The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced enhanced enforcement of the statutory requirements for indigenous participation in Nigeria’s Cabotage trade and maritime activities. This disclosure was contained in a marine notice issued pursuant to the Agency’s statutory mandate of implementing applicable laws including the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, in addition to the Cabotage regulations and implementing guidelines. Under the enhanced enforcement regime, all persons and entities requiring vessels for Cabotage operations are required to use vessels that meet applicable Nigerian ownership, registration, manning and construction requirements and are duly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies Engaged in Cabotage. The Agency further requires all vessels, owners, operators, charterers, managers and other stakeholders engaged in Cabotage activities to maintain valid statutory certi...
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has continued its efforts to address food insecurity and support vulnerable households with the distribution of essential food items to more than 1,000 families in Kogi State through its Fidelity Food Bank Initiative. The outreach programme, held at the Youth Centre in Lokoja, reflects the bank's commitment to fostering positive social impact in communities across Nigeria. Since its launch in April 2023, the Fidelity Food Bank has reached hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries nationwide, providing critical support to families facing economic hardship while contributing to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger. Speaking at the distribution exercise, Regional Bank Head, North Central II, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Blessing Onwumere, described the initiative as one of the bank's most far-reaching Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions. According to her, the programme was ...