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Day of Seafarers: Oyetola, Mobereola, stakeholders eulogise contributions of Nigerian Seafarers to maritime industry
Funso Olojo
This comes as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated that Nigeria has the potential to be a maritime powerhouse, with the right policies in place.
The Minister, who stated this in Lagos during the commemoration of the 2024 Day of the Seafarer, assured in his keynote address that the Federal Government is committed to the development of the Nigerian maritime sector.
He stated that the theme for this year’s celebration; “Navigating the Future, Safety First,” aligns with the vision of the Ministry of the Marine and Blue Economy.
“Seafarers are the lifeblood of the maritime industry. They endure the isolation of the open sea, the unpredictability of weather, and the myriads of challenges that come with navigating some of the world’s busiest and most perilous waters.
” Their resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment ensure that goods and resources reach every corner of our planet, supporting livelihoods and promoting international trade”, he said.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Maritime Safety and Security in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Babatunde Bombata, gave the assurance that the Federal Government remains committed to collaborating with industry stakeholders and is steadfast in advocating for the rights and welfare of Nigerian seafarers.
“We are dedicated to building on this foundation, ensuring that Nigerian seafarers are equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the modern maritime landscape”, he said.
Furthermore, he pledged the Ministry’s resolve to prioritize the growth and development of the Marine and Blue Economy Sector, noting that its development of the sector will greatly benefit all Nigerians and future generations.
“We are working closely with stakeholders in the private sector, international organizations, and other government agencies to create an enabling environment for the growth of the Maritime and Blue Economy”, he stated.
He also used the opportunity to call for stakeholders’ support in the development of the sector, noting that the Ministry cannot undertake the task alone.
On their part, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, along with his counterpart in the House of Representatives, applauded the seafarers for their resilience and assured them of the Government’s continuous support to guarantee their well-being.
They assured of the readiness of the National Assembly to work with NIMASA and other stakeholders to support any legislation aimed at advancing the rights and safety of all seafarers.
“Together, let us continue to strive for a maritime world that is equitable and inclusive for all,” Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun stated.
On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, acknowledged the uniqueness of the profession and the challenges faced.
He noted that the theme for this year’s celebration, “Navigating the Future: Safety First,” is a call to address the challenging conditions seafarers face while navigating the sea. He emphasized the need for greater focus on their well-being and safety at sea.
“We recognize the humongous challenges Seafarers face while sailing; ranging from piracy, kidnapping, encounter at war zones exposure to health risks and unfair treatment.
” Notwithstanding all these, Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents in the last two years; we will not rest on our oars as the life of every seafarer matters”, Mobereola stated.
He assured that the Agency will continue to collaborate with both local and international organizations to address global issues affecting seafarers and ensure their safety while navigating the future.
“Nigeria has the young population to compete with other countries whose seafarers contribute immensely to their Gross Domestic Product (GDGDP.
” Hence, the Agency will continue to invest in training and capacity-building programs to enhance seafarers’ skills, welfare and employment opportunities”.
Dr. Mobereola used the opportunity to inform stakeholders that the Agency is working tirelessly to strengthen its legal frameworks by domesticating all Maritime Labour-related ILO Conventions ratified by Nigeria.
“These conventions include the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 as amended, the Seafarers Identity Document (SID) Convention as amended, and the Dock Work Convention”, he said.
“We will continue to focus on implementing programs and projects to improve seafarers welfare, including mental health support, safety training, and emergency assistance.
“Also we will continue to eliminate substandard vessels from our waters and ensure wrecks are removed to aid navigation and safety for our seafarers”, he assured.
He also mentioned that many beneficiaries of our Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) are currently undergoing mandatory sea-time training aboard ocean-going vessels.
The Agency is collaborating with key stakeholders like the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Indigenous Shipping Companies and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), all geared towards boosting the capacity of the seafarers.
Katie Higginbottom from the International Transport Federation (ITF), who joined virtually, emphasized that seafarers are a critical part of the maritime sector. She also commended NIMASA’s renewed collaboration with the ITF to ensure seafarers receive the necessary attention from their respective governments.
Professor Max Mejia, President of the World Maritime University, who also joined virtually, expressed gratitude to the seafarers and described them as modern-day heroes who deserve celebration.
In their goodwill messages, stakeholders took turns to praise the invaluable contributions of seafarers to the global economy, urging governments to continue supporting them through favorable policies that will enhance their well-being in line with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.
They include President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju; President of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria; Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Hassan; among others.”
The International Day of the Seafarer is celebrated annually on June 25 to recognize the contributions of seafarers to international seaborne trade and the world economy as a whole. The day is organized by the International Maritime Organization and recognized by the United Nations as an observance day.
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Tinubu gives October 30th deadline for sacked ministers to exit cabinet
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the sacked ministers to conclude handing-over rituals by October 30th, 2024 and exit his cabinet
According to the SGF, outgoing ministers without successors should transfer their duties to the respective Permanent Secretaries in their ministries.
Akume further disclosed that the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, as well as the winding down of the scrapped Ministry of Sports Development, is being handled by both the SGF’s office and the Head of Civil Service.
He also disclosed that the renaming and expanded mandate of the former Ministry of Niger Delta Development has taken effect immediately, adding that relevant supervising authorities and Commissions under the new ministry have been notified of the new development.
“Permanent Secretaries have also been instructed to ensure a smooth transition and to submit one copy of the Handover Notes to the SGF for record-keeping,” the SGF further disclosed.
Those redeployed are Dr. Yusuf Tanko from Minister of State, Education to Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, Minister of State, Health to Minister of Education; Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation to Minister of State, Works; Dr Abubakar Mommoh, Minister of Niger Delta Development to Minister of Regional Development; Uba Maigari Ahmadu, Minister of State, Steel Development to Minister of State, Regional Development; Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to Minister of State, Finance; and Senator John Ewa Enoh, Minister of Sports Development to Minister of State, Steel Development.
Others are Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of State, Police Affairs to Minister of Women Affairs; Ayodele Olanwande, Minister of State for Youth Development to Minister of Youth Development; and Dr Salako Isiaq, Minister of State, Environment to Minister of State, Health.
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On the match again! Nigeria flags off campaign for category C IMO election it last won 15 years ago.
“Our active participation in upholding key conventions, such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety of international shipping.”There have been no incidents of piracy in the last three years, as confirmed by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). By deploying resources to provide maritime security assets, Nigeria has solidified its role as a key guardian of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
“Nigeria remains a valuable source of manpower for the industry. I therefore urge our partners to explore this potential and assist where possible in the best interest of all. Our Maritime Academy has adequate resources and facilities to support this development.
“I am pleased to announce Nigeria’s resolve to seek a Category “C” membership on the Council” Oyetola intoned.
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, also assured that no stone will be left unturned to ensure success in the quest for IMO Category C membership at the next elections.
He listed the preparations of the apex maritime regulatory agency to clinch the coveted position.
“We at NIMASA have met with the IMO technical team and have commenced work on all identified grey areas so that Nigeria can address the gaps identified during the last audit by the IMO.
” While we at NIMASA focus on the technical aspects of the preparations, our supervising Ministry will provide the political will to guide Nigeria back to the Council at the IMO.” he declared.
While at the event, Oyetola held engagement sessions with the IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and other diplomats.
However, it is left to be seen if Nigeria’s string of losses at the IMO elections would be broken in about a year from now.
The next council elections are expected to hold around November- December 2025. The current Council Members were elected at the IMO Assembly (27 November December 2023) for the 2024-2025 biennium:
The Assembly, at its thirty-fourth session in 2025 will elect 40 Members of the Council for the 2026- 2027 session as provided for in Articles 16 and 17 of the IMO Convention.
The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.
The Council is made up of 40 Member States, elected by the Assembly for two-year terms.
The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.
Between sessions of the Assembly, the Council performs the functions of the Assembly, except that of making recommendations to Governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention.
The Assembly of the International Maritime Organization elected the following States to be Members of the Council for the current 2024-2025 biennium:
Category (a): 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.
These include
China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States
Category (b): 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade: These include
Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates
Category (c): 20 States not elected under (a) or (b) above, which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world:
These include
Bahamas, Bangladesh, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Türkiye.
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