The Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, on Friday said the Omi Eko Project can transform water transportation in Lagos.
He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
Mignot who is also heads EU delegation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), commended the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his team for their efforts in revolutionalising water transportation.
Omi Eko Project is a major initiative by the Lagos State Government to improve water transportation in Lagos State.
The project, which involves a €410 million investment from the European Union, the French Development Agency, and the European Investment Bank, will introduce electric ferries, new terminals, and improved safety measures to create a modern, sustainable, and efficient water transport system.
Former Chief Technical Adviser to the Imo State Governor, Jerry Chukwueke, has said that the Chairman-designate of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, needs adequate support and timely funding from the National Assembly and the Presidency to succeed in his task of strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
Chukwueke stated this on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, on Friday, where he emphasised the importance of giving INEC sufficient “lead time” to prepare for upcoming elections, including the Anambra and other subnational polls.
“I think the people who will now train the election officers and ad-hoc staff need lead time.
“The contractors and those deploying expert technology require lead time. So, this government and the National Assembly have got a job to do, give them the tools they need to do this work and do so on time,” he said.
Chukwueke, who is also a public affairs analyst, says that INEC’s success depends largely on the prompt release of funds and logistical support to enable effective planning and deployment.
“Get the budget, get the funding, get it to them on time so they have sufficient leeway to get on with this enormous task.
“We must all rally the National Assembly and the Presidency, give them the lead time, give them the funding they need, suddenly and efficiently,” he added.
READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman
According to him, the new INEC leadership faces a significant workload ahead, with elections fast approaching, making it critical for government institutions to act swiftly in providing necessary backing.
“The work is enormous; he needs to get out there and get on with it. But he’s well equipped to do it, that’s really the point I’m making.
“And if he gets the support he needs, I think he has the strength of character to take on the political pressure that will come and to actually get a management strategy out there, leading by example, that can deliver the results Nigerians are looking for,” Chukwueke added.
Joash Amupitan (fourth-right), a professor of Law, was confirmed by the Senate after his screening on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Amupitan, a professor of Law, as the new Chairman of INEC.
He was confirmed by the upper chamber after his screening on Thursday.
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a fibre boat carrying about 4,000 litres of suspected Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Lagos waters.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft in the early hours of Saturday, October 11, 2025, near Commodore Pool within the Atlas Cove area.
During a press briefing on Thursday, the Executive Officer of NNS Beecroft, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, confirmed the interception on behalf of the Commander, Commodore Paul Nimmyel.
He said the boat was intercepted through the Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness facility, known as the Falcon Eye Alignment, which enables real-time monitoring of activities along the coastline.
“Our patrol team stationed at Tarkwa Bay intercepted a fibre boat laden with about 4,000 litres of product suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil. The suspects abandoned the boat and fled upon sighting our patrol team,” Captain Udoessien said.
He added that the seized product had been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, for further investigation.
READ ALSO: Military Arrests Wanted IPOB Commander, Eight Others
Product seized by the Navy
Captain Udoessien noted that the interception reflected the Directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to maintain a credible presence across the Lagos waterways.
“This operation is part of our ongoing effort to rid the maritime environment of all forms of economic sabotage and crime,” he stated.
The officer warned those involved in oil theft and other illegal maritime activities to desist or face severe consequences.
“We will not rest on our oars in pursuing criminal elements operating within our area of responsibility. NNS Beecroft will continue to intensify surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-driven missions to deny criminals freedom to operate in Lagos waterways,” he said.
The Nigerian military has confirmed the arrest of a wanted commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), identified as ‘Gentle,’ along with eight of his accomplices in Imo and Ebonyi states.
Confirming the arrest at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Magnus Kangye, said ‘Gentle’ had been on the military’s wanted list for his alleged terrorist activities in the South-East region.
“The Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA troops sustained offensive operations throughout the week under review.
“Between 8 and 13 October, they conducted several offensives and arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN terrorist commander identified as Gentle, who had been on the troops’ wanted list, alongside eight other criminals in Owerri West and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of Imo State, as well as Izzi and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State,” Kangye said.
READ ALSO: Five Policemen Killed In Zamfara Bandit Ambush As Gov Lawal Mourns
He added that troops recovered several weapons, ammunition, and vehicles during the operations.
Kangye also disclosed that a female collaborator linked to IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN) was arrested in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State on 13 October.
“The suspect is believed to be one of their logistics suppliers.
“During her arrest, three children were found in her custody, and investigations revealed they were the biological children of a wanted IPOB/ESN leader identified as Maduabuchi Nwankwo, also known as ‘Emergency’,” he revealed.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has asked the Federal Government to withdraw and review the list of those granted pardon by President Bola Tinubu.
In a press release made available to journalists on Thursday evening, the senior lawyer said this should be done in the interest of justice and national morality.
While not disputing the powers of the President to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentences to persons convicted of any offence created by an Act of the National Assembly, Falana noted that those granted pardon include convicted politically exposed persons, drug addicts and barons, armed robbers, and terrorists as well as persons convicted for contravening state offences like culpable homicide, murder and obtaining by false pretences.
The Senior Advocate stated that the Prerogative of Mercy Committee should recommend to state governors to consider granting pardon to the persons who were convicted of state offences in the list of pardonees in accordance with Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.
READ ALSO: Presidential Pardon At Review Stage, Not Yet Final – AGF Fagbemi
The statement reads, “Following the recommendation of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, President Bola Tinubu recently granted pardon to 175 persons convicted for various offences.
“It is indisputable that the President is empowered by virtue of section 175 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to exercise the grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentences to persons convicted of any offence created by an Act of the National Assembly.
“The list of pardonees include convicted politically exposed persons, drug addicts and barons, armed robbers, and terrorists as well as persons convicted for contravening state offences like culpable homicide, murder, obtaining by false pretences.
“The federal government should withdraw and review the list of pardonees without any delay in the interest of justice and national morality. In particular, the Prerogative of Mercy Committee should recommend to State Governors to consider granting pardon to the persons who were convicted of state offences in the list of pardonees in accordance with Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.”
Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has clarified that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of President Bola Tinubu’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody.
The office of the AGF said the process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.
A statement personally signed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Thursday, said, “It is important to note that the last stage of the exercise, after approval by the Council of State, is the issuance of the instrument for the implementation of the decision concerning each beneficiary.
“This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list for remedial purposes, if any, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action.”
The Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, has said that the forthcoming Anambra Governorship Election will be the first major test for the newly confirmed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Joash Amupitan.
Itodo, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, said that despite Professor Amupitan’s credentials and experience reflecting capacity and intellect, his real test begins once he assumes duty on electoral matters.
“Based on his credentials, he has the capacity. Does he have the mental stamina and ability? It is clear from today that he does.
“But this is a screening; when he gets into office, he is going to face a major test. The first major test is the Anambra election, which is only a few weeks away,” Itodo stated.
Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo
The Anambra Governorship Election will be held on November 8, 2025, and is expected to involve about 2.8 million voters and 16 political parties.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo (APGA) will seek re-election against Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), George Moghalu (Labour Party) and other contenders.
READ ALSO: I Never Represented Tinubu At 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court — Amupitan
The YIAGA Africa director said that the senate screening had shown that the law professor possesses the capacity and integrity to lead the electoral body, but must now demonstrate courage and independence in office.
“To the best of our knowledge, there hasn’t been any petition written questioning his integrity. So, to a large extent, you can say that this individual has the moral standing and integrity to hold this office,” he said.
‘Independence To Sanction Bad Eggs’
Itodo urged the new INEC Chairman to assert his independence by ensuring corrupt officials face the full weight of the law, emphasising that integrity must permeate every level of the commission.
“He must assert independence and make bad eggs face the full wrath of the law. INEC is not about Prof. Amupitan alone. There are 12 national commissioners, 37 resident electoral commissioners, and 774 electoral officers.
“If they do not cooperate with the vision set by the chairman, and politicians compromise them, we will be back to ground zero,” he warned.
Amupitan was confirmed by the Senate after over two hours of questioning on October 16, 2025.
The YIAGA Africa director added that Amupitan would need more than personal integrity to manage the commission effectively.
“Having worked on elections for two decades, I can tell you he is going to need more than that in engaging INEC officials. The question is how to hold complicit officials to account, especially when some are bought over by politicians in power,” he said.
Despite commending the Senate for its robust screening, Itodo lamented that Nigerians missed an opportunity to hear the chairman’s vision on electoral reform.
“What the Senate and Nigeria actually lost was the opportunity to hear him speak to the nation about questions related to electoral justice,” he said.
Vow To ‘Review Electoral Act’
Earlier on Thursday, the Senate confirmed Amupitan as the new Chairman of the INEC after an intense two-hour screening session.
At the screening, the chairman vowed to “reform Nigeria’s electoral process to ensure credible polls where losers accept results as fair.”
He promised to “review the Electoral Act to fix timeline inconsistencies” and also denied links to any 2023 election legal teams.
The 58-year-old law professor was nominated by President Bola Tinubu and received formal endorsement from the National Council of State last week. He succeeds Mahmood Yakubu and becomes the sixth substantive INEC chairman.
A file photo of INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu
Other elections on the horizon under the new chairman’s belt include the FCT Area Council Election (February 2026), the Ekiti Governorship Election (June 2026), and the Osun Governorship Election (August 2026).
