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 Edema describing the Tribune report as a "baseless tissues of lies meant to mislead the public, incite public hatred and misgiving against the Nigeria Merchant navy who go about their legitimate business within the law". Edema went on to claim the Navy was involved in various illegal activities. He also accused the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency of accepting pay-offs from foreign-owned ships who should have been employing Nigerian seamen. He agreed that the NMA had been engaged in training, but said the training was in seafaring and basic maritime safety and security. In August 2010 "Commodore" Aderemi Olatinwo,