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Excitement grips maritime stakeholders as MARAN holds 34th anniversary celebration

The Eyewitness reporter
Excited maritime stakeholders are waiting with bated breath for the night of excellence when the maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria(MARAN) decides to hold its long-awaited 34th-anniversary celebration slated for this week Friday, December 9th, 2022.
An elated Minister of Transportation Engr Muazu Sambo, who is the guest of honour on the occasion and also to be conferred with the prestigious Diamond Award, has sworn not to miss the event for anything as, according to him, “maritime sector is my first love, and MARAN is my immediate constituency”
According to the association’s event planning committee, the anniversary night of glitz will hold at the high-brow Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja.
The event, which will highlight the glorious rise of the foremost maritime media association to stardom since 1988, will attract the creme la creme of the industry who will discuss the topic theme  “16 Years of Port Concession; The Pains and the Gains,”

The epoch-making event is to be chaired by Dr. Ade Dosunmu, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The time for the event and Gala is slated for 4 pm Prompt.

The 34th anniversary and Awards night 2022 of MARAN is expected to be attended by over 250 maritime industry professionals; cutting across the maritime agencies, terminal operators, security agencies, and international and domestic companies operating in Nigeria.Expected to also receive awards at the MARAN night of excellence include; Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho, Chairman of Genesis Worldwide Shipping, Princess Dr Vicky Haastrup, Chairperson, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN)

Others are; Presidential flag bearer of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col Hameed Ali, Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) Founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, former President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Prince Olayiwola Shittu as well as the Chairman of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) Tsanni Abubakar.Other notable stakeholders to bag the MARAN prestigious awards are; Customs Area Controller, Apapa Customs Command, Compt Yusuf Malanta, Chairman of Wealthy Honey Nigeria Limited, Dr. Kayode Farinto, the Iyalaje Kano and Chairman of Bomarah Group, Hajia Bola Muse, President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, frontline Shipowner, Alhaji Aminu Umar.

Others are; Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Customs Area Controller, Onne Customs Command, Compt Auwal Mohammed, National Coordinator of 100% Compliance Team of NAGAFF, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim, former Executive Director Finance and Administration of NPA, Mr. Olumide Oduntan.

Companies and government agencies that are billed to clinch awards include; Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) APM Terminals Apapa, Tolaram Group, proponents of the Lekki Deep Seaport, frontline logistics firm; Settle Systems Nigeria Limited, Grimaldi Shipping Nigeria Limited among others.

The lead paper for the event would be delivered by Barr Hassan Bello, immediate past Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council while the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere, Managing Director of Trucks Transit Park Limited (PTT) Jama Onwubuariri and Registrar of NAGAFF Academy, Mr. Francis Omotosho would discuss the paper.

Apart from these, all the maritime agencies, including NPA, NIMASA, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), terminal operators; including TICT Terminal, PTML Terminal, APM Terminals among others have all expressed their desire to be fully involved in the one-day MARAN anniversary and awards,

The committee stated that the conference with the theme: ’16 Years of Port Concession: The Pains and The Gains’ would provide ample opportunity for notable maritime experts and professionals to speak on critical issues affecting the port since 2006.

The planning committee noted that the MARAN Awards celebration comes once a decade and the last edition was held in December 2013.

MARAN is the foremost maritime media association that was formed in November 1988 and has since then remained the umbrella body of all journalists posted to cover or report the activities of the nation’s shipping and allied business.

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Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.
In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
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Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country 

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.
Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.
Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.
Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.
According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.
During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.
 He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.
Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.
Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.
 He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.
The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.
The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.
The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.
Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”
He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.
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