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PMAWCA 2025: Interconnected Africa needs ollective action for port growth — NPA boss
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has emphasized that the interconnectedness and interdependence of African nations make cooperation an essential precondition for the collective advancement of seaports across the continent.
Dantsoho made this known at the closing ceremony of the 45th Annual Council of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) held in Pointe-Noire, Congo.
Speaking in his capacity as President of PMAWCA, Dantsoho said the level of enthusiasm, goodwill and altruism displayed throughout the technical sessions and deliberations convinces him that ports within the sub-region are well-positioned to confront future challenges with renewed confidence.
Represented by the General Manager Corporate Affairs Ikechukwu onyemekara, he said resolutions from the week-long meeting will shape policy formulation and strengthen government action across member states.
He said, “On behalf of all of us at PMAWCA, thank you immensely for lending your time and expertise to advancing the frontiers of trade and prosperity by deploying your efforts, energies and experience to formulate ideas that will enable us, as a sub-region, to maximize the potentials of our maritime sector.
“I have always looked forward to a time in the life of the African community when we all collaborate and act in good faith in pursuit of the greater good of our dear Africa.
“Judging from the goodwill, enthusiasm and altruism that pervaded the technical sessions and meetings—as evidenced by the robust cross-fertilization of ideas—I am persuaded that the Ports of West and Central Africa are poised to face the future with confidence.”
He reiterated that Africa’s geographical and economic realities demand stronger integration and cooperation, especially given the rapidly evolving global maritime environment.
Dantsoho also expressed gratitude to the government and people of the Republic of Congo for their hospitality in hosting the Council, and commended the Secretary-General of PMAWCA, Mr. Koffi Jean Marie, as well as the Port of Pointe-Noire team and other partners for their excellent coordination.
He further applauded the unity of purpose demonstrated by Directors-General and Chief Executives of member ports, describing their contributions as “remarkable.”
Assuring participants of the implementation of the Council’s key decisions, he stated:
“This convergence of West and Central African talent to generate ideas for optimizing opportunities inherent in our maritime and demographic endowments will not only give direction to policy formulation, but will embolden government action, as the decisions and the communique arising from this meeting will be given the seriousness they deserve.”
As delegates prepared to depart, Dantsoho urged them to sustain the momentum of collaboration, invoking the popular words of global industrialist Henry Ford:
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
…insists he is still in PDP
..we’ll work with others still with us
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has reacted over the 16 defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly saying they are free to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike, who revealed this on Friday while addressing journalists, added that his camp would continue to work with the remaining lawmakers still loyal to the party.
Recall the 16 lawmakers, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, announced their defection from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, during a plenary session of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday.
The former Rivers state governor, while reacting to the development, described it as unfortunate, adding that the party’s internal crisis contributed to the lawmakers’ exit.
“Well, it’s unfortunate. I have always said that everybody has the right to make a choice. The party is fully factionalised.
” And the requirement of the Constitution is that when a party is factionalised, they are allowed to leave the party.
“You will see that it’s not everybody who has left. I believe 16 or 17 of them have left out of 27. We still have a good number, about 10, and we will continue to work together. They never told me, but they have a right,” he said.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has adjourned the case instituted against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Wole Oluyede till December 8, 2025, for further hearing.
Oluyede had emerged winner of the gubernatorial primary election conducted on November 8, 2025, by the Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo-led electoral committee.
Oluyede got 279 votes to defeat Funsho Ayeni and Mrs Funmi Ogun.
In the suit numbered FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, Ayeni is challenging Oluyede’s victory in the primary election
During the hearing on Friday, Kola Kolade, SAN, led other lawyers to represent Ayeni while Ola Olanipekun, SAN, and Barrister Owoseni Ajayi represented Oluyede.
The Osun State Legal Adviser of the party, Barrister Ola Alonge held brief for the PDP.
After listening to submissions by the parties, Justice Babs Ikuewumi declared that he would ensure speedy hearing of the case.
The judge adjourned the matter to December 8, 2025 for further hearing.
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PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.
The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.
The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.
The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.
The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.
See photos:
VIDEO: Wike reacts over defected Rivers lawmakers, says they’re free to decide on their own
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