The Nigerian marine seamen (Merchant Navy Seafarers) was established under the Merchant shipping acts of 1823, and amended in 1835 and 1876 of the colonial errant, later re-amended in 1911, before that of the amendment in 1914.
To carry out and implement the important function of the growth of Nigerian Maritime by Sir. Frederick D. Lugard, G.C.M.G, C.B, D.S.O the first Governor General of Nigeria. which later made the commencement of appointing Hon. Lieutenants Child, R.N, C.M.G, as the Director of the Nigerian Marines (Merchant Navy Seaferer) while Hon. F.T. BURROWES, ESQ, as the Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs & Excises that was made to act as government agents in the issues of clearing goods cargoes through the customs, and forwarding them up the country, while officers should therefore make their own arrangements with agents at the sea ports, Jetties and terminals warehouse land road borders of the Nation, With effect from 16th day of February 1914.
With the following eminent personalities that is in attendance viz :-
1. His Excellency the Governor General of Nigeria, SIR. FREDERICK D. LUGARD G.C.M.G, C.B, D.S.O
2. The Hon, Acting Administrator, MAJOR MOREHOUSE D.S.O
3. The Hon, Acting Attorney General, A.R. PENNINGTON K.C
4. The Hon, Commandant, COLONEL CORTE C.B, C.M.G
5. The Hon, Acting Treasurer, D.H.D, BRAT ESQ
6. The Hon, Director General of Marines (Merchant Navy Seaferer) LIEUTENANT CHILD R.N, C.M.G
7. The Hon, Comptroller of Custom T.F, BURRUWES ESQ.
Made the following resolution :-
under the order No.5 of 1914, The Colony and the Protectorate of Nigeria order in council made under THE THEATRES AND PUBLIC PERFORMANCE REGULATION ORDINANCE, 1912 (SOUTHERN NIGERIA) AT A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN LAGOS ON MONDAY THE 16TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 1914.
Under and by virtue of the Ordinance provisions of section (1) one, of the THEATRES and public performances Regulation 1912 (Southern Nigeria), it is hereby ordered by the Governor General SIR FREDERICK D. LUGARD of the Colony and the protectorate of Nigerian with the advice of the Executive Council thereof, that all the provisions of the said Ordinance shall apply and be in force.
Clerk of the Executive Council C.T LAWRENCE and by His Excellency COMMANDANT D.C.CAMERON central secretary of the Central Secretariat in Lagos made on this day the 3rd of April 1914.
The invent of 1966 civil war, after the Nigeria Navy Service (NN) Act was passed into law in 1964, the power vested on the Nigeria Navy Service (NN) then, based on that of the Nigerian Biafrans civil war that beginned in 1966. Hence the Nigeria Navy Service (NNS) were for Nigeria Military Defence and was assigned to assist the Nigerian Merchant Navy (NMN) on the seaports to curtailed and prevents the Biafrans and their imported Arms and ammunitions against penetrating into Nigeria through seaports, and to assist the Nigeria customs service to enforce their law based on then, the Nigerian Merchant Navy (NMN) and the Nigeria custom service were not armed to prevent most of those crimes compared to this present modern gallant securities outfit.
Then in the 1966 Nigeria were under the military dispensation rulers regime up till 1999, when Democratically Elected Government to Govern this Great country Nigeria and as a civil rulers, this freedom of opportunity for Nigerians now led to the abolishment of the power vested on the Nigeria Navy (NN) seaport command establishment, to evacuate from the seaports Nationwide to enable the continuation of the Nigerian Merchant Navy (NMN) Maritime security activities, operations and maintenance of marine environment Nationwide.
The Nigerian Navy is a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces responsible for defending Nigeria’s territorial waters, Nigerian Navy is primarily responsible for military operations in Nigeria’s waterways.
However, the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard Security and Safety Corps is proposed to be established as a complementary agency to the Nigerian Navy, with a specific focus on ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s maritime environment and resources.
The Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard Security and Safety Corps would be responsible for carrying out maritime safety and security operations, such as search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime domain awareness, in cooperation with the Nigerian Navy and other relevant agencies. This would allow the Nigerian Navy to focus on its core responsibilities of protecting Nigeria’s maritime borders and defending the country against external threats.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard Security and Safety Corps would help to address some of the gaps and challenges in Nigeria’s maritime security architecture, particularly in the areas of maritime safety and environmental protection. The Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard Security and Safety Corps would be better placed to work with other agencies and stakeholders, such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), to implement and enforce maritime safety and environmental regulations, and to respond to maritime incidents and emergencies.
Overall, the establishment of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard Security and Safety Corps is intended to enhance Nigeria’s overall maritime security and safety capabilities, by providing a dedicated agency with a specific focus on these issues, in cooperation with the Nigerian Navy and other relevant agencies.
By Capt O.E Adeniran
