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Maritime journalists celebrate Lagos NUJ Chairman in grand reception

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN), today hosts the newly elected Chairman of the Lagos Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Leye Ajayi in a grant reception at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
Mr Ajayi was a former President of MARAN.
In what appears to be a celebration of electoral success of one of their own, the maritime journalists will converge on the prestigious Hotel to honour Ajayi in the company of maritime industry stakeholders who have been invited to witness the epoch-making event.
In a statement issued in Lagos by the association,  the creme-de-la-creme of the Nigerian maritime sector are billed to attend the event under the Chairmanship of Prince Olayiwola Shittu, former President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA)
The event is billed to hold at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos on Thursday March, 25th 2021 by 11am prompt.
The theme of the  event is ”National  Development: The Challenges of and the Prospects for the Proper Implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in Nigerian Maritime Industry “
“MARAN is proud of one of its own, Leye Ajayi who was a bonafide member of the association until his emergence as the Lagos NUJ Chairman”
“Mr Ajayi had served MARAN meritoriously at different times and different capacities as Secretary General and later as President”
“The Association is therefore planning a grand reception to celebrate his electoral success”, an elated  Mr Anya Njoku, the President of MARAN,  observed.
The association said the grand reception and lecture are aimed  to boost the synergy between the Maritime Press and Maritime Publics and Government Parastatals.
The lead paper would be presented by seasoned Journalist and the Editor of the XPRESS Newspaper, Mr Emeka Okoroanyawu, who was one of the founders of MARAN in 1988.
Former General Manager, Lagos Traffic FM, Mr. Layinka Adagun, a pioneer MARAN Member, would also be a panel discussant to enhance the theme’s perspectives.
The special guests of honor expected at the event includes; the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr Hassan Bello, and Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Dr George Moghalu.
Others are; Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Zone ‘A’ Lagos, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho.
The Chief Guests of Honors are; Chairperson of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) Princess Dr Vicky Haastrup, the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and immediate past chairman of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju.
Others are; President of ANLCA,  Hon Tony Iju Nwabunike and the founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.
In addition, all MARAN past Presidents and Executives would be on ground to grace the grand reception and lecture.
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Headlines

NIMASA deepens maritime security as 492 Deep Blue personnel graduate in tactical training.

Funso OLOJO, Port Harcourt.
The Nigeria’s maritime security received a massive boost as 492 personnel of the iconic Deep Blue project have graduated from tactical trainings received across some of the best security institutions in the world.
Unveiling the graduants in their tactical attires at the Elele military barrack, Port Harcourt, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Administration( NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the occasion gave the agency a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment on its task to ensure Nigeria’s maritime domain is secured.
According to him, the 492 graduating Deep Blue personnel undergone specialized trainings conducted across several strategic training locations across the world, including Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Syria and
Nigeria.
He disclosed that the training has therefore exposed the personnel, taken from across different units of the Deep Blue project, to global best practices and international operational standards in maritime security operations.
“Today’s event is a demonstration of
operational readiness, institutional resilience and Nigeria’s determination to maintain a safe, secure and economically viable maritime environment.
“With many people are not fully aware of the level of operations and integration and technological capacity that supports these achievements.
“The Deep Blue architecture integrates two special mission aircraft equipped with advanced maritime surveillance sensors, three special mission helicopters for over-the-sea operations and surveillance, two special mission vessels for deep sea operations, eight unmanned aerial vehicles for real-time intelligence gathering, 16 fast interception boats for rapid tactical response and 15 armed coastal patrol vessels.
” The Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence Center, the C4I, serves as
the central coordination hub for military domain awareness and operational response.
“As many of you may recall, the Gulf of Guinea was once regarded as one of the most challenging military
maritime regions in the world due to incidents of piracy and robbery.
“Today, through the Deep Blue project and the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we are proud to say that Nigeria has
transformed the narrative which has resulted in zero piracy incidents since 2022.
“This has restored trust among global shipping operators, investors, and maritime stakeholders.
Mobereola expressed appreciation the Minister of Marine and Blue
Economy, Adeboyega Oyetola, for what he described as his exemplary leadership, strategic guidance, and steadfast commitment to promoting maritime security initiatives in Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the role the  Minister of Defense, General
Christopher Musa and the Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Belo
Matawale for their continued support and commitment towards strengthening national security and enhancing interagency cooperation in the maritime domain.
Mobereola commended  the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, Army, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, (DSS) and all security and intelligence agencies whose professionalism and
cooperation continue to strengthen the operational success of the Deep Blue project.
Hee made special mention of Deep Blue project technical partner HLSI, Security Systems Technologies Limited, for their invaluable support, technical expertise, commitment to capacity development, and strategic partnership in the implementation and sustainability of the Deep Blue project.
NIMASA DG also congratulated the graduating personnel  for successfully completing the important steps of their professional journey.
“This strength you have received comes with enormous responsibility as you are expected to uphold high standards of professionalism, discipline, integrity, and the discharge of your duties.
Tge event was by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola,  the  Minister of Defense, General
Christopher Musa and the Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Belo
Matawale, high military personnel from Navy, Army and Sir force.
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Headlines

FG grants approval for more deep seaports to boost Nigeria’ s competitive edge in C/W African region 

Funso OLOJO,Editor
The Federal government of Nigeria has approved the development of additional deep seaports to complement the existing ports in Nigeria.
The measure is to boost Nigeria’s competitive edge in the West and Central Africa, enhance its dominance in the regional maritime industry and make its ports preferred destinations for vessels in the regional.
Making this disclosure was the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola while declaring open the mid year Session of the Board of Directors of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Lagos on Monday,on May 18th, 2026.
The meeting is themed: “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development”
“Approvals have therefore been granted for the development of additional deep seaports across the country to complement existing infrastructure, strengthen supply chain resilience,and reinforce Nigeria’s position as the preferred maritime and logistics hub for West and Central Africa,” Oyetola stated.
He further noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains focused on modernising the nation’s port system through infrastructure renewal, digital transformation and improved operational efficiency.
The Minister explained that ongoing policy reforms and enhanced inter-agency collaboration had significantly reduced logistics bottlenecks across major seaports,leading to faster cargo evacuation, shorter vessel waiting periods and a more predictable business environment for investors and port users.
“These efforts have contributed to improved cargo evacuation,reduced vessel waiting time, greater operational efficiency, and a more predictable business environment for port users and investors,” he said.
Dr. Oyetola also described the Federal Government’s National Single Window initiative as a transformative reform aimed at streamlining cargo clearance processes through the digital integration of relevant government agencies and port operations.
In addition, he revealed that existing ports across the country would undergo extensive upgrades,including channel deepening projects intended to accommodate larger vessels and boost trade capacity.
“These upgrades are critical to ensuring that our ports remain globally competitive and capable of supporting larger volumes of trade in the years ahead,” the minister added.
On maritime security, Oyetola highlighted the success of the Deep Blue Project, noting that piracy had been eliminated from Nigerian waters while maritime crimes across the Gulf of Guinea had declined significantly.
He said the improved security environment had restored investor confidence and enhanced the region’s reputation as a safe maritime corridor for international trade.
The minister urged delegates at the PMAWCA meeting to champion initiatives that would strengthen logistical resilience across port operations and regional supply chains, while promoting sustainable port management, innovation,digital transformation and inclusive community development.
In his welcome address,the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and President of PMAWCA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, stated that West and Central Africa was experiencing renewed momentum in maritime infrastructure investment,with over $27 billion in port projects either ongoing or recently announced across the sub-region.
Dantsoho cited major developments such as the $20 billion Simandou-Morebaya Deep Sea Port project in Guinea, the $2 billion Port San Pedro project in Côte d’Ivoire, the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos, as well as new port initiatives in Ghana and Senegal.
He also referenced ongoing investments in Nigeria’s Apapa and Tin Can Island ports,alongside APM Terminals’ recently announced $600 million investment commitment.
According to him,ports in West and Central Africa must evolve beyond their traditional function as cargo transit gateways and become catalysts for broader blue economy development.
“The future of the sector lies in areas such as renewable marine energy, aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, coastal tourism and marine biotechnology,” Dantsoho said.
The PMAWCA Mid-Year Session, scheduled to hold from May 18 to 20, 2026, attracted key stakeholders from government and the private sector, including the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Kefas Agbu;Lagos State Governor represented by the Commissioner for Transportation,Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi; Chairman of Dangote Group,Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination,Hadiza Bala Usman, among others.
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Analyses

THE IBOM DEEP SEAPORT: Nigeria’s ultimate counterweight in West African maritime race

Monday Discourse with Ibrahim Nasiru
“A nation’s maritime greatness is not measured by the size of its conferences, but by the depth of its waters and the speed of its cargo.”
As the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) gathers in Lagos this week to deliberate on “Ports of the Future,” the conversation surrounding regional maritime supremacy has never been more urgent.
 While the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy discuss logistical resilience, the structural limitations of Nigeria’s traditional Ports remain an elephant in the room.
To truly dominate the West and Central African sub-region and checkmate aggressive expansion from rivals like Lome and Tema, Nigeria must aggressively accelerate its ultimate maritime trump card: the Ibom Deep Sea Port (IDSP).
For decades, Nigeria’s economic heartbeat has been throttled by the geographical limitations of the Lagos Port Complex.
Even with the laudable arrival of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the nation’s maritime infrastructure remains heavily centralized, leaving the eastern flank underutilized.
The Ibom Deep Sea Port, strategically carved into the coastline of Akwa Ibom State, offers a game-changing natural advantage with its 16.5-meter design draft coupled with a wide, unrestricted navigation channel.
 Unlike the shallow, continually dredged channels of Apapa or Tin Can, IDSP requires no heavy maintenance dredging to welcome the world’s largest modern container vessels.
It is engineered to comfortably host Post-Panamax ships, effectively breaking the structural monopoly of regional hubs and positioning Nigeria as the definitive transshipment destination for the Gulf of Guinea.
Beyond these engineering metrics, the actualization of the Ibom Deep Sea Port represents a masterstroke in economic decentralization.
Strategically located within the Ibom Industrial City multi-product free zone, the Port sits squarely along major global shipping routes.
For Akwa Ibom State and the broader South-South and South-East geopolitical zones, IDSP is the catalyst for a massive industrial rebirth, promising to unlock over 10,000 direct jobs and establish a new industrial manufacturing corridor that feeds directly into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Yet, in the theater of governance, the standard remains Facta Non Verba—deeds, not words.
The recent submission of the Comprehensive Feasibility Report to Governor Umo Eno in April 2026 has reignited a fierce debate: does this document signal the dawn of a maritime revolution, or is it merely another chapter in a long-running political anthology?
For the people of Akwa Ibom State, the story of the IDSP has, for decades, been governed by Res Ipsa Loquitur—the thing speaks for itself—where the prolonged absence of an operational Port tells its own story of political promises fading into the sunset.
To change this narrative, the project must escape what is currently a technical reality trapped in a financial purgatory.
The road to actualizing the Port remains entangled in bureaucratic bottlenecks, complex Public-Private Partnership (PPP) negotiations, and shifting federal priorities.
 A project of this magnitude, requiring billions in investment, cannot bypass rigorous technical gestation periods.
However, as Minister Gboyega Oyetola champions the Blue Economy agenda at PMAWCA, the IDSP must move from a recurring item on the promotional checklist to a top-tier national infrastructure priority.
 Securing international consortium backing and streamlining regulatory approvals from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) must be handled with the utmost urgency because public necessity outweighs private or localized interests.
The real test of sincerity lies in the immediate transition from documentation to mobilization.
The next true sign of life for the IDSP will not be found in another boardroom presentation, but in the finalization of the concession agreement with the Bollore Consortium and the actual flag-off of dredging and breakwater construction, currently projected for late 2026.
Only when the first piling is driven into the seabed will the project move from the realm of political possibility into the undeniable light of economic reality.
Ultimately, you cannot build a “Port of the Future” on yesterday’s infrastructure.
 While the PMAWCA roundtable in Lagos offers a fantastic platform for regional diplomacy, Nigeria’s true maritime liberation lies in the completion of deep-water frontiers like Ibom.
If the Federal Government is serious about Port resilience, trade connectivity, and sub-regional domination, the Ibom Deep Sea Port must be treated as what it truly is: a non-negotiable national security and economic imperative.
Chief Ibrahim Nasiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja. 
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