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U.S. hails creation of Blue Economy Ministry in Nigeria
U.S. hails creation of Blue Economy Ministry in Nigeria
Ambassador Jessye Lapenn, the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation’s inaugural Senior Coordinator, praised the Nigerian government for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, saying it was the right step toward realizing the benefits of the partnership.
During a round table with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the diplomat said the Atlantic was the world’s most travelled ocean, adding that the potential for economic gains through the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation was enormous.
The new multilateral forum, launched on September 18, brings together several coastal Atlantic countries, including Nigeria, from Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
While noting that Nigeria is a leader in the ocean space, Lapenn stated that she was in the country to discuss how to maximize the partnership with Nigerian officials.
“This is my first trip since the launch, and I must come to Nigeria as soon as we launch the partnership.” Much of my trip was spent meeting with the new minister of the blue economy.
“He joined Secretary Blinken in New York for the launch of the partnership…and now I have come to see him to hear his vision for this new ministry, what’s Nigeria’s vision for a blue economy, and how do we put those pieces together?”
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She also stated that she wishes to see advancements in science, technology, and the blue economy in Nigeria.
The Partnership is the first organization to span the North and South Atlantic, addressing issues ranging from economic development to environmental protection to science and technology.
Previously the United States’ Ambassador to the African Union and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Lapenn stated that the 32 countries coming together would help them tap the Atlantic’s potential.
According to her, the partnership serves two purposes: it allows Atlantic countries to expand cooperation on a variety of shared goals, and it upholds a set of shared principles for Atlantic cooperation.
The World Bank estimates that the ocean contributes $1.5 trillion to the global economy annually, expected to double by 2030.
Furthermore, sustainable ocean economy sectors are estimated to generate nearly 50 million jobs in Africa and contribute $21 billion to Latin American GDP.
Meanwhile, threats to this economy include illegal, unregulated, unreported fishing, natural disasters, and illicit trafficking.
She stated that no country can solve the Atlantic region’s cross-border challenges or fully address the opportunities unless they all work together.
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Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas
Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibok-ete Ibas
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Vice Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (Retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The administrator was sworn in on Wednesday after a short meeting with the President.
Tinubu announced the appointment of the retired naval chief at a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly members.
The President said his decision was based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he could not continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking concrete action.
The suspension of Fubara and other elected representatives has been rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, groups such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigerian Bar Association.
However, the emergency rule has been praised by the pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule, accusing Fubara of contravening the Supreme Court ruling on the political situation in the state.
Ibas was the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021.
He is from Cross River State where he had his early education.
The new sole administrator went to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 from where he proceeded to have a successful career in the Navy, rising through the ranks to the very top.
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
President Muhammadu Buhari who appointed him as Chief of Naval Staff conferred him with the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022.
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Breaking: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State
Breaking: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following the protracted political crisis in the state.
Tinubu made the declaration during a nationwide broadcast, saying it is for six months.
He announced the suspension of the Executive Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.
He immediately named an administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Retd), to take charge of the affairs of the state for the six-month period.
Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger or disaster in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.
A state of emergency allows the President to immediately make any desired regulations to secure public order and safety. (Channels TV)
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BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Rivers political crisis
BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Rivers political crisis
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night will hold a nationwide broadcast to address the crisis in Rivers state.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the broadcast will be transmitted by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
The broadcast is expected to be held by 7pm today.
Video: President Tinubu has declared state on emergency on Rivers state effective immediately, suspends Governor Fubara, his deputy governor and house of assembly members for six months.
He also nominated an administrator pic.twitter.com/jD1g9FHOez— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) March 18, 2025
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