News
Nigerian Navy launches offshore patrol vessel to Boost maritime security
Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nigeria Senator (Dr) Oluremi Tinubu CON, has launched the second 76meter High Endurance (HE) Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) built for the Nigerian Navy (NN) in DEARSAN Shipyard Turkey, today Friday 19 April 2024, in accordance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR Renewed Hope Agenda.


Recall that the first OPV built by DEARSAN Shipyard was launched on 26 October 2023. The launch was graced by the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Charge D’Affair Nigerian Embassy Turkey, Ambassador Zayyad Habu Abdulsalam and other dignitaries.
The launch of the 76meter HE – OPV marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding her territorial waters and combating maritime threats. Speaking at the event, V Adm EI Ogalla noted that the construction of the 2 x OPVs commenced in 2022.


According to him, “DEARSAN Shipyard is constructing 2 OPVs for the NN and the first OPV was launched here on 26 October 2023. I am particularly pleased that the milestones on the vessel construction have been met and I hereby appreciate the management of DEARSAN Shipyard for their efforts so far”.
The general specifications of the newly launched OPV are as follows:
a. Length – 76.90m
b. Width – 11.90m
c. Draught – 3.60m
d. Speed – 28knots
e. Propulsion System – Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD)
f. Range – 2500nm
g. Endurance – 16 days
h. Crew Capacity – 47.

The construction of the vessel will boost NN fleet renewal efforts for fulfilment of her constitutional mandate and ensure maximum presence at sea to curb illicit acts such as oil theft, piracy, sea robbery, illegal fishery as well as smuggling of Small Arms and Light Weapons among other crimes in the vast 84,000sqnm of Nigeria’s maritime environment.
It will also facilitate harnessing the enormous potentials within Nigeria’s maritime domain in support of FG’s Blue Economy initiatives.
The CNS expressed sincere gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support towards ensuring the completion of the construction of the OPVs and his commitment to NN fleet renewal aspirations.
He also extended his appreciation to the Special Guest of Honour the First Lady of Nigeria Senator (Dr) Oluremi Tinubu CON for accepting the invitation to perform the age long naval tradition of launching a ship into water for the first time, a role often reserved for female leaders.
News
Katsina Flood Sweeps Away Siblings Returning From Islamiyya School
Fighting back tears, the children’s father, Malam Salisu Arabi, described the loss as the most painful moment of his life.
Two brothers, Muhammad Salisu, 12, and Abdurrahman Salisu, 7, lost their lives after they were carried away by flood in Janbago, a community in Katsina State.
The victims, were said to be returning home from a nearby Islamiyya school when downpour, accompanied by strong winds, turned the streets into raging torrents.
The Daily Trust reported that their bodies were later recovered from different locations after frantic search efforts by residents.
The incident plunged the entire community into mourning as sympathisers thronged the family residence to console the bereaved parents.
Fighting back tears, the children’s father, Malam Salisu Arabi, described the loss as the most painful moment of his life.
“They left home that day like every other child going to Islamiyya school. I never imagined that the same rain we all witnessed would take away my two children,” he lamented.
News
An alleged fake university discover in Lagos
The university was operating from a three-bedroom apartment at Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
Photo:Students of the university during the raid by NSCDC. Credit: NSCDC
The proprietor of an alleged fake university in Lagos , has been arrested by operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCDC).
The NSCDC Badagry Area Command, who enforced the arrest, said that the university was operating from a three-bedroom apartment at Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
The command also rescued 106 students of the institution from across Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.
According to the corps, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Monday following days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance by NSCDC operatives
” The suspected institution was operating without an official name, registration, signboard or recognised campus, while allegedly presenting itself online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university,”said NSCDC.
Investigations revealed that the rescued youths, mostly between the ages of 19 and 24, came from several Nigerian states, including Kogi, Oyo and some northern states. Others reportedly travelled from neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Togo after being recruited online.
News
Ayo Fayose Gets Presidential Portfolio As REA Board Chairman
Fayose will head the board of REA, with Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta appointed as members and non-executive directors,” said Onanuga.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, as chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Board.
The President also appointed Major General Junaid Bindawa as chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
24 others were also appointed to 10 federal government agencies and commissions.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
According to the statement, “All the appointments take immediate effect.”
“Fayose will head the board of REA, with Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta appointed as members and non-executive directors,” said Onanuga.
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