Group slams faceless individuals making spurious claims against NIMASA
…warns them against destroying the nation’s maritime industry
A group, known as Save Maritime Nigeria Group, has issued a strong warning to some Nigerians to stop distracting the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), from carrying its mandate of regulating and providing good environment for the nation’s maritime industry.
It said the frequent social media reports by some rapacious and faceless individuals against the Agency is an unnecessary distraction , which is tantamount to destruction of the industry.
The group’s reaction is against the backdrop of the recent social media report by some faceless individuals trying to smear the reputation of the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who assumed duties early this year.
Recall that Mobereola had recently cautioned members of the public on the existence of several unauthorized social media accounts making the rounds and purportedly belonging to him.
Save Maritime Nigeria Group, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer,Okon Edet,slamed those it called chronic blackmailers ,warning them that the law would soon catch up with them if do not stop their bloodsucking approach to life ,which has become their stock-in-trade.
Specifically, the group lampooned one Asu Beks,whose real name , it said, is Anthony Oguguo, who it said , had allegedly collected over N10 million from NIMASA and went back to ask for compensation, running into millions without naming the issue for which he should be compensated.
The statement reads in part,”the Nigerian maritime industry, a vital artery in the nation’s economy, has long grappled with challenges ranging from piracy to regulatory inefficiencies.
“However, a more insidious threat has emerged from within the industry itself: the figure of Asu Beks, a name that has become synonymous with blackmail and ethical compromise.
“The Rise of Asu Beks, whose real name is Anthony Oguguo, initially carved a niche for himself in maritime journalism. This seventy years old man has consistently exploited the media, leveraging his position to manipulate narratives for personal gain at the expense of the industry’s integrity.
According to Save Maritime Group, ”recently, shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the appointment of Dr Abubakar Dantsoho as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Asu Beks approached him with an innocent looking proposal to host stakeholders on his behalf. Dantsoho somehow did not buy into the proposal. He actually dodged a bullet. The NIMASA DG who this year fell for that trick of his has now become a subject of constant blackmail from Asu Beks.
It said “despite receiving over Ten Million naira from the Agency within 10 Months, Anthony Oguguo, Alias Asu beks demanded financial compensation running into millions and immediately this was not granted, he resorted to misinformation and misrepresentation of facts.
“Or how else can one explain that a man who claimed to galvanize stakeholders to dine with the new NIMASA DG in June 2024, suddenly go to town with a story alleging bribe scandal rocks NIMASA under Mobereola’s watch. As if that was not enough, Asu beks goes to town again with another set of lies and misinformation.
“These are stories found only on his heavily discredited platform which mostly are published when he wants to confer ridiculous awards or publish misleading stories about those who refused to give into his blackmail antics.
“Dontsoho dodged a bulet. He may have learnt from his predecessors in office, Hadiza Balla and Bello Koko who used very long spoon to dine with this perennial blackmailer called Asu Beks.
“To move forward, the industry must confront this challenge head-on, restoring integrity to maritime journalism and ensuring that those who engage in blackmail are held to account.
“The road ahead will not be easy, but it is a necessary journey if the Nigerian maritime industry is to achieve its full potential. By standing together against blackmailers like Asu Beks, the industry can build a more transparent, trustworthy, and thriving sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
