Headlines

Eloquence club kicks off 2025 with transformational learning event

The Eyewitness Reporter

The Eloquence Club, Nigeria’s premier public speaking community, launched its 2025 calendar with a powerful and inspiring learning event held at the School of Eloquence Headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The event, which attracted a well-attended audience of club members, School of Eloquence (SOE) alumni, and invited guests, reinforced the club’s foundational pillars of Communication, Continuity, and Community.

The forum provided a supportive platform for members to strengthen their public speaking skills, with a key highlight being the Impromptu Speaking Segment.

Participants confidently took the stage to deliver short, unprepared speeches, showcasing their speaking prowess while receiving constructive feedback and analysis.

The atmosphere was electric with camaraderie and encouragement as applause filled the room for excellent performances.

Areas for improvement were also identified by peers and the Dean, ensuring that every participant left the session with actionable steps for growth.

The Dean’s Insightful Discourse

The event also featured an impactful discourse session by Mr. Ubong Essien, CSP, the Dean of the School of Eloquence and the only Certified Speaking Professional in West Africa.

His keynote focused on the power of mentoring in public speaking, emphasizing its role in fostering growth and confidence.

Mr. Essien also outlined an ambitious roadmap for the Eloquence Club’s 2025 activities, igniting excitement among members as they set goals for their speaking improvement for the year.

A Testament to the Club’s Impact

Established in 2017 to provide sustained support for SOE alumni following their masterclass training, the Eloquence Club has grown into a vibrant community of learners and leaders.

The club offers a unique combination of social interaction and professional skill development, ensuring members continue to refine their public speaking abilities.

With monthly learning events at its Lagos headquarters and a centre in Abuja, the Eloquence Club has become a vital resource for public speaking enthusiasts and professionals.

During the event, several members and alumni shared testimonials of how the club’s monthly gatherings have significantly impacted their communication skills and personal growth.

The testimonies were a powerful reminder of the club’s enduring relevance and its ability to transform lives through the art of eloquence.

Looking Ahead

The Eloquence Club’s 2025 agenda promises an exciting lineup of activities, including monthly meetings, guest speaker sessions, and focused training events designed to elevate members’ communication capabilities.

As the year unfolds, the club continues to invite new members who are eager to master the art of public speaking and be part of a supportive community.

A STAGE FOR GROWTH, DEBATE, AND CONNECTION

The next Eloquence Club Learning Event is scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the School of Eloquence Headquarters, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Building on the tremendous success of January’s kickoff event, this session will continue to offer members and guests an engaging platform to refine their public speaking skills within a supportive and interactive environment.

As always, the event will be guided by the club’s three foundational pillars: Communication, Continuity, and Community.

This event promises a vibrant mix of learning, connection, and personal development, offering members and guests an opportunity to enhance their public speaking skills while building meaningful professional networks.

Event Highlights: “Get on Stage” Impromptu Speaking Exercises

Attendees will have the chance to step onto the stage and deliver spontaneous speeches, sharpening their ability to think on their feet and express themselves with confidence.

Constructive feedback from peers and the Dean will provide clear guidance for improvement.

Debate Faceoff

Experience the energy of dynamic team debates on carefully selected topics.

This interactive segment encourages participants to articulate their thoughts clearly, counter opposing views effectively, and build teamwork skills in a fun and engaging format.

Dean’s Discourse

Led by Mr. Ubong Essien, CSP, West Africa’s only Certified Speaking Professional and Dean of the School of Eloquence, this session will delve into debate techniques and their application in enhancing public speaking.

The Dean will also share insights on mastering communication challenges in personal and professional contexts.

Interactive Feedback and Goal Setting

Participants’ performances will be evaluated in real-time, with a focus on celebrating excellence and addressing areas for growth.

Attendees will set actionable goals for their speaking improvement in 2025.

Networking Opportunities

Beyond the stage, the Eloquence Club learning event provides a unique platform to build meaningful connections with like-minded individuals, including public speaking enthusiasts, professionals, and alumni of the School of Eloquence.

This social aspect fosters collaboration, mentorship, and lasting relationships within a supportive community.

Why Attend?

This event combines skill-building activities with valuable networking opportunities, ensuring that attendees not only improve their public speaking but also expand their personal and professional circles.

The Eloquence Club remains a space where Communication, Continuity, and Community thrive, offering members an environment to grow both as speakers and as leaders.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM

Venue: School of Eloquence Headquarters, Ikoyi, Lagos

About the Eloquence Club

Founded in 2017, the Eloquence Club has become Nigeria’s premier public speaking community, providing monthly learning events and sustained support for alumni of the School of Eloquence.

With centres in Lagos and Abuja, the club is dedicated to helping members achieve excellence in communication while fostering a sense of belonging and professional growth.

Join us for this transformative event and become part of a network that is redefining public speaking and leadership in Nigeria.

Customs

KLT Customs reaffirms commitment to stronger maritime stakeholder engagement

Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter
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‎The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to deepening engagement with stakeholders across the maritime industry in line with efforts to promote trade facilitation, transparency, and sustainable economic growth.
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‎Adigun gave the assurance through the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Administration, Comptroller T.A. Jonah, who represented him during a courtesy visit by the newly elected Executive Committee of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to the Command in Lagos.
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‎The Acting CAC, who was unavoidably absent, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and key industry stakeholders, particularly the maritime media, in advancing the Service’s mandate and supporting national economic development.
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‎He described the media as a critical partner in disseminating information on government policies, customs reforms, trade facilitation initiatives, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling operations.
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‎According to him, maritime journalists occupy a strategic position in shaping public understanding and perception of activities within the port and maritime sector, stressing the need for professionalism, accuracy, and balanced reportage in the discharge of their duties.
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‎Adigun further assured the MARAN delegation that the KLT Area Command would continue to operate an open-door policy while fostering cordial and productive relationships with stakeholders within the maritime community.
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‎Earlier in his remarks, the President of MARAN, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, stated that the visit formed part of the association’s ongoing stakeholder engagement initiative following the inauguration of its newly elected executive committee.
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‎Onigbinde explained that the purpose of the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership of the association to the Command and strengthen the longstanding relationship between MARAN and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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‎He commended the KLT Area Command for its contributions to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and enforcement activities, describing the Command as a vital component of Customs operations within Nigeria’s port system.
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‎The MARAN President also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to professional, objective, and development-driven journalism, noting that maritime reporters play a significant role in promoting informed discourse on issues affecting the industry.
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‎He further assured the Command of MARAN’s continued support for initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness within Nigeria’s maritime sector through responsible and factual reporting.

Headlines

One infant, three adults die, several others sustain injuries in fatal train derailment along Warri- Itakpe route

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of four passengers in a train derailment along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor near Agbor, Delta State on Monday, June 8th, 2026.

Several others suffered various degrees of injuries.

In a statement by the Ministry of Transportation and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, the victims included two female adults, one male adult and one infant.

The accident involved four coaches which reportedly capsized while one coach derailed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four lives.

The statement confirmed that a total of 442 passengers were booked on the train, while 40 crew members, security personnel, and third-party service providers were also on board, bringing the total number of persons on the train to 482.

The NRC had activated immediate rescue and evacuation operations with the support of the Delta State Government, NEMA, FRSC, the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities, security agencies, and other emergency responders, and were completed by 6:30 p.m on Monday .

The Injured passengers were evacuated to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment.

Other notable individuals on board included the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Patrick Ukah, among others.

As of the time of this release, 24 serious injuries have been recorded, while several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.

One NRC staff member suffered a traumatic limb injury and is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

“The Ministry and the NRC extend their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the quick recovery of all those injured.

“The Corporation also appreciates the swift intervention of the Delta State Government, emergency responders, security agencies, the NRC Mechanical Directorate, the Special Rescue and Emergency Team, medical personnel, and members of the public who assisted in the rescue efforts” the statement declared.

The ministry said full onboard manifest has been retrieved and will be made available upon request by the relevant authorities while efforts are ongoing to identify all the injured and deceased persons for proper documentation.

The Ministry in conjunction with the NRC have commenced a full investigation into the cause of the accident while efforts will continue to account for all passengers and provide the necessary support to those affected.

Commentaries

Why Nigeria must prioritize competency development and standards to harness gains of blue economy

Funso OLOJO, Editor

Nigeria is endowed with vast maritime resources which offer enormous opportunities for economic growth, employment generation, food security, and environmental sustainability.

With its fabled over 850 kilometers of coastline, extensive inland waterways, and strategic access to the Gulf of Guinea, the country is naturally blessed to emerge as a hub for maritime activities in Africa.

However , taking advantage of these huge massive maritime opportunities should be the priority of Nigerian government which must be intentional on developing competency level of its Maritime professionals and raise their

adherence to international standards.

The blue economy encompasses diverse sectors including shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, offshore energy, maritime logistics, shipbuilding, and marine environmental management.

These sectors are highly knowledge-driven and require a workforce equipped with specialized skills and globally recognized certifications.

Without competent professionals, Nigeria risks losing economic opportunities to countries with better-trained maritime personnel and stronger institutional frameworks.

Competency development is essential for enhancing productivity, safety, and operational efficiency across the maritime sector.

Skilled seafarers, marine engineers, port operators, logistics professionals, and environmental experts are critical to ensuring that maritime activities meet international best practices.

As global shipping and offshore industries become increasingly technology-driven, continuous training and capacity building are necessary to keep Nigerian professionals competitive in the international labour market.

Skilled maritime professionals such as seafarers, marine engineers and allied personnel in the sector could be sources of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria as they could be exported to the international community.

Philippines and India are the world’s top exporters of skilled maritime personnel such as seafarers where they get the chunk of their foreign exchange.

If Nigeria could develop such capacity in skilled labourers in the sector and export their expertise, the country could harvest bountifully from such venture.

Equally important is the adoption and enforcement of internationally recognized standards.

Standards provide the framework for quality assurance, safety management, environmental protection, and operational excellence.

Compliance with global maritime standards established by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization(IMO) and the Nautical Institute enhances Nigeria’s credibility as a maritime nation and attracts foreign investment.

Investors and international partners are more likely to engage with institutions and businesses that demonstrate compliance with recognized benchmarks.

That is why the recent certification of the Maritime Centre of Excellence operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited by the UK Nautical Institute is germaine to Nigeria’s quest to develop training capacity and build compliance with standard procedures

This feat also underscores the importance of world-class training institutions in building local capacity.

That is why the government should give necessary assistance to training institutions in Nigeria such as Maritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN), Oron and the Maritime Centre of Excellence operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited.

Such government patronage and assistance will not only improve the quality of maritime training in Nigeria but also position the country as a regional centre for maritime education and professional development.

Prioritizing competency development and standards will also contribute significantly to maritime safety and environmental sustainability.

Well-trained personnel are better equipped to prevent accidents, manage maritime risks, and respond effectively to emergencies.

Furthermore, adherence to environmental standards helps reduce marine pollution, protect biodiversity, and ensure the sustainable utilization of ocean resources, which are fundamental pillars of the blue economy.

From an economic perspective, a competent workforce and strong standards framework can increase Nigeria’s participation in global maritime trade, create high-value jobs, reduce dependence on foreign expertise, and improve the country’s competitiveness.

It also supports local content development by enabling Nigerian professionals and companies to meet the requirements of international contracts and projects.

In conclusion, competency development and standards are not optional components of Nigeria’s blue economy strategy; they are foundational requirements for its success.

By investing in human capital, strengthening training institutions, and enforcing internationally accepted standards, Nigeria can fully harness the immense potential of its maritime resources and transform the blue economy into a major driver of national development, economic diversification, and sustainable growth.