Connect with us

NEWS

Egypt Seeks To Free Citizens Kidnapped By Pirates Off Nigeria’s Coast

Published

on

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has said it was coordinating with Nigerian authorities to free two of its citizens after they were kidnapped by pirates.
According to media reports, Saad Shawky and Kyrolos Samir were taken while they were on board a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria’s southernmost state of Bayelsa.
There are also three Lebanese, four Indians and a Cameroonian in the crew, reports arab.news.

The ministry said it had contacted the Egyptian consulate in Abuja about the circumstances and with the latest updates, and that instructions had been issued “to communicate with all officials at the highest level to follow up on ensuring the safety of kidnapped Egyptians.”


Egyptian media reported the two men were on board a Lebanese cargo ship called “Milan-1” that was heading from Nigeria to Cameroon. They also said the ship was owned by a Lebanese national, Adnan El-Kot.
El-Kot said in statements that he had rented the ship to a man called Tavo Lawrence and that the vessel was raising the flag of Saint Kitts. He learned about the kidnapping last Thursday, receiving a call from a Thuraya mobile phone from the pirates who demanded a $1.5 million ransom to release the ship.

The ransom dropped to $300,000, and El-Kot explained that he had told the kidnappers that the ship had been rented to another person living in Nigeria after he made sure all the ship crew were safe.
Maria Samir, Samir’s sister, said her brother was last contacted as he was about to move from Nigeria to Cameroon.

She said in an interview that contact with him was lost a few hours after he moved from Nigeria, adding that it naturally happened due to being in the open seas. She was following up the ship’s route through an app that revealed the vessel had stopped in the middle of the sea and did not move.
She said her brother graduated from university a year ago and that it was his first job for six months. She added he was working on a ship on the Red Sea route and moved to work on board “Milan-1.”

Sherouk Shawky, who is Shawky’s sister, said: “My brother and his colleague Kyrolos Samir have been working together onboard the ship for two years and a half.”
She said her brother left Nigeria en route to Cameroon and they had last contacted each other last Wednesday.
She added: “By Saturday, as he didn’t contact us, we became extremely worried about him since the route from Nigeria to Cameroon is only two days. So we contacted Adnan El-Kot, the ship owner, who told us that pirates from Nigeria kidnapped the ship’s 10-member crew, which includes officers, engineers and cooks. He said the pirates kidnapped 10 crew members and left one to inform Adnan of the kidnapping.”

NEWS

Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies: Fiona Ahmed Ahimie Launches LEADHER Mentorship Session to Inspire the Next Generation of Female leaders

Published

on

By

Lagos, Nigeria – June 2026 – As part of activities leading up to her investiture as the 14th President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and the first female President in the Institute’s history, Dr. Fiona Ahmed Ahimie, Managing Director of First Securities Brokers Limited, hosted the inaugural LeadHER Mentorship Session on Thursday, June 18, 2026.The session, themed “Leading with Purpose, Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy,” brought together emerging female professionals and aspiring leaders from across various industries for an engaging afternoon of mentorship, learning, and empowerment.The LeadHER Mentorship Session was designed to provide participants with practical insights into leadership, career advancement, personal development, and navigating challenges in the traditionally male-dominated sectors. Through candid conversations and shared experiences, attendees gained valuable perspectives on building successful careers while creating lasting impact within their organizations and communities.Speaking at the event, Dr. Ahimie noted that leadership is not merely about achieving personal success but about creating pathways for others to thrive.”Throughout my professional journey, I have benefited from the guidance, support, and encouragement of remarkable mentors. The LeadHER Mentorship Session is an opportunity to pay that forward by equipping and inspiring the next generation of women to pursue excellence, embrace leadership opportunities, and break barriers with confidence,” she said.The mentorship session forms part of a broader commitment to advancing female participation and leadership within Nigeria’s financial services industry and the wider corporate ecosystem. It also reflects Dr. Ahimie’s longstanding dedication to talent development, professional excellence, and inclusive leadership.The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, networking, and knowledge sharing.Dr. Ahimie’s investiture as President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers marks a historic milestone for the Institute and the Nigerian capital market, underscoring the growing role of women in shaping the future of the financial services industry.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Insecurity: Governor Dauda Lawal Commends Troops for Recovering Ammunitions, Rustled Cattle

Published

on

By

Zamfara State Executive Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal has commended the troops for their efforts and commitment to the fight against banditry in the state.On Saturday, the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Zamfara Police Command successfully recovered 329 cattle and 175 sheep from bandits in the Gambanda forest in Gummi Local Government.Governor Lawal, while appreciating the troops, described the Zamfara State Police’s renewed efforts as encouraging and promising in the fight against banditry.He said, “I commend the effort of all the security operatives in Zamfara State, especially the Zamfara State Police Command, for its resilience, bravery and commitment in recovering 329 cattle, 175 sheep, weapons and ammunition from bandits.”The police engaged and overpowered the bandits in Gambanda forest in Gummi local government area, which led to the recovery.”This commendable action reflects their tireless work in the face of challenges posed by criminal elements and underscores the police’s role in protecting the livelihoods of the people of Zamfara State.”The remarkable display of bravery and the successful recovery of livestock and weapons highlight the strong leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Bello. His guidance has been instrumental in improving public safety and combating banditry.”My administration remains committed to providing support to all security agencies in their efforts to ensure safety and security for our people.”

Continue Reading

NEWS

Governor Dauda Lawal Approves Payment of Allowance to NYSC Members Serving in Zamfara

Published

on

By

The Zamfara State Government is pleased to announce that His Excellency, Governor Dauda Lawal, has approved the payment of allowances/stipends to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state. The approval reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of corps members who are contributing to the development of various sectors across Zamfara State.

The approval covers corps members from Batch A Stream I and II up to Batch C Stream I and II. Through this gesture, the government recognizes and appreciates the patriotism, dedication, and selfless service being rendered by the young graduates in education, healthcare, agriculture, and other areas critical to the growth and progress of the state.

Governor Dauda Lawal has directed the Office of the Accountant General to put in place all necessary arrangements to facilitate the implementation of the approval. The government is committed to ensuring that the process is carried out smoothly and in accordance with established procedures.

The Zamfara State Government remains grateful to the NYSC members for choosing to serve in the state and for their invaluable contributions to community development.

The administration will continue to prioritize initiatives aimed at supporting corps members and creating an enabling environment that will allow them to discharge their national responsibilities effectively.

Continue Reading

Trending

Mega Awareness 2023