EVENTS
Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker towed to German port
After hours of towing, a German maritime emergency team brought the oil tanker Eventin to safety off a Baltic seaport. The vessel, part of Russia’s aging “shadow fleet,” suffered a full blackout late Friday.
The stricken oil tanker Eventin, which had run adrift in the Baltic Sea north of the German island of Rügen, arrived at a safe position off the coast of the harbor of the German port Sassnitz early on Sunday.
The tanker — with around 99,000 tons of oil and said to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet of vessels used to skirt Western sanctions — is to remain in place until a decision is reached on how to proceed.
What we know about the operation
The Eventin is being held in position by two tugboats in a roadstead around five kilometers (around three miles) off the coast, said a spokesman for the maritime emergency command. A roadstead is an anchorage where ships can wait safely at anchor outside a port.
It is still unclear when and where the 274-meter-long (about 900-foot) tanker with 24 crew members will be repaired.
The ship suffered a total system failure, a so-called blackout, in the night heading into Friday and drifted without control on the Baltic Sea for hours.
Rescue teams managed to set up tow connections to the tanker on Friday afternoon.
A specially trained team of experts was lowered onto the stricken vessel from a helicopter. They were tasked with ensuring that the ship’s load was evenly distributed among the tugs.
A spokeswoman for the emergency command said the ship was watertight and that there was no danger to the environment. Several tugs towed the ship from early Saturday morning, initially towards a sea area northeast of Rügen.
However, with numerous wind turbines in the sea near the original destination, the plan was changed to a position further around the island near Sassnitz.
Already showing technical defects
The environmental organization Greenpeace has the “Eventin” on its list of the Russian shadow fleet. It said the almost 19-year-old ship, which sails under the Panamanian flag, had technical defects even before the blackout and was inadequately insured.
According to the organization, this meant that in the event of a serious accident such as an oil spill, the taxpayer would likely have to bear the costs.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday criticized Russia’s reliance on rundown tankers in its “shadow fleet,” warning it was a threat to European security.
“By ruthlessly deploying a fleet of rusty tankers, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is not only circumventing the sanctions but is also willingly accepting that tourism on the Baltic Sea will come to a standstill” in the event of an accident, Baerbock said, describing the tankers as “dilapidated.”
rc/ab (dpa, AFP)
EVENTS
Pastor Chris Okafor weds fiancée amid ongoing controversy with actress Doris Ogala
Pastor Chris Okafor has officially tied the knot with his fiancée, a development that comes amid the ongoing public drama involving Nollywood actress Doris Ogala.
The wedding comes weeks after Doris Ogala went public with claims that she dated the clergyman for several years and was promised marriage — allegations she repeated during a live session with Daddy Freeze, where she shared detailed accounts of their relationship and fallout.

EVENTS
Ooni Of Ife Installs Ghanaian President Mahama as Aare Atayeto Oodua (Photos)
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Monday underscored African unity while conferring the prestigious chieftaincy title of Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source on Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, stressing that Africans are “one people, one family” beyond colonial-era borders.
The ceremony, held at Afewonro Park within the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife, attracted traditional rulers, political figures, and cultural dignitaries from both Yorubaland and Ghana, highlighting Ile-Ife’s historical significance as the spiritual homeland of the Yoruba people.
Receiving President Mahama with full honours and tight security, the Ooni, who also serves as Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, described the Ghanaian leader as a symbol of cultural continuity, economic reform, and Pan-African solidarity.
“This palace is familiar to you. You have been part of our journey and have grown with us,” Oba Ogunwusi remarked, acknowledging Mahama’s enduring connection with Ile-Ife even prior to his return to the presidency of Ghana.
The monarch further stressed that artificial boundaries imposed during colonial rule should not diminish Africa’s shared heritage, citing linguistic and cultural ties between the Yoruba and Ghana people.

“In Ghana, you say ‘Akwaabo,’ and here we say ‘Ekaabo.’ Are they not the same? We are one people, one family,” the Ooni declared.
Oba Ogunwusi recalled that during a previous visit to Ile-Ife after leaving office, prayers were offered with a prophetic declaration that Mahama would return to leadership, a prophecy he noted has since come to pass.
“To the glory of God, you are now a true reformer. Upon assuming office for a second term, Ghana’s economy witnessed a remarkable turnaround. We are immensely proud of your leadership,” he said, commending Mahama’s economic achievements and expressing confidence in his potential influence on the African Union.
In his acceptance address, President Mahama expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Ooni and the people of Ile-Ife, emphasising the ancestral links between Ghana and Nigeria.
“The people of Accra trace their lineage to Ile-Ife. We are one family,” Mahama affirmed, dedicating the chieftaincy title to all Ghanaians.
He also pledged to leverage his new role to strengthen bilateral relations and foster reconciliation within West Africa.
“As long as I serve as President of Ghana, I will work to deepen ties between our nations and bridge divides within ECOWAS,” he promised.
EVENTS
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES SENATOR IFEANYI ARARUME ON HIS BIRTHDAY
President Bola Tinubu felicitates Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, astute politician and accomplished businessman, on his birthday, December 16.
Senator Ararume’s odyssey in politics began in the late 1980s, when he served as the State Treasurer of the Liberal Convention in old Imo State. He later joined the National Finance Committee of the defunct National Republican Convention.
He represented Imo North in the 9th National Assembly. He was first elected in May 1999 and re-elected in April 2003. He also served on several committees and held other official roles.
President Tinubu commends the former senator for his years of service to the nation and contributions to its peace, unity, and progress.
The President describes Senator Ararume as a resolute and shrewd politician, highlighting his courageous and remarkable political journey through the years.
President Tinubu wishes Senator Ararume a happy 67th birthday and prays that God Almighty will grant him more years of good health and strength.
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