Maritime industry operators opined that Obama administration took the tough decision having witnessed the soaring influence of the dreaded Boko Haram group in Nigeria, Government’s seeming determination to treat their chaos with the kid’s glove; and a perceived unwillingness on the part of the Nigerian government to accept international support to nip the crisis in the bud.

According to MaritimeFirst Newspaper, the operators also posited that US government might have been proactively reacting, based on intelligence, motivating the recent placement of million dollar-bounty of the heads of Boko Haram leaders; as well as the notion that the group, may use the occasion of the coming September 11 anniversary, to export further violent attacks against the US, using ships emanating from care-free ports.

Assuring the industry stakeholders in a swift reaction, the Government, through Leke Oyewole, senior special assistant to the President on maritime matters, said that Government was leaving no stones un-turned, to ensure that the country beats the ultimatum from the US authorities.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Reviving ISPS Code Implementation in Nigeria’, Oyewole also told his audience that the mandate to implement ISPS Code has now been designated on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) after the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) was dissolved by Federal Government few months’ backs.

“This is an important mission that must be accomplished, because if we fail to comply, US will ban ships that visit Nigerian ports from calling their ports. This will lead to a situation where, few ships will be calling Nigerian ports, and as a result, leads to high cost of freight”, Oyewole said

He stressed that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had also been mandated, to fully automate port access control, so as to reduce the human interface in the port, which will in turn reduce corruption in the port.

He maintained that NIMASA would soon commence the installation of black flags on Nigerian ports that were deemed not to be ISPS Code compliant for not meeting the international security standard; even as the agency, would also install Nigerian flags and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) flags in ports that are ISPS Code compliant., stressing that Nigeria now has 45 days to the termination of the 90 days ultimatum given to the Nigerian government to boost security at her maritime domain, by the United Nations Coast Guard,

In his response, Patrick Akpobolokemi, NIMASA’s director-general, said that the agency would vigorously pursue ISPS Code implementation by raising the security standards of all port facilities in Nigeria, as well as on ships that bears Nigerian flags.

“The gains of a nationwide compliance with the ISPS Code are immense and serve as an anaesthetic for the short-term discomfort that our implementation agenda might cause in the interim. But the risk of non-compliance with ISPS Code is frightening given the threats our nation faces from the growing menace of global terrorism and other maritime crime”, the NIMASA boss added,

He assured that his management would work with the relevant stakeholders, including the NPA, NNPC and the Nigerian Navy to ensure that Nigerian waterways and port facilities are made safer for shipping business to thrive.

The US Coast Guard, through its embassy in Nigeria read the riot act to Nigeria, giving it a 90-day ultimatum to adhere to the letters of the ISPS Code or face sanction.

It would be recalled that the U.S embassy received an audit report from the officials of the United States Coast Guards who were in Nigeria about a month ago, to inspect security of the Nigerian ports.

Based on their findings, the embassy conveyed a diplomatic note to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Nigeria, which was forwarded to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other relevant agencies.


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Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Sanction over Passenger Rights Violation

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Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that Kenya Airways has paid the sanction fee imposed on the airline over the infraction on the rights of its Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore case and other passengers dating back to February 2025.

According to NCAA’s director of Public affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the airline made the payment on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, after months of engagements between the NCAA, Kenya Airways, and the Kenyan High Commission in Nigeria.

According to Achimugu, the sanctions were a case-specific penalty and should not be seen as punitive, but rather a measure to ensure airlines strengthen compliance with passenger-handling protocols and safety standards.

NCAA noted, however, that while the airline has complied with payment, the time frame for resolving the underlying issues has already elapsed, stressing that fines alone do not bring such cases to a close.

The case traces back to a viral video in early February 2025, shared by the SA to the Aviation Minister, Tunde Moshood, showing a confrontation at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. In the footage, Kenya Airways staff denied Ms Gloria Omisore boarding on her connecting flight to Lagos over a visa-related dispute, while the airline later described her as unruly.

The NCAA, however, faulted the handling of the incident, leading to the sanctions now settled.


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LASTMA Deploys Drones to Manage Traffic in Lagos

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Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has deployed state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to enhance traffic management, strengthen security surveillance and reinforce public safety across Lagos metropolis.

LASTMA Deploys Drones to Manage Traffic in Lagos

Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager of the authority, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki, said the transition from traditional analog method to advanced digital intelligence harmonised with the visionary mandate of the state government.

He added that “this accentuates the administration’s steadfast dedication to leveraging innovation in pursuit of sustainable urban mobility, heightened safety and operational excellence.

“Through aerial reconnaissance and high-definition monitoring capabilities, the UAVs will empower LASTMA to be proactive in traffic management and control across the state.

“The deployment of device signifies a watershed moment in Lagos’ traffic management ecosystem, seamlessly elevating the authority from conventional reactive enforcement to predictive, intelligence-driven operations.”

Bakare-Oki said the drones would provide real-time aerial oversight, enabling swifter interventions, improved safety outcomes, augmented emergency response coordination, bolstered security frameworks, and the cultivation of a more disciplined motoring culture.

He reassured the public that the deployment would be conducted under stringent adherence to privacy safeguards, ethical standards and regulatory compliance, thereby reinforcing public trust in the system’s transparency and integrity.

“The authority reaffirms its unwavering resolve to continuously innovate in traffic management, reduce travel times, curtail road traffic mishaps, and preserve lives and property throughout Lagos State,” he said.

“This milestone stands as yet another resounding testament to the THEMES+ Agenda of Gov. Sanwo-Olu, wherein technology and innovation serve as indispensable drivers of a safer, smarter, and more habitable Lagos.”

The LASTMA boss maintained that this modern technological intervention would complement LASTMA’s prompt responsiveness to emergencies, accidents and other traffic-related contingencies, in addition to existing LASTMA Toll-Free Hotline — 080000527862.


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Why Elon Musk Halted Sales of Starlink in Lagos, Abuja

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Starlink, the satellite internet provider operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has stopped taking new orders for residential kits in parts of Lagos and in Abuja after network capacity was reached, the company’s online ordering page shows.

starlink

Neighborhoods listed as sold out include Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos Island and Surulere.

Prospective customers in those areas can join a wait list by paying a deposit and will be notified when service space opens.

At Chevyville Estate in Lekki, one resident trying to subscribe was met with a message that read: “Starlink service is currently at capacity in your area. However, you can place a deposit now to reserve your spot on the waitlist and receive a notification as soon as service becomes available again.”

That experience mirrors what consumers in other busy districts are seeing.

A Starlink engineer who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal limits said the company temporarily closes new sales in zones where adding customers would degrade service for existing users.

“It happens when the area cannot take a new customer due to its designed capacity at the time,” the engineer said.

“This also helps preserve a steady connection for people already online.” Remedies can include adding more ground infrastructure, securing regulatory clearances, or expanding satellite coverage.

Since entering Nigeria, Starlink’s monthly fee has climbed: the service began at about N38,000 (roughly $25), rose to about N45,000 ($30) and — by 2025 — was charging roughly N56,000 ($37).

Starlink has cited naira depreciation, higher operating expenses and costs tied to meeting rules set by the Nigerian Communications Commission for the increases.

Those higher prices, and the service interruptions, appear to have affected subscription numbers. After a near eight-month pause that began in November 2024 and was tied to limited bandwidth and regulatory issues, orders resumed in late June 2025.

Still, data from the NCC show active Starlink users in Nigeria fell from 65,564 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 59,509 in the first quarter of 2025, a decline of more than 6,000 users, or about 9 percent.

Analysts point to the price rises, service holds and economic pressure as key reasons for the drop; some customers have switched to cheaper alternatives or stopped service.

As Elon Musk maintains his position as the world’s richest individual, with a net worth of $429 billion (according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index), his commitment to global digital inclusion through Starlink remains a central focus.

Starlink’s activity in Nigeria is part of a wider push across Africa.

The company has recently moved to enter markets including Lesotho and Somalia and secured permission to operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo after earlier restrictions,

SpaceX is also working with operators such as Airtel Africa to reach rural areas where wired internet is scarce.

For many users in Nigeria, the appeal of Starlink remains clear: a reliable option where terrestrial networks falter.

But until the company expands capacity or adjusts pricing, consumers in dense urban pockets may have to wait for access or turn to other providers.

 

Credit excluding Headline: Pm News

 

 

 


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