Author: Dodo Elias Denen

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has pledged to revive key economic assets, including the Dagbolu Dry Port, Osun-Osogbo Grove, Oba Hills National Park and the Ido-Osun Airport, as part of a comprehensive strategy to reposition the state as a leading investment and industrial destination.

Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), made the commitment on Saturday while receiving members of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria, who paid him a courtesy visit in Osogbo.

The visit of the maritime journalists was facilitated by the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN) in recognition of Oyebamiji’s contributions to Nigeria’s inland waterways sector during his tenure as the Managing Director of NIWA.

Addressing the journalists, Oyebamiji unveiled his Osun Prosperity Agenda themed “A Pact for Growth, Inclusion and Lasting Development,” describing it as a practical blueprint for economic transformation, inclusive governance and sustainable development.

He said unlocking the economic potential of strategic assets such as; the Dagbolu Dry Port, the Osun-Osogbo Grove, Oba Hills National Park, the Ido-Osun Airport and the Osun Free Trade Zone would stimulate commerce, strengthen tourism, attract local and foreign investment, support entrepreneurship and create sustainable employment opportunities across the state.

According to him, the revival of the Dagbolu Dry Port and the Osun Free Trade Zone would improve trade facilitation, boost logistics and position Osun as a competitive industrial and export hub within Nigeria.

“We will resuscitate strategic economic assets that have the capacity to transform Osun’s economy, stimulate private sector investment and create wealth for our people,” he said.

On poverty alleviation and workers’ welfare, Oyebamiji promised targeted social intervention programmes to support vulnerable citizens while ensuring prompt payment of salaries, improved working conditions and the restoration of dignity in the public service.

He also pledged to drive employment through public works programmes, enterprise support initiatives and strategic investments capable of generating sustainable jobs, particularly for young people.

The APC governorship candidate further said his administration would strengthen the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency to attract investors, develop industrial parks with modern infrastructure, improve the ease of doing business and position Osun among Nigeria’s leading investment destinations.

He assured micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of improved access to microcredit, grants and business development services, while promising expanded entrepreneurship and empowerment programmes for youths and women.

On education and healthcare, Oyebamiji said his administration would modernise educational infrastructure, recruit and train teachers, strengthen technical and vocational education, expand apprenticeship programmes and upgrade healthcare facilities across the state.

He added that partnerships would be leveraged to advance universal health coverage and improve access to quality healthcare for all residents.

Oyebamiji reaffirmed that his Prosperity Agenda represents a pact with the people of Osun to deliver economic growth, social inclusion and lasting development through prudent leadership, strategic investments and private sector-driven growth.

Also speaking, WABOTAN President, Comrade Tope Fajemirokun, described Oyebamiji as a high-performing administrator, adding that his success stories at NIWA will be replicated in Osun State.

Fajemirokun opined that under Oyebamiji’s leadership Osun State could emerge as a leading player in marine and blue economy development, especially maritime tourism via Oshogbo Groove, Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls, among others.

The leadership and members of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, ATBOWATON, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Abuja Area/Liaison Office.

The visit was to congratulate the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, and the Area Manager, Abuja Area/Liaison Office, Mrs. Aisha Eri, on their recent appointments.

Speaking on behalf of the union, its National President, Dr. Gani Tarzan Balogun, commended NIWA for its consistent support to operators nationwide. He particularly acknowledged the Authority’s deliberate focus on the safety of Nigeria’s waterways, with notable impact in the South West region.

Dr. Balogun, however, drew attention to one of the most pressing challenges facing boat operators: the acute shortage of life jackets. He appealed to NIWA to prioritize the provision of more safety equipment, stressing that adequate life jackets are critical to protecting both passengers and crew.

The ATBOWATON President further noted that improving the navigability of the nation’s inland waterways would significantly ease pressure on Nigeria’s roads. According to him, a functional water transport system offers commuters and cargo operators a safer and more efficient alternative to road travel.

In his response, the Acting Managing Director, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, thanked the union for the visit. He assured members that NIWA had already commenced work on many of the concerns raised, noting that interventions were underway well before the delegation’s visit.

Also speaking, the Area Manager, NIWA Abuja Area/Liaison Office, Mrs. Aisha Eri, described the visit as a welcome development. She urged ATBOWATON members to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the FCT, expressing optimism that their expertise would help strengthen water transportation in the region.

As the rainy season peaks with rising water levels and increased pollution, the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has moved to sensitize waterfront communities in the Federal Capital Territory on safety and environmental protection.

The NIWA Abuja Area/Liaison Office on Wednesday staged a Marine Safety and Environmental Protection campaign at Abaji Area Council.

The exercise re-emphasized safe navigation practices and environmental stewardship for residents living on and around the waterways. It is in direct alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the provisions of federal law which enshrine *zero tolerance for waterways transportation accidents and infractions*.

Speaking at the event, the Area Manager, *Hajai. Aisha Eri*, thanked the host communities for their cooperation. She assured them of NIWA’s sustained commitment to protecting the nation’s inland waters and the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on them.

The Emir of kwali *HRH Alhaji Adamu Saba Aguma*, also commended NIWA for the intervention. He pledged his community’s full support to safeguard the waterways and ensure strict adherence to all safety regulations.

Other district heads, John Dogole, district head of kundu, Sarkin
Tungbufu, Mohammed Yusuf, Ayahaya Nassarawa, the sarkin Nassarawa, Musa wabai, Sarkin kutara, Musa Alanana, the Sarkin kwago and Padama and Abdullahi kwakwa , the Sarkin kwakwa , all expressed their appreciation for the enlightenment campaign and gave assurances of full compliance with the safety measures taught.

The sensitization is part of a nationwide mandate from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, *His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola*, to ensure dedicated and regular engagement with littoral communities. The Acting Managing Director of NIWA, *Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei*, has directed all Area Offices to accord the directive top priority.

The Abuja Area Office team is expected to extend the campaign to other littoral communities within and around the FCT next week.

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to eradicating counterfeit goods, unwholesome drugs, and border security threats through strengthened inter-agency collaboration.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday by Chado Zakari, Deputy Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer, Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, this resolve was highlighted during two separate high-profile strategic visits to the Command Headquarters in Idiroko by leadership from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the 35 Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army.

Dr. Martin Iluyomade (fsi), Director of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products at NAFDAC, paid a courtesy call on the Ag. Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Oludayo Afeni, to establish robust, intelligence-driven operations aimed at intercepting substandard and expired goods before reaching Nigerian markets.

Dr. Iluyomade commended the Command’s anti-smuggling track record and advocated for real-time information sharing and streamlined enforcement to protect public health and local industries.
​
DC Oladapo Afeni emphasized that dismantling organized smuggling syndicates requires inter-agency coordination, noting that our resolve to secure the nation’s borders against illicit trade is unwavering. Strengthening our partnership with the Federal Task Force will enhance our operational efficiency and ensure importers of fake and substandard items find no safe haven within our jurisdiction.

​Both agencies urged importers, clearing agents, and border communities to prioritize compliant trade and report suspicious activities to security authorities.

​In a parallel engagement to bolster tactical border security, the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, Brigadier, General Friday Oguche Onu, paid an official visit to DC Afeni to enhance security architecture across Ogun State’s border corridors.
​
Brigadier General Onu pledged continuous operational backstopping and intelligence sharing from the Nigeria Customs service, Ogun I Command in particular to counter trans-border crime, smuggling, and regional threats. Security along our border communities requires a seamless, unified front. The 35 Artillery Brigade remains fully committed to fostering joint operations to safeguard national security and economic stability, General Onu stated.

The Ag. Customs Area Controller Ogun I Command DC Afeni appreciated the military’s steadfast support, reaffirming that joint tactics remain vital to suppressing illicit activities while facilitating legitimate trade.

​Solidifying Partnership,
​the high-level visits featured formal presentations of commemorative plaques, the signing of the official visitors’ register, and joint group photographs with senior officers of the respective formations.