Maritime

Maritime journalists celebrate Lagos NUJ Chairman in grand reception

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN), today hosts the newly elected Chairman of the Lagos Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Leye Ajayi in a grant reception at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

Mr Ajayi was a former President of MARAN.

In what appears to be a celebration of electoral success of one of their own, the maritime journalists will converge on the prestigious Hotel to honour Ajayi in the company of maritime industry stakeholders who have been invited to witness the epoch-making event.

In a statement issued in Lagos by the association, the creme-de-la-creme of the Nigerian maritime sector are billed to attend the event under the Chairmanship of Prince Olayiwola Shittu, former President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA)

The event is billed to hold at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos on Thursday March, 25th 2021 by 11am prompt.

The theme of the event is ”National Development: The Challenges of and the Prospects for the Proper Implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in Nigerian Maritime Industry “

“MARAN is proud of one of its own, Leye Ajayi who was a bonafide member of the association until his emergence as the Lagos NUJ Chairman”

“Mr Ajayi had served MARAN meritoriously at different times and different capacities as Secretary General and later as President”

“The Association is therefore planning a grand reception to celebrate his electoral success”, an elated Mr Anya Njoku, the President of MARAN, observed.

The association said the grand reception and lecture are aimed to boost the synergy between the Maritime Press and Maritime Publics and Government Parastatals.

The lead paper would be presented by seasoned Journalist and the Editor of the XPRESS Newspaper, Mr Emeka Okoroanyawu, who was one of the founders of MARAN in 1988.

Former General Manager, Lagos Traffic FM, Mr. Layinka Adagun, a pioneer MARAN Member, would also be a panel discussant to enhance the theme’s perspectives.

The special guests of honor expected at the event includes; the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr Hassan Bello, and Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Dr George Moghalu.

Others are; Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Zone ‘A’ Lagos, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho.

The Chief Guests of Honors are; Chairperson of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) Princess Dr Vicky Haastrup, the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and immediate past chairman of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju.

Others are; President of ANLCA, Hon Tony Iju Nwabunike and the founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.

In addition, all MARAN past Presidents and Executives would be on ground to grace the grand reception and lecture.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Headlines

National Single Window will improve transparency within Nigeria’s port system — Akutah

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, has expressed confidence that the National Single Window (NSW), once operational, will significantly improve transparency within Nigeria’s port system.

Dr. Akutah said the initiative is expected to address long-standing operational challenges arising from the fragmented activities of multiple government agencies currently working in silos.

According to him, the NSW will foster synergy and coordinated collaboration by streamlining port processes into a unified digital system.

He made this known during a meeting organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services and Related Matters, chaired by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki.

The NSC boss emphasized that the Council’s role as the nation’s Port Economic Regulator has already contributed substantially to restoring order and improving operational standards within the maritime sector.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Dasuki called for expanded stakeholder engagement to ensure inclusiveness, noting that the issue has significant implications for the national economy.

Headlines

NIMASA, NUPRC collaborate for enhanced investment-friendly environment

Gloria Odion Maritime Reporter

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s investment climate through enhanced inter-agency collaboration.

This formed the core of discussions during a working visit by the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, to the Commission’s Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and her management team at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Both agencies emphasized the importance of improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria while optimizing accruable benefits to the Federal Government.

The meeting underscored the need for coordinated regulatory efforts to eliminate operational bottlenecks, promote investor confidence, and ensure efficient revenue generation across the maritime and oil and gas critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

NIMASA’s mandate of promoting indigenous capacity in international shipping trade as well as prevention of marine pollution and control directly aligns with the responsibilities of NUPRC, which include ensuring compliance with regulations as they relate to upstream extraction activities, promoting investment and enforcing environmental/safety standards.