Maritime Security: Onshore And Offshore Security Crucial – Dr. Dakuku

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stressed the strategic importance of security both onshore and offshore to the achievement of safe and secure shipping and a viable and vibrant maritime sector for the country’s benefits.

The Director General who stated this while playing host to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Peter John Dauke at the Agency’s Headquarters in Lagos said that as the Agency strives to achieve a secure maritime environment, the role of the Nigerian Army in particular cannot be neglected adding that most crimes perpetrated at sea are planned on land.

According to Dr. Dakuku, “we cannot be talking about merchant shipping without security both onshore and offshore, therefore we have to work with not only the Nigerian Navy but all security Agencies in order to ensure that criminals have no hiding place both on land and at sea because a large percentage of crime committed at sea are planned on land”, he said.

He also commended the Army for the successes achieved in the fight against Boko Haram in the north east stating that the sect’s defeat that looked like an insurmountable task about two years ago had been largely accomplished. He charged the men of the Nigerian Army to continue to bring their expertise and professionalism to bear especially when needed in sectors such as maritime.

The NIMASA DG further said that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) realizes the importance of security at the ports and adjoining areas and as such charged member state to ensure the implementation of the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code which NIMASA has been commended for actively executing on several occasions.

In his words, “in recognizing the fact that security of our ports and the adjoining areas are very important to the safety of goods and services moving in and out of our country, and our commitment to the full implementation of the International Ships and Ports Security Facility (ISPS)) Code, we have continuously sought collaborative understanding with all security agencies including the Army with which we have an MoU which is in the process of renewal to effectively nip any security challenge in our maritime domain in the bud before it festers” Dr. Dakuku said.

He also said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved a new maritime security architectural framework which will also aid in smoothening the working relationships that exist between NIMASA and other government agencies stressing that the need to particularly partner with the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army covering Lagos and Ogun cannot be overemphasized, owing to the strategic importance of Lagos to the nation’s economy being the only state in the country that has two international port complexes.

In his response, the GOC commended Dr. Peterside for his strides since assumption of office. He said the Division is fully open to partnership with NIMASA adding that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had directed that all commanding officers to ensure an improved civil military relationship.

Major Dauke further said that the vision of the COAS is for the country to have a professionally responsive Army and that the Army would continue to collaborate to ensure security not only in the maritime domain but the entire country.

In another development, Dr. Peterside urged Christian youths to embrace the biblical principles of honesty and integrity, which he described as the bedrock to success in politics and good governance.

The NIMASA boss was speaking at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) youth conference tagged IGNITE with the theme; “Taking Territories”. He urged them to work hard and embrace peace rather than violence in order to take charge of their territories.

Dr. Peterside whose message was focused on “Taking Territories Politically”, said that a territory is not limited to a geographic area under a common ruler but includes any sphere of influence under a particular leadership or jurisdiction, adding, that there are spiritual, geographic, economic, political, social and other territories. He noted that the political territory is the most important in physical spheres, as it shapes what happens in the other territories.

In his words: “There are seven important principles for anyone who desires to take charge of his territory. He or she must have a mental picture of the territory he wants to take charge of, he must have a precise vision, and the vision must produce passion which will give you focus and sustaining energy. The individual must be prepared to overcome resistance as there will always be competition for territories. You need people, because nobody goes alone to take territories.”

Speaking further, Dakuku listed other principles to include a new attitude, ability to adapt to change, acquisition of new skills and absolute faith that you already have the territory. Accordingly, he stated that these principles that are all biblical apply to taking political territories as it does to other territories.

While admonishing the youths against seeing politics as dirty, Dr Dakuku urged them to get involved so that the nation’s political landscape will have more God fearing and visionary leaders.

Also speaking at the event, Pastor J T Kalejaiye, the Special Assistant to the General Overseer of the Redeem Christian Church of God on evangelism who spoke on taking territories spiritually, urged the youths to be more dedicated to God.

Pastor Emmanuel Emefienim, an award winning banker with Sterling Bank who spoke on taking over territories economically noted the need for adequate knowledge of the territory economically. He said prayer and fasting cannot take the place of planning and hard work. In his words “If you want to take over economically you must have the right mindset. You must fight to take over”

Other speakers at the conference which held simultaneously in Port Hacourt, Abuja, Lagos and Mombasa Kenya with an audience of over twenty thousand people, were; Pastor J.F. Odesola, Pastor Peter Amenkheinan, Pastor Thomas Etuh and Pastor Emefenim.