Headlines

MARAN hosts past presidents to appreciation reception amidst pomp and pageantry

Funso OLOJO, Editor

It was a night of glitz, bliss and glamour when the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), hosted its past presidents to an appreciation reception at the Rockview hotel, Apapa Lagos.

It was a night when MARAN showcased its 13 past leaders who had toiled and sweated to build the association into a formidable group of maritime journalists that has over the years shaped government policies and programmes in the maritime industry.

It started like a mustard seed sown by the present Caretaker committee of the association led by Tunde Ayodele when it mooted the idea at the Association’ s Congress meeting in January, 2026.

According to Ayodele, his caretaker committee was inspired to organize a befitting reception for the past presidents, given their sacrifices, passion, patriotism and sheer resilience they had displayed to berth a MARAN that was the progenitor of all other journalists association in the maritime industry.

“When my team and I assumed responsibility as the caretaker committee, one of our foremost priorities was to reconnect with our roots by honouring these great men.

“This event was not just a celebration; it was a reminder that their labour was not in vain.

“Nearly four decades later, MARAN remains strong, relevant, and growing.

“We recognise that the wisdom, experience, and guidance of our past leaders are invaluable” Ayodele said, giving an insight into what motivated its committee to organize the reception.

So they tapped on a five- man Organising committee led by Funso Olojo, the Chairman of Board of Trustees (BOT) of MARAN, to ensure that this vision becomes a reality.

So, the Organising committee, which also consisted of John Iwori, Enyeribe Anyanwu, Ruth Umunna, and Sandra Chkwunyere, set to work, toiling day and night to organize the most befitting reception for the past leaders of the association.

On April 24th, 2026, the past presidents of MARAN, for the first time in the 38 years of the establishment of the association, gathered together under the same roof where they were unveiled to the stakeholders in the industry.

It was a night of glowing tributes, good will messages and effusive show of love to the men and woman of valor who built and nurtured MARAN to stardom.

The roll call was intimidating and inspiring.

Rev. Alban Opara, the Minister of God in His vineyard and the pioneer President of MARAN, Elder ASU Beks, an enigmatic media mogul who is the CEO of Maritime Media Limited, the publisher of the influential Shipping World and the one commonly called the God Father, Barrister Tino Buoro, a legal luminary and expert in Arbitration law, Ubon Akpan, now late but a colossus in the media world, Emmanuel Adegbe, now late who was also a force to be reckoned with in journalism and Pius Mordi, the Media Aide to the Governor of Delta. state.

Others were Ray Ugochukwu, now late , the two – terms President of MARAN, the first ever person to achieve such a rare feat . He was also an erudite journalist.

Sesan Onilemo, another brilliant and consummate journalist who is the CEO of First Mediacon Media Limited, the publisher of the influencial Shipping position Newspaper and producer of Shipping position on radio, Dele Aderibigbe, another fearless journalist who is the pioneer and current Chairman of the Nigeria National Maritime Journalists(NNMJ), the confederation of six maritime journalists associations in the maritime industry, Adeleye Ajayi, a retired Director at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the current two- term Chairman of Lagos council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ), Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Ifeyinwa Obi, now late who was a humanist, passionate and committed welfarist who was a crack journalist.

The last but not the least on the roll call of MARAN past presidents celebrated on that night of glitz was Anya Njoku, a fiery and fearless journalist.

However, the deceased past presidents were represented by their dear wives and family friends and members.

While Mrs Nneka Rosemary Ugochukwu stood for her late husband, Ray Ugochukwu, Mrs Paulina Adegbe and her two adorable daughters stood in for her late husband, Emmanuel Adegbe.

Mr Frank Meke, a seasoned journalist, represented the family of late Ubong Akpan as the wife of the deceased was away on a family engagement.

By and large, it was a night to remember as MARAN, in an unprecedented way, honoured the labour of its heroes past to ensure that they did not labour in vain.

The event attracted a large assemblage of stakeholders, consisting maritime agencies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, technocrats ,academia and well wishers of MARAN and the Awardees.

In their reactions to the unexpected appreciation night, some of the Awardees expressed their heartfelt gratitude to MARAN, the organisers of the event.

The wives of two of the deceased past presidents, Mrs Nneka Rosemary Ugochukwu and Paulina Adegbe, delivered moving messages of gratitude to MARAN.

“With heartfelt appreciation, the family of Ugochukwu sincerely appreciate the Maritime Reporters association of Nigeria (MARAN) for the honor bestowed on my late husband, Ray Ugochukwu, your former president.

“Though he is no longer here, your thoughtful recognition of his leadership through the love, honor and respect showed is really comforting to us .

“Thank you for keeping his memory alive.

We are truly grateful for this kind gesture.

“Thank you Chairman, caretaker committee.

“Thank you Chairman, organizing committee.

“Thank you Maritime Reporters association of Nigeria.

Thank you all stakeholders.

God bless you” Mrs Nneka Rosemary Ugochukwu said in an emotion- laden voice, tears welling up in her eyes.

Mrs Paulina Adegbe was no less emotional in her message of appreciation for the honour done her late husband, Emmanuel Adegbe.

“The family of late Emmanuel Adegbe sincerely wants to appreciate the organizers of the event held 24/4/2026 in honor of their past presidents living and the deceased.

“Thank you Maritime Association of Nigeria (MARAN )for what you did, it was an amazing experience.

“We pray for long life and success for the Association in the nearest future. Thank you once again.”

At the rendition of these messages of appreciation, the audience fell into a solemn mood.

The event, chaired by the legendary Engineer Greg Ogbeifun, was spiced by a thought- provoking seminar paper by Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, the former Minister of Interior who spoke on the topic:The Role of Media in Sustainable Maritime Development.

Rev. Alban Opara, the first MARAN President, took the awe- struck audience on a historical tour of the the creation of MARAN.

Rev.Opara told the audience about the dramatic story of how MARAN was born on April 10th,1988 during the fraud- induced port congestion era of that year.

He also listed the founding members of the historic nascent body of maritime journalists to include

Alban Opara – the Vanguard Newspaper, (Pioneer President),

Emeka Okoroanyanwu – The Guardian Newspaper ( Pioneer Vice president),

Friday Odoemena – The Republic Newspaper ( Pioneer General Secretary),

Remi itie – Radio Nigeria ( Pioneer Treasurer), later Maritime Economist)

Martin Nwanne – Daily Times Newspapers

Goke Odeyinka replaced Tunde Fabunmi – National Concord

Eddie Iroha – Business Times

Hanni Okoroafor – Business Concord

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN Correspondence ( Name not available)

Rasheed Williams – National Television Authority

These are the men and woman that braved the odds and the intimidation of the military government of General Ibrahim Babamosi Babangida and the oppressive port authority of that period.

It was a historical expedition that make the audience fall into a pin- drop silence while listening with rapt attention but later erupted in a spontaneous applause after the thrilling details of how MARAN was formed.

The occasion afforded most MARAN members, especially the younger ones, many of who were still toddlers or were even not yet born at the creation of MARAN, to behold, flesh and blood, those men who were the forerunners of the association.

The appreciation night was a night to remember which will be etched on the memory of all those who attended.

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.