Maritime journalists to review sector’s performance under Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House

Maritime journalists under the auspices of the Network of Nigeria Maritime Journalists have announced that their conference will focus on the performance, policy direction and operational efficiency of the maritime industry under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The group, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dele Aderibigbe, and Public Relations Officer, Jerry Aguigbo, said that the conference would also place particular emphasis on port modernisation, trade facilitation and revenue generation.

The organisers added that the conference, billed for next week in Lagos, would bring together key policymakers, maritime regulators, industry leaders and other stakeholders to examine the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

They disclosed that the conference would be chaired by a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Temisan Omatseye, with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, attending as Special Guest of Honour.

Renowned maritime lawyer, Barrister Emeka Akabogu, SAN, will deliver the keynote address themed ‘Seaport Modernisation, Trade Facilitation and Revenue.’

According to the organisers, the conference is expected to provide a platform for constructive engagement among government officials, maritime professionals and private-sector operators on practical strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry and maximising its contribution to national economic growth.

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“Key areas of discussion will include the modernisation of seaports and the renewal of critical infrastructure, improved trade facilitation, enhanced ease of doing business, revenue growth and measures to curb financial leakages,” the organisers stated.

They added that participants would also examine opportunities for expanding the marine and blue economy, creating employment, strengthening maritime safety and security, and improving the overall competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

They stated that the gathering was expected to attract heads of government agencies, managing directors of shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders and other prominent stakeholders across the maritime value chain.

The organisers maintained that through the unity conference, NNMJ seeks to encourage informed dialogue, strengthen collaboration between public- and private-sector stakeholders, and promote policy initiatives that will enhance port efficiency, facilitate legitimate trade, improve revenue performance and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“The conference is also expected to reinforce the role of the maritime media in promoting accountability, providing informed industry analysis and advancing constructive engagement on policies and reforms affecting the nation’s marine and blue economy,” it stated.