President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic growth with outdated port infrastructure, stressing that aggressive investment in modern ports, technology and deep sea facilities is now unavoidable.

Dantsoho, who is also the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), said countries across West and Central Africa have resolved to modernise their ports to remain competitive in global trade and accommodate larger vessels.

Speaking at the closing of the PMAWCA meetings in Lagos, Dantsoho commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for providing policy direction that is repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector.

According to him, port infrastructure remains the backbone of economic growth, noting that no country can expand its GDP without expanding and modernising its ports.

“This is an industry that requires huge investment in infrastructure. You cannot make progress with obsolete facilities and still expect to receive newer and larger vessels,” he said.

“You cannot have a hotel built 50 years ago and expect modern customers to continue coming without refurbishment. It is the same thing with ports.”

He said countries within the sub-region, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Benin Republic, are currently repositioning their port systems through upgrades and modernisation projects.

Dantsoho disclosed that while Nigeria is refurbishing Apapa and Tin Can Island ports as a medium-term solution, the country must ultimately develop more modern deep sea ports capable of handling future trade volumes.

He noted that the Lekki Deep Sea Port, with two berths, represents progress, but added that Africa must aim for larger and more sophisticated facilities comparable to global maritime hubs.

“In Singapore, they are building ports with hundreds of berths. Guinea is developing a $20 billion deep sea port project. These are the kinds of investments Africa must begin to pursue if we want to compete globally,” he said.

The PMAWCA President also highlighted the growing role of technology, automation, artificial intelligence and robotics in port operations, insisting that data-driven systems are now central to efficient maritime administration.

According to him, the Nigerian Ports Authority has achieved nearly 90 per cent automation in its operations, with electronic payment and cargo processing systems significantly improving efficiency.

He cited the electronic call-up system introduced at Apapa Port as one of the innovations that has drastically reduced traffic congestion around the port corridor.

“Today, you can go into Apapa and leave within minutes. Before now, people spent hours and sometimes slept on the bridge because of congestion,” he said.

Dantsoho further stated that Nigeria currently accounts for over 70 per cent of cargo traffic entering the West and Central African sub-region due to its large population, market size and strategic position in serving landlocked neighbouring countries such as Niger, Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso.

He explained that Nigeria’s huge consumer market, combined with its youthful population, gives the country enormous maritime and economic potential if supported with modern infrastructure.

“Our market extends beyond Nigeria because several landlocked countries depend on Nigerian ports. But to sustain that advantage, we must provide deeper waters, stronger quays and modern infrastructure that can accommodate bigger ships,” he added.

He also stressed the importance of regional collaboration and peer review among African port authorities under PMAWCA, saying member countries are increasingly sharing experiences, performance benchmarks and strategies to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness across the region.

According to him, Africa’s future economic growth will depend heavily on how quickly its maritime sector adapts to global realities through infrastructure renewal, technological innovation and regional integration.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya says the councils 2026 Press Week should be a time for reflection, professional advancement, unity, and renewed advocacy not mere ceremony.

Delivering the lecture at the NUJ FCT Press Week 2026, Comrade Yahya urged journalists to recommit to ethical reporting, press freedom, national development, and the welfare of media professionals across Nigeria.

He disclosed that “Press Week is not merely a ceremonial event. It is a period of introspection, recommitment, and renewed advocacy for ethical journalism, press freedom, national development, and the welfare of media professionals across Nigeria,”

Highlighting the fast-changing media landscape, Yahya noted challenges posed by digital communication, artificial intelligence, citizen journalism, and the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation, alongside mounting security threats facing reporters.

Despite these pressures, he praised Nigerian journalists for their resilience, courage, and commitment to truth and public accountability.

“Journalists are custodians of democracy,” he said, adding that a vibrant and independent press is essential to holding leaders accountable and protecting justice, transparency, and good governance.

“Without a vibrant and independent press, democracy itself becomes vulnerable.”

Yahya thanked the NUJ FCT Council for its strategic role in strengthening professional journalism and promoting media excellence in the nation’s capital, commending council members for their dedication and unity.

He outlined persistent threats confronting journalists attacks, harassment, intimidation, poor remuneration, job insecurity, and unsafe working conditions and called for urgent action to protect the integrity of the profession.

“The Nigeria Union of Journalists remains resolute in advocating for better welfare, improved working conditions, insurance protection, prompt payment of salaries, and greater institutional support for journalists nationwide,” he said

“A journalist who works under fear, uncertainty, or hardship cannot effectively discharge the sacred responsibility of informing society.”

The president said the NUJ is engaging government institutions, media owners, development partners, and other stakeholders to prioritize journalists’ welfare and protection.

Emphasizing capacity building, he said the future of journalism belongs to practitioners who are adaptable, technology-savvy, fact-oriented, and ethically grounded.

“Our credibility remains our greatest asset,” he stated, urging reporters to resist sensationalism, political manipulation, ethnic bias, and unprofessional conduct.

He pledged the NUJ’s support for initiatives that strengthen fact-checking, digital literacy, investigative reporting, and ethical standards.

The Comrade President also appealed to government at all levels to respect press freedom and protect democratic values, reminding officials that journalists are partners in nation building, not enemies of the state.

He urged security agencies to safeguard journalists as they perform lawful duties, noting that “democracy flourishes where the press operates freely without intimidation or fear.”

In closing, the NUJ president called on members to recommit to unity, mentorship, and preserving the dignity of the profession, and he paid tribute to veteran journalists whose sacrifices shaped today’s practice. He reminded attendees that Nigeria’s complex political, social, and economic transitions make the media’s role more critical than ever, and asked journalists to promote peace, national unity, responsible dialogue, and issue-based reporting.

“Let this Press Week serve as a platform for renewed collaboration between the media, government, civil society, and the Nigerian people in pursuit of a more just, peaceful, and prosperous nation,” he concluded.

*says Sani Musa’s emergence clear choice of the masses

The New Niger Development Agenda (NNDA) has strongly commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, praising the governor’s outstanding political credentials and masterful handling of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primaries, while describing Senator Sani Musa’s emergence as the clear choice of the masses.

The group described Governor Bago’s leadership during the primaries as a shining example of political maturity, strategic wisdom, and commitment to party unity and the welfare of the people.

According to a statement signed by Comrade Adamu Musa, the NNDA praised the governor for his fatherly intervention that ensured a peaceful and harmonious process, preventing unnecessary conflicts and producing credible candidates that reflect the true aspirations of Niger people.

“Governor Bago has once again proven his mettle as a visionary leader with deep political credentials,” the group stated. “His ability to navigate complex political terrain while keeping the interest of the masses at heart is unmatched and worthy of emulation.”

The advocacy group emphasizlsed that Governor Bago’s wealth of experience and grassroots connections were instrumental in fostering consensus and strengthening the APC ahead of the general elections.

Turning to the emergence of Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, the NNDA declared it as the clear and unmistakable choice of the masses for the Niger East Senatorial District.

The group showered praises on Senator Sani Musa for his exemplary track record of dedicated service, legislative competence, and numerous impactful constituency projects that have transformed lives across Niger East.

“Senator Sani Musa’s emergence is a popular verdict from the people who have continued to benefit from his quality representation and unwavering commitment to development,” NNDA noted.

The statement highlighted Senator Sani Musa’s contributions to education through scholarship schemes, infrastructure development, and his consistent advocacy for the people of Niger East at the national level.

NNDA applauded the synergy between Governor Bago’s dynamic leadership and Senator Sani Musa’s legislative excellence, describing both as indispensable assets to the progress of Niger State.

The group urged all party members and residents to fully support these two exceptional leaders, noting that their combined strength guarantees continued good governance and accelerated development in the state.