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MARAN hosts Lagos NUJ Chairman to grand reception in Lagos

Eyewitness reporter

Adeleye Ajayi, the Chairman of Lagos Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), stood tall yesterday at the magnificent Banquet Hall of Rockview Hotels, Apapa, Lagos, as Maritime Journalists and industry stakeholders took turn to shower encomiums on the number one journalist in Lagos State.
My Ajayi, accompanied by his wife and son, was the cynosure of all eyes as his colleagues in the maritime media and appreciative industry operators extolled his virtues and sterling qualities in glowing terms.
The occasion was the grand reception and lectures organised by the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to honour and celebrate the electoral victory of the Council Chairman.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prince  Olayiwola Shittu, a former President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) commended MARAN,  saying  it was the first time former Presidents of the association were being invited to a roundtable.

” I feel highly humbled to be the Chairman of this occasion,”” Shittu said.

He urged MARAN not to lose focus, adding that he would join hands with the leadership of MARAN in lifting the association higher.

“We must guard the maritime sector jealously by exposing the rot in the  industry,”  he added.

Shittu also urged the leadership of MARAN to carry others along to overcome the tasks ahead.

The event was also spiced with lectures by guest speakers.

The first lecture which had its theme:  “National Development: The Challenges and the prospects for the proper implementation of the freedom of Information Act in Nigeria”, was delivered by Mr. Emeka Okoroanyanwu, Editor Xpress Newspaper.

“Freedom of Information is the fundamental right of every Nigerian. Information is critical to national development and good governance.

“It is the lifewire of a democratic society. Without freedom of information, the people’s right to know would be infringed upon and suffers.

“The press has a constitutional responsibility to inform, educate and entertain, ” the former MARAN President said.

A former General Manager of  LagosTraffic Radio,  Mr. Olayinka Adagun, also gave a lecture on the Freedom of Information Act and Maritime Reporting.

“The maritime sector today faces challenges of operational inefficiencies, unpredictable operational time lag, unnecessary delays of shipment, even as stakeholders themselves find it difficult to collaborate to address these challenges through global best practices.

“It must be said that the effective implementation of the FOI Act 2011 holds the prospect of accelerated development of the Maritime industry and enhances the process of cargo clearance at the ports,” Adagun said.

A Panel of discussants comprising Dr George Ayoade, Director-General, Chartered Institute of Environmental and Public  Health Management of Nigeria, Dr. Tajudeen Alao, President, Nigerian Association of Master Mariners and the Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Wale Akodu, threw more light on the topics.

The event was attended by past Presidents of  MARAN which included Barrister Valentino Buoro, Emmanuel Adegbe, Asu Beks, Ray Ugochukwu, and Sesan Onilemo.

Others present at the event were Mr. Olusina Thorpe, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and strategy represented by Mr Wale Akodu, Mr Muyiwa Akande, Corporate Affairs Manager of SIFAX, Mrs. Nike Sodipo, an Assistant Director, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, NUJ Lagos Council Executive Members.

Others are Mr. Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council represented by Mr Emeka Okereke, Assistant Director Legal Services, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Okey Ibeke, Publisher, Business and Maritime West Africa, and many more.

The President of MARAN Mr Anya Njoku described the event as timely.

“I am the happiest person on earth that this event is happening under my regime,” he said.

“With Leye Ajayi as the Chairman of NUJ Lagos Council, we can be sure that our voices will be heard,” Njoku said.

He tasked journalists in Lagos to support Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, describing him as a peacemaker and the fastest writer in MARAN.

On his part, Ajayi thanked dignitaries present at the occasion, describing MARAN as a big and united family.

“I can tell you that MARAN is intact in spite of the five factions of maritime journalists’ bodies.

“NUJ Lagos Council will look for a way of having an umbrella body for maritime journalists’ associations in order to be on the same page, ” he said.

Ajayi thanked MARAN  for finding him worthy of the honour which he confessed caught him unawares.

” It is a rare priviledge and I will be grateful forever, ” he said.

The Lagos Council Chairman equally acknowledged the support of stakeholders in the industry for him to win the election.

“I thank everybody and I wish you all a safe journey back to your various homes,” .he concluded.

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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

WHO honors NFVCB over tobacco control in entertainment industry

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has been honoured with the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General’s Special Award, African Region, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for its outstanding contributions to tobacco control advocacy and the promotion of responsible media content in Nigeria.
 The NFVCB is the only institution among the five-person African Region winners unveiled as part of the activities commemorating World No Tobacco Day.
This recognition by the DG of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, acknowledges the Board’s leadership in regulating the depiction and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products in Nigerian films, music videos, skits, and other audiovisual content, particularly those accessible to young audiences.
 The WHO Director-General’s Awards are presented annually ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 to honour individuals and organizations across WHO’s six regions for exceptional work in advancing the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
NFVCB was recognized for its landmark 2024 regulations prohibiting the promotion, and glamourization of tobacco and nicotine products in entertainment content.
The regulations require that any necessary depiction of tobacco use in films and videos must carry health warnings, receive the highest classification rating, and be restricted to audiences aged 18 years and above.
The regulations also mandate producers to place a disclaimer and disclose any relationship with the tobacco and nicotine industry while prohibiting tobacco brand display and product placement in entertainment content.
The policy aligns with the implementation guidelines of Article 13 of the WHO FCTC on tobacco depiction in entertainment media.
With the introduction of the regulations, Nigeria became the first country in Africa and only the second globally to establish such comprehensive safeguards against the glamorization of tobacco use on screen.
Research and WHO guidance have consistently shown that the portrayal of tobacco use in entertainment media normalizes smoking behaviour and increases the likelihood of tobacco uptake among young people.
Through clear regulatory standards, the Board is helping to reduce exposure to pro-tobacco imagery while promoting socially responsible storytelling within Nigeria’s creative industry.
The recognition also aligns with the 8-Point Agenda of the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, aimed at strengthening policy frameworks, promoting responsible creative content, preserving cultural values, and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s creative capital by 2030.
Speaking on the recognition, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFVCB, Dr.Shaibu Husseini, described the award as a validation of the Board’s efforts toward promoting responsible storytelling and safeguarding public interest through effective content regulation.
“This award is a validation of the work we have done with the Nigerian creative industry to promote responsible storytelling.
“The goal has never been to censor art, but to ensure that our films do not inadvertently market products that are harmful to public health,” he stated.
 Dr. Husseini reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote healthy societal values, protect children and vulnerable audiences, and strengthen the positive influence of Nigeria’s entertainment industry globally.
The ED also expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, filmmakers, producers, and advocacy partners, especially Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), National Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), for their collaboration in advancing the policy.
The Board stated that it would continue to strengthen enforcement of the regulations, expand public education and stakeholder engagement, and deepen collaboration with WHO, the WHO FCTC Secretariat, and relevant stakeholders in promoting responsible entertainment content and public health protection.
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Business

Taiwo Afolabi calls on African businesses to scale up their operations for global relevance

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group, has called on African entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders to prioritise the growth of large, sustainable corporations capable of competing globally, rather than operating fragmented and small-scale enterprises that limit the continent’s economic potential.
Speaking at the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda, Afolabi said Africa’s economic transformation would depend significantly on the emergence of strong indigenous corporations with the scale, structure, and capacity to drive industrialisation, create jobs, attract investment, and compete internationally.
According to him, discussions at this year’s forum reinforced the urgent need for African businesses to embrace collaboration, long-term thinking, regional integration, and strategic expansion.
He said: “Africa cannot achieve its full economic potential with thousands of weak and fragmented businesses operating in silos.
“What the continent needs are strong institutions and large corporations that can survive beyond their founders, scale across borders, attract global capital, and compete with the best companies around the world.”
Afolabi noted that while entrepreneurship remains critical to Africa’s growth story, the continent must deliberately move beyond subsistence and lifestyle businesses towards building enduring enterprises with robust governance systems, innovation capacity, and continental reach.
He stressed that African governments, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders must create enabling environments that support business scalability through improved infrastructure, access to finance, favourable regulations, and intra-African trade.
“The conversations at the Africa CEO Forum clearly showed that Africa’s future lies in integration and scale.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a historic opportunity for businesses to expand beyond national borders and build truly pan-African enterprises,” he added.
Afolabi noted that SIFAX Group’s long-term vision is anchored on strengthening intra-African trade and supporting the successful implementation of AfCFTA through investments in logistics, ports, transportation, and digital finance solutions across Africa.
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