Headlines

Iheanacho identifies media as critical catalyst for sustainable maritime growth

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, the former Minister of Interior, has described media as a catalyst that can accelerate the development and growth of maritime industry in Nigeria.

Iheanacho, who spoke through Dr. Emeka Akabogwu (SAN), make this observation at a reception organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in honour of its past presidents in Lagos.

He however warned that while responsible journalism can accelerate reforms and investment, inaccurate reporting can undermine progress and erode confidence.

Drawing from nearly five decades of experience across private enterprise and public service, the former minister identified agenda-setting, accountability, public education, and stakeholder mobilisation as the four key functions through which the media can influence maritime development.

According to him, the media possesses a unique power to shape national priorities by consistently highlighting industry challenges such as port congestion, high transaction costs, infrastructure gaps, and policy inconsistencies.

“Many genuine industry problems do not move into policy consciousness until the media shines a consistent light on them,” he said, adding that sustained and informed reporting is necessary to ensure reforms are not only initiated but also followed through to completion.

On accountability, Iheanacho acknowledged the watchdog role played by maritime journalists in exposing inefficiencies, corruption risks, and administrative bottlenecks across the sector.

However, he cautioned against reporting based on incomplete facts or insufficient technical understanding.

“A misleading report may damage confidence, unsettle investors, and distort policy debates. Accountability journalism must therefore be rigorous, fair, and evidence-based,” he stated.

He further stressed the importance of public education, noting that the maritime industry remains highly technical and often poorly understood by the general public despite its direct impact on trade, pricing, and employment.

He called for more data-driven reporting, simplified explanations of policies, and increased coverage of inland waterways and coastal economies, warning that “Nigeria cannot build a strong blue economy with a poorly informed public.”

On stakeholder mobilisation, Iheanacho said the media plays a vital role in bridging the gap between government, regulators, and private operators, helping to build consensus and sustain momentum around reforms.

“The media provides the platform where alignment begins. But beyond reporting events, journalists must track commitments and ensure that promises translate into measurable outcomes,” he added.

Addressing MARAN members directly, he described maritime journalism as a “strategic national assignment,” urging practitioners to deepen their technical knowledge, interrogate data, and maintain credibility in their reportage.

“Your words can attract confidence—or discourage it. Your analysis can clarify choices—or deepen confusion,” he said

Adding historical context to the association’s evolution, MARAN’s pioneer president, Alban Opara, in a brief historical reflection, recalled that the association was founded in 1988 at the height of port congestion and economic reforms under the Structural Adjustment Programme.

He noted that early maritime reporters operated without accreditation, often gaining access to ports under difficult conditions, but remained committed to investigative and developmental journalism.

Opara highlighted how persistent media exposure of port inefficiencies, including artificial congestion and costly demurrage practices, helped draw government attention to sectoral challenges and contributed to major policy outcomes such as the National Shipping Policy and Cabotage regime.

He added that MARAN was established not only to protect the interests of maritime journalists but also to position the media as a critical partner in national economic and maritime development.

In his goodwill message, former Comptroller of Customs and District Head of Ketare, Usman Bello Kankara, traced his long-standing relationship with MARAN, which began in 1989 during his tenure as Public Relations Officer at the Apapa Customs Command.

Kankara, who was represented at the event, commended the association for its professionalism and support over the years, recalling how MARAN’s coverage contributed to his recognition as Best PRO of the Nigeria Customs Service in 1999 and helped the Tin Can Island Command earn accolades for public engagement.

Despite his absence due to security challenges in his domain in Katsina State, he reaffirmed his enduring ties with the association and wished its members continued success.

Also speaking, the Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU, Capt. Sunday Umoren, represented by Engr. Richard Owolabi, lauded MARAN for its contributions to maritime advocacy and transparency, describing it as a vital partner in promoting safe and sustainable shipping in West and Central Africa.

The organisation particularly recognised Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, describing him as a “destiny supporter” and a key ally in advancing regional maritime objectives.

The Abuja MoU reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with MARAN to enhance accurate reporting and support the growth of a safe, secure, and environmentally sustainable shipping environment.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the MARAN Caretaker Committee, Tunde Ayodele, described the event as a historic moment in the association’s journey, noting that it was a deliberate effort to reconnect with MARAN’s roots and honour its founding leaders.

Recalling the association’s formation in 1988, Ayodele said many of the pioneers were young professionals in their early 30s at the time, who came together to establish a dedicated maritime reporting beat in Nigeria.

“Today, many of them are in their 60s and 70s, and we gather not just to celebrate their years, but to honour their enduring legacy, sacrifice, and vision,” he said.

He also paid tribute to deceased members of the association, requesting a moment of silence in their honour, describing their contributions as foundational to MARAN’s growth.

Ayodele noted that MARAN’s past presidents had distinguished themselves not only in journalism but also in public service, advisory roles, and national development, citing figures such as Alban Opara, Elder Asu Beks, Sesan Onileimo, Elder Pius Mordi, and Dr. Bolaji Akinola as examples of enduring leadership.

“When my team assumed office as caretakers, one of our key priorities was to reconnect with our roots by honouring these great men,” he said, adding that their wisdom and guidance remain essential to the association’s future.

He appealed to the past leaders to continue to see MARAN as their home, stressing that their continued involvement would strengthen the association and sustain its relevance in the maritime sector.

Headlines

NIMASA flaunts automation process of Nigerian ship registry at 2- day webinar with stakeholders

Funso OLOJO Editor

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will host a two-part stakeholder webinar on October 6 and 8, 2026, to showcase the ongoing automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry as part of efforts to modernise ship registration services and enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian flag.

The webinars will provide shipowners, operators, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers and other stakeholders with insights into the new digital registration platform and its potential to significantly improve the speed, transparency and efficiency of ship registration and related services.

The automated system is designed to enable 24/7 access to registration services, streamline application and approval processes, and facilitate faster issuance of electronic certificates, thereby reducing administrative delays associated with conventional paper-based procedures.

A key feature of the platform is its capacity to provide secure, real-time tracking of ship mortgages and related registry transactions. This will strengthen transparency and provide greater visibility for stakeholders, including financial institutions and other parties involved in vessel financing.

The automation initiative is also expected to make interaction with the Nigerian Ship Registry more seamless for local and international shipowners, while improving the Agency’s ability to deliver efficient, responsive and globally competitive flag-state services.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the automation of the Ship Registry was part of the Agency’s broader commitment to transforming the Nigerian flag and creating an enabling environment for increased participation in the global shipping industry.

“The automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry represents a significant step in our commitment to providing efficient, transparent and globally competitive services to shipowners and other maritime stakeholders.

“Our objective is to make the Nigerian flag more accessible, responsive and attractive through technology-driven processes that meet international standards,” Mobereola declared.

The ongoing user-testing phase is focused on validating the platform’s functionality, security and user experience ahead of its official deployment.

NIMASA said the webinars would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to understand the platform, experience its key features and provide feedback as the Agency moves towards full implementation.

The Agency is inviting shipowners, ship managers, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers, legal practitioners, classification societies and other interested stakeholders to participate in the webinars.

Headlines

NRC joins global community to celebrate customers’ loyalty

Funso OLOJO, Editor

For the first time in its 128 years of existence, the Nigerian Railway Corporation(NRC) joins the global community to commemorate 2026 Customer Service Week from October 5 to 9, with a renewed commitment to putting passengers at the centre of its operations.

The week, being celebrated under the theme, “The Extra Mile,” marks a significant milestone for the 128-year-old Corporation, which is observing Customer Service Week for the first time in its history.

For the NRC, the celebration goes beyond appreciating its passengers. It is also an opportunity to recognise employees who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to service delivery while reinforcing a culture of customer-centricity across the Corporation.

The initiative is in line with the vision of the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, who has consistently emphasised the need to place passengers at the heart of the Corporation’s operations and improve their overall travel experience.

Opeifa said the experiences of the Corporation in recent times had further underscored the importance of listening to customers and responding more effectively to their needs.

“Customers are at the heart of everything we do. Their feedback, trust and partnership challenge us to keep improving and delivering value every day.

“Customer Service Week is an opportunity to recognise that relationship and remind ourselves that great service must go beyond expectations,” he said.

According to the NRC, the theme, “The Extra Mile,” reflects the changing expectations of modern train passengers and the need for service providers to go beyond routine obligations.

Going the extra mile, the Corporation noted, could mean listening more attentively to passengers, resolving complaints more quickly, providing clearer and timely information, anticipating customer needs, simplifying processes or demonstrating empathy when it matters most.

The NRC said the commitment would apply across all its operational areas nationwide, with emphasis on providing passengers with a consistent, responsive and dependable experience regardless of where or how they interact with the Corporation.

The Corporation also pledged to strengthen its customer-feedback mechanisms and establish a closer link between passenger insights and continuous improvements in service delivery.

It said its objective was to ensure that exceptional customer service becomes an everyday practice rather than an activity reserved for Customer Service Week.

“Every interaction presents an opportunity to listen better, respond faster, show genuine care and create greater value for our customers,” the Corporation stated.

For the NRC, therefore, “The Extra Mile” is more than a theme for a week-long celebration. It represents a commitment to making every passenger interaction count and ensuring that customers enjoy a safer, more responsive and rewarding experience throughout their journey on Nigerian trains.

Commentaries

Our Oceans, Our Wealth: The real benefits of new fishing port

Monday Discourse with Nasiru Ibrahim

Nigeria has a very long coastline, but we have ignored our oceans for decades. Our major sea gateways, from Apapa to Port Harcourt, are mostly built to handle crude oil exports and heavy manufacturing containers.

Meanwhile, the local fishing industry—which has the capacity to feed the entire nation and create vast wealth—has been left to survive entirely on its own.

This is why the recent announcement by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, makes a lot of sense.

Speaking through a representative at the National Conference on Sustainable Fishing in Lagos, the NPA boss stated that Nigeria plans to build a specialized fishing port to finally harness the true value of our ocean resources.

As the country tries to grow its marine and blue economy, this move is completely long overdue.

For a very long time, Nigeria has suffered from an intense oil blindness, focusing all investments on petroleum while ignoring the massive economic potential floating right on our waters.

Right now, our deep seas are teeming with valuable fish, but because we lack proper docks, specialized marine structures, and secure landing sites for large fishing vessels, foreign ships enter our territory and steal our marine resources every single year.

A dedicated fishing port will change this entirely. It will give our local operators and commercial fishing trawlers a safe, modern, and legally protected base to harvest, dock, and process their catch.

Instead of letting foreign poachers dominate our waters, a specialized port ensures that Nigeria profits directly from its own geographical blessings.

We cannot talk about maritime infrastructure without looking at the kitchen table, especially since the average Nigerian family is facing a massive food crisis.

Severe inflation has turned basic proteins like fish and beef into luxury items that ordinary people can no longer afford.

A specialized fishing port will help fix this supply chain problem. The NPA’s plan involves creating dedicated fish terminals equipped with modern cold-room facilities, meaning local fishermen can preserve their catch immediately without it spoiling on the high seas.

When fish can be safely stored and transported into local markets without rotting, the overall supply goes up. When supply goes up, the price goes down, helping ordinary citizens put affordable protein back on their dining tables.

Furthermore, a modern fishing port is much more than just a place to park boats; it is a full-scale industrial business hub.

Building a specialized facility will spark immediate economic activity along our coastlines, naturally attracting seafood processing factories, boat repair yards, ice-making companies, and specialized transport networks.

This infrastructure will create thousands of genuine jobs for young people, refrigeration technicians, boat mechanics, and market women who dominate the local seafood trade. It bridges the gap between rural, traditional fishing and modern, industrial maritime commerce, bringing life back to struggling coastal communities.

The NPA has presented a great vision, and using a Public-Private Partnership model to fund it is a smart strategy.

But as Nigerians, we know our main problem is never a shortage of good plans—it is making those plans actually happen on the ground.

If this fishing port is going to transform our economy, the government must move quickly from conference papers to physical construction. We need to see real investments start on our coastlines.

Utilizing our ocean resources is one of the smartest ways to build a country that does not rely solely on oil. It is time to stop looking at our waters as just shipping lanes, and start treating them as the goldmines they really are.

Ibrahim Nasiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.