Gloria Odion,  maritme reporter 

The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has announced September 10th, 2026, as the date for this year’s edition of its flagship MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL), a high-profile gathering expected to bring together key government officials, industry leaders and maritime stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for enhancing the competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports.

The annual lecture, scheduled to hold at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, will focus on the theme: “Nigeria Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”

The event is expected to provide a strategic platform for robust discussions on reforms required to make Nigerian ports more efficient, cost-effective and globally competitive.

According to the organisers, this year’s lecture will examine critical issues shaping the nation’s maritime sector, including port infrastructure modernisation, operational efficiency, port charges, trade facilitation, regulatory reforms and policy initiatives aimed at positioning Nigeria as the preferred maritime and logistics hub in West and Central Africa.

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola is expected to attend as the Special Guest of Honour, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing reforms in the maritime and blue economy sectors.

The keynote address will be delivered by Hadiza Bala Usman, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and  Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU).

She is expected to articulate the Federal Government’s policy direction on port reforms and highlight the importance of coordinated implementation in improving operational efficiency, attracting investment and driving sustainable economic growth.

Speaking on the forthcoming event, MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, disclosed that the lecture will be chaired by TANTITA Security Services Limited, adding that it will attract an array of stakeholders, including government officials, heads of maritime agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, port users, investors, academics, development partners and media professionals.

According to Onigbinde, MAMAL has over the years evolved into one of the maritime industry’s foremost policy dialogue platforms, fostering constructive engagement among stakeholders and generating practical recommendations to address the sector’s most pressing challenges.

He expressed optimism that this year’s edition would produce actionable policy recommendations on reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports, improving operational efficiency, boosting investor confidence and accelerating Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a leading maritime and logistics gateway in the sub-region.

Onigbinde therefore called on stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to participate actively in the event, describing MAMAL 2026 as a strategic forum for shaping policies, strengthening partnerships and promoting innovation that will drive sustainable growth and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Funso Olojo, Editor 

As the clock ticks toward the August 15th, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, the political atmosphere has become charged with anticipation.

Across markets, palaces, campuses and community squares, one question echoes repeatedly: Can Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) return the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Government House in Osogbo?

For Oyebamiji, the journey has been one of preparation, experience and political patience.

Having served as Commissioner for Finance in Osun State and later as Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), he has built a reputation among supporters as a technocrat with administrative experience.

His campaign has focused heavily on economic revival, infrastructure development, job creation and the implementation of what he calls the “Prosperity Agenda.”

The APC candidate also enters the race with significant institutional backing. The party has deployed a high-powered national campaign council, while senior party leaders have repeatedly described the Osun election as strategically important.

Party faithful believe this level of mobilisation could strengthen the APC’s grassroots efforts across the state’s 30 local government areas.

Beyond party structures, Oyebamiji has sought to connect directly with voters through extensive consultations with traditional rulers, artisans, traders, youth groups and religious organisations.

His campaign has projected him as a consensus builder capable of uniting diverse interests behind a common development agenda.

Yet, the road to victory is anything but straightforward.

Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke remains a formidable opponent with the advantages of incumbency and an established political base.

Elections in Osun have historically been fiercely contested, and recent political history demonstrates that voter sentiment can shift rapidly during campaigns.

For Oyebamiji, several factors could shape his electoral fortunes:

The APC’s ability to maintain unity and mobilise supporters across the state.

The public’s assessment of his policy proposals compared with those of the incumbent.

Voter turnout, especially among young people and first-time voters.

The conduct of peaceful, credible and transparent elections by all stakeholders.

As election day approaches, political observers generally agree that the contest remains highly competitive.

While the APC believes Oyebamiji’s campaign momentum and broad endorsements could translate into electoral success, the final verdict belongs solely to the people of Osun State when they cast their votes on August 15.

In the end, democracy is not decided by campaign rallies, endorsements or political projections. It is decided by ballots.

If Oyebamiji succeeds in convincing enough voters that his vision offers a better future for Osun, he could emerge victorious.

The latest electorial poll recently conducted in Osun state suggests that Oyebamiji has a higher chance of becoming the next governor of the state with 65 percent poll forecast.

Until then, the story of Osun 2026 remains one of hope, intense competition and the enduring power of the people’s vote.

Gloria Odion, maritme reporter 

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerian seafarers through stronger collaboration with key maritime stakeholders, including the Mission to Seafarers (MtS).

Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, gave the assurance while receiving the Chairman of the Management Committee of Mission to Seafarers Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, and the Regional Director of Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach, during a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the NIMASA boss reiterated the Agency’s determination to implement policies and initiatives that promote the welfare, professional development and wellbeing of Nigerian seafarers.

“NIMASA remains committed to improving the welfare of seafarers through enhanced certification processes, capacity development, and policies that promote their wellbeing and professional advancement.

“We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders such as the Mission to Seafarers to ensure that seafarers receive the support they deserve both at sea and in port,” Adeyemi said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Management Committee of Mission to Seafarers Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, commended NIMASA for its warm reception and lauded the Agency’s ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Sarumi noted that the Mission to Seafarers has, over the years, remained committed globally to providing welfare, pastoral care and practical support for seafarers.

He expressed confidence that closer collaboration with NIMASA would further enhance the welfare of maritime professionals operating in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Regional Director of Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach, explained that although the Mission to Seafarers and the Port Welfare Committee share the common objective of improving seafarers’ welfare, both organisations operate under distinct but complementary mandates.

He stressed that stronger collaboration among stakeholders would enhance the support systems available to seafarers calling at Nigerian ports.

The visit also provided an opportunity for both organisations to deliberate on issues relating to seafarers’ welfare, decent working conditions and other areas of mutual interest aimed at strengthening welfare support services across Nigeria’s maritime industry.

NIMASA has continued to champion initiatives that safeguard the rights and welfare of Nigerian seafarers in line with international best practices and the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.

Through sustained stakeholder engagement, strengthened regulatory oversight and policies that promote decent work, the Agency says it remains committed to ensuring that seafarers operate in an environment where their rights, welfare and professional development are adequately protected.