Nigerian Observer Bendel State, the predecessor of Edo State. The Rivers State newspaper "The Tide" did not mention the conflict with the teachers. During the administration of President Shehu Shagari (1979-83) the newspaper was subject to harassment by the police, with staff being detained and the premises shut, as were other papers belonging to state governments controlled by opposition parties. Early in 1989 worsening economic conditions forced the paper to close for some time. On 22 July 1993 the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida banned the "Nigerian Observer", as well as the "National Concord", "The Punch" and the "Daily Sketch". An analysis
Nigerian Merchant Navy Department and Nigerian Ports Authority. The Nigerian National Shipping Line was established by the Nigerian government in 1959. Despite heavy investment and subsidies, the state-owned company was unable to compete with European lines. Much of the investment went to enriching the political elite. A 1964 book describes careers in the Nigerian Merchant Navy, which offered apprenticeships for craftsmen and Officer Cadetships for aspirants to become Navigating or Engineering officers. In 1988 the National Maritime Authority granted six Nigerian shipping lines "national carrier" status, including the state-owned Nigerian National Shipping Line, the Nigerian Green Line, Africa Ocean Line, Nigerbras Shipping Line,