The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Osun State chapter, has urged stakeholders across the country to support the immediate passage of the Special Seats Bill (HB1349) currently before the National Assembly.

The call follows the Nigeria Women Solidarity March held at the National Assembly, Abuja, where NAWOJ members joined other women’s advocacy groups to press for legislative measures aimed at improving women’s representation in governance.

In a statement jointly signed by the Osun NAWOJ Chairperson, Abisola Ariwodola, and the Secretary, Oluwaranti Ojewumi, the association said Nigeria’s democracy could not be described as fully representative while women remained underrepresented in elective and appointive offices.

The statement noted that women constitute nearly half of the country’s population but continue to face barriers that limit their political participation and access to leadership roles.

“Over the years, despite proven competence and leadership capacity across sectors, women have continued to face structural, cultural, and institutional barriers that restrict their political participation,” the association stated.

NAWOJ explained that the Special Seats Bill (HB1349) seeks to introduce a constitutional provision creating additional legislative seats exclusively for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

According to the association, the proposed measure is intended as a corrective mechanism to address historical exclusion rather than as a privilege.

“Women’s representation is not merely symbolic, it is also transformative,” the statement read.

The body added that inclusive governance contributes to broader social protection frameworks, improved education and healthcare systems, and stronger community development initiatives.

“For decades, women have been marginalised within political party structures, electoral processes and governance. The Special Seats Bill provides a practical pathway to bridge the representation gap and institutionalise gender inclusion,” NAWOJ stated.

The association said that expanding access to political office for women would reinforce democratic values of fairness, equity and equal opportunity.

It called on members of the National Assembly representing Osun State to vote in favour of the bill and urged the Osun State House of Assembly to domesticate it when passed, describing women’s political inclusion as a national development issue.

NAWOJ reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the passage of the Special Seats Bill (HB1349).

“We urge all stakeholders to act with urgency, seriousness and patriotism,” the statement concluded.

The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Dan Nwanyanwu, has warned that all votes must be counted in the February 21 Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Councils elections.

Nwanyanwu issued this stern warning on Thursday while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must test the IREV.

“In FCT, you just said tension is rising and that is correct. Alliances are shifting. Some candidates are being persuaded to drop and support another candidate. Then you have the Supreme Court that affected one of the parties.

“Let me tell you. FCT residents have a pattern when they are voting.

“They are not persuaded by noise or arrogance. And let me warn that this election on Saturday, the votes must be counted and INEC should test the IREV.

“A lot of things have happened in the in the past few days. People who thought they will win everywhere and throw everybody away will be disappointed.

“You may not support the president’s party in this election but in other elections you may support the president. This is local politics.

“So, when somebody gets to the public arrogantly boasting that he’s god, he’s all, it’s not just right.

“Watch and see the outcome of the Saturday election.

“Some people think they can determine everything in these elections but they can’t. That can only work outside Abuja,” he said.

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 21, 2025, the electorate in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, will file out to elect chairmen of area councils, as well as councillors.

DAILY POST reports that the polls present an opportunity to test the strength of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, powered by a coalition of major opposition politicians in Nigeria.

The elections will be held in various locations within Abuja such as, Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.

Candidates of the major parties, ADC, the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have been soliciting for votes in the past three weeks.

For the ADC, prominent figures such as Mr Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have been all out explaining to residents why they should cast their votes for the party, and not the APC.
Speaking to DAILY POST, the ADC chairmanship candidate for AMAC, Dr. Moses Paul said he was fully prepared to govern if elected, describing his candidacy as the result of years of grassroots engagement.

“Preparation for leadership does not begin a few days before an election. It is built over time through service and sacrifice.

“For years, I have walked these streets and listened to the people. I am fully prepared mentally, structurally and spiritually to serve from day one,” he said.

He described the election as a turning point for AMAC residents seeking accountable governance.

“This election is no longer about me. It is about AMAC deciding it deserves competence, dignity and accountable leadership,” he stated.

When asked about working with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike if he wins the election, Paul stressed the importance of cooperation.

“Leadership is not about ego; it is about responsibility. I will work with every lawful authority in the interest of our people. But my loyalty will always be to the people of AMAC,” he said, adding that his membership of the ADC is based on conviction rather than convenience.

Addressing questions about origin, he stated that service outweighs birthplace.

“Abuja is defined by where you serve. Leadership is about compassion, competence and courage. I am willing to give everything required to build a better AMAC,” he said.

Speaking to DAILY POST, residents across markets and neighborhoods expressed different opinions and expectations.

Aisha Abdulkadir, a market trader at Bwari market stated that “we are tired of leaders who come during campaigns and then disappear.”

Joy Okon, a provision seller at Dutse market stated that “I just want someone who knows what they are doing, not somebody that just wants to enter politics for power.”

Emmaunel Chukwuemeka, a mobile phone seller declared: “we need good roads, water and security; we don’t want slogans.”

Fatima Yusuf, a hairstylist had this to say: “I am paying attention to who knows our communities well, no be person wey go just put up posters run comot.” (sic).

For Victoria Odumu, a civil servant: “We don’t want promises again. I am voting for somebody who can do actual work.”

On his part, Godswill Onyeka, a food vendor said: “I will tell you the truth, I already know who I am voting for, all I am waiting for now is election day.”

DAILY POST earlier reported that the FCT police command had announced a 12-hour restriction of movement across Abuja from 6 am to 6 pm to ensure the smooth running of the election.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST recalls that a week ago, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said he would support only candidates who support President Bola Tinubu’s vision, irrespective of political party.

Wike, who has been campaigning for the APC candidates, made the statement in Abuja. He is still a member of the PDP.

While stating that he owed nobody any apology, the Minister said: “We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on February 21, and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win.

“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate who is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology on my stand.”

Wike’s strategies has seen to the collapse of the PDP campaign into that of the APC in two area councils.
Days ago, the PDP chairmanship candidate for Bwari, Julius Adamu, announced that he had stepped down for the APC candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa.

And then on Thursday, the PDP candidate for AMAC, Hon. Zadna Dantani also announced that he was withdrawing from the race for his APC counterpart, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.

The FCT Minister is said to be central to the decision of the two PDP candidates.

Maritime stakeholders believe the sector could see significant progress if the current Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency administration under Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola focuses primarily on fulfilling the agency’s core mandates rather than pursuing revenue, ANOZIE EGOLE reports

Upon assuming office in March 2024, Dr Mobereola inherited a sector burdened by legacy challenges, from training backlogs and regulatory gaps to an international reputation marred by security concerns and punitive insurance premiums.

Two years on, the agency has proven to be an emerging continental leader in maritime innovation, regulatory enforcement, and global advocacy. The agency has, through aggressive capacity development, strategic international diplomacy, and digital transformation, positioned Nigeria not just as a regional maritime power but as a model for African maritime governance in the twenty-first century. At the heart of NIMASA’s transformation is an unwavering commitment to developing Nigeria’s maritime workforce.

In a bid to boost morale in the sector, the agency has tackled the longstanding backlog in the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, clearing sea-time training delays that had frustrated aspiring maritime professionals.

In a bid to boost indigenous seafarers’ certification, NIMASA has integrated cutting-edge technology for verifying certificates of competency, streamlining the seafarer licensing process to meet the international standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers’ requirements. Recognising that institutional excellence begins at home, NIMASA has implemented comprehensive staff welfare programmes, including structured training initiatives, performance-based promotions, and reward systems.

Another milestone achieved by the agency within the last two years was Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, which reflects global confidence in NIMASA’s administrative reforms. Nigeria’s election to the Council in late 2025, during the IMO General Assembly in London, stands out as a defining achievement. The victory, led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, marked Nigeria’s triumphant return to the Council after a long hiatus. The IMO victory could also be attributed to Oyetola’s longstanding intensive diplomatic shuttles, sustained advocacy, and coordinated stakeholder engagement.

It is safe to say that Nigeria’s improved maritime security architecture and reforms in the Gulf of Guinea played a decisive role in restoring global confidence. This move earned NIMASA presidential commendation, as President Bola Tinubu formally commended the agency’s management, describing the achievement as a strong affirmation of Nigeria’s growing influence in global maritime governance.

In June 2025, at the Day of the Seafarer celebration in Port Harcourt, the Federal Government launched the Maritime Labour e-Platform, a digital solution for transforming labour administration. Building on the 2022 dockworkers registration initiative, the platform creates an integrated system for registering and verifying seafarers, dockworkers, employers, and other stakeholders. Speaking at the event, NIMASA’s Executive Director for Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Jibril Abba, was quoted as saying, “By centralising registration and issuing secure biometric identity cards, it cuts paperwork, speeds up processing, and gives us reliable real-time data.”

The platform fulfils NIMASA’s statutory mandate under Section 27(1)(a) of the NIMASA Act 2007 and aligns Nigeria with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights.

While building capacity and modernising systems, Mobereola has demonstrated that NIMASA has the regulatory teeth to enforce compliance. In January 2026, the agency launched ‘Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance’, targeting violations of Nigerian maritime laws. The operation requires comprehensive compliance, proper vessel registration, valid certifications, updated ownership documentation, adherence to Cabotage provisions, and timely payment of statutory levies. NIMASA’s enforcement strategy includes random and targeted vessel inspections, documentation verification against agency databases, and compliance assessments at ports, terminals, and offshore locations.

Beyond regulation, NIMASA has pursued strategic international collaborations, including a partnership with the Danish Maritime Authority to enhance maritime security through intelligence sharing, joint patrols, and capacity building. Similarly, collaboration with University College London implements emissions monitoring at Nigerian ports, contributing to global climate commitments. Working with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, NIMASA is exploring public-private partnership models for major projects, including the Modular Floating Dock. At the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Mobereola presented Nigeria’s automatic identification system for ship emission calculation, demonstrating NIMASA’s environmental commitment.

He has been particularly vocal in challenging discriminatory War Risk Insurance premiums imposed on vessels calling at Nigerian ports. Under Mobereola’s leadership, NIMASA has made significant progress in removing obstacles to the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, with meaningful disbursement to indigenous shipowners anticipated in 2026. The agency demonstrated commitment by inaugurating the CVFF Application Portal in January 2026. Combined with the November 2025 accreditation of 27 shipyards, these developments create an ecosystem where Nigerian shipowners can both finance vessel acquisition and access local repair services.

Maritime stakeholders have expressed concern that Nigeria continues to incur War Risk Insurance premiums, a development that raises the cost of vessels calling at the country’s ports. The Head of Research at Sea Empowerment and Research Centre, Mr Eugene Nweke, in a chat with The PUNCH on Monday, lamented that “despite reported improvements, high international war-risk insurance premiums persist, indicating that global confidence recovery is still incomplete.”

“Despite reported improvements, high international war-risk insurance premiums persist, indicating that global confidence recovery is still incomplete. Several flagship initiatives remain at transitional or rollout stages; measurable economic outcomes are yet to fully materialise,” Nweke said.

According to Nweke, broader structural constraints within Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem continue to limit rapid transformation. A seasoned clearing agent, who gave his name as Timothy Michael, while commending the agency’s boosting of training for cadets, called on NIMASA to ensure adequate employment for the cadets