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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎In the ongoing efforts to thwart economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, Tantita Security Services Ltd, the firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations in the  oil -rich region, has nabbed four suspected oil thieves, intercepting their vessel named MT Thor. Suspects are to undergo trial for economic sabotage .
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‎Speaking at the handover of the suspects at Koko Port, Tantita’s Executive Director of Operations, Capt Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally-sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
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‎The interception occurred on 15 December 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, says a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft.
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‎The report stated that Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
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‎It was further alleged that the vessel was being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
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‎Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
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‎“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
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‎“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko. The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
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‎“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
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‎“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
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‎“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day. As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
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‎Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎It has been canvassed that as the maritime industry grows in complexity, driven by digitalization, new trade realities, regulatory reforms and global logistic shifts, journalism practice within the space should toe the same line.
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‎Dr Pius Ukeyima Akutah, the  Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) stated this in a keynote address he delivered in Lagos, Thursday, during the 10th Anniversary Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists hosted by First Mediacon Network Ltd, publishers of Shipping Position Daily.
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‎Acknowledging that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has benefitted immensely from the sustained and professional coverage offered by the maritime press, more collaborative efforts is needed to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in the port environment. He was represented by the agency’s Director of Special Duties, Mr Moses Abere.
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‎”This decade-long journey affirms a simple truth: no maritime sector can advance without a strong, knowledgeable and committed media community.” Akutah added.
‎Strengthening maritime journalism for the future, he noted, requires technical accuracy, understanding of global practices and an appreciation of regulatory frameworks.
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‎The journalist should also be equipped to interrogate data, utilize digital tools and apply emerging technologies such as Al in research, storytelling and analysis.
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‎He added that in a sensitive sector such as maritime, misinformation can undermine policy, investor confidence and national economic stability.
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‎”At the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, we remain committed to open communication and structured engagement with the media to enhance mutual understanding and sectoral development.”
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‎Akutah assured that the NSC would continue to partner with the press through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building collaborations and joint initiatives that support a more informed and capable maritime media landscape.
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‎”As the Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council remains committed to promoting efficiency, transparency and competitiveness within the maritime sector.”
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‎”We consider the media as essential partners in informing stakeholders, shaping public understanding and strengthening accountability.”
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‎”We will continue to support credible and responsible maritime journalism and are open to meaningful engagements that enhance professionalism and knowledge within the press community.”
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Dr Akabogu (left) presenting a souvenir to Dr Maiwada, National PRO, Nigeria Customs Service.

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‎a 10-year milestone, Akutah advised, there should be a commitment to build a stronger future, one defined by accurate information, robust collaboration and shared progress.
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‎Unveiling the Centre for Maritime Media & Capacity Development at the event, Mr Sesan Onileimo, CEO First Mediacon Network Ltd stressed the need to future-proof maritime reporting in Nigeria. The new Centre, he said, was created to respond to rapid changes reshaping journalism and the maritime sector.
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‎ “The maritime media space is evolving rapidly under the pressure of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and social media. This Centre is our bold response to ensure journalists remain knowledgeable, relevant and impactful, regardless of how long they have been on the beat,” Onileimo explained.
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‎The Centre, he added, would not only take over the organisation of the annual seminar but would also deliver continuous, year-round manpower development programmes for maritime journalists and content creators.
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‎“What we are doing is moving from an annual event to a permanent structure for capacity development. The Centre is also open to partnerships with industry stakeholders who share our vision of a stronger and more professional maritime media,” Onileimo added.
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‎Dignitaries at the event included Mr Babandede, ACG Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service accompanied by the National Public Relations Officer, Dr Aliyu Maiwada, notable maritime lawyer Dr Emeka Akabogu (SAN) and Dr Kayode Farinto, former Acting National President of ANLCA.
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By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

At its 2023 Midwest Achievers’ Awards event celebrated recently, the Midwest Herald Community Newspaper bestowed a special Award of Excellence for Industry and Community Leadership on Engr Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun. He stood out among six outstanding personalities pencilled down from hundreds of others during a keenly-contested selection process.

According to the organizers of the event, all six successful winners have impacted meaningfully on the socio-political development of Nigeria. They are resourceful and successful in their different fields which included politics, housing, maritime, oil and gas, etc.

Engr Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun, the founder and pioneer President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) bagged the honour in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of the maritime industry through his Marine Logistics Company and for pioneering the first privately-owned indigenous ship repair and dry-docking shipyard in Nigeria, his unwavering passion for human capital development made evident in jobs creation, internship and training opportunities for Nigerians through his various companies with many Nigerians in their payroll.

Most outstandingly, Engr Ogbeifun possesses to his credit exemplary leadership and mentorship qualities which still manifest even in retirement.

Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun, Chairman, Starzs Investments Company Limited, the publisher of Midwest Herald, Omo Ojo-Orobosa said in a special tribute, is one of the leading lights in the shipping and Maritime Industries.

“Though, somewhat a private personage, but like the proverbial goldfish, the Port Harcourt based billionaire shipping mogul and philanthropist whose exploits spread from Nigeria to the rest of the world, unavoidably hogs the limelight once again at the Midwest Herald’s Award for ‘Industry and Leadership’.

Ojo-Orobosa said the Newspaper marked twenty years of its existence with various awards to the recipients and that Engr Ogbeifun was awarded the special laurel for his ‘industry and for his uncommon leadership’, especially in the Maritime Industry where he built the first indigenous Ship-repair Yard in the country.

“Engr Greg is a philanthropist per excellence, a shipping magnate with remarkable business exploits, who has worked tirelessly over the last 50 years, mentoring younger generations.

“Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun is a man of vision who is constantly on a mission to change the tragic story of a nation in constant crises with itself. He has been deploying his maritime expertise by engaging the younger generations through leadership training for his company member of staff”, Omo-Ojo said.

The publisher further described Engr. Greg Ogbeifun as a detribalised Nigerian whose friends cut across every ethnic backgrounds in Nigeria and beyond. His outstanding business ability aside, his reliability, integrity and dependability have constantly drawn friends into his tent as a result of his contribution to society and humanity.

Reacting to the award with the outpouring of accolades, glitz and glamour, the global business giant gave a glowing account of his driving philosophy.

“I feel very humble, very grateful and I think it’s a very motivating experience. Whatever it is that qualified us to be nominated and awarded, we have to keep doing in the interest of the nation and the younger generations after us.”

“In our time, the culture was much better than this time. Some of us have decided that knowing the challenges of the times facing the youths we continue to create platforms that would enable us to impact in them values and attributes they need to survive in this period of hardship.

“That’s what I’ll advice anyone who’s privileged to be focused so that our teeming youths can be gainfully employed or self creative in our own enlightened self- interest. You heard, for example, when they were reading my citation how I tackled the issues of joblessness and unemployment amongst our youths.

“The platforms I created were essentially established not to make more money for myself and my immediate family, but to expand the frontiers of numerous opportunities for the younger generations to leverage on their natural endowments while excelling in their individual disciplines and chosen careers.

“I think this is needed if we must achieve lasting peace in the country, as well as overcome litanies of artificial stagnation in all sectors of the economy and in our daily lives. We can truly change the narratives and a new paradigm shift is possible for a new Nigeria”, Engr. Greg said.

The business tycoon’s advocacy for positive business climate; the possibility for a new Nigeria, the place of governments at all levels and the roles of the youth to bring it about resonated with all the awardees who took turns to ex-ray the Nigerian project and the solutions to the legions of man made crises facing the giant of Africa.

Engr Ogbeifun has two books to his credit, ‘Not Always Easy’ and ‘Potentials of Nigeria’s Maritime Industry’. The first publication chronicles his humble beginning, aptly telling the story that he did not achieve greatness by accident but through a therapeutic chain of events.
As the newspaper states, ambitious people know that everything they do and every discipline they adhere to form the links in the chain of events that will lead them to their final destination.

Professor Julius Ihonvbere, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, bagged the Newspaper’s Award for ‘Visible Contributions to the Advancement of Democracy’. His Award recognizes his inspirational struggles, dedication and commitment to Nigeria’s democracy.
The Midwest Herald Community Newspaper described Ihonvbere as an avowed consistent community builder; an astute leader and community builder with a deep-seated passion to serve his people of Owan Federal Constituency and Edo State in general.

“Over the years, he has consistently and passionately promoted the Local Economic Development (LED) of his Constituency through scholarships, business grants, employment and other social security works through the IHONVBERE FOUNDATION which he formed several years ago.’

Before venturing into the federal parliament in pursuance of the quest to serve his people, Prof Ihonvbere was Special Adviser on Programme and Policy Monitoring to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Later, he became Secretary to Edo State Government under ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole.