Navy rescues 250 passengers onboard capsized Rivers boat

The Nigerian Navy rescued over 250 passengers from a capsized boat in Rivers State.

The three-deck wooden boat, identified as MV PRECIOUS EMMANUEL, departed from a local market in the Sangana area of Bayelsa State at around 10 pm on April 28, 2024.

According to Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, the Navy’s Director of Information, the boat encountered stormy waters and collided with a rock while approaching Rivers State.

The boat, locally known as a “Large Cotonou Boat,” was overloaded and lacked lifesaving equipment, with none of the passengers wearing life jackets.

The prompt response of the naval personnel ensured no lives were lost in the incident.

READ ALSO:

• Suspend new electricity tariff, Reps tell NERC
• Senate in rowdy session over sitting arrangements
• Fuel Scarcity: Lagos warns stations against causing traffic gridlock

Suspend new electricity tariff, Reps tell NERC

The House of Representatives has asked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend the implementation of the recently announced tariff increase.

The House also called for the suspension of other conditions in the newly issued review of the Multi-Year Tariff Order.

It went ahead to set up a special committee made up of the Committees on Power, Commerce, Delegated Legislation, and National Planning to organize a well-structured hearing on the price regulation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

NERC had earlier this month announced the increase in the electricity tariff from 68kw/hr to 225kw/HR but explained that only electricity customers in Band A would be affected.

Social media, fake news constitute security threats globally – Ribadu

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, says negative use of the social media constitutes serious threats globally and should be given immediate security priority.

He spoke in Abuja at a meeting with spokespersons of organisations under the umbrella of Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee.

Ribadu also said the preponderance of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation were threats to national security and public engagement.

He stated, “Across the world, we have also assessed the adept use of social media platforms by those who seek power to shape public opinion against citizens.

“This threat is both global and local and presents an immediate national security priority.

“The urgency to prepare and be proactive in our national security strategic communication management is now, and the spokespersons have a critical role to play.”

He urged media managers in the defence, security and response agencies to change their approach in engaging with the public and countering disinformation from enemies of the country.

Ribadu disclosed that the National Security Strategy (NSS) was last reviewed in 2015, a situation that gave rise to the launch of the 2019 version, which he said was now under review.

The NSS document is reviewed every five years in view of the changing dynamics of security threats in the country.

Ribadu said members of the Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee must be proactive and strategic in national security communication management.

He said the spokesmen in the security sector must address the worrying use of the media and social media platforms in creating division between the citizens and governments at various levels.

Ribadu asserted that the National Security Strategy 2019, currently under review, identified strategic communication as an element of national power.